1plates, because it remains intact, while
the rods, when worn by rubbing, can
easily be replaced by others.
easily be replaced by others.
Miners use the seventh method of washing when there is no stream of
water in the part of the mountain which contains the black tin, or particles of
gold, or of other metals. In this case they frequently dig more than fifty
ditches on the slope below, or make the same number of pits, six feet long,
three feet wide, and three-quarters of a foot deep, not any great distance
from each other. At the season when a torrent rises from storms of
great violence or long duration, and rushes down the mountain, some of
the miners dig the metalliferous material in the woods with broad hoes and
water in the part of the mountain which contains the black tin, or particles of
gold, or of other metals. In this case they frequently dig more than fifty
ditches on the slope below, or make the same number of pits, six feet long,
three feet wide, and three-quarters of a foot deep, not any great distance
from each other. At the season when a torrent rises from storms of
great violence or long duration, and rushes down the mountain, some of
the miners dig the metalliferous material in the woods with broad hoes and
A—PITS. B—TORRENT. C—SEVEN-PRONGED FORK.
D—SHOVEL.
drag it to the torrent. Other miners divert the torrent into the ditches or
pits, and others throw the roots of trees, shrubs, and grass out of the ditches
or pits with seven-pronged wooden forks. When the torrent has run down,
they remove with shovels the uncleansed tin-stone or particles of metal which
have settled in the ditches or pits, and cleanse it.
drag it to the torrent. Other miners divert the torrent into the ditches or
pits, and others throw the roots of trees, shrubs, and grass out of the ditches
or pits with seven-pronged wooden forks. When the torrent has run down,
they remove with shovels the uncleansed tin-stone or particles of metal which
have settled in the ditches or pits, and cleanse it.
The eighth method is also employed in the regions which the Lusitanians
hold in their power and sway, and is not dissimilar to the last. They drive
hold in their power and sway, and is not dissimilar to the last. They drive