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Show 44 NEW METHOD FOR 1,HE REDUCTION OF SILVER. REDUCTION oF SILVER ORES.-The following cheap and convenient test, in our opinion, is equally applicable for the purpose of reducing gold ore : Two new modes of reducing silver ore, have been re- - cently introduced frqm Germany into Mexico, which promise ere long to supercide entirely the use of that expensive agent, quicksilver. The discoverer is a 1\1r. Ziervogle. According to the present mode the ore is first calcined wtth sal.t, which converts the sulphuret into a. chlorid~; it then at once , removed from the furnace to a suitable tub, or other vessel, and a hot solution of salt poured over it which immedia1ely takes up the chloride of silver and holds it in solution; the liqnid is then drawn into another vessel, containing metallic copper, when the solution is decomposed, the silver being precipitated, and the liquid by a simple process is brought to its orig .. inal starting point, and may be used over and over again with but little loss of salt. In the second process, ores or sulphuretst are carefully roasted in a reverberatory furnace until they are converted into sul phates, when they are thrown into a suitable vessel, and boiling water poured over them, which immediately dissolves the sulphates; the liquid is then drawn off, and the silver precipitated by the same method as the first process. The lat-. ter process is best adapted for ores which contain a large portion of iron and copper pyrites as a certain quantity of sulphur must be present to ensure the conversion into a sulphate. f ' .. 45 THE ROUTE VIA. CHAGRES AND THE ISTHMUS. This route is one that will be selected by a great number of persons, not accompanied by families, on account of the short time required for the trip. It has it! advantages and disadvantages, and we will briefly discuss them. The route would be from New Orleans to Cha· gres, thence across the Isthmus to Panama, and from thence to San Francisco. But little difficulty would be experienced in getting to Chagres, as vessels will be constantly leaving New Orleans for that port, but then comes the tug of war! Chagres is a mere collection of huts, inhabited by negroes, and numbers five hundred persons. A writer in the N. Y. Herald thus describes it: "Its eli· mate is, without doubt, the most pestiferous for whites in the whole world. The coast of Africa, which enjoys a dreaded reputation in this '\Yay, is not so deadly in its climate as Chagres. The thermometer ranges from 78 degs. to 85 degs. all the year, and it rains every day.Many a traveler, who has incautiously remained there for a few days and nights, has had canse to remember Chagres; and many a gallant crew who have entereJ its harbor in full health, have, ere many days, found their final resting place on the dark and malarious bank of the river. Bilious, remittant, and congestive fever, in their most malignant forms, seem to hover over Chagres, ever ready to pounce down on the stranger. Even the acclimated resident of the tropics runs a great risk in staying any time in Chagres ; but the stranger, fresh from the North and its invigorating breezes, runs a most fearful one." Its accommodations for travelers, are said to be ,;vretched; but from the above description, few, we should think, would care to task its hospitality. Should a la!ge num- I |