upon the vein, it is certain to repay them for the very trifling advances which they intend to make upon this experiment.
The ore of San José is composed of feldspath and copper, intermixed with gold, which is found pure, in very minute particles, and is separated from the copper in a few hours by the use of quicksilver in the arrastres. The copper ore is then prepared by fire, when it becomes valuable as magistral; an ingredient, of which, in the amalgamation of silver, a great consumption is made. It is worth from eight to twelve dollars the carga.
From San José we returned the same evening to Zimapan, which we left on the following morning for Itzmiquilpan, where a road branches off to Chico and Real del Monte.
It was my intention not to have quitted Zimapan without visiting the Mines of El Dŏctōr, Măcŏnī, and San Crĭstōvăl, which have been taken up by the Catorce and Anglo-Mexican Companies; but I was prevented by the uncertainty of being able to recross the river Tula, which is seldom fordable during the rainy season. Had a fall of rain taken place in the mountains during my absence, I should have been prevented from reaching Zimapan again, and must have given up my visit to Real del Monte and Chico, in order to return to the Capital by San Juan del Rio and Tula, at which place alone there is a bridge. At any other time I should certainly have undertaken the journey, for the district of El Dŏctōr is
