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panese methods of mining, but especially of smelting are, in a high degree laudable and practical, considering it is only lately that they have acquired any knowledge of chemistry and scientific mineralogy. But their methods are defective when compared with those at present employed in Europe, and if we also compare the quantity of metal obtained with that which could be obtained. Much metal always remains in the slag and stones which are castaway. Even until the year 1600 the Japanese did net separate the gold and silver from the copper ores which contained these metals.
Bürger has already described with much accuracy the manner in which the Japanese work their copper mines (l. c. page 14-99). Every one who has seen a Japanese coal-mine may learn from this how all other ores are dug, for, in Japan, for there is no difference between the processes. On a greater or less, though generally on a moderate, incline, the Japanese miner digs at the foot or in the middle of a mountain his chief entrance, and is guided by his omnipotent yake as to the direction of the subterranean incline. As soon as he meets with veins of proper richness, he follows the direction of these veins. If the veins seem not rich enough, he digs steadily in the first or in another direction to meet with the main lode of the mine. Perpendicular shafts are not sunk by the Japanese in search of the ore. If the mine has a considerable length and depth, they construct small perpendicular ventilating shafts, as the air is not sufficiently renewed if there is only one opening. These air shafts, which unite the inclined road with the top or side of the mountain, cause a better draught of air and are therefore called shaku-hachi (a kind of flute) or kase-mawashi (wind wheeler). In small mines these air shafts are often wanting, and in these cases the miners suffer much in health from the noxious gases emitted. The quantity of carbonic acid is sometimes so great that the flames of the small open mining lamps are extinguished. The greatest labour of the Japanese miner, however, is spent upon the removal of the water from the mine. The means resorted to for
