BOOK IX.

437

these holes wedge-shaped pegs are driven, in order that the beams may remainfixed, and that the box may turn round, and may be turned toward the windfrom whichever quarter of the sky it may blow. In such a hearth they put

A — Box. B —Pivot. C—Transverse wood beams. D —Grate. E —Its feet.F—Burning wood. G—Stick. H—Pans in which the bismuth is melted.I —Pans for moulds. K —Cakes. L —Fork. M —Brush.

SSI

mm

Ism

an iron grate, as long and wide as the box and threequarters of a foot high ,it has six feet, and there are so many transverse bars that they almost touchone another. On the grate they lay pine-wood and over it broken ore, and overthis they again lay pine-wood. When it has been kindled the ore melts, outof which the bismuth drips down ; since very little wood is burned, this is themost profitable method of smelting the bismuth. The bismuth drips throughthe grate on to the hearth, while the other things remain upon the grate withthe charcoal. When the work is finished, the workman takes a stick from thehearth and overturns the grate, and the things which have accumulated onit; with a brush he sweeps up the bismuth and collects it in a basket, andthen he melts it in an iron pan and makes cakes. As soon as possible afterit is cool, he turns the pans over, so that the cakes may fall out, using forthis purpose a two-pronged fork of which one prong is again forked. Andimmediately afterward he returns to his labours.

END OF BOOK IX.