Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-19

bottom is composed of scorie which gilt
ter with various colors, and among which
are the respirdderos. In one place is stone
so large that a man can stand upon it.
which rises and falls as 1t feels the effect of
the subterranean vapors. At the lowest
point is a lake. the water of which has a
suiphurous and also somewhat acid taste.
The descent of the mountain is, of course,
very much easier and quicker than the
ascent that of the snow-cone especially is
accomplished in a very summary manner,
familiar enough to New Highlander, to be
sure, but rather startling in its novelty TO
inhabitants of southern countries. An In
dian sits on the forward end of q mat,
! holding stick upright between his legs
the traveller sits behind clinging to the
guide with hands and legs, and in less time
! than fifteen minutes the distance is ira
versed, which in the ascent occupied three
or four hours.
| According to the latest measurements,
! the hight of Popocatapetl is 1850 feet
above the sea-level. The crater is about q
miles in circuit, and has q depth of l ,000
feet. Since the mountain has given out
sulphurous vapors for centuries, and at this
time something like ton of sulphur is
! deposited daily, the amount of the mineral
! existing there is almost beyond estimation.
1t would hardly be an eXaggeration to say
that the upper part of the mountain is an
immense block of sulphur inclosed in g
shell of rock a few Yards thick.
Three qualities of sulphur are obtained
by operations here. The best is almost
i chemically pure, obtained at the respirad-
eros, whence it issues in a liquid state and
hardens as it cools The other two quail.
ties are known as rich and pure sulphur
ore. The former yields from 90 TO 81 per
cent. of pure sulphur, the latter about 50.
! The process used for the publication of
the sulphur is that Of Michel, with the
apparatus improved by Lamy. The dis
tillation takes place in SIX large cast-iron
, kettles, or half cylinders, which take the
! place of retorts, and large brick chamber
; which serves as the receiver.
Since the sulphur of Popocatapeu is
much superior to the Sicilian, it is in
greater demand in the American markets.
. The works at Tlamacas have control of
! enough water and fuel to increase their
productveness considerably. This would
be in every respect advantageous; aside
! from the consumption of Mexico, the
United States use 100000 tons annually,
! and even If every ton were sold 20 per cent.
| below the usual price, there would still be,
after allowing for freight and all other
! expenses, a clear profit of two dollars
/ ton. The expenses of production are very
! small. The workmen receive only about
! 70 cents per arroba (25 pounds), although
/ their work is iaborious, dangerous on ac-
| count of the constantly falling rocks, and
from breathing the sulphurous vapors very
deleterious to the health, causing in a short
; time, among other inconvenience, the fall
ing out of the teeth.
The principal source of the worlds sup
! ply of sulphur at present is Sicily, which
produces four-ffths OF that consumed. The
| deposits of Popocatapetl are greater than
those of Sicily, and, as already stated, of
/ better quality. 1t seems incredible that
! they have not been more thoroughly
worked, especially as the sulphur can be
! brought to market % per cent. cheaper
| than the Sicilian, at least in the United
/ States.
| A plan is now or foot to lead tunnel
. through the wall of the crater directly
to the sulphur deposits, and connect
| its mouth by narrow gauge railroad with
| Amecameca, which is on one Of the main
lines of the country. The capital is forth
coming, ard it is quite likely that in few
| years this mountain, which is of such great
interest in geologic, topographic, and arts
| tie respects, will have acquired an almost
incaluiable industrial importance.