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de re metallica

by georg agricola

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Added by: Alex F. Koch ...

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This book is one of the most important and greatest scientific classics. "De Re Metallica" contains more than 200 perfect illustrations, and most of them are full page. The book was published in 1556 by Georgius Agricola. Basically all the shown equipment was current until few decades ago. Agricola described and illustrated such methods as amalgamation, and the use of spiral inclines for moving heavy equipment from the surface to underground. The author set out the basic traditions and practices of mining, described the notably elaborate machines needed to keep mines dry and ventilated, and processing and refining, with their devices and chemicals. The language might seem dense and difficult sometimes, but the book is still worth reading.

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...that he may for himself examine the vein which has been so greatly praised or disparaged, and may consider whether he will buy or sell the shares or not. But people say, though such an one can be on his guard against fraud, yet a simple man and one who is easily credulous, is deceived. But we frequently see a man who is trying to mislead another in this way deceive himself, and deservedly become a laughing- stock for everyone ; or very often the defrauder as well as the dupe is entirely ignorant of mining. If, for instance, a vein has been found to be abundant in ore, contrary to the idea of the would-be deceiver, then he who was to have been cheated gets a profit, and he who has been the deceiver loses. Nevertheless, the miners themselves rarely buy or sell shares, but generally they have jurati venditores"^^ who buy and sell at such prices as they have been instructed to give or accept. Seeing therefore, that magistrates decide disputes on fair and just principles, that honest men...