IN connection with Mr. H. F. COLLINS"' suggestions on this subject I am able to give a description of a method in use at a European smelting works, which is much the same as the one proposed by him. The practical results may be of interest, particularly the percentage extraction of metallic lead. The object of the process at the European works is more the rapid extraction of silver from rich ore rather than that of the lead, but nevertheless the latter does not suffer on that account. The operation is based on the mutual reduction of oxide and sulphide of lead when heated together, the separation of the reduced lead being assisted by carrying out the reaction on a bath of the latter metal. As the slags formed often amount to 6o per cent. of the weighing of the charge, they undergo a liquation after removal from the bath, to insure the separation of the entangled portions of reduced lead.