Re: Starting a New Life on Giligan's Island

Dear f,
  Yes, you do need mercury. As someone pointed out, a desert island would limit
your materials. But, I took "desert island" to be a symbol for " new world".

Mercury can be easily seperated from ore such as cinnebar--this was done by
lavoiser using a magnifying mirror.

Glass is easy. It can be made from sand--which is mostly silica.

best
Penny

>Oh, mercury pumps are easy to make if you have glass and IF you have source
>of mercury. Aye, there's the rub.
>FK