22 Mr. R. C. Taylor's Notes relative to the Geology of Cuba, 



ore assumes a different character. The copper is then found 

 in combination with sulphur and more or less iron ; the 

 mineral having a foliated structure, which it owes to an inti- 

 mate mixture with the foliated magnesian rock, its gangue. 

 At the depth of ninety feet, as we observed in the Buena 

 Isabela mine, that structure is lost, and a more compact and 

 permanent form is assumed. Occasionally the foliated cha- 

 racter is maintained, but it is not so marked as nearer the sur- 

 face*. This ore is raised from the depth quoted in masses 

 of from fifty to three hundred pounds weight each, and free 

 from gangue ; but masses have been detached, by blasting, of 

 the estimated weight of one thousand pounds. 



Native copper is met with, particularly at the mine of San 

 Fernando, on the upper portion of the lodes, and descending 

 to the depth of thirty yards. This occurs in masses of from 

 ten to two hundred or more pounds weight. 



Chromate of Iron of great purity occurs in beds and irre- 

 gular veins in the serpentine rocks at several places in this 

 district. At one point masses containing many cubical yards 

 project several feet above the general surface of the savana. 



Discovery and Progress of the Mines in the Savana Region. — 

 It does not appear that any knowledge of the actual existence 

 of lodes of copper on the north-east side of the island of Cuba 

 prevailed before the year 1830. Soon after this time, how- 

 ever, a couple of Mexican working miners were employed to 

 explore for gold amongst the hills and open savanas within 

 the district of Holguin. It was during their ineffectual re- 

 searches for the more precious metal in this quarter that the 

 first copper veins were discovered; and subsequently the de- 

 nouncement of San Fernando, containing three veins, was 

 commenced, and entrusted to the management of a Mexican 

 manager, by John Bedopia, Esq., an English resident on the 

 island. We have taken the liberty of mentioning this gentle- 

 man personally, because to his individual enterprise we are 

 in a great measure indebted for determining the existence of 

 mineral veins within this district. 



The mine of San Fernando has continued to be worked by 

 negro labour, although but slowly, and under all the disad- 

 vantages of the old Mexican system and incompetent manage- 

 ment. The ore is a sulphuret, of a bronze green colour, 

 rich in copper, and intermixed with rich gray ore, and, to the 

 depth of the first 30 yards, with native copper. 



In the same vicinity have been subsequently made by the 

 same proprietors the denouncements of Socorro, San Antonio, 

 San Juan, Miua Inocentes and San Olivo, 

 » T. G. C. 



