No. 112. 1 775 



Rurfcice it lias an aspect of leanness, altliougli remarkably rich, 

 free from impurities and probably of more practical value for the 

 furnace than either of the preceding veins.* 



This vein is remarkably uniform and regular, and extends in 

 length 5,742 feet, and in width about 70 feet.f It exhibits a strong 

 appearance of stratification in the bed. The divisional seams are 

 very distinct at the surface, but like those in thehyperstene rock, 

 they arc the result of a law of nature analogous, if not identical 

 to the principle of crystalization.* A small vein or probablj 

 a branch of this bed, occurs in the same hill and is designated 

 the " Crystalized ore bed." This vein is lined on the sides by a 

 wall a few inches thick, formed of pure hornblende. A rare and 

 peculiar formation. On the eastern slope of the same eminence, 

 another vein of fine grained ore is developed, and probably of 

 equal extent with that already noticed. The Cheney bed, situa- 

 ted about three miles west of Lake Sandford yields the finest grain- 

 ed ore of the district. It occurs in gniess and differs from every 

 other vein in that peculiarity.* Numerous other veins are known 

 to exist in proximity to these, but have only been superficially 

 explored. A supply of ores, that the consumption of centuries 

 cannot exhaust, immediately encompasses these works. Little 

 doubt can exist that the entire district, constitutes one vast form- 

 ation of ores, concealed by a narrow and slight encrustation of 

 earth and rock. I found, in the centre of the " Indian Pass," a 

 specimen of ore, closely analogous to the ore of the Sandford bed» 

 These ores are all varieties of the black oxide of iron, exhibiting 

 a mechanical mixture of the protoxide and peroxide of Iron.* 



I propose to deviate from tin formal arrangement of my sub- 

 ject, in order to present in one group, the varied and interesting 

 topics, embraced in this important district. An exhibition in one 

 view, of its striking features, of its geology and mineralogy, the 

 peculiar harmony and adai)tation of its resources to sustain its 

 great predominant interest, will enable tlio reader more distinctly 

 to apprehend the nature, the varied ciipaciti«»s, and singular ad- 

 vantug"S of this extraordiniiry region. When appropriate ave- 

 nues, equal to its resources, shall connect it with the marts of 



•R. a rk. flVof. Kmmot* 



