1 882. 103 Trans. N. Y. Ac. Set. 



the purpose of drainage, 261 feet long, mostly through rock, was cut 

 to this vein, and a shaft sunk down upon it. At this time the 

 work on this vein has reached a depth of 36 feet, at which point it 

 proved its pocket nature by pinching out — closing together. 



Thus far, twelve of these pockets have been found within an area of 

 forty feet square, carrjnng emeralds, four of which pockets contained 

 also the spodumene-emerald. 



All these veins maintained nearly the same character of dip, thick- 

 ness, length and associations. 



Other pockets were found that yielded Quartz, Rutile, Monazite, and 

 Mica crystals of great beauty. Others yet, whose walls were covered 

 with finely crystallized Dolomite, Calcite, Apatite (transparent and pel- 

 lucid) Rutile, Pyrite, Quartz and Mica. 



In one instance, a small pocket that contained two beautiful emerald 

 crystals, had its walls covered with large crystals of Albite (twinned 

 parallel to the basal plane). Another pockec contained only Mica crys- 

 tals and one small pellucid colorless beryl that had both ends brilliantly 

 terminated with many planes. I mention the above associations, that 

 you may learn the diversity in these pockets, although they are so near 

 together. 



In the rock-mining, and while prospecting on the surface, the sign of 

 a vein is the presence of small streaks of massive quartz, or of mica, in 

 a counter direction to the strike of the country-rock, either of which lead 

 to open pockets not many feet off. The gems have thus far been 

 found loosely attached to the rock. Not over nine emeralds have 

 been found at any one time. Mineralogists have a great treat in store 

 for them, when deep rock-mining is accomplished here. Then the 

 gems will be found firmly attached, and they will shine with all their 

 primitive crystalline beauty. 



The largest emerald found in this mine is 8,'/^ inches long, and weighs 

 nearly 9 ounces. It was one of nine fine crystals contained in a single 

 pocket ; their color was exceIlen^ and they were transparent, though 

 somewhat flawed. 



The locality is situated about 35 miles, air-line measure, S. E. from 

 the "Blue Ridge " mountains. The contour of the country is low rol- 

 ling! find its altitude is about 1200 feet. The soils are chiefly red 

 gravelly clriys, of not much fertility. The prevailing rock is gneiss, 

 with more of a feldspathic than a micaceous character: the trend of 

 the strata is N. N. W. and S. S. E. with a dip nearly vertical. 



The gems ani crystals occur in open pockets (miniature caves), of 

 very limited extent, these are cross fractures or fissures in the rock. 

 These fissures, lenticular in shape, are usually nearly perpendicular. 



There being no glacial drift here, the soils are necessarily the result 



