63 



source contained about three parts in a thousand of cobalt. In con- 

 clusion, he remarks that in the same bands of rocks we may detect the 

 presence of nickel and cobalt, a prophecy which has since been amply 

 verified. 



A mass of copper pyrites from the same mine weighing 9^ lbs. 

 was also assayed, which yielded 11.6 per cent, of metallic copper. 

 Acting on these and other favourable reports, the company began to 

 sink shafts to test the extent and the quality of the ore, and one of 

 these shafts at least attained a depth of 10 or 15 fathoms. Work was 

 carried on energetically for some years, but the enterprise was finally 

 abandoned, as the quantity of ore did not seem sufificient to justify 

 further expenditure. 



In his report for 1856, Mr. Alex. Murray (see Report Geological 

 Survey of Canada, 1853-511, p. 180,) mentions the occurrence of a 

 " dingy green magnetic trap " associated with red syenite in the north- 

 west corner of the Township of Waters on Salter's meridian line. 

 Specimens of this trap were given to Dr. Hunt for analysis, and the 

 result of his investigation showed that it contained magnetic iron ore 

 and magnetic iron pyrites, generally distributed through the rock, the 

 former in very small grains ; titaniferous iron was found associated with 

 the magnetic ore and a small quantity of nickel and copper. The 

 variation of the magnetic needle near this mass was from ten to 

 fifteen degrees west of the true meridian. It can thus be seen that even 

 at this early period of its history the oiScers of the Geological Survey were 

 aware of the existence of nickel in this region, and had pointed out the 

 probability that workable deposits would be found. Years passed by 

 and the inaccessible nature of the country deterred prospectors from 

 making very detailed exploration or examination, so that it was not till 

 1883, when the Canadian Pacific Railway was in course of construction, 

 that the first discoveries of any consequence were made, since which 

 time the whole belt of the Huronian district has been overrun with 

 eager prospectors and miners. A not infrequent accident in newly 

 settled districts led to the first important discovery. Judge McNaugh- 

 ton, stipendiary magistrate at Sudbury, had been lost in the woods to 

 the west of that village, and diligent search was at once instituted for 

 him. A party consisting of Dr. Howey and two others found the judge 



