MANGANKSB ORES OF NOVA SCOTIA. 9 



I. 



Lime carbonate 83 •42 



Iron carbonate 1-20 



Magnesia carbonate 10-32 



Manganese carbonate 1-38 



lusolublo matter 4-85 



Moisture — 



101-17 96-77 100-82 97-231 



The limestone of Chester, on the Atlantic shore, presents a remnant of Lower 

 Carboniferous measures, formerly without doubt co-extensivc with those of our northern 

 counties. The lower beds are described by the late Dr. How as comi^act, of a dark blue 

 colour, and consisting- principally of carbonates of iron, lime, magnesia and manganese, 

 yielding- umbers by weathering. These are the most highly magnesian and mangan- 

 iferous limestones that I have yet met in the province. It is quite possible that there may 

 be others higher in the marine limestone formation carrying notable percentag'es of the 

 carbonates of these metals. In the case of the Pictou district, however, the overlying 

 limestones, up to what may be termed the base of the millstone-grit, are decidedly non- 

 magnesian ; the inspection of a very complete set of analyses showing none carrying 

 over four per cent, of the carbonate of magnesia, and usually little more than traces of 

 manganese. 



The following analysis, made at the Durham College of Science, of a limestone lying 

 above the Springville gypsum, shows the usual composition of the purer grade of the 

 limestones of the higher sections of the Pictou marine limestones : — 



Lime carbonate 96-26 



3Iagnesia carbonate 2-33 



Iron peroxide -57 



Manganese peroxide -55 



Alumina - 10 



Sulphur -02 



Phosphoric acid -03 



Silica 1-99 



Moisture -17 



101-02 



In the northern part of Hants County, the carboniferous marine limestones and the 

 ixnderlying lower coal measures are found in a series of east and west folds, shifted and 

 broken by transverse subordinate flexures. The presence of manganese in the upper of 

 these divisions is first observable at the mouth of the Shubenacadie River, where a dark- 

 coloured limestone underlies the gypsum, and is associated, a short distance east of the 

 river, with red shales, carrying veins of red hematite, with manganese oxides and calcspar. 

 The westward continuation of this horizon is noticeable again at Tenny Cape, where a 

 series of these measures, extending to Walton and Cheverie, a distance of about fifteen 



' As peroxiile. 



Sec. IV., 1884. 2. 



