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In 1877 three hundred tons of disseminated mineral were taken out by Mr. 
Miller in the ninth range of Buckingham, but for want of a market he was com- 
pelled to suspend work. 
In the same year, a mine. said to be very rich, was also discovered and 
slightly opened by Thomas Lynch, ahout three miles from the Dominion of 
Canada mine. 
The graphite obtained from these mines is, from its purity and other quali- 
ties, eminently adapted for all the uses to which plumbago has been applied. 
Granular graphite, such as was formerly obtained in Cumberland, and is now 
mined in other European countries, is suited chiefly to the manufacture of 
pencils, and for stock where strength is not needed, but it is almost useless for 
crucibles; while the foliated graphite of Ceylon is used entirely for the latter 
purpose. 
The plumbago of this country, consisting, as it does, of both varieties, can 
be used for each and all of the numerous forms in which this valuable substance 
is employed. The Dominion of Canada Company were manufacturing all kinds 
and grades of crucibles, pencils, stove polish, etc. They claimed that their purest 
graphite contained ninety-seven per cent. of carbon, and that the pencils, cru- 
cibles and other stock made from it were equal to any produced elsewhere. 
Owing to great commercial depression, this company was compelled to suspend 
Operations, and became bankrupt. The diminished production of iron caused a 
great decrease in the demand for plumbago crucibles for steel smelting, and 
prices in consequence, dropped from $250 per ton to $75 or less. At present, 
appearances point to a decided revival of the iron industries, and, when we iearn 
that 8,000 tons of plumbago were used yearly by one English firm alone for 
manufacturing crucibles, we may hope yet to see a good demand and profitable 
prices for our graphite. a i: * id 
SECOND SOIREE 
On Monday, 15th December, 1879, Rev. A. F. Kemp, M.A. ; 
LL.D., delivered a very interesting address (oral) “On the Forms and 
Structures of some Spongillze found in the Ottawa.” Three species of 
these fresh-water sponges were stated to be found in the river viz: S. 
Ottawensis, S. Dawsonii and S. Asperima. Two at least of these 
species can be gathered in McKay’s Bay, below the city. The structure 
and distinguishing characteristics of the different forms were clearly ex- 
plained, as also the methods of their growth and reproduction. 
“The connection of Botany with Mythelogy” was the title of a 
paper read before the Club on the same evening by Mr. R. G. Halibur- 
ton, Y.C. It dealt with the origin and influences of the belief, common 
to ancient nations and to the uncivilized tribes of the present day, in a 
“Tree of Life.” Versions of such traditions still existing among the 
North American Indians, Australians, Polynesians and other races 
were given in illustration. The paper clearly showed evidence of much 
research into the Mythology of the past and present. 
