97 



"been filled with apatite by processes of segregation in which the mineral 

 is found either nearly pure, or, moi-e frequently, mingled with crystals 

 of other substances. 



Though the exportation of these Canadian deposits may, [ believe, 

 be considered as still in its infancy, it has already assumed considerable 

 proportions. Quoting from an interesting paper read a few days ago 

 by Dr. Sterry Hunt, before the American Institute of Mining 

 Engineers, we find that the amount shipped from Montreal, in 1883, was 

 17,840 tons, of which a portion was delivered in Hamburg and 

 Stockholm, but the greater part went to British ports. Of this amount 

 15,000 tons were from Quebec, the remainder from Ontario. It is 

 estimated, according to Dr. Hunt, that the shipments during the present 

 year will amount to 24,000 tons. 



Besides the very wide spread of these apatite deposits and their 

 great economic importance, one of the most striking facts so far 

 developed is their great irregularity. Taking into consideration the 

 extremely disturbed character of the Laurentian x-ocks, this is easily 

 understood. Layers and veins which may, before the great folding and 

 kneading together of these rocks, have possessed considerable regularity 

 and uniformity, have Vjeen, as a consequence of the excessive distur- 

 bance, folded and dislocated in every sense, leading to the production of 

 large pockets and irregular masses of apatite which may now be 

 -connected only by narrow and twisted seams, or may occupy what 

 appear to be completely isolated positions. 



This being the case, it may be asked : can a Geological Survey do 

 anything to aid in the discovery of apatite and the development of this 

 mining industry? Fortunately we are not quite without a clue in the 

 matte)-. It has already been discovered (largely by Mr. Yennor's work) 

 that certain broad zones of the Laurentian series, (in part already 

 traced out and mapped,) contain most of the workable deposits of 

 apatite, while extensive intervening belts of country show comparatively 

 little apatite ana offer little encouragement to the miner. These zones 

 are pretty clearly recognizable by their composition and character, and 

 though much has already been done in the matter of defining them, 

 much more yet remains to do. They can, it would appear, be mapped 

 down with a degree of certainty nearly as great as regions capable of 



