334 On Metallic Minerals. 



although containing very little iron and placed by most 

 niineralogical writers under the class "combustible mine- 

 rals," is by some introduced among the iron ores. 



MAGNETIC OXIDE OF IRON. 



As yeilding the best iron and in greatest quantity, merits 

 the first attention. 



The magnetic oxide of iron has been found abundantly 

 in Canada, but only in one place where it has been smelted ; 

 at least I have no certain knowledge of more than one, 

 although it is reported that a portion of the ore formerly 

 employed to supply the furnace, at that period in operation, 

 in the seigniory of Batiscan, L. C. ^^as of this species 

 of ore. 



The quantity of this description of ore in the township of 

 Marmora and Belmont, U. C is probably inexhaustible. — 

 Its quality is generally good, in many instances excellent, 

 and a large portion of it can be brought by water to the 

 smelting works situated on the Crow River, at a com- 

 paratively trifling expence. — (Note 1.) 



About four leagues in rear of St. Paul's Bay, L. C. there 

 is another considerable deposit of the black oxide of iron or 

 magnetic oxide. It was known and partly explored, 

 according to Charlevoix, when the French were in pos- 

 session of the country, but I believe no smelting furnace 

 was ever established in the neighbourhood. — (Note 2.) 



In the townships of Houghborough and Camden, U. C. 

 it is said to occur in great abundanee ; as also at Hull on 

 the Ottawa. — (Note 3.) 



As an alluvial sand it is often found forming ripples and 

 ridges at parallel levels, and distances on the shores of 

 rivers, particularly on the shores of those rivers in the 

 districts of Quebec and Three Rivers, which have their 



