Geology 



find proved richer than we had supposed it to be. The 

 pit, which had been sunk in the centre of the lane, was 

 8 feet square. Across its centre was a vein of pure 

 galena 3 feet wide, and this was flanked on either 

 side by calcite with thin strings of the ore running 

 through it, parallel to the main vein. 



There was no sign of zinc blende and no barytes, 

 but the value of the lead ore alone would, if it proved 

 on further investigation to be continuous, be enormous. 



On returning to the valley laden with as much of 

 the galena as we could carry, we were met by the 

 mineralogist, usually the quietest man of our party, but 

 now evidently labouring under suppressed excitement. 



So long as the men were within hearing he would 

 say nothing as to the result of his investigations, but as 

 soon as we were alone he told us that unless he was 

 mistaken the galena contained nearly five per cent, of 

 silver. This would render the vein highly profitable for 

 the silver alone, and further work on the fresh samples 

 which we had brought down with us fully confirmed 

 his original assay. 



Investigation on the plateau showed that the narrow 

 east and west veins carrying galena and blende were of 

 later date than the two large ones with galena only, 

 which were cut by them. 



Having discovered mineral wealth sufficient to cover 

 the cost of our expedition one hundred times over, we 

 felt justified in spending a little time in the investigation 

 of the curious circular hollow which we had seen 

 between the two large veins, and as the tools were still 

 on the plateau the present seemed a suitable oppor- 

 tunity. 



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