Doc. No. 9.] 65 



and gold of this latter locality is found, and contains petrifactions of 

 present existing species of plants and trees, which still flourish in the 

 adjoining neighborhood ; among these the pine and oak are very prom 

 inent. The structure of these silicified woods are as perfectly delineated 

 as in the trees of similar character growing above them. The drift de 

 posit at this locality is composed of every variety of rock found in the 

 adjoining countries, being composed of trap, granite, porphyries and 

 quartz, forming no well defined order of position. 



The drift deposit of Minesota being almost exclusively of quartz, such 

 as has been described as occuring at Yumanna, forms a wide contrast 

 with the above, and beneath the boulder formation the lignites, consist 

 ing of six species none of which are identical with any living species, or 

 with the deposits of the section north of this locality. It will be seen 

 from the peculiarities thus briefly enumerated in relation to the main 

 features of both deposits, the widely dissimilar character of the mine 

 rals composing both, their relative position, and the difference in the 

 organic deposits found in both, there is sufficient reason for assigning to 

 each a different age. 



How correct this conclusion may be, it yet remains to be proved, if 

 additional testimony is required ; and this can only be known when this 

 particular section shall have been more fully explored. Certain it is, 

 however, that its present appearance favors this classification ; and should 

 it prove as productive in its auriferous deposits as the partial explora 

 tions upon it now indicate, the amount of gold which it capable of pro 

 ducing would be unequalled in any district heretofore or at present 

 known. There is not an instance known, where the lead in this range 

 has been found, but that large sums of gold have been the result ; this 

 might be saying more, perhaps, than prudence would dictate, but such 

 are the facts in the case, let opinion be* what .they may. 



QUAKTZ MINING. 



For two years past this branch of industry has engrossed much of 

 public attention, and speculation on the future success and prospects of 

 these mines has been as diversified and fluctuating as upon any subject 

 ever presented to public consideration ; this has resulted from an incor 

 rect appreciation of their intrinsic value, and want of information res 

 pecting their position, geologically considered, coupled with disappoint 

 ments resulting in too high anticipations of abundant products from these 

 sources in too short periods of time ; the hasty and inconsiderate man 

 ner in which persons entered into these speculations in the country here 

 tofore, and the natural results which must necessarily flow from such a 

 course of action, has had the effect to cast a shadow of doubt for the 

 time being, on the future prospects of these sources of wealth, while the 

 pecuniary losses that followed in the the train of these causes were con 

 strued by alarmists abroad as indexes of certain failure, and thus ren 

 dered ike doubt that existed an apparent certainty. 



All this however, has had a beneficial effect in its ultimate results, by 

 checking that abnormal cause of action incident to the first outbreak of 

 all speculative movements of this kind. Had that cool discretion and 



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