52 



elusion, not only as to its existence, but approximately as to its probablejlocality. 

 The fossils before alluded to, are always found below the coal beds, and in no in 

 stance above them. Their depth below the coals is generally within three hundred 

 feet. These facts will lead us to look for some other locality more elevated^ 

 and on the line of trend to the north in which these rocks may be found with 

 their appropriate superincumbent strata, in which we may naturally expect will 

 be found the proposed beds of mineral coal. The dip of the rocks to the. east 

 at an angle of about 20 degrees, and the elevation of the lands lying in that di 

 rection with their outline, would warrant extensive explorations in those quar 

 ters with strong grounds for the belief that success would attend the search ; 

 while to the north the beds should be sought for among the higher hills and low 

 mountains east of Shasta Butte, or perhaps as far north as the Siskiyou Range, 

 beyond the Klamath River. 



I feel but little hesitancy in saying that a great degree of certainty exists, of 

 the mineral coals being found in the counties of Shasta and Siskiyou, but in the 

 former more particularly. I cannot with respect to the latter named county, 

 speak with the same amount of confidence, as my examination did not extend 

 sufficiently far north to determine with any degree of certainty the probable ex 

 tent and position which these rocks maintain through the middle and northern 

 parts of that county. JVly remarks in relation thereto are based on the fact of 

 an extensive bed of limestone, similar in character to that under consideration, 

 existing on a tributary of the Klamath River, a short distance to the west of 

 what is known as Bridge Creek, a specimen of which was in my possession three 

 years since, but was destroyed in the great fire at Sacramento. This specimen, 

 I believe, contained no fossils, so far as my recollections serves me at the present 

 time. 



Should no coals be found adjacent to any part of this group, there are other 

 circumstances connected with it, which render it of considerable economic value. 

 The depth and solidity of the strata composing the great mass of the hills, and 

 the firm character of the stone, will render it desirable for building purposes, to 

 which it is well adapted, both in quality and quantity. It would make a more 

 durable material by far, for those purposes, than a great portion of the stones at 

 present used, either on public or private works about this country. Indeed 

 there is none to be found so good, except, perhaps, the better qualities of granite, 

 such as is found in the eastern parts of the county of Sacramento. The facil 

 ities of transportation, too, are very good, as this rock is found within six or eight 

 miles of the navigable waters of the Sacramento River, at its higher stages, and 

 which, with light draught boats, could be made available for four months of the 

 year, and probably for a longer season. 



The lower beds of these rocks are composed of corals, and the stems of en- 

 crinites, distributed through a very dark base, and traversed with veins of white 

 spar. It receives a high polish and is obtainable in slabs of almost any dimen 

 sions and thickness. It will be found a most superb article for ornamental house 

 work and for furniture. There are sufficient quantities and variety of qualities 

 of this stone to answer the entire demand of this State for many years to come, 

 and capable of affording an extensive and lucrative business to persons engaged 

 in this department of industry. The value of ordinary marble in this State, is 

 about $2 50 per cubic foot, and the demand constantly increasing. For the finer 

 varieties, the prices are much higher, and rule as high as $8 25 and $4 00 per 

 cubic foot. I have obtained the opinion of practical stone artificers on the fine 

 dark varieties of these rocks, and they unqualifiedly pronounce it but little in 

 ferior in quality to the Italian stone known as the " .Black and gold" marble. 

 The stone of the Sacramento does not possess the rich yellow veins, which dis 

 tinguish the above-mentioned article, but in all other characteristics it closely 

 resembles it. 



