83 



while that of a metallic lode adjoining would be correspondingly high, and the 

 reverse of this is also true. 



The gold of the North and South veins is usually destitute of any crystalline form 

 with the exception of one or two instances, while that from the east and west veins 

 possesses this character in a much higher degree These lodes also contain the 

 largest amount of other metallic compounds, as lead and copper, the first of which 

 is frequently productive of silver ; I have seen gold from one of these veins pro 

 ducing five per cent of that metal ; the assay was made at the United States Mint 

 of this State. 



These points lead to interesting inquiries relative to placer gold, and when fully 

 understood, will settle many of the discrepancies that now obtain in relation to the 

 variable character of the metal produced from these districts ; and will ultimately be 

 the means of determining the relative ages of such deposits. 



From mining explorations we are constantly acquiring information of the distri 

 bution of the metallic lodes of the State, and the day is not far distant when all the 

 different systems of productive veins will be fully understood and their peculiarities 

 noted with that precision which the necessities of this department of business de 

 mands, and an intimate acquaintance with the changes that occur in these lodes is 

 now being understood as necessary in prosecuting this business with advantage. 



There is a manifest disposition in the veins below the surface to produce silver, 

 and as before remarked that tendency is much the strongest in the Median set of 

 veins. Associated with the galena of those lodes, molybdenum and tellurium are 

 common attendants throughout, and when these veins shall have been carried to 

 near those depths to which similar operations have been conducted in other 

 countries, we may confidently look for a supply of this metal that will be but little 

 inferior to the present product of gold. 



QUARTZ MINES. 



The operations in this department have continued active during the past season, 

 and the number of mines is on the increase. So far as the workings have been 

 conducted on the lodes during the past year, there are no farther evidences of 

 pinching out than was presented in my former report. But to the contrary, the 

 majority of the veins have increased a little in power, or have maintained fully 

 that to which they had arrived last year. The greater proportion of the mines 

 have been carried to more depth than before attained. 



Of the total number of mines reported in active operation during the year, 

 there are thirty-one still engaged, nine of the number having suspended during 

 1854. Of the total number suspended, five can be considered but temporary, as 

 two are erecting new reduction works, the other three have ceased to reduce ores 

 from the inefficiency of their machinery, and it is not probable that they will again 

 resume operations until the means of transportation is such that heavy freights 

 can be conveyed to near the districts in which the latter are located. At present 

 the only transportation to these sections is upon the backs of mules and horses, 

 and those acquainted with the requisites of machinery for the reduction of ores 

 Tull readily perceive the inadequacy of such material as could be conveyed over 

 rugged mountain trails by the latter process. 



The jjarties owning these mines have not abandoned the enterprise on which 

 they entered, but will await the time when the avenues of communication afford 

 advantages superior to those at present in use, and which will undoubtedly be 

 opened during the present year. 



The remaining four companies that have stopped their operations, I am unable 



