61 



tainly sustain a loss of at least two hundred per cent, above the aggregates that 

 are realized from the working of these ores, which would place the amount of 

 metal that escapes equal to six millions of dollars from the eighteen mines, whose 

 operations are reported for 1855. 



I have repeatedly suggested to miners the saving and separation of these sul- 

 phurets, by those means that are used for the separation and saving of metallic 

 minerals less dense than the sulphurets of iron, and much less valuable. But, as 

 yet, no such means have been adopted, or, at least, but very imperfectly, and is 

 to be regretted that more attention is not bestowed upon this subject. 



ANALYSIS OF SALINE WATERS FROM LICK SPRINGS, SHASTA CO. 



The analysis of these waters was recently made by Dr. L. Lanswert, and the 

 results are as follows : 



The quantity used for quantitative purposes was one gallon. 



Solid matter contained in one gallon water 



Grains. 



Chloride Sodium, (common salt) 1,168 



Sulphate Soda 104 



Borate Soda 9*6 



Borate Lime 12 8 



Proto Sulph. Iron | 270 () 



Sulphate Lime, Alumina and Silica j 



Loss 35*6 



Total grains per gallon 1,600 



In addition to the above, considerable quantities of the boracalcite of hazes is 

 found upon the surface and on the rocks adjoining. 



These springs yield about twelve gallons water per minute, or an amount equal 

 to 17,280 gallons per day. 



From the analysis we find that at the present time they are capable of pro 

 ducing of solar salt, 2,628 pounds; borax, 331 pounds; borate lime, 458 pounds, 

 together with a heavy amount of free boracic acid. 



"This product will be equal to the amount of $3,793 tuns of salt, 556 tuns borax 

 and 659 tuns borate of lime. 



On comparing the waters of these springs with those of Tuscany, (which is the 

 principal source of supply of the borax of commerce for the world,) it is found 

 that they produce naturally an amount nearly equal to four times that of the 

 Italian Springs. 



The Tuscan springs require two hundred pounds of water at their highest point 

 of saturation to produce one pound of the boracic acid of commerce ; this latter 

 contains but about fifty per cent, of the article when refined. 



The springs of Shasta produce from one hundred and sixty-five pounds water 

 one pound of the refined borax of commerce, in addition to the other associated 

 salts. 



It will be seen then, from the character of these waters, that in a short period 

 hence these articles will become materials of export from our shores, and form an 

 important article in commercial transactions. 



