58 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 



mass of the mountains ; and besides, it has an easterly dip, and it seems probable that 

 it is the remnant of a synclinal axis that once filled the valley of Ellis river. 



This deposit of iron has been known for many years, and was first noticed by Mr. 

 Meserve. It was visited by Dr. Jackson, and is thus described by him : 



"One of the veins at the upper opening measures thirty-seven feet in width in an 

 east and west, and sixteen in a north and south direction. The second opening, two 

 hundred feet lower down the slope of the hill, exposes the ore, maintaining the same 

 width. Three hundred feet lower down the vein is observed to narrow, and is but ten 

 feet wide, and four hundred feet farther down the width increases to fifty-five feet. 

 Five hundred and forty-six feet lower still there is a small opening or cave twenty feet 

 deep, where the ore narrows again. On searching to the westward of this great vein, 

 at a distance of two hundred and fifty feet, we soon discovered a new one, which 

 appears to be of the largest dimensions. * * * Forty-nine feet farther west- 

 ward the soil is full of angular fragments of the ore, indicating another vein. It is evi- 

 dent that this mountain is intersected by a great number of veins of excellent iron ore, 

 and will furnish an inexhaustible supply. It is proper here to remark, that it is com- 

 posed chiefly of the peroxide of iron, combined with a small proportion of the protox- 

 ide, and it contains a little oxide of manganese. From the composition of the ore we 

 know that it will make excellent iron and the best kind of steel." 



Fifty tons of the ore were sent to Sampson & Co., celebrated English iron and steel 

 manufacturers, who have reported favorably upon its good qualities. In my examina- 

 tion of this ore deposit, the measurements for mapping the property were made by 

 Daniel Barker, Esq., of Bangor, Me. Starting from the most westerly outcrop on the 

 slope towards Rocky Branch, we found the principal outcrops to lie in a direct line 

 running N. 42° E., and the entire distance one hundred and seventy-five rods. The 

 last outcrop on the east is six feet in width. Measurements of the openings on the 

 west slope towards Rocky Branch were made by Dr. Jackson when the mine was first 

 opened, and could be done much more exact than now. In several places, particularly 

 north of the line followed, there are indications of iron, which may prove as extensive 

 as the beds already opened. 



An analysis of the iron ore by Mr. Williams is as follows : 



Peroxide of iron, 69.4 



Quartz and feldspar, 25.2 



Oxide of manganese, 2.7 



69.4 of peroxide, containing 48.117 per cent, of metallic iron. 



Another specimen yielded, — 



Peroxide and protoxide of iron 77-25 



Quartz and feldspar, 21.40 



Alumina, ............ .15 



Manganese, 1.20 



Or 53 per cent, of metallic iron. 



