29 



found farther eastward to Gaspe, along the moun- 

 tainous belt which stretches to the extremity of the 

 province. It is from the breaking down of the rocks 

 of this Notre-Dame range that have been derived 

 the sands, clays, and gravel which make the soil of 

 this belt of hills, and of the region to the east and 

 south of them. Gold has been found in several in- 

 stances in these rocks, but the attempts hitherto 

 made to work it, have been by washing the superfi- 

 cial sand and gravel. These trials have in some parts 

 been successful, and the region is now attracting 

 skilled labour and capital, which may probably meet 

 with profitable returns. 



Among the other minerals of Canada which are 

 capable of being turned to use, we may mention 

 some few of the more important. 



IRON PYRITES. 



Iron Pyrites is found abundantly both in the Lau- 

 rentian region and in the Eastern Townships, and is 

 a material of value for the manufacture of copperas, 

 and as a source of sulphur for the fabrication of sul- 

 phuric acid, or oil of vitriol. This substance is one 

 of great importance to the manufacturing industry 

 of a country, for it forms the starting point in the 

 ordinary processes for the production of chlorine, 

 bleaching powder, and soda-ash. Of these the latter 

 is the indispensable material for the manufacture of 

 soap and of glass. Sulphuric acid is moreover largely 

 consumed for making superphosphate of lime, and for 

 the refining of petroleum, two processes having a 

 special interest for the province of Canada, in which 

 the manufacture of sulphuric acid has not yet been 

 attempted. 



