30 GEOLOGICAL REPORT. 



" In N.W. of Sec. 13, T. 37, R. 7, specular ore abounds, 

 together with pseudomorphous crystals of pyrites. 



" Specular ore of fine quality abounds in S.E. of S.W. qr. 

 Sec. 32, T. 35, R. 5. Specular oxide is also found in Sec. 4, 

 T. 37, R. 3, and other places in the same township. 



" But little mining has been done in this county ; still, the 

 surface indications warrant the opinion that the mines are 

 worthy of being more thoroughly tested. 



" Iron ore of the best quality abounds at a number of locali- 

 ties in Phelps county. The oldest known, and, perhaps, most 

 valuable deposit in this county, is the Meramec Ore Banks, 

 situated about a half mile from the Meramec, on the west side. 

 This bank was opened as early as 1826, by Messrs. Massey & 

 James, who commenced the erection of a furnace, which was 

 completed in the month of January, 1829, and has been in 

 operation at intervals up to the present time. The ore, which 

 is a rich, compact specular variety, is wrought by Messrs. 

 James, the present proprietors, with considerable profit. It 

 occurs in large rounded or angular masses, and appears to be 

 almost inexhaustible. 



" When the masses are broken they exhibit cavities filled with 

 small, extremely beautiful, fibrous crystals of iron, which are 

 highly iridescent, and sometimes perfectly transparent quartz 

 crystals. In some parts of the bank the specular ore is im- 

 bedded in a soft, purplish hematite, which is quite soapy to the 

 touch. It forms an excellent and valuable paint, for which 

 purpose large quantities, I am told, are sent annually to the 

 eastern cities. The sandstone in the neighborhood contains 

 masses of iron pyrites. 



" In Sec. 32, T. 37, R. 8, there is an extensive deposit of spec- 

 ular ore, very similar in character to the Meramec Bank. It 

 was examined by Mr. Engelmann. 



" In N.W. qr. of Sec. 27, T. 36, R. 7, large masses of specular 

 and brown iron ore abound on the surface. A shaft of fifteen 

 feet has been sunk here, from which a good deal of argillaceous 

 red hematite has been taken. 



" In Sec. 11, T. 39, R. 8, small quantities of good hematite 

 occur ; and also in Sec. 13, T. 37, R. 7. Beautiful pseudo- 

 morphous crystals of iron pyrites were found in large masses 

 near Weber's, in the R.R. cut. 



