GEOLOGICAL EEPORT. 91 



county, while the 2d and 3d Magnesian Limestones present an 

 aggregate thickness varying from 600 to 1,000 feet. 



These facts show that the mines of Newton and Jasper have 

 beneath them at least 1,000 feet of lead-bearing limestones, and 

 those in Taney from 600 to 800 feet of the lower part of the 

 same beds. In view of these conclusions, based as they are 

 upon the most unfavorable opinions entertained by any of the 

 character of our veins, the miner and capitalist need not fear 

 the exhaustion of our lead mines ; but, when they take into 

 consideration the facts above stated, which show an entire want 

 of analogy between our own mines and those on the Upper 

 Mississippi, and which point so conclusively to the most relia- 

 ble characteristics of true veins, their fears, if any still exist, 

 that our lead mines have seen their most prosperous days, 

 must be banished, and they will continue their operations with 

 brighter hopes of eminent success. 



These views are fully sustained by the most recent develop- 

 ments of our mines, as some of the oldest have been reopened 

 and worked with greater success than ever before ; and besides 

 the deepest diggings have often proved the most profitable. 



While, then, it may be true that some of our lead deposits 

 are only gash-veins, others (and among them the Casswell) 

 give every indication of being true veins. 



