SULPHURET OF LEAD. 51 



of rounded nodules of various sizes in the quartz, the former being sometimes a central nu- 

 cleus passing gradually into, and at length entirely surrounded by, the blende. 



The difficulties which attend the reduction of the lead ore thus largely mixed with foreign 

 matters, will at once be apparent. Various attempts were made, and large sums expended, 

 by the company, in useless trials to effect the economical separation of these metals. At 

 length, however, this object has been obtained by mechanical contrivances similar to those in 

 use in Germany. At what expense these processes are conducted, and whether they are 

 sufficiently economical to warrant their continuance, I have no means of knowing. 



I have only to add, that the mining operations have been carried on in the most judicious 

 manner, all the galleries and levels being susceptible of complete drainage and ventilation. 

 The amount of ore obtained is large, and it is quite probable that it may be increased to any 

 extent, and at a trifling cost. The mineral was reduced in a reverberatory furnace ; and the 

 lead, of which many tons have been manufactured, is said to have been of good quality. Both 

 the lead and the ore yield by cupellation a small proportion of silver ; too small, however, to 

 warrant the separation in a large way. 



The ore itself, aside from the associates above named, is as rich, as valuable, and as easily 

 reduced, as that of any lead mine whatever. The location of this mine too, and the prospect 

 of a supply of ore, are all as favorable as could be desired, while the average quantity of 

 ore in a cubic yard of the vein is as great, if not greater, than that of any lead mine at pre- 

 sent known in the State. 



The Sullivan and St. Lawrence mines may be thus briefly contrasted. In the latter, the 

 ore is in small veins, with very good associates, and is easily reduced ; but the situation of 

 the mines is bad. In the former, the ore is in large veins, with bad associates, and is more 

 difiicult of separation and reduction ; but the mines are admirably situated, whether we regard 

 the removal of the ore, or the facility of transporting the produce of it. 



Ulster County. A mine of galena was opened in this county in 18.37, and worked by 

 the North American Coal and Mining Company. It is in the Shawangimk range, about three 

 quarters of a mile from the Red Bridge, which forms the boundary between the counties of 

 Ulster and Sullivan, on the Hudson- and Delaware canal. The general character of the de- 

 posit of ore is similar to that of the one found in the adjoining county ; but the galena has 

 thus far been procured only in very small quantities. It is associated with copper pyrites 

 and sulphuret of zinc. The ganguc is quartz, which often occurs in large crystals of great 

 beauty ; seldom, however, with double terminations. 



This mine was worked by a perpendicular shaft, to which levels, passing into the moun- 

 tain at different heights, were constructed. There did not seem to me to be any thing here 

 to warrant the expenditure which had been incurred. 



The Ellenville Mine is about half a mile from the village of that name, at the base of the 

 Shawangunk mountain. The vein is in one of the traverse breaks of the strata, and ranges 

 south 60° east, nearly vertical. The materials which compose it are nearly the same as the 

 grit rock, which it traverses, but more or less loaded with pyrites and crystallized quartz, 



