56 



which are found over a large portion of this district were laid down. 

 It is also probable that the frequent intrusions of dioritic rocks, seen 

 both on the Chaudiere, where the richest workings are situated, and 

 at points through the Ditton area, have had some influence in 

 determining the presence of gold in quantity in these districts, since 

 there are considerable areas of Cambrian strata in this section from 

 which but little, if any, gold has yet been reported. 



The presence of old pre-glacial channels in many of the streams 

 flowing into the Chaudiere from either side has of late years been 

 clearly established, and their lower portions have, in most cases where 

 excavated, been found to contain much gold, both fine and coarse. 

 These channels are often of considerable depth, and are filled with sand 

 and gravel, the boulder clay being found at the top or near the present 

 surface of the country. In the washings of the lower auriferous 

 gravels much black sand is obtained. Although but few of these 

 channels have been fully tested, the great richness of those of the Gil- 

 bert stream, and at several other points in the vicinity, testify to the 

 great importance of this feature in the interests of the gold production 

 of this area. No examinations for gold, of any scientific value, have yet 

 been made in that portion of the Gasp6 Peninsula occupied by rocks 

 of Pre-Cambrian and Cambrian age, though reports of its presence 

 along the flanks of the Shick Shock range have been current for years. 

 The comparative inaccessibility of much of this country has hitherto 

 deterred explorers from making a thorough trial of this section, though 

 there are many points that should receive careful investigation both 

 from the prospects of finding a new gold field and from the possible 

 occurrence of asbestus and chromic iron in workable quantity in some 

 part of the great serpentine areas about the heads of the Ste. Anne 

 and Cascapedia Rivers. The presence of the latter mineral was reported 

 from this locality many years ago. 



The presence of gold in connection with the veins of rich argen- 

 tiferous galena found on the upper waters of the Du Loup, a branch of 

 the Chaudiere River, in the Townships of Risboi^ough and Marlow, is 

 also of interest in this connection. The percentage of silver from these 

 veins, varying from $25 to over $400 per ton, is such as to make this 

 locality one of considerable economic importance, and further attention 



