SILVKR LOCATIONS OF THUNDER BAT. 221 



or meet for some time the cost of its development. The deepest shaft 

 is comparatively little more than a surface exploration : sufficient, it is 

 true, to shew the strength and permanency of the vein, and to afford 

 trustworthy indications of richness at lower levels, but far too slight to 

 be taken as a test of the actual richness of the lode. Few veins of this 

 character, probably not two per cent, of those belonging to the paying 

 mines of Europe and America, have yielded pay-stuff at a less depth 

 than 40 or 50 fathoms ; and in the present case, although a degree of 

 risk is necessarily involved in all mining expenditure, the indications 

 fully warrant the conclusion that ample returns will be eventually 

 obtained, if the workings be sufficiently extended. In place of drifting 

 at the level now reached, it would be advisable, as recommended, in 

 separate reports, by the writer (August, 1868), and by Capt. Plummer, 

 late Superintendent of the Bruce and Wellington mines (October, 

 1868), to restrict expenditure at present to the main shaft, so as to 

 carry this down uninterrupedly with cross-cuts at intervals, to at least 

 30 or 40 fathoms, when pay-ground it is thought, may be confidently 

 looked for, if indeed it be not reached at a higher level. Samples 

 taken from different parts of this shaft have yielded large assay- 

 returns, shewing the constant presence of silver at various depths. 

 A sample, consisting of quartz with dull specks of silver glance 

 and some galena, obtained by the writer at a depth of about 55 

 feet from the surface, gave a cupellation-button of pure silver equal 

 to 6.67 per cent. This is equivalent to 162 lbs. Troy in the ton 

 of 2000 lbs.; or, in value, to $2605 per ton. Another sample, weigh- 

 ing over 3 lbs., gave 2.18 per cent, silver, corresponding to 53 lbs. 

 Troy, or to $853 per ton of ore. Samples of this richness, it will, of 

 course, be understood, are at present of comparatively exceptional 

 occurrence ; but as they occur at various depths in the shaft, they may 

 be referred to as affording undeniable proof of the promising character 

 of the vein. 



3. Westward extensiort of the ShimiaJi vein : — The ground is 

 altogether unbroken to the west of the Shuniah location, but the vein 

 has been traced, by outcrops at various points, in this direction, across 

 three lots held by a Hamilton and Toronto Company ; and, from thence, 

 still westward, over a distance of several miles, across property belong- 

 ing chiefly to the Rockland and Ontonagon Mining Companies. Trial 

 shafts are to be sunk on this western extension of the vein during the 

 present season. 



4. The Trowhridge Location :— This lies immediately east of the 



