SILVER LOCATIONS OF THUNDER BAY. 225 



With the exception of No. 1, these results agree as closely as could 

 be expected, since, in mixtures of this richness, it is impossible to get 

 two assay-portions exactly alike. A single additional speck of native 

 silver or rich galena, would be sufficient to occasion a marked difference 

 in the per centage returns. Samples No. 1, consisted of solid pieces of 

 rock and ore, and therefore no two could be expected to present a 

 similar composition ; but the amount said to have been found in the 

 assay by Dr. Hayes, would indicate that nearly one-half of the frag- 

 ment, selected for assay, consisted of metallic silver. Can it have 

 happened that, in taking down the figures, an error of transposition 

 has occurred, and that in place of 41 we should read 14? If this be 

 so, the assay-results agree very closely. 



The money values stated in the returns by the writer, assume the 

 value of fine silver to be equal to $1 34 per oz. Troy. In the Report 

 of the Directors (February 17, 186Q), these values were altered into 

 others, in which the value of the silver was calculated at $1.24 per oz. 

 According to the Report, this was the value quoted, at that date, in 

 England, for bar silver, namely, 5s. Old. sterling per ounce. In 

 altering the writer's figures, however, the Directors were led into 

 error, as the "bar silver'' referred to, is simply "standard silver," 

 i.e., silver containing the allowed proportion of copper alloy ; whereas 

 the silver obtained on the assay cupel is pci^fcctly pure or fine silver, 

 identical with, or even purer than, the so-called "cake silver" of 

 commerce, as obtained by cupcllation on the large scale. The latest 

 English quotations give for "bar silver" and " cake silver," respec- 

 tively, the values of 5s. G^d., and 5s. 5ld., per oz. Troy. The value 

 per oz. adopted by the writer, therefore, was rather below than above 

 the mark. 



8. Concluding Observations : — The preceding notes on the silve - 

 bearing veins of the Thunder Bay district, are necessarily more or 

 less incomplete, as data are at present wanting for an extended or 

 detailed report. Enough, however, is known to prove incontestibly 

 the great mineral wealth of the region. The district would offer, at 

 least, a most remarkable contrast to other mining centres, if the veins, 

 which run within it, were to turn out altogether deceptive. From the 

 great strength of these veins, and the rich surface-shew which many of 

 them present, it may be safely concluded, that they cannot fail to pay, 

 and pay largely, if sufficient capital be expended in their development. 

 Disappointment is very commonly caused, especially in new countries, 

 4 



