HOFFMAN ON THE MINERALOGY OF NEVADA. 745 



The ore yielded from $500 to $1,500 silver per ton. Choice specimens 

 yielded even more 



Another compound, was Ibund associated with partzite, which the 

 miners distinguished under the local name of bismarckite. There was 

 not much that could be secured, and shortly after my return several 

 specimens were sent to Professor Chandler, of Columbia College, N. T., 

 for determination. ]Jfo satisfactory results were obtained of the small 

 quantity. The mineral, according to Mr. Partz, acted differently from 

 partzite in the furnace. It was not as hard as the latter, rather granu- 

 lar at times, sometimes of a yellowish color; frequently there were 

 bands of yellow and dark greenish -black. In appearance it looked as if 

 it were a mechanical mixture of emholite and partzite. 



10. PyromorpJiite. — In small but fine crystallizations, passing through 

 various shades of green, through pale brown, into dark olive. 



11. Siderite. — Very fine crystals ; perfect. 



12. Sphalerite. — Mr. Partz informs me that beautiful crystals of various 

 shades of pale greenish-yellow, light, and dark brown colors have recently 

 been found in the Comanche Mine, Blind Spring District. He has found 

 in massive varieties as much as $2,100 silver per ton. 



13. Stetefeldtite. — In small quantities, but making fine cabinet speci- 

 mens. 



14. Stromeyerite. — Occasionally, in moderately sized specimens. 



15. )Stro7itianite.— This has been recently found in small quantities, 

 well crystallized, at the mines at Cerro Gordo, in the southeastern por- 

 tion of Owens Valley, near the Nevada State line. 



At or near the same place, arsenolite has been found in small quanti- 

 ties, having observed it myself. The presence of this mineral in that 

 range gives some color to the prospectors' tale of a spring of poisonous 

 water further south. I have been told repeatedly, by various parties, 

 that dead jackass -rabbits and other small game have been found near 

 there in all stages of decomposition, or "dried up". Such is possible, 

 as decomposition of the mineral may furnish soluble salts of arsenic, 

 even in small quantities, which in time may become very strong through 

 concentration by the evaporation of the water. 



