'Antonio Alzate." 



385 



with all points of the United States. In Torreon it connects 

 with the International R. R. for Monterey, and Tampico or 

 Corpus Christi on the Gulf of Mexico. 



I call attention to extension and number of the deposits. 

 An estimate of the total amount of onyx on surface of so ex- 

 tensive and numerous deposits, would be impossible. Conside- 

 ring only the area on the road to Cuencame, of which I have 

 spoken previously, where the work of quarrying as in the 

 other places is very easy without any underground work, I 

 calculate a volume of more than 2.000,000 cubic feet. The de- 

 posits already mentioned and some others should give not less 

 than 6.000,000 cubic feet. Many other mountains in Jimulco 

 have never been prospected for onyx. 



It is not necessary to recollect the different uses of onyx 

 marble suggested by the quality of this Jimulco onyx. I on- 

 ly say the hardness is so great that it can be used as buil- 

 ding stone for arches, stair -ways, panels, columns, etc., for 

 tables of all kinds, transparencies for windows in churches 

 and houses, in thin slabs, and for all kinds of interior decora- 

 tions, vases and statuary. 



I spoke of properties of onyx as I see in quarries without 

 any work of grinding and polishing. In this way I get only 

 small pieces. It is necessary before working on a large scale 

 to try the material as to the polishing and strength of the sa- 

 me as it often contains fissures owing to being weathered, also 

 thereare many other points of interest in this beautiful orna- 

 mental stone. 



Mexico, May 1901. 



Memorias.— [1900-1901.] T XV. 49. 



