160 NEW TRACKS IN NORTH AMERICA. 
Juaguparis, Chinipas, Urique, and several other smaller dis- 
tricts in the mountains about the borders of Chihuahua and 
the heads of the Rio Fuerte. 
Besides the silver contributed by the few prominent mines 
already referred to, there is a considerably less, though appre- 
ciable, amount brought in driblets by the Mexican mining 
population inhabiting chiefly the districts named, who sup- 
port themselves by this means. These people, chiefly Gam- 
bosinos, are the best possible judges of ores, but the worst 
possible hands at their reduction. As, however, the mineral 
wealth of the State is so diffused, and as there are such 
countless numbers of narrow rich veins, an indefinite increase 
of silver might be supplied from this source, if the country 
were cleared of Apaches and robbers, and the miners enabled 
to work in peace. 
As a gold-bearing State, Sonora has not become as yet con- 
spicuous. The production has never averaged more than 
one-seventh in value that of silver, and of late years has 
seldom exceeded one-twelfth. There are not three stamp mills 
crushing gold quartz in the State. Placer mining is carried 
on chiefly by the Indians in different places all over the State, 
but only during the wet season. 
Some of the chief districts for placer mining are— 
Los Lanos, near the main road from Hermosillo to Altar. 
Metape, eighteen leagues from Ures, 
La Brisea, Arispe. 
Bucuache, 
San Mebenie ‘de La Huerta, Rio (aia 
La Bonanata, near San Marcial 
Barajita, south of Santa Anna. 
La Sombrareta, west of Zarie. 
The question of coal supply to the Pacific coast is one of 
the greatest possible importance. There are many places in 
—— where lignite and inferior coals come to the surface ; 
| 
