46 HAMILTON AURIFEROUS DEPOSITS OF jSOVA SCOTIA. 



veins — especially thos3 of the quai-t;ite — we find to be furi'erous. 

 Of the number of the qiuirtzite bands and of the latitudinal extent 

 of each, little is yet known. It has indeed been stated that, between 

 the Atlantic coast and the northern confines of this metamorphic 

 district, there are six of these bands ; that these represent six lines 

 of upheaval, or east and west anticlinal axes ; and that the slates 

 found alternating Avith the quartzite are, in fact, superimposed upon 

 it. This may be correct ; yet I cannot but entertain doubts as to 

 some of the particulars. First, a transverse section quite across the 

 rocks of this metamorphic district has never yet been exposed to 

 the eye of any man. Secondly, the supposed continuation of these 

 quartzite bands from one known gold-bearing tract to another, as 

 represented by the authority just referred to, is now seen to be not 

 borne out by the facts — at least, not in every instance. Lastly, in 

 one at least of these bands represented as embracing a single anti- 

 clinal axis, I have found several of such axes. From a general 

 acquaintance with the country and not from actual survey, I am 

 inclined to the belief that these quartzite bands are much more 

 numerous than they have been represented ; and that in the aggre- 

 gate they form the largest portion of the width superficially of this 

 metamorphic district, skirting the Atlantic. 



Longitudinally, this quartzite, with its auriferous quartz veins, 

 can, except when interruptions ai'e caused by the granite dykes 

 already mentioned, be traced the whole length of the Nova Scotian 

 peninsula. Gold has been taken from quartz veins at Yarmouth, 

 and on the shore of Chedabucto Bay, and, I might add, at every 

 intermediate point where diligent search has been made for it in 

 the proper formation. The quantity of quartz embraced in this 

 great length and breadth of quartzite vein-stone, must be something 

 enormous. I speak of it in comparison with the bulk of the enclos- 

 ing rock. Of course we have no sufficient data from which to 

 estimate this quantity. The opinion I have just hazarded is based 

 upon observations of the few cross cuttings in the rock yet made, in 

 the few localities of this Province where gold mining is yet carried 

 on ; and these openings have in man}^ — I believe I might say, in 

 most instances, been made at mere hap-hazard. On one occasion I 

 myself removed carefully the drift, so as to expose a cross section 

 of the sux-face merely of the bed rock, for a distance of about one 



