310 MINING IKDUSTET. 



broken through in central portions by granite, and flanked by massive beds 

 of fossiliferous limestone, slates, and calcareous shales. These stratified or 

 bedded rocks have a course generally east of north and west of south, dij)- 

 ping northwesterly at the northern, and southeasterly at the southern end of 

 the range, the geological axis of upheaval not coinciding with the trend of 

 the range. Veins of ore-bearing quartz occur in all of the metamorphic rocks, 

 having variable course and dip, but those that have thus far appeared most 

 important have been found in the limestones or bedded calcareous rocks, 

 conformable with them in strike and dip. 



The oldest mining district in the county was organized in 1860, on the 

 west slope of this range, under the name of Humboldt District, a little north 

 of Star Peak, the highest point in the range, and but a few miles from where 

 the Pacific railroad now passes. It was actively prospected for a time, when, 

 owing to general discouragements, all work was suspended, and, at the time 

 of the writer's visit, nothing was in progress there. The eastern slope, on 

 the opposite side of the range, has been the scene of much more enterprise 

 in the development of the so-called Buena Vista, Star, and other districts. 

 The first of these derives its name from Buena Vista canon, in which the 

 town of UnionviUe is located. This canon, which, with its several branches 

 in the higher portion of the range, is several miles in length, has been exten- 

 sively prospected. Many veins have been opened, with more or less devel- 

 opment, some of them, no doubt, having little or no value, others producing 

 very good ore and possessing favorable indications of permanency. The most 

 of them, however, the good as well as the bad, have suffered from the general 

 depression, and, since 1865, have been awaiting the return of confidence and 

 capital to proceed with their development. 



The principal vein of this neighborhood, and the one on which mining 

 operations have been prosecuted with the least interruption, is that known 

 as the Manitiwoc and Arizona. The ground held under these claims has 

 been persistently worked by Messrs. Fall and Temple, and, within a year 

 or two past, their perseverance has been rewarded by very successful results. 

 A portion of the property has been sold to the Silver Mining Company, 

 and has also been developed to a considerable extent under the manage- 

 ment of Mr. Samuel Stewart. These two companies work their ground at 



