588 w. K. PEjrNiisiG oi[ the eoLDriELDs or 



The followiug may be given as examples of the occasional rich 

 " finds " in these fields : — 



In 1873, at jS'ew Caledonia, four large nuggets with a number of 

 smaller ones, collectively weighing 13 lb. 8 oz. 



In 1874, at Barrington's claim, a nugget weighing upwards of 87 

 ounces. 



In the same year, nuggets of 48 ounces and 69 ounces were 

 found. 



In 1875, at head of Creek, Pilgrim's Eest, one of 8 pounds and 

 another of 57 ounces. 



In the same year were found nuggets of 213, 69, 29J, 57, and 

 47 ounces. 



A nugget of 123 ounces was found in a terrace-claim. Upper 

 Creek, at about 30 feet below the surface *. 



§ 5. Other Metals and Mtsteeals. 



A few other metals and their ores observed in this district are : — 



Godwaan Plateau (6'). — Silver in the Homeward-Bound Eeef. 



Here, and also at De Kaap {a'), pieces of metal, soft and white, 

 but oxidized on the outside and generally resembling lead in 

 appearance, are frequently found in the gold-washing sluice-boxes 

 of the diggers. I have tested some of these pieces from both places 

 and found them to be zinc. If my tests be supported by others at 

 home, the existence of native zinc will be confirmed. 



Paarde Plaatz {e'). — In the auriferous quartz seams here the 

 metal platinum occurs, certainly not in large quantity, but fairly 

 constant, in connexion with the gold. 



Lydenhurg (d'). — Good copper-ores, sulphide and carbonate, 

 have been worked here ; near the town on the north side, there are 

 extensive old workings, now overgrown ; others also are seen near 

 the Speckboom River. 



Rotunda Creek (n). — There is rich, copper-ore here, both car- 

 bonate and black oxide : and grains of native copper have been 

 found in the alluvial gold-washing operations. 



Kaajo Valley, Welcome Reef (/). — There is a large percentage of 

 copper-ore in the quartz here ; but no tests have been made of its 

 value. 



Argentiferous galena occurs between the goldfields and Pretoria. 



Iron in many forms, including haematite, is abundant in the 

 Transvaal. 



§ 6. The Dioeite Dykes. 



Prequent mention has been made of the diorite dykes by which 

 this region is traversed, and of the rocks being tilted and otherwise 

 disturbed by their intrusion. There are other points in connexion 

 with them also worthy of notice. Eefractory as diorite is in its 

 normal state, it disintegrates much more readily than the softer 

 * See also ' Guide to the Goldfields,' p. 8. 



