MINERALOGY. 23 
Littleton, and Enfield are other localities where gold is found. The 
whole subject of the explorations for gold and its distribution over the 
state is elsewhere given in detail by Prof. Hitchcock. It is evident, 
however, from what has been said, that gold is distributed and is liable 
to be found all over the western area of the state. 
Gold will flatten out when hammered, and will not dissolve or change 
color in nitric acid. These two simple properties of malleability and 
insolubility are very well known, even by those who forgetfully allow 
themselves to be deceived by yellow sulphurets and shining mica. It 
may be mentioned that the analysis of New Hampshire gold, which was 
made at the United States mint, shows that it is exceptionally pure, con- 
taining but one half of one per cent. of silver. Gold so pure is rarely 
found. 
2. SILVER. 
Native silver has been reported as found in New Hampshire, but still 
the occurrence of this mineral is not without doubt. Filaments of silver 
were found in an iron ore which occurs on West River mountain, and 
thus this place was put upon record as a locality of native silver ; but it 
has been questioned whether the silver was really native.* A piece of 
native silver, three or four inches in diameter, was found on a stone wall 
near Portsmouth, and this, too, was publicly reported. It may be stated, 
however, that the occurrence of native silver in this state has not been 
demonstrated. 
3. CoPpPER. 
Native copper is often found in connection with eruptive rocks, At 
Jackson in this state, on Eastman’s hill, while blasting for tin ore, some 
native copper was blown out by Jackson. It occurs at the junction of 
an eruptive mass of sienite with the slaty country rock. It was found 
in connection with other copper ores. Native copper, in dendritic forms 
between layers of the rock, has been observed by Prof. C. H. Hitchcock 
in Lyman and in Orford. 
4. Iron. 
The existence of native iron on the earth, save in the meteoric masses 
* Am. Four. Science, i, vol. 3, p. 74. 
