204 Remarks on the Gold Mines of North Carolina. 



The ores and minerals in these veins are : rhornboidal iron 

 ore, prismatic iron ore, pyramidal copper pyrites and pris- 

 matic iron pyrites. In the last two, is a mechanical mixture 

 of native gold. All these ores are in a mechanical mixture 

 with each other. They show distinct signs of having been 

 changed from their original form. Where the atmospheric 

 air could have any influence on these pyrites, we find that one 

 part of the sulphur has escaped ; the consequence of which is, 

 the metallic appearance of the pyrites is changed to that of 

 brown reddish oxid of iron ; and owing to this color we can 

 see the fine particles of gold, and ascertain the richness of the 

 deposit. But where the pyrites have not undergone this 

 change, then the gold cannot be discovered, owing to the col- 

 or being nearly the same, (g.) 



The second formation of veins in which gold is found, is 

 more extensive than the first, and occasionally contains rich- 

 er deposits of gold ; but I think they are less to be relied on 

 for regular profits, than the veins of the first. The most of 

 the veins in the eastern and north eastern section of the 

 gold region belong to this formation. 



I hazard the opinion, that the veins of this formation do not 

 always extend to so great a depth as those of the one before 

 mentioned ; first, because, the greenstone superincumbent on 

 the granite in this part of the region is comparatively not so 

 deep, and secondly, the veins already discovered are seldom 

 more than twelve to fifteen inches thick. The gold, and other 

 ores particularly belonging to this formation are enclosed in 

 rhornboidal quartz. It also appears, that the gold is sometimes 

 deposited in other substances, which however are peculiar to 

 certain places. (A.) The greenstone near the veins is most 

 generally decomposed, and mixed with a great number of 

 loose crystals of prismatic iron pyrites. Between the green- 

 stone and the vein, or at the place of their junction, the gold 

 is most generally found. Hence it is, that we often see speci- 

 mens or pieces, composed partly of the vein, and partly of the 

 greenstone apparently held together, and united by the gold 

 Avhich runs through both substances. All the large pieces of 

 gold that have been found in this country, pertain to the veins 

 of this formation, (i.) 



The third formation of veins, is more widely dispersed than 

 the two others, and may be found over the greater part of the 

 region. Their thickness generally exceeds that of the veins of 

 the first and second ; and their direction, in length and depth, is 



