48 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



the south side, the gradual slope on the north, and generally on this side heavily- 

 timbered to their summits with aspen, pine and spruce, the aspens taking up 

 their location among the gulches and foot-hills where, of course, the most moist- 

 ure and vegetable mold accumulate. 



The highest one of these porphyry peaks is Mount Tyndall, and on its north 

 foot-hill is situated the justly celebrated Maine (or Bassick) Mine. Not having 

 obtained the desired data regarding this wonderful mine, (but which I hope to 

 have with reports of others for your June issue) I merely mention it at present to 

 record the following extract, in connection with an illustrative fact : 



" The intervention of intense heat, sublimation, and similar hypotheses to 

 explain the origin of metallic ores, we conceive to be uncalled for. The solvent 

 powers of the solutions of alkaline carbonates, chlorides and sulphurets at ele- 

 vated temperatures, taken in connection with the notions above enunciated, and 

 with De Senarmont's and Daubree's beautiful experiments on the crystallization 

 of certain mineral species in the moist way, will suffice to form the basis of a 

 satisfactory theory of metallic deposits. — Chemical and Geological Essays, by T. 

 Sterry Hunt, page 221. 



At a depth of 160 feet in the Maine Mine, and attached to the small bould- 

 ers or pebbles that this ore deposit contains, have been found pieces of charcoal. 

 Mr. Hunt could not have a better illustration of his theory if he had fixed up 

 this ore deposit himself. 



Next, in present importance and value, of the numerous mines in this section, 

 is the " Benjamin Franklin Mine," which was purchased by the present owners in 

 the fall of 1877. At the time only a discovery shaft had been sunk but which 

 gave good indications of a permanent deposit of mineral — in fact, a pocket in 

 the quartz had been opened, consisting, mainly, of carbonates and a few tons of 

 mineral obtained, which gave good mill returns. On the present management 

 obtaining control, a new exploration shaft was started and sunk to a depth of 

 seventy feet. At this point drifts were run in different directions, one of forty 

 feet north ; one of forty feet south ; one of twelve feet west and another of seven 

 feet east and no mineral found. But being satisfied that it was there and in pay- 

 ing amounts, work on the surface was commenced again near and just above the 

 original discovery shaft. Here, at a depth of about ten feet a small pocket of 

 of carbonates was found, and from that point mineral has continued in pockets 

 of quarter or less amounts to a depth of 200 feet. The pockets produced each 

 from a few hundred pounds to sixteen tons. From the seventy foot exploration 

 shaft one of the drifts was continued westward to this, what is now the main 

 shaft. The old discovery shaft was sunk down to it also, and is now used as a man- 

 way, the drift or tunnel being used for ventilation, so that what at first appeared 

 as a loss in the working, has, by good management and judgment been made of 

 great advantage and practical utility in the working of the main shaft, which the 

 tunnel opens into at a depth of 105 feet. The strike of the lode is in an east and 

 west course, the dip south one foot in three. The quartz is used as a foot-wall, 



