420 Clironicles of Science. [July, 



logical guide which Dr. A. M. Thomson has published in Sydney,* 

 for the assistance of explorers seeking to develop the mineral re- 

 sources of the colony. Plain directions are given for easily recog- 

 nizing the more important species — a task at all times extremely 

 embarrassing to the unassisted beginner. 



10. MINING AND METALLURGY. 



Mining. 



The newly drafted Bill amalgamating the Mines Regulation Bill 

 and the Metalliferous Mines Bill has been printed. "We cannot but 

 think that this amalgamation will be found to be unfortunate. 

 Nearly all the conditions of a coal mine and a copper or tin mine 

 are so different, that it is quite impossible to apply the same legis- 

 lation to them with any hope of advantage. This is shown on the 

 face of the Bill itself. It now comprehends three sets of General 

 Rules : one applicable to all mines ; the second, to coal mines only ; 

 and the third, to mines other than coal mines. The redrafted Bill 

 is supposed to embody the suggestions of the representatives of all 

 the interests affected — it is therefore probably now in that form 

 which will become law. In the last Quarterly Journal we suffi- 

 ciently entered upon the principles of the Mines Regulation Bill, 

 and therefore we need not occupy valuable space by enlarging upon 

 its clauses. 



Tin mining has, once again, resumed its condition of high pros- 

 perity in our western counties; the prices of tin ore (black tin), 

 which have varied during the past quarter from 751. to 85?. the ton, 

 being such as to leave a large profit to the miner. The result of 

 this is that numerous new tin mines are being opened, and the 

 miners have full employment and are getting good wages. 



Copper mining is not in the same favourable condition. The 

 Clifford Amalgamated Mines, which employed a short time since 

 upwards of a thousand persons, are about to be abandoned, after a 

 long and profitable career. These mines — which comprehend the 

 United Mines, the Gwennap Consolidated Mines and Wheal Clifford 

 — were the most extensive copper mines in this country. The 

 levels were upwards of sixty miles in length, and from six to seven 

 miles of shafts had been sunk upon the lodes. This mine was re- 

 markable for the very high temperature of its lower levels. The 

 miners in some of the ends of the levels worked in temperatures 

 varying from 110° F. to 115° F., the water rising in those levels 

 being at the temperature of 120 F. This hot spring was remark- 



* ' Guide to Mineral Explorers in distinguishing Minerals, Ores, and Gems.' 

 By Alexander M. Thomson, D.Sc. Sydney, 1869. 



