1851.] Report on the Copper Ores of the Deoghur Mines. 5 



small proportion of metal they contain be passed by as mere red earthy 

 soils or iron ores, which in fact they are ; some of these ores form the 

 staples of many of the great mines of Mexico and Peru, and it may 

 be possible, that we have also deposits of these ores on the flanks of 

 the Western Ghauts ; or in other situations of which the geological 

 features approach to those of South America though upon a smaller 

 scale." 



The object of this notice was to draw public attention to the ores 

 called Pacos, Colorados and Negros, especially the two first, which so 

 much resemble rotten iron stones, or earthy iron ore, that none but 

 those who know them would suppose they contain silver. The follow- 

 ing extract from Jameson's Mineralogy, p. 75, describes the ore. 



" In some parts of Mexico, however, as we are informed by M. 

 Humboldt, the operations of the miner are directed to a mixture of 

 ochry brown iron ore, and minutely disseminated native silver. This 

 ochreous mixture, which is named Pacos in Peru, is the object of 

 considerable operations at the mine of Angangues in the intendancy of 

 Valladolid as well as of Yxtepexi, in the province of Oaxaca." 



5. As before stated there are amongst the Deoghur ores some small 

 but unequivocal specimens of the Pacos, and I have in the Museum of 

 Economic Geology, from my own collections, a fine series of the true 

 Peruvian ores to compare with.* 



6. I am in active correspondence with Captain Sherwill on this 

 subject, and he informs me Mr. Vincent will proceed again shortly to 

 the mines to obtain more specimens according to directions and speci- 

 mens for guidance, which I shall forward. 



7. It does not of course follow from this that the Deoghur mine 

 is one of silver, or rich in silver, or worth working even if it was a 

 silver mine : but on the other hand there may be rich deposits of ore 

 near these indications ; and the mere fact of the discovery of a Pacos 

 in India is one of high mineralogical importance, since it may also 

 exist elsewhere in greater abundance ; but I have deemed it right that 

 His Honor should be in early possession of the knowledge of it should 

 any proposals come before Government relating to this property. 



I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, 



H. PlDDINGTON, 



Museum, 3rd July, 1850. Curator Museum Economical Geology, 

 * These contain Copper as well as iron and so do those of Deoghur. 



