184 TETRAHEDRITE, TENNANTITE, AND NACRITE. 



that the ore could not be smelted, but there is no good reasoD 

 for such an opinion. 



Since the mines have been abandoned, the old shafts, ranging 

 in depth from fifteen to seventy feet, are all filled in, and the 

 country has become covered with a dense undergrowth of brush 

 and briars. About one year ago Prof. Cox revisited these 

 mines for a company who had in view the lease or purchase 

 of them ; it was during this visit that the gray copper above 

 referred to was discovered. This ore had previously escaped 

 the observation of others who had explored these mines. It is 

 impossible at present to see the ore in place, and those who 

 previously worked the mine give conflicting statements as to 

 the manner in which the ore is found. 



The vein -rock and associated minerals with the galena are 

 white quartz, spathic iron, zinc-blende, copper pyrites, gray 

 copper, tennantite, and nacrite. 



The mines are now in the hands of a new company, and the 

 latest information from their operations is that matters look 

 well; the vein now being worked is nearly three feet wide, 

 principally lead-ore, the balance being zinc-blende; twenty 

 hands are at work, and the shaft is down forty-five feet. My 

 opinion is that in time this mine will become of considerable 

 importance, and lead to further developments of argentiferous 

 galena in that region. 



