HISTORICAL. 9 



compact brown hematite. The pig metal and castings produced from these 

 ores are of excellent quality and command a high price in the market. 



Our detailed examinations in Rusk county have developed the occurrence 

 of almost inexhaustible deposits of workable hematite, similar to that found 

 in Cass, while our general surveys in Cherokee, Nacogdoches, and the other 

 counties above enumerated have convinced us that further explorations will 

 reveal there also the existence of equally extensive accumulations of this im- 

 portant element of State wealth. 



Other deposits of iron occur in the tertiary strata in the middle division of 

 the State, but so far as our observations have been carried these ores are in- 

 ferior to those found in the East. In the counties of Caldwell and Guada- 

 lupe, examined by Dr. Riddell, are heavy deposits of iron ore, but they contain 

 such a large proportion of silex, in the form of sand, as to render them gen- 

 erally unfit for profitable smelting. We have fair workable ores from Bastrop 

 and Llano counties, but further researches are necessary before we can give a 

 positive opinion respecting their value. 



Dr. Rid dell's analysis of an average specimen of the honeycomb variety 

 from the Nash mines yielded the following result: 



Specific gravity, 2.2891. 



Moisture and matter volatile at red heat 12.227 



Silica 8.122 



Peroxide of iron 79.604 



Loss . . 047 



100.000 

 Dr. Rid dell's analysis of a specimen taken from an extensive ore deposit in 

 Rusk County, about four miles east of Sulphur Springs, gave: 



Specific gravity, 3.3245. 



Alumina..". 1.0360 



Siliceous matter insoluble in acids 8.7941 



Peroxide of iron 71.7826 



Water , 18.3873 



100.0000 

 The specimen analyzed represents a variety that is very common through- 

 out the iron region of this part of the State. 



This is the first clear statement which we have of the character, extent, 

 and age of these ores, and, although the actual thickness of the beds is much 

 below that claimed for them, it is nevertheless sufficient to fully warrant the 

 conclusion of a practically unlimited supply. 



The extra session of the Eighth Legislature, in 1861, which suspended 

 the Geological Survey, showed the value of its work by the following: 



Joint Resolution Concerning Iron Foundries in the State of Texas. 



Whereas, There is in the counties of Marion and Cass, in this State, an 

 inexhaustible supply of iron ore; and, whereas, foundries are at this time 

 in successful operation in said localities, fostered by the enterprise of the citi- 

 zens of Texas; therefore, 



1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the government 

 of the Confederate States of America is hereby respectfully invited to con- 

 sider the propriety and importance of establishing in said localities a foundry 

 and manufactory for the manufacture of ordnance and arms for the Confed- 

 erate States. 



