250 THE METALS IN CANADA. 
four per cent, of silver, with traces of gold, has been found. On the 
south shore in Michigan, which is considered to be in the same geologi- 
cal formation, a considerable amount of native silver is frequently met 
with, in workings for copper ; but in most instances it is stolen, or 
deemed a perquisite by the miners ; one nugget is mentioned by Whitney 
which weighed 98*8 oz. 
Copper. — Although iron ores are most extensively distributed, and 
lead veins have been detected in the Laurentian rocks, we are not aware 
of any discoveries of copper in the region occupied by the great mass of 
this formation. This region has, however, been so little explored that it 
would be altogether premature to assert the absence of this metal. At 
various points along the lines of junction or contact between the 
Laurentian and the next succeeding formations, namely, the Huronian in 
the west and Lower Silurian in the east, important discoveries of copper 
have been made. 
Lake Region. — In the Lake region the disturbances are so great 
and the amount of exploration hitherto accomplished so limited, that it 
is impossible to indicate accurately the geographical boundaries of the 
formations ; but the recent observations of Mr. Murray seem to point to 
this geological horizon as a promising field. In his Report for 1856, he 
says, referring to districts overlying this point in the series, " The exis- 
tence of the ores of copper and iron, which are known to be more or less 
characteristic of the Huronian series of rocks, invests the geographical 
distributiou of the formation with much economic importance. These 
ores were repeatedly observed in the region explored last season, and 
although nowhere seen in large amount or to a great extent, the indica- 
tions were sufficient to establish their pretty general distribution. Small 
specks and patches of the yellow sulphuret of copper was frequently 
found in the blackish and dark grey slates on the lower lakes of the Mas- 
kinongi ; and at the southern turn of these lakes there is a quartz vein 
of from six to eight feet wide, with copper pyrites cutting slate conglo- 
merates, and an intrusive mast of compact flesh- red feldspar. In the 
felspathic dyke, small narrow veins of peculiar iron ore occur, which 
appear to run parallel with the dyke or slightly oblique to it, and the 
quartz veins and its subordinate droppers cut across both. Were r this 
vein as conveniently situated as those of somewhat similar character on 
Lake Huron, it is fully as well worthy of trial as many that were selected 
by explorers there some years ago upon which to found claims for mining 
locations." 
In the Report for 1857, he says, " Copper pyrites is very generally 
disseminated through masses of greenstone wherever they were examined, 
and it occasionally appears in quartz veins in sufficient abundance to 
constitute metalliferous lodes. The most favourable indication known of 
this description is the area on the south side of Echo lake, and in the 
hills north of the mouth of Root river, both of which localities have been 
