SULPHURET OF LEAD. 
51 
of rounded nodules of various sizes in the quartz, the former being sometimes a central nu¬ 
cleus passing gradually into, and at length entirely surrounded by, the blende. 
The difficulties which attend the reduction of the lead ore thus largely mixed with foreign 
matters, will at once be apparent. Various attempts were made, and large sums expended, 
by the company, in useless trials to effect the economical separation of these metals. At 
length, however, this object has been obtained by mechanical contrivances similar to those in 
use in Germany. At what expense these processes are conducted, and whether they are 
sufficiently economical to warrant their continuance, I have no means of knowing. 
I have only to add, that the mining operations have been carried on in the most judicious 
manner, all the galleries and levels being susceptible of complete drainage and ventilation. 
The amount of ore obtained is large, and it is quite probable that it may be increased to any 
extent, and at a trifling cost. The mineral was reduced in a reverberatory furnace ; and the 
lead, of which many tons have been manufactured, is said to have been of good quality. Both 
the lead and the ore yield- by cupellation a small proportion of silver; too small, however, to 
warrant the separation in a large way. 
The ore itself, aside from the associates above named, is as rich, as valuable, and as easily 
reduced, as that of any lead mine whatever. The location of this mine too, and the prospect 
of a supply of ore, are all as favorable as could be desired, while the average quantity of 
ore in a cubic yard of the vein is as great, if not greater, than that of any lead mine at pre¬ 
sent known in the State. 
The Sullivan and St. Lawrence mines may be thus briefly contrasted. In the latter, the 
ore is in small veins, with very good associates, and is easily reduced ; but the situation of 
the mines is bad. In the former, the ore is in large veins, with bad associates, and is more 
difficult of separation and reduction ; but the mines are admirably situated, whether we regard 
the removal of the ore, or the facility of transporting the produce of it. 
Ulster County. A mine of galena was opened in this county in 1837, and worked by 
the North American Coal and Mining Company. It is in the Shawangunk range, about three 
quarters of a mile from the Red Bridge, which forms the boundary between the counties of 
Ulster and Sullivan, on the Hudson and Delaware canal. The general character of the de¬ 
posit of ore is similar to that of the one found in the adjoining county; but the galena has 
thus far been procured only in very small quantities. It is associated with copper pyrites 
and sulphuret of zinc. The gangue is quartz, which often occurs in large crystals of great 
beauty; seldom, however, with double terminations. 
This mine was worked by a perpendicular shaft, to which levels, passing into the moun¬ 
tain at different heights, were constructed. There did not seem to me to be any thing here 
to warrant the expenditure which had been incurred. 
The Ellenville Mine is about half a mile from the village of that name, at the base of the 
Shawangunk mountain. The vein is in one of the traverse breaks of the strata, and ranges 
south 60° east, nearly vertical. The materials which compose it are nearly the same as the 
grit rock, which it traverses, but more or less loaded with pyrites and crystallized quartz, 
