Volume 12 (1866) (428 pages)

136 The Mining wd Srientific Qress. Mining antl Scientific Press, W. B. EWER,.:0.00.c0vseeseseteneate oor eo SENION EDITOR. C. W. M. SMITH. W. 8, EWER. 4. T. DEWEY. DEWEY & CO. Publishers. Orrice—No. 6505 Clay street, corner of Sansome, 2d floor. Terms of Subscription: One co) er annum, in advance,. One ca Eig months, in advance, . ka For sale by Carrlers and Ne It 1s Impossible for editors to know att the merits and demerits of their correspondence, consequently the readcr must not receclve the opinions of our contributors agonrown. Intelligent discussion is Invited uponall sides and thcevidence of any error which may appear will be re ceived Infrlendshlp and treated with respect. American and ore lan Patents.—Letters Patent for lnventorscan be secured inthe United States and foreign countries through the Minine ann Scientiric Press Patent Acxner. We offer applicants reasonable terms, and they an rest assured of a strict compliance eith our obligations, and a frithfnl performance-of ail contracts. For reference, we wliliurnish the names of numcrous parties for whom we have obtalned patents durlng the past two years. Favorable to Inventors.—Persons holding new inyYentlons of machinery and important Improvements, can have the samc Illustrated and explaincd in the Mininc ann Scientiric Press, free ol charge, if ln our judgment the discoyery is one of real merit, and of sufficient ‘jntcrest to our readers to warrant publicatlon. Payment in-Advance.---Tbis paper wlll not be sent tosubscrlbers beyond the term pald for. The publishers well know that a good journal cannot be sustalned on the credit system. Mr. Wm. KE. Bradshaw, is our Special Correspondent and TravelingAgent. All favorsor assistance rendered him in bis progress through the country in behalf of our journal, will be duly acknowledged, San Francisco, Jan Ist, 1866. 7 Mr. A. ©, Knox, l!s onr fully autborized Travcllng Agent, and all subscriptions, or other frvors extended to him, wlll be duly acknowledged at this office. San Francisco, Jan 11th, 1866. Mr, Elwin Dnvis, ls xuthorized to solicit subscriptlons, advertising, etc., for the Mining ann Screntiric Pagss, in San Franclsco, and to recelpt tor the same. ———ESE—— San Francisco: Saturday Morning, Mar. 3, 1866. Endorsement by the Miners’ Stute Convention. The following resolution was adopted by the Californla Miners’ State Convention, held at Sacramento, Jan. 17th, 1866: Resolved, That we regard a mining paper or Jonrnal of great importance to the mining Interest of Callfornla, and werecommend the Mintnc ann Screntiric Press, of San Francisco, to the consideration and support of tbe miners of the Pacific coast. Tue On Prospects or Homsotpr.—The Hnmboldt Times of the 24th inst., furnishes the following information with regard to the progress of the oil interest in that county: “The well of the Eel River Oil Company, on the farm of J. T. Barber, is down 145 feet, and the prospects of the company are looked npov as quite favorable. From the Bear River and Mattole districts, reports are also encouraging. The Jeffrey well, the Irwin, Davis, Yosemite, Annehogeau, Mendocino, East Fork Mattole. have also heen heard from. No oil had been strnck yet, hut the work was proceeding with an energy which promised soou to release the oleaginous treasnre from the howels of the earth.” In regard to the well of the Hel River Company, we have seen a letter the past week from one of the parties engaged in sinking the eame, which stated that the well,at the time of writing, was 174 feet deep, with most excellent indications. The bore passed through the gravel into the sandstone at the depth of only ninety feet, when more than double that depth was expected. The geological indications of the Eel River valley are much more favorable for an ahnndance of oil and for flowing wells than any other part of Ifumboldt county, for reasone given in onr issue of September 23d. This opinion appears to be fully endorsed by Prof. Wm. P. Blake, the Director of the Mining Department connected with the College of California, at Oakland, who uses the following language in his report on the Humboldt oil region, addressed to Col. S. G. Whipple, under date of Decemher 14, 1866: “ I must here call your attention fo the possibility of getting oil from the top of the fisxures under the zearly horizontal strata of Eel River valley. Possibly these upper etrata may confine oil that rises from the more highly tilted and broken strata helow, for I helieve that the oil shales underlie the whole valley.” Tue population of London is over three tuillion, and every week two thousand are born and fifteen hundred die. Over 40,000,000 letters were received in the Chicago Postoffice, for distribution to other offices, the past year. feet wide. ' encaustic tiles. THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING. The State Capitol Building, at Sacramento, for the completion of which an additional tax hill has passed the Legislature, has so far progressed as to justify the hope of its completion in a few years; the structure also gives promise of being, when completed, one of the finest huildings in the world, and surpassed by . nove on this continent, hut the Cnpitol at Washington. Some idea of its size and character may he found from the following items : It is over 300 feet front, including porticos, with center and end wings, and 76 feet from ground line to top of halustrade. The dome is 72 feet in diameter at its hase, and with two stories of portico or tnmbhour, rises 216 feet from the ground line. There are twenty colomnes thirty-eight feet nine inches high, on the sides, rear and frout; the latter supporting a tympanum on which are to be sculptured the figures of Mining, Commerce and Agriculture. There are also eeventy-six pilasters, which form the division hetween the three stories of boldly arched windows, of which latter there ore 172 in the building. The lower story, which forms the hasement to the superstructure, has a sub-cornice and a full Corinthian cornice, which crowns the entire building—a girth of over 1,300 feet. The entire facade, capital, ete., are to he finished like the parts already completed, in beautiful white granite, from the slate quarries in the neighborhood of Folsom. The basement, or first story, contains the Snpreme Court Room, and its adjuocts ; besides offices for the Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, State Treasurer, Attorney-General, Surveyor-General, Public Instruction, etc., ete.—twenty-eight rooms in all, with all the minor appointments, and, like the two other stories, this is intersected by the center rotunda, and three large hnills, sixteen The second, or principal floor, which is reached by three nmple stairways from the interior, and a noble structure of granite steps in front of the main portico, contnios the Senate and Assembly Chambers, and State Library, each forty-six feet in hight, with galleries, and finishing with low domes, besides fourteen large rooms fur the State officers. ‘The third story has three lorge rooms for State Museum, and seventeen Committee Rooms. The bnilding has now progressed to the vault of the rotunda, or top of first floor, and what has been done in the ontlay of some $350,000, is a satisfactory evideuce of the constant care and attention it has received from the Governor and Board of Commissioners. All the materials with which it is constructed are of the best kind and perfect in their finish and adjoinings. ‘The whole structure will be entirely fire-proof, the floors being vaulted with iron and brick, and covered with marble and By the estimates of the present architect, Mr. Gordon Cutnmings, $1,012,838 are yet required to complete the structure, which may be accomplished in four or five years. The bill which has just passed hoth branches of the Legislature, and received the Governor's signature, appropriates $150,000 per year until the structure is completed. ‘There was considerable opposition to the bill on its first introduction ; but its frieuds rallied promptly to its support, and secured its passage. The building, so far as completed, presents a truly beautitul appearance, and if finished after the manner and with the material proposed, it will be an ornament to the city of Sacramento, and reflect the highest credit upon the taste and enterprise of the Golden State. Fine Srscinens—We neknowledge from Mr. George Barrington the receipt of a fine specimen of cemented gravel, well sprinkled with gold, tgken from the claims of Messrs. Neece & Pest, near You Bet. If we are not mistaken in the focality, we hnve a slight recollection of doing some pretty hard work on that clarm in 1853-4 for verysmall pay. We are pleased to learn that the present proprietors are getting better paid for their Inbor than we did: -We trust it may continue to pay, ns it possibly will, for the next twenty years. A tew tons of gravel, equally rich with the specinen before us, ought to be sufficient to satisfy the most avaricious of mortals. MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE, At a regular meeting of the Institote, on ‘Thursday evening last, it was voted to adopt the report of the committee recommending the purchase of the gronnd known as the “ Hyde lot,” on Post street, between Montgomery and Kearny streets, of Mr. Randolph, for the sum of $25,000. The lot is about 74 feet front on Post street hy 85 feet in ‘depth, on the east side, and 120 feet on the west, being of an irregular form, conforming to the peculiarity of the streets hetween which it is located. It is the desire of the Iustitute to dispose of its present building on California street, nnd immediately huild a more conmodious structure, such an one as is already greatly needed to meet the growing wants of the Institution. The meeting was largely attended, and a lively interest manifested throughout its proceedings, which lasted until about 11 o’clock. An adjouroed meeting, to take further action, in accordance with the report of the committee, will be held this (Saturday) evening. The Annual Election of Officers of the Institnte takes place on Monday next, March 5th, between the hours of 12 mw. and 9 P.m™. The following tickets have been nominated, aud a lively contest is noticipated : Regular Nominati: 0; itic Ve FOR PRESIDENT. Charies M. Pium. FOR VICE PRESIDENT. D, A. Macdonald, A. C. Austin. FOR RECORDING SECRETARY. Robert Riddle, Juson B Pierce. FOR CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. A.S. Hailidic, A. T. Dewey. FOR TREASURER. H. J. Bootb, Edward Nunan, Thomas Young. FOR DIRECTORS. James B. Johnson,P. J. O'Connor, Heary Webb, Joseph McGill, N. W. Spaulding, W. W. Hanscom, John W. Farren, Chas Elliott, F. G. Edwards, R, S, Eels, James Spiers, Hiram Rosekrans, Wm, T, Garratt. W. C, Pease. A Sivcutar Seiprr.—At a recent meeting of the California Academy of Naturnl Sciences, Prof. W. P. Blake remarked that Dr. Jackson of Boston had recently described to him, by letter, a remarkable spider, brought by Dr. Wilder from Long Island, Georgia, and which is vow attractiug much attention from the naturalists of Bostun. This spider is whout as large as a Tarantula and lives on the pine trees. It spins both gold and silver-colored thrends of great strength and brilliauey. Dr. Wilder wourd out five (5) miles of golden-colored sitk from one of the spiders, and quite n quantity of the silver-colored thread, and without injury to the spider. This thread looks on the reel like buruished gold. It is elastic, while the silvercolored silk is non-elastic ond is used for the main stays of the web, while the gold thread fills in the rest of the web. Dr. Wilder has a lot of the spiders living in the Cambridge Conservatory, and many young broods in his room in Boston. ‘Che Dr. has made full conimupicaons to the American Academy, and to the Boston Society Natural History. Minine Evorxzrrs.—We would call the especial attention of our readers to the card of Messrs. Goopvear & Brake, which will he found in our columns to-day. These gentlemen unre both personally known to us, and present testimonials of the highest character as to their qualifications and experience as civil aud mining engineers and metallurgists. Being familiar with all the modern Innguages, parties not speaking Hinglish may be able to consult them with greater ndvantage and facility. They are prepared to make surveys and aps, to examine and report upon mining and other properties, to make plans and estimates, to superintend the construction of engineering works, aud to transact any other business pertaining to their profession as civil and mining engiocers. A racr is disclosed by a late report of the New York Inspector of State Prisons, that while all other occupations are represeuted in their great numher of convicts, there is not a single printer. Tur Healdsburg (Sonoma county) Standard says there is nob rat in that burg. More Experiments wire Sonus AMALoaM. We have given, on another page, a detailed account of some experiments recently made hy Professor Silliman, of Yale College, with re{gard to the economy of the use of sodium amalgam in saving gold from its ores. The paragraphs which we give, together with a lengthy introduction, was read by the Professor before the Academy of Natoral Sciences, at its Inte meeting. he Professor also stated, at the same time. that the March number of the American Journal of Science would contain a still more detailed account of this valuable discovery. The high standing of Professor Silliman, as a chemist, renders the result of his investigations 2 matter of the first importance ; and warrants the pnblic in placing the utmost reliance npon the data nnd figures which he gives. The paper cnnnot fail of being read with much interest by all persons engaged in gold mining. The expressed opinion of the gentlemen, before whom it was read, was, that it was “ one of the most practical and most interesting papers which had ever heen bronght before the Academy.” ‘The Professor awards the merit of this discovery to the party to whom it properly belongs—Prof. Henry Wurtz, of New York, who communicated the results of tome preliminary experiments to him early in 1864. We shall allode to this matter further next week. Catarornta Mape Beris.— The success with which Mr. W.T. Garratt, of this city, is meeting in the manufacture of bells, would seem to fully obvinte the necessity of sending to the Hast for such articles. We examined a bell of his manufacture, a few days since, at his establishinent, on Market street, which, for beanty and fullness of tone, and completeness of finish, is not surpassed hy any imported bell which has ever heen landed in California. Another interesting thing counected with thie bell is the fact that the copper which has entered into its composition, was mined und smelted in California. The hell bears upon its surfnee, in rnised letters, the following inscription: ‘Mined from the Union Mine; smelted at the works of C. T. Meader; cast by W. T. Garratt; presented by ©. ‘T. Meader.” ‘The bell weighs 800 ponnds, and isa donation from Mr. Meader for nse upon a school-house in Stockton. Mr. Garratt is prepared to cast bells of any weight which is likely to be called for on the Pacific coast. He hns also devised a method of hanging bells, which possesses decided advantages over any other heretofore devised. The bell is securely held by a single bolt, which passes through the crown, and is held firmly to its place by two nuts. By simply loosing one of these nuts the bell can be turned eo as to present any portion of its interior sorface to the blows of the clnpper, an advantage which many deem of much importance. This arrangement does awny with the cuntbrons and complicated attachment by which bells are usually secured to the crown. We understand that hut very few hells are now being imported, and purchasers would do well to bear inmind that there is now no necessity for such importation ; and that by patronizing an enterprising Coalitornia House, they may soon build up here a new and important branch of business, and keep much money at home. The hells cast by Mr. Garratt ore fully equal in tone to any imported, and are warranted not to crack within one year; if by any chance they should do so, they will be recast withont any expense to the pnrchasers. Any inscription that may he desired will be cast upon his bells, without extra charge and they will be furnished ag cheap or cheaper than they can be imported. Exrcrion.—Adams Petroleum Oil Co., Contra Costa.—February 7th. Trustees: Alonzo Green. 8. B. Whipple, Jns. ‘I. Cruikshank. President, Albert Green; Secretary, Panl Neuman ; Treasurer, Philip Wolf. Receyt Incorrorations.— Tenor and Rip Copper Company ; location, 1 Dorndo county. Cal. Capital stock, $540,000, divided into 5,000 shares, $400 each. Trustees : W.Thompson, Jr., Henry Thompson, Richard Hammon. Rieron G. & 8. M. Co., Silver Mountain, Alpine couaty.—Capital stock, $300,000, divided into 3000 shares, $100 euch. [Corrected.] 5 .

136 The Mining wd Srientific Qress. Mining antl Scientific Press, W. B. EWER,..:0.00.c0vseeseseteneate oor eo SENION EDITOR. C. W. M. SMITH. W. 8, EWER. 4. T. DEWEY. DEWEY & CO. Publishers. Orrice—No. 6505 Clay street, corner of Sansome, 2d floor. Terms of Subscription: One co) er annum, in advance,.. One ca Eig months, in advance, .. ka For sale by Carrlers and Ne It 1s Impossible for editors to know att the merits and demerits of their correspondence, consequently the readcr must not receclve the opinions of our contributors agonrown. Intelligent discussion is Invited uponall sides and thcevidence of any error which may appear will be re ceived Infrlendshlp and treated with respect. American and ore lan Patents.—Letters Patent for lnventorscan be secured inthe United States and foreign countries through the Minine ann Scientiric Press Patent Acxner. We offer applicants reasonable terms, and they an rest assured of a strict compliance eith our obligations, and a frithfnl performance-of ail contracts. For reference, we wliliurnish the names of numcrous parties for whom we have obtalned patents durlng the past two years. Favorable to Inventors.—Persons holding new inyYentlons of machinery and important Improvements, can have the samc Illustrated and explaincd in the Mininc ann Scientiric Press, free ol charge, if ln our judgment the discoyery is one of real merit, and of sufficient ‘jntcrest to our readers to warrant publicatlon. Payment in-Advance.---Tbis paper wlll not be sent tosubscrlbers beyond the term pald for. The publishers well know that a good journal cannot be sustalned on the credit system. Mr. Wm. KE. Bradshaw, is our Special Correspondent and TravelingAgent. All favorsor assistance rendered him in bis progress through the country in behalf of our journal, will be duly acknowledged, San Francisco, Jan Ist, 1866. 7 Mr. A. ©, Knox, l!s onr fully autborized Travcllng Agent, and all subscriptions, or other frvors extended to him, wlll be duly acknowledged at this office. San Francisco, Jan 11th, 1866. Mr, Elwin Dnvis, ls xuthorized to solicit subscriptlons, advertising, etc., for the Mining ann Screntiric Pagss, in San Franclsco, and to recelpt tor the same. ———ESE—— San Francisco: Saturday Morning, Mar. 3, 1866. Endorsement by the Miners’ Stute Convention. The following resolution was adopted by the Californla Miners’ State Convention, held at Sacramento, Jan. 17th, 1866: Resolved, That we regard a mining paper or Jonrnal of great importance to the mining Interest of Callfornla, and werecommend the Mintnc ann Screntiric Press, of San Francisco, to the consideration and support of tbe miners of the Pacific coast. Tue On Prospects or Homsotpr.—The Hnmboldt Times of the 24th inst., furnishes the following information with regard to the progress of the oil interest in that county: “The well of the Eel River Oil Company, on the farm of J. T. Barber, is down 145 feet, and the prospects of the company are looked npov as quite favorable. From the Bear River and Mattole districts, reports are also encouraging. The Jeffrey well, the Irwin, Davis, Yosemite, Annehogeau, Mendocino, East Fork Mattole. have also heen heard from. No oil had been strnck yet, hut the work was proceeding with an energy which promised soou to release the oleaginous treasnre from the howels of the earth.” In regard to the well of the Hel River Company, we have seen a letter the past week from one of the parties engaged in sinking the eame, which stated that the well,at the time of writing, was 174 feet deep, with most excellent indications. The bore passed through the gravel into the sandstone at the depth of only ninety feet, when more than double that depth was expected. The geological indications of the Eel River valley are much more favorable for an ahnndance of oil and for flowing wells than any other part of Ifumboldt county, for reasone given in onr issue of September 23d. This opinion appears to be fully endorsed by Prof. Wm. P. Blake, the Director of the Mining Department connected with the College of California, at Oakland, who uses the following language in his report on the Humboldt oil region, addressed to Col. S. G. Whipple, under date of Decemher 14, 1866: “ I must here call your attention fo the possibility of getting oil from the top of the fisxures under the zearly horizontal strata of Eel River valley. Possibly these upper etrata may confine oil that rises from the more highly tilted and broken strata helow, for I helieve that the oil shales underlie the whole valley.” Tue population of London is over three tuillion, and every week two thousand are born and fifteen hundred die. Over 40,000,000 letters were received in the Chicago Postoffice, for distribution to other offices, the past year. feet wide. ' encaustic tiles. THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING. The State Capitol Building, at Sacramento, for the completion of which an additional tax hill has passed the Legislature, has so far progressed as to justify the hope of its completion in a few years; the structure also gives promise of being, when completed, one of the finest huildings in the world, and surpassed by . nove on this continent, hut the Cnpitol at Washington. Some idea of its size and character may he found from the following items : It is over 300 feet front, including porticos, with center and end wings, and 76 feet from ground line to top of halustrade. The dome is 72 feet in diameter at its hase, and with two stories of portico or tnmbhour, rises 216 feet from the ground line. There are twenty colomnes thirty-eight feet nine inches high, on the sides, rear and frout; the latter supporting a tympanum on which are to be sculptured the figures of Mining, Commerce and Agriculture. There are also eeventy-six pilasters, which form the division hetween the three stories of boldly arched windows, of which latter there ore 172 in the building. The lower story, which forms the hasement to the superstructure, has a sub-cornice and a full Corinthian cornice, which crowns the entire building—a girth of over 1,300 feet. The entire facade, capital, ete., are to he finished like the parts already completed, in beautiful white granite, from the slate quarries in the neighborhood of Folsom. The basement, or first story, contains the Snpreme Court Room, and its adjuocts ; besides offices for the Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, State Treasurer, Attorney-General, Surveyor-General, Public Instruction, etc., ete.—twenty-eight rooms in all, with all the minor appointments, and, like the two other stories, this is intersected by the center rotunda, and three large hnills, sixteen The second, or principal floor, which is reached by three nmple stairways from the interior, and a noble structure of granite steps in front of the main portico, contnios the Senate and Assembly Chambers, and State Library, each forty-six feet in hight, with galleries, and finishing with low domes, besides fourteen large rooms fur the State officers. ‘The third story has three lorge rooms for State Museum, and seventeen Committee Rooms. The bnilding has now progressed to the vault of the rotunda, or top of first floor, and what has been done in the ontlay of some $350,000, is a satisfactory evideuce of the constant care and attention it has received from the Governor and Board of Commissioners. All the materials with which it is constructed are of the best kind and perfect in their finish and adjoinings. ‘The whole structure will be entirely fire-proof, the floors being vaulted with iron and brick, and covered with marble and By the estimates of the present architect, Mr. Gordon Cutnmings, $1,012,838 are yet required to complete the structure, which may be accomplished in four or five years. The bill which has just passed hoth branches of the Legislature, and received the Governor's signature, appropriates $150,000 per year until the structure is completed. ‘There was considerable opposition to the bill on its first introduction ; but its frieuds rallied promptly to its support, and secured its passage. The building, so far as completed, presents a truly beautitul appearance, and if finished after the manner and with the material proposed, it will be an ornament to the city of Sacramento, and reflect the highest credit upon the taste and enterprise of the Golden State. Fine Srscinens—We neknowledge from Mr. George Barrington the receipt of a fine specimen of cemented gravel, well sprinkled with gold, tgken from the claims of Messrs. Neece & Pest, near You Bet. If we are not mistaken in the focality, we hnve a slight

recollection of doing some pretty hard work on that clarm in 1853-4 for verysmall pay. We are pleased to learn that the present proprietors are getting better paid for their Inbor than we did: -We trust it may continue to pay, ns it possibly will, for the next twenty years. A tew tons of gravel, equally rich with the specinen before us, ought to be sufficient to satisfy the most avaricious of mortals. MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE, At a regular meeting of the Institote, on ‘Thursday evening last, it was voted to adopt the report of the committee recommending the purchase of the gronnd known as the “ Hyde lot,” on Post street, between Montgomery and Kearny streets, of Mr. Randolph, for the sum of $25,000. The lot is about 74 feet front on Post street hy 85 feet in ‘depth, on the east side, and 120 feet on the west, being of an irregular form, conforming to the peculiarity of the streets hetween which it is located. It is the desire of the Iustitute to dispose of its present building on California street, nnd immediately huild a more conmodious structure, such an one as is already greatly needed to meet the growing wants of the Institution. The meeting was largely attended, and a lively interest manifested throughout its proceedings, which lasted until about 11 o’clock. An adjouroed meeting, to take further action, in accordance with the report of the committee, will be held this (Saturday) evening. The Annual Election of Officers of the Institnte takes place on Monday next, March 5th, between the hours of 12 mw. and 9 P.m™. The following tickets have been nominated, aud a lively contest is noticipated : Regular Nominati: 0; itic Ve FOR PRESIDENT. Charies M. Pium. FOR VICE PRESIDENT. D, A. Macdonald, A. C. Austin. FOR RECORDING SECRETARY. Robert Riddle, Juson B Pierce. FOR CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. A.S. Hailidic, A. T. Dewey. FOR TREASURER. H. J. Bootb, Edward Nunan, Thomas Young. FOR DIRECTORS. James B. Johnson,P. J. O'Connor, Heary Webb, Joseph McGill, N. W. Spaulding, W. W. Hanscom, John W. Farren, Chas Elliott, F. G. Edwards, R, S, Eels, James Spiers, Hiram Rosekrans, Wm, T, Garratt. W. C, Pease. A Sivcutar Seiprr.—At a recent meeting of the California Academy of Naturnl Sciences, Prof. W. P. Blake remarked that Dr. Jackson of Boston had recently described to him, by letter, a remarkable spider, brought by Dr. Wilder from Long Island, Georgia, and which is vow attractiug much attention from the naturalists of Bostun. This spider is whout as large as a Tarantula and lives on the pine trees. It spins both gold and silver-colored thrends of great strength and brilliauey. Dr. Wilder wourd out five (5) miles of golden-colored sitk from one of the spiders, and quite n quantity of the silver-colored thread, and without injury to the spider. This thread looks on the reel like buruished gold. It is elastic, while the silvercolored silk is non-elastic ond is used for the main stays of the web, while the gold thread fills in the rest of the web. Dr. Wilder has a lot of the spiders living in the Cambridge Conservatory, and many young broods in his room in Boston. ‘Che Dr. has made full conimupicaons to the American Academy, and to the Boston Society Natural History. Minine Evorxzrrs.—We would call the especial attention of our readers to the card of Messrs. Goopvear & Brake, which will he found in our columns to-day. These gentlemen unre both personally known to us, and present testimonials of the highest character as to their qualifications and experience as civil aud mining engineers and metallurgists. Being familiar with all the modern Innguages, parties not speaking Hinglish may be able to consult them with greater ndvantage and facility. They are prepared to make surveys and aps, to examine and report upon mining and other properties, to make plans and estimates, to superintend the construction of engineering works, aud to transact any other business pertaining to their profession as civil and mining engiocers. A racr is disclosed by a late report of the New York Inspector of State Prisons, that while all other occupations are represeuted in their great numher of convicts, there is not a single printer. Tur Healdsburg (Sonoma county) Standard says there is nob rat in that burg. More Experiments wire Sonus AMALoaM. We have given, on another page, a detailed account of some experiments recently made hy Professor Silliman, of Yale College, with re{gard to the economy of the use of sodium amalgam in saving gold from its ores. The paragraphs which we give, together with a lengthy introduction, was read by the Professor before the Academy of Natoral Sciences, at its Inte meeting. he Professor also stated, at the same time. that the March number of the American Journal of Science would contain a still more detailed account of this valuable discovery. The high standing of Professor Silliman, as a chemist, renders the result of his investigations 2 matter of the first importance ; and warrants the pnblic in placing the utmost reliance npon the data nnd figures which he gives. The paper cnnnot fail of being read with much interest by all persons engaged in gold mining. The expressed opinion of the gentlemen, before whom it was read, was, that it was “ one of the most practical and most interesting papers which had ever heen bronght before the Academy.” ‘The Professor awards the merit of this discovery to the party to whom it properly belongs—Prof. Henry Wurtz, of New York, who communicated the results of tome preliminary experiments to him early in 1864. We shall allode to this matter further next week. Catarornta Mape Beris.— The success with which Mr. W.T. Garratt, of this city, is meeting in the manufacture of bells, would seem to fully obvinte the necessity of sending to the Hast for such articles. We examined a bell of his manufacture, a few days since, at his establishinent, on Market street, which, for beanty and fullness of tone, and completeness of finish, is not surpassed hy any imported bell which has ever heen landed in California. Another interesting thing counected with thie bell is the fact that the copper which has entered into its composition, was mined und smelted in California. The hell bears upon its surfnee, in rnised letters, the following inscription: ‘Mined from the Union Mine; smelted at the works of C. T. Meader; cast by W. T. Garratt; presented by ©. ‘T. Meader.” ‘The bell weighs 800 ponnds, and isa donation from Mr. Meader for nse upon a school-house in Stockton. Mr. Garratt is prepared to cast bells of any weight which is likely to be called for on the Pacific coast. He hns also devised a method of hanging bells, which possesses decided advantages over any other heretofore devised. The bell is securely held by a single bolt, which passes through the crown, and is held firmly to its place by two nuts. By simply loosing one of these nuts the bell can be turned eo as to present any portion of its interior sorface to the blows of the clnpper, an advantage which many deem of much importance. This arrangement does awny with the cuntbrons and complicated attachment by which bells are usually secured to the crown. We understand that hut very few hells are now being imported, and purchasers would do well to bear inmind that there is now no necessity for such importation ; and that by patronizing an enterprising Coalitornia House, they may soon build up here a new and important branch of business, and keep much money at home. The hells cast by Mr. Garratt ore fully equal in tone to any imported, and are warranted not to crack within one year; if by any chance they should do so, they will be recast withont any expense to the pnrchasers. Any inscription that may he desired will be cast upon his bells, without extra charge and they will be furnished ag cheap or cheaper than they can be imported. Exrcrion.—Adams Petroleum Oil Co., Contra Costa.—February 7th. Trustees: Alonzo Green. 8. B. Whipple, Jns. ‘I. Cruikshank. President, Albert Green; Secretary, Panl Neuman ; Treasurer, Philip Wolf. Receyt Incorrorations.— Tenor and Rip Copper Company ; location, 1 Dorndo county. Cal. Capital stock, $540,000, divided into 5,000 shares, $400 each. Trustees : W.Thompson, Jr., Henry Thompson, Richard Hammon. Rieron G. & 8. M. Co., Silver Mountain, Alpine couaty.—Capital stock, $300,000, divided into 3000 shares, $100 euch. [Corrected.] 5 .