Volume 12 (1866) (428 pages)

152 She Mining antl Scientific Press, Mining and Srientific Press, Wedd) BWER cccccecstrsscsic ses Ooo SENIOR EnitoR. OG. W. 4. SMITH. W. a. AWEA. 4. T. DEWAY. DEWEY & CO. Publishers. Orrior—No. 605 Clay street, corner of Sauspme, 2d floor. Terms of Subscription: One co) er annum, in advance,. One ane Bis months, in advalice, By For saie by Carriers and N It is Impossible for editors to know aut the merlts f their d th and corr 1 c Teader must not recelve the opinions of our contributors as ourown. Intelligent discussion is Invited upon all sides and the evidence of any error which may appear will be re celved in friendship and treated with respect. Americnn ond Fereign Patents.—Letters Patcnt for Inventors can be secnred {nthe United Statcs and forelgn countries through the Minine ann Scientiric Press PATENT Acancy. We offer apolicants reasonable terms, Rnd they an rest assured of a strict compliance lth our obligations, and afalthfnl performance of all contracts. For reference, we will furnish the names of numerous parties for whom we have obtalned patents during the past two years. Fnvorable to Inventors.—Persons holding new Inventlons of machinery and important Improvements, can have the same Illustrated and explained Inthe Minine ann Scirntiric Pazss, free of charge, lf in our judgment the discovery Is ohe of real merit, and of suificlent interest to our readers to warrant publication. Pnyment in Advance.---This paper will not be sent tosubscribers heyond the term pald for. The publishers well know that a good journal cannot he sustained on the credit system. Mr. Wm. HK. Brndshnw, is our Special Correspondent and Traveling Agent. Ali favorsor assistance rendercd him In hls progress through the country In behalf of our journal, will be duly acknowledged. Gan Francisco. Jan Ist, 1866. Mr. A. ©. Knox, is our fully authorized Traveling Agent, and all subscriptions, or other favors extended to him, will be duly acknowlcdged at thls office. San FRANCIsco, Jan lith, 1866. Mr. Elwin Dnvis, 1s ruthorized to sollclt subsertptlons, advertising, etc., for the Minino ann ScreNTiFIC PRESS, in San Franclsco, and to recelpt tor the same. SS San Francisco: Saturday Morning, Mar. 10, 1866. Endor®ement by the Miners’ State Convention. Tho foliowlng resoiutlon was adeptcd by the California Minera’ State Convention, icld at Sacramento, Jan. 17th, 1866: Resolved, That we regard a mtming paper or Journal of grcat Importance to the mining interest of California, and werecommend the Mininc AND ScientiFic Press, of San Franclsco, to the conslderatiou and support of the miners of tho Pacific coast, Improvement 1N Minino Stocxs.— We would refer our readers to the stock report, which will be found in our columns this morning. It will be observed that the mining share market has been characterized with a greater degree of activity than has been witnessed for many months past. An extraordinary advance will be noticed in some particular shares, and quite a marked improvement in many others. It ie gratifying, moreover, to be able io state that the impression prevails that this improve. ment is not due to any “ hulling ” scheme, but to actunl improvements in the mines them. selves. For some time past discoveries of a Most enconraging character have heen almost weekly made all along the line of the Comstock lode; one of the latest and most important of which has heen announced the past week in the Ophir. This strike has been made in the ninth level, at a point about 200 feet south and west from the Mexicnn shaft, and 75 feet north of the Central company’s live, where a vein of very rich ore is said to have been found fifteen or twenty feet thick. This discovery acconnts for the sudden advance in the shares of this mine the past week, from $430 to $800 ; althongh they eubsequently fell to $740, which was the closing figure at yesterday’s Board. These successes will bring aboxt @ resumption of work on many of the abandoned claime along the Comstock, and give promise of unusual animation for the coming eensnn. Important Om Strixe.—We understand the Bennett Well, on Corte Madera creek, San Mateo connty, commenced overflowing with water and oil on the 27th ult. It was still flowing np to last accounts, a week afterwards. ‘The amount of oil coming over was quite emall, however, not more than two barrels a day; but quite enough to afford much encoumgement to the proprietors of oil property all throngh that sectiou. The well is oaly 104 feet deep. The oil is of a very excellent quality,and burns quite freely in ite natural state. Axzout the 15th of March eix Concord coaches will leave Virginia City, Nevada, for Virginia City, Montana. A NEW EARTH PULVERIZER. Messrs. Fithian & Young, of Joliet, IIl., have recently invented and patented an important improvement in the plow, which is beiag received with high favor among scieatific agriculturists at the East. It is called the Rotary Plow, or Earth Pulverizer. The main advantages gained by this, over the plows generally in use, are; 1st. The manner in which the soil is turned over. This is accomplished hy a lifting cut,in such a manner that the plow does not bear an ounce on the subsoil; while those generally in use act like a wedge—pressing down with the same force as that applied to lifting up, and thereby ironing down the suhsoil, as it were. 2. Stopping of its pores, and thereby greatly diminishing the tendency of the water to work its way upward when the dry season approaches. This is aa evil entirely overcome by this machine, which is so coastructed that the revolving cutters strike the ground very much as a horse’s hoof strikes it when he is pulling hard ; but instead of coming down subsequently with the heel, the foot must be supposed to continue a revolving motion, which of course would lift up whatever groand it took hold of. 3d. The machine effects a most perfect pulverization of the ground after it is so lifted up. This part of the work is accomplished by a series of revolviag knives, which are niade to pass rapidly through the soil, they also giving a lifting cut, and dividing it up into the thinest possible slices—so fine that it is completely pulverized, as is sometimes done by chopping it np with a hoe. The operation of this machine, however, does it much more perfectly than it can be done witha hoe, at the expense of almost any nmount of time. Some idea of what is done may be inferred from the fact that the gearing is so nrranged that with the horses walkiag two anda half miles per hour, there are over 3,000 of these knives passing through the ground every minute. The ground is said to be left as thongh ithad been picked up and sifted over the earth! It is claimed that with this machine one man and four horses will do as much work as five men with five plows and ten horees can do with the ordinary plow, to say nothing abnut the subsequent pulverization vequired. We shall soon be able to give an illustration and more particular descriptioa of this machine, which is now about to be introduced into California. AyoTHER Panpte WureL.—Adolph Heuston, an ingenious mechanic of this city, has invented what he calls “ Heuston’s SelfFeathering Paddle Wheel,” for use upon steamers. The feathering of the paddles is effected by a very eimple contrivance, cousisting of a lever working solely by the power of gravitation, which locks aad unlocks the bucket as the wheel revolves, each paddle working independently of the others. The invention has been tried upoa @ four-foot model, aud worked to the satisfaction of several competent mechanics aud scientific men who witnessed the trial. A model of the iaventioa is oa exhibition at the Merchants’ Exchange, for the inspection of steamboat men and others iuterested in such wattters. A patent hus been applied for. Tue Screw Panpie-Wueet.—A United States patent has beea graated for ths valuable California invention, and we are informed that the wheel will be speedily tested ona large scale, both here and in the harbor of New York. The couvictioas we have heretofore expressed as to the novelty and value of this device have been fully confirmed by the award of letters patent by the Goveraments of England, France, nnd several other foreign Governments, and the theory of the inventor seems to have been thoroughly vindicated by all the tests hitherto made. In hehalf of the interests of navigation, we ardeatly hope its practical working, on a large scale, may realize the most. saaguine expectations of the proprietors as well as the predictions of its friends. A model of the invention may he seen at the office of KE. C. MeComh, No. I Government House, in this city. A New AmaLcamator.—Mr. Andrew Hunter, of this city, well known as the inventor of a very excellent grain separator, and n concentrater for saving sulphurets, has recently perfected still another iaventioa, to be employed in amalgamating the precious metals. It is so constructed as to be worked in charges, combiaing the purposes of an amalgamator aad concentrator; or it may be worked continuously, as an ainalgamator alone ; receiving the sand direct from the hatteries, nnd discharging automically. The machiue consists of a square wooden box, with sides as high as may be desirable. The floor is composed of oak or any other hard wood, sawed into blocks, and set upcn end. Upon this floor, aad attached to suitable supports, is arranged a series of rubbers, shod with iron and working back and forth with an oscillnting motion, making about sixty vibrations per miuute. By this rubbing motion the particles of gold receive a slight trituration, which tends to remove any impurities which may have accumulated upon them, to the hindrance of their free amalgamation with the quicksilver. All miners who have been accustomed to collecting free gold by using quicksilver in @ pan, are aware of the great ndvantage, and, at times, absolute necessity of using the hand to rub the gold about in the quicksilver to make it amalgamate. The design of this machine is to make that operation continuous, and by it every particle of the pulp, as it comes from the stamps, is made to pass in succession under a series of these rubbers, which may continue ad libitum. A working model has been set up in this city and submitted to the inspection of quite a number of practical miners, who have expressed very favorable opinions of it. Mr. Hunter is now in Grass Valley, where he has a contract for putting up one or more of them at one of the quartz mills in that place. When the machine is put into practical operation we chall report with regard to its success. Mors Minino Satesin Grass Va.iey.— We understand that a one-fourth interest in the Ione claim, to which we alluded, editorally last week, and whichis located about two miles from Grass Valley, near Payne’s ranch, has been eold withiu a few days for the sum of $50,000, to Louis Sloss & Co., of this city. This mine has heen promising very finely, and, a short time ago gave the most unmistakable evidences of great richness. The Grass Valley Union of March 2nd says that Mr. Gerstler, the day before, concluded the purchase of the Union Jack mine. This mine is a western extension of the Ione. ‘This purchase was also made for Messrs. Sloss & Co., at a cost of $50,000. The late owners of this valuable claim were Con. Reilly, Martin Ford, Dave Watt, Pat Lee, Fraak Morse, James Mason, A. Salaman, J. L. Sykes, of Grass Valley, and Wm. Alvord, of San Francisco. The Union Jack is a well developed mine, and the purchasers no doubt have . an excellent thiug. Artesian Wetirs Conpeunen.—The San Jose Mercury says the great nuinber of flowing artesian wells in and about San Jose have completely dried and rendered worthless hun. dreds of acres of laguaa lunds in the southern portion of the county. Owners of these lands begin to complain at this trespass on the part. of the wells, and it is proposed to divert the waters of Cayote Creek to the lagunas, which will furnish an inexhaustible supply for the lands in question as well as for the artesian wells. Patent ALLOwED.—Mr. J. Hendy, of this city, has received notice from the Commissioners of Patents, at Washington, thnt letters pateat for improvemeats on the Prater Coacentrator have been allowed hita. These improvements were fully described and illustrated in our issue of February 3d. Rersz River Buution.—Night before last, says the Virginia Enterprise of March 24, sixteen bars of bullion from Reese River, valued at $13,542, arrived ia that city. The bullion was taken from the Savage mine, nenr Austin. Anturacite Coat.—The steamer Labouchere, which arrived at this port, yesterday morning, from Victoria, brought 105 sacks of coal from the aathracite coal miae, lately opened by the Queen Charlotte Company. This coal is pronounced fully eqnal to the best Pennsylvania anthracite for foundry purposes. Persons having a curiosity to examine the coal will prohably find it on Market street wharf today, where the steamer is dischargiag. Tlie company willsoon commence making regular shipments to this city. There nre two mines already opened, and a full cargo maybe expected within three months. A full description of this coal, with an analysis of it, was given in the Mininc AnD Scienriric Press of September 18th, 1865. Discovery or Pracer Dicoixcs 1x Lower Catirornia.—A correspoadeat of the Alta, writing from La Paz under date of the 14th -ult., says there is a little excitement in that aeighborhood in the way of placer gold diggings, which have been discovered some miles eouth of the San Antonio and Triaafo silver districts. A number of sluices have been constructed, and sufficient gold to pay $4 and $5 per day tothe man. The diggiugs as far as discovered, cover an nren of forty square miles. Water is yet scarce, but it will be brought to the place if gold is as abundant as some persons helieve. Ihe general appearance of the district is very similar to that of the auriferous hills of California. The silver mines show little change. If it were not for the war much would be doue. Ries Srrixe.—The Nevada Transcript of March 5th says: “ Karney & Co., prospectors, have struck some rich rock on the third extension of tle Star Spangled Banner ledge. ‘The ground ofthese parties is located uear where the lead crosses Little Deer Creek. ‘hey have only sunk a short distance, but the rock taken out is filled with free gold and rich looking sulphurets. ‘They have a splendid prospect and a wide ledge, and there is no reason why their claim should not prove as tich as the Star Spangled Banner. Cextrat City, Coporapo.—A correspondent from Central City, inclosing his subscription for the Press, requests us to give a list of a few books most eerviceable to miners, and which can be ohtained in this city. For the benefit of our correspondent and others, we would name the following : Dana’s Mineralogy ; Makin’e Mnnual of Metallurgy, (fully noticed ia our last}; Philip’s Metallurgy ; Overman’e Metallurgy of Silver Ores and Silver Mines, by Prof. Blake ; Kustel’s Silver Processes of Nevada; Bodemaa & Kerl's Assaying, trans-~ lated by W. A. Goodyear, and Ure’s Dictionary’ Any of these works can be obtained in © this city. For further reference we would call the attention of readers to Bancroft’s catnlogue of scientific booke, advertised from week to week ia this paper, anda copy of which will be mailed by Bancroft & Co., to aay nddress upon application. Tons, Resse River.—A correspondent writing from Ione says that the mining prospects ia that vicinity are now very flatteriag, and that the town is looking up for a bright future. A 20-stamp, first class quartz mill has recently been started, nnd a 10-stamp mill is well nnoder way. Itisin contemplation to put np quite a number of other mills next season. Our correspondent further adds that “ Tlie Minne AND Scientiric Press is growing in the estimation of our best iaformed men.” Tue SPecineNs of ORE sent us by our correspondent from Monitor, Alpiae county, do not appear to present anything especially unueual, unless it be the brightness of the oxide of iron with which they are coated. They will hardly warrant the trouble of an assay, and an aaalysis, even, would not be likely to develop anything of importance. ee oe Some very good ore has just been foand in the Imperial mine, aear the west casiug, says the Virginia Znierprise. A 700-foot level will shortly be opened in the mine.

152 She Mining antl Scientific Press, Mining and Srientific Press, Wedd) BWER cccccecstrsscsic ses Ooo SENIOR EnitoR. OG. W. 4. SMITH. W. a. AWEA. 4. T. DEWAY. DEWEY & CO. Publishers. Orrior—No. 605 Clay street, corner of Sauspme, 2d floor. Terms of Subscription: One co) er annum, in advance,. One ane Bis months, in advalice, By For saie by Carriers and N It is Impossible for editors to know aut the merlts f their d th and corr 1 c Teader must not recelve the opinions of our contributors as ourown. Intelligent discussion is Invited upon all sides and the evidence of any error which may appear will be re celved in friendship and treated with respect. Americnn ond Fereign Patents.—Letters Patcnt for Inventors can be secnred {nthe United Statcs and forelgn countries through the Minine ann Scientiric Press PATENT Acancy. We offer apolicants reasonable terms, Rnd they an rest assured of a strict compliance lth our obligations, and afalthfnl performance of all contracts. For reference, we will furnish the names of numerous parties for whom we have obtalned patents during the past two years. Fnvorable to Inventors.—Persons holding new Inventlons of machinery and important Improvements, can have the same Illustrated and explained Inthe Minine ann Scirntiric Pazss, free of charge, lf in our judgment the discovery Is ohe of real merit, and of suificlent interest to our readers to warrant publication. Pnyment in Advance.---This paper will not be sent tosubscribers heyond the term pald for. The publishers well know that a good journal cannot he sustained on the credit system. Mr. Wm. HK. Brndshnw, is our Special Correspondent and Traveling Agent. Ali favorsor assistance rendercd him In hls progress through the country In behalf of our journal, will be duly acknowledged. Gan Francisco. Jan Ist, 1866. Mr. A. ©. Knox, is our fully authorized Traveling Agent, and all subscriptions, or other favors extended to him, will be duly acknowlcdged at thls office. San FRANCIsco, Jan lith, 1866. Mr. Elwin Dnvis, 1s ruthorized to sollclt subsertptlons, advertising, etc., for the Minino ann ScreNTiFIC PRESS, in San Franclsco, and to recelpt tor the same. SS San Francisco: Saturday Morning, Mar. 10, 1866. Endor®ement by the Miners’ State Convention. Tho foliowlng resoiutlon was adeptcd by the California Minera’ State Convention, icld at Sacramento, Jan. 17th, 1866: Resolved, That we regard a mtming paper or Journal of grcat Importance to the mining interest of California, and werecommend the Mininc AND ScientiFic Press, of San Franclsco, to the conslderatiou and support of the miners of tho Pacific coast, Improvement 1N Minino Stocxs.— We would refer our readers to the stock report, which will be found in our columns this morning. It will be observed that the mining share market has been characterized with a greater degree of activity than has been witnessed for many months past. An extraordinary advance will be noticed in some particular shares, and quite a marked improvement in many others. It ie gratifying, moreover, to be able io state that the impression prevails that this improve. ment is not due to any “ hulling ” scheme, but to actunl improvements in the mines them. selves. For some time past discoveries of a Most enconraging character have heen almost weekly made all along the line of the Comstock lode; one of the latest and most important of which has heen announced the past week in the Ophir. This strike has been made in the ninth level, at a point about 200 feet south and west from the Mexicnn shaft, and 75 feet north of the Central company’s live, where a vein of very rich ore is said to have been found fifteen or twenty feet thick. This discovery acconnts for the sudden advance in the shares of this mine the past week, from $430 to $800 ; althongh they eubsequently fell to $740, which was the closing figure at yesterday’s Board. These successes will bring aboxt @ resumption of work on many of the abandoned claime along the Comstock, and give promise of unusual animation for the coming eensnn. Important Om Strixe.—We understand the Bennett Well, on Corte Madera creek, San Mateo connty, commenced overflowing with water and oil on the 27th ult. It was still flowing np to last accounts, a week afterwards. ‘The amount of oil coming over was quite emall, however, not more than two barrels a day; but quite enough to afford much encoumgement to the proprietors of oil property all throngh that sectiou. The well is oaly 104 feet deep. The oil is of a very excellent quality,and burns quite freely in ite natural state. Axzout the 15th of March eix Concord coaches will leave Virginia City, Nevada, for Virginia City, Montana. A NEW EARTH PULVERIZER. Messrs. Fithian & Young, of Joliet, IIl., have recently invented and patented an important improvement in the plow, which is beiag received with high favor among scieatific agriculturists at the East. It is called the Rotary Plow, or Earth Pulverizer. The main advantages gained by this, over the plows generally in use, are; 1st. The manner in which the soil is turned over. This is accomplished hy a lifting cut,in such a manner that the plow does not bear an ounce on the subsoil; while those generally in use act like a wedge—pressing down with the same force as that applied to lifting up, and thereby ironing down the suhsoil, as it were. 2. Stopping of its pores, and thereby greatly diminishing the tendency of the water to work its way upward when the dry season approaches. This is aa evil entirely overcome by this machine, which is so coastructed that the revolving cutters strike the ground very much as a horse’s hoof strikes it when he is pulling hard ; but instead of coming down subsequently with the heel, the foot must be supposed to continue a revolving motion, which of course would lift up whatever groand it took hold of. 3d. The machine effects a most perfect pulverization of the ground after it is so lifted up. This part of the work is accomplished by a series of revolviag knives, which are niade to pass rapidly through the soil, they also giving a lifting cut, and dividing it up into the thinest possible slices—so fine that it is completely pulverized, as is sometimes done by chopping it np with a hoe. The operation of this machine, however, does it much more perfectly than it can be done witha hoe, at the expense of almost any nmount of time. Some idea of what is done may be inferred from the fact that the gearing is so nrranged that with the horses walkiag two anda half miles per hour, there are over 3,000 of these knives passing through the ground every minute. The ground is said to be left as thongh ithad been picked up and sifted over the earth! It is claimed that with this machine one man and four horses will do as much work as five men with five plows and ten horees can do with the ordinary plow, to say nothing abnut the subsequent pulverization vequired. We shall soon be able to give an illustration and more particular descriptioa of this machine, which is now about to be introduced into California. AyoTHER Panpte WureL.—Adolph Heuston, an ingenious mechanic of this city, has invented what he calls “ Heuston’s SelfFeathering Paddle Wheel,” for use upon steamers. The feathering of the paddles is effected by a very eimple contrivance, cousisting of a lever working solely by the power of gravitation, which locks aad unlocks the bucket as the wheel revolves, each paddle working independently of the others. The invention has been tried upoa @ four-foot model, aud worked to the satisfaction of several competent mechanics aud scientific men who witnessed the trial. A model of the iaventioa is oa exhibition at the Merchants’ Exchange, for the inspection of steamboat men and others iuterested in such wattters. A patent hus been applied for. Tue Screw Panpie-Wueet.—A United States patent has beea graated for ths valuable California invention, and we are informed that the wheel will be speedily tested ona large scale, both here and in the harbor of New York. The couvictioas we have heretofore

expressed as to the novelty and value of this device have been fully confirmed by the award of letters patent by the Goveraments of England, France, nnd several other foreign Governments, and the theory of the inventor seems to have been thoroughly vindicated by all the tests hitherto made. In hehalf of the interests of navigation, we ardeatly hope its practical working, on a large scale, may realize the most. saaguine expectations of the proprietors as well as the predictions of its friends. A model of the invention may he seen at the office of KE. C. MeComh, No. I Government House, in this city. A New AmaLcamator.—Mr. Andrew Hunter, of this city, well known as the inventor of a very excellent grain separator, and n concentrater for saving sulphurets, has recently perfected still another iaventioa, to be employed in amalgamating the precious metals. It is so constructed as to be worked in charges, combiaing the purposes of an amalgamator aad concentrator; or it may be worked continuously, as an ainalgamator alone ; receiving the sand direct from the hatteries, nnd discharging automically. The machiue consists of a square wooden box, with sides as high as may be desirable. The floor is composed of oak or any other hard wood, sawed into blocks, and set upcn end. Upon this floor, aad attached to suitable supports, is arranged a series of rubbers, shod with iron and working back and forth with an oscillnting motion, making about sixty vibrations per miuute. By this rubbing motion the particles of gold receive a slight trituration, which tends to remove any impurities which may have accumulated upon them, to the hindrance of their free amalgamation with the quicksilver. All miners who have been accustomed to collecting free gold by using quicksilver in @ pan, are aware of the great ndvantage, and, at times, absolute necessity of using the hand to rub the gold about in the quicksilver to make it amalgamate. The design of this machine is to make that operation continuous, and by it every particle of the pulp, as it comes from the stamps, is made to pass in succession under a series of these rubbers, which may continue ad libitum. A working model has been set up in this city and submitted to the inspection of quite a number of practical miners, who have expressed very favorable opinions of it. Mr. Hunter is now in Grass Valley, where he has a contract for putting up one or more of them at one of the quartz mills in that place. When the machine is put into practical operation we chall report with regard to its success. Mors Minino Satesin Grass Va.iey.— We understand that a one-fourth interest in the Ione claim, to which we alluded, editorally last week, and whichis located about two miles from Grass Valley, near Payne’s ranch, has been eold withiu a few days for the sum of $50,000, to Louis Sloss & Co., of this city. This mine has heen promising very finely, and, a short time ago gave the most unmistakable evidences of great richness. The Grass Valley Union of March 2nd says that Mr. Gerstler, the day before, concluded the purchase of the Union Jack mine. This mine is a western extension of the Ione. ‘This purchase was also made for Messrs. Sloss & Co., at a cost of $50,000. The late owners of this valuable claim were Con. Reilly, Martin Ford, Dave Watt, Pat Lee, Fraak Morse, James Mason, A. Salaman, J. L. Sykes, of Grass Valley, and Wm. Alvord, of San Francisco. The Union Jack is a well developed mine, and the purchasers no doubt have . an excellent thiug. Artesian Wetirs Conpeunen.—The San Jose Mercury says the great nuinber of flowing artesian wells in and about San Jose have completely dried and rendered worthless hun. dreds of acres of laguaa lunds in the southern portion of the county. Owners of these lands begin to complain at this trespass on the part. of the wells, and it is proposed to divert the waters of Cayote Creek to the lagunas, which will furnish an inexhaustible supply for the lands in question as well as for the artesian wells. Patent ALLOwED.—Mr. J. Hendy, of this city, has received notice from the Commissioners of Patents, at Washington, thnt letters pateat for improvemeats on the Prater Coacentrator have been allowed hita. These improvements were fully described and illustrated in our issue of February 3d. Rersz River Buution.—Night before last, says the Virginia Enterprise of March 24, sixteen bars of bullion from Reese River, valued at $13,542, arrived ia that city. The bullion was taken from the Savage mine, nenr Austin. Anturacite Coat.—The steamer Labouchere, which arrived at this port, yesterday morning, from Victoria, brought 105 sacks of coal from the aathracite coal miae, lately opened by the Queen Charlotte Company. This coal is pronounced fully eqnal to the best Pennsylvania anthracite for foundry purposes. Persons having a curiosity to examine the coal will prohably find it on Market street wharf today, where the steamer is dischargiag. Tlie company willsoon commence making regular shipments to this city. There nre two mines already opened, and a full cargo maybe expected within three months. A full description of this coal, with an analysis of it, was given in the Mininc AnD Scienriric Press of September 18th, 1865. Discovery or Pracer Dicoixcs 1x Lower Catirornia.—A correspoadeat of the Alta, writing from La Paz under date of the 14th -ult., says there is a little excitement in that aeighborhood in the way of placer gold diggings, which have been discovered some miles eouth of the San Antonio and Triaafo silver districts. A number of sluices have been constructed, and sufficient gold to pay $4 and $5 per day tothe man. The diggiugs as far as discovered, cover an nren of forty square miles. Water is yet scarce, but it will be brought to the place if gold is as abundant as some persons helieve. Ihe general appearance of the district is very similar to that of the auriferous hills of California. The silver mines show little change. If it were not for the war much would be doue. Ries Srrixe.—The Nevada Transcript of March 5th says: “ Karney & Co., prospectors, have struck some rich rock on the third extension of tle Star Spangled Banner ledge. ‘The ground ofthese parties is located uear where the lead crosses Little Deer Creek. ‘hey have only sunk a short distance, but the rock taken out is filled with free gold and rich looking sulphurets. ‘They have a splendid prospect and a wide ledge, and there is no reason why their claim should not prove as tich as the Star Spangled Banner. Cextrat City, Coporapo.—A correspondent from Central City, inclosing his subscription for the Press, requests us to give a list of a few books most eerviceable to miners, and which can be ohtained in this city. For the benefit of our correspondent and others, we would name the following : Dana’s Mineralogy ; Makin’e Mnnual of Metallurgy, (fully noticed ia our last}; Philip’s Metallurgy ; Overman’e Metallurgy of Silver Ores and Silver Mines, by Prof. Blake ; Kustel’s Silver Processes of Nevada; Bodemaa & Kerl's Assaying, trans-~ lated by W. A. Goodyear, and Ure’s Dictionary’ Any of these works can be obtained in © this city. For further reference we would call the attention of readers to Bancroft’s catnlogue of scientific booke, advertised from week to week ia this paper, anda copy of which will be mailed by Bancroft & Co., to aay nddress upon application. Tons, Resse River.—A correspondent writing from Ione says that the mining prospects ia that vicinity are now very flatteriag, and that the town is looking up for a bright future. A 20-stamp, first class quartz mill has recently been started, nnd a 10-stamp mill is well nnoder way. Itisin contemplation to put np quite a number of other mills next season. Our correspondent further adds that “ Tlie Minne AND Scientiric Press is growing in the estimation of our best iaformed men.” Tue SPecineNs of ORE sent us by our correspondent from Monitor, Alpiae county, do not appear to present anything especially unueual, unless it be the brightness of the oxide of iron with which they are coated. They will hardly warrant the trouble of an assay, and an aaalysis, even, would not be likely to develop anything of importance. ee oe Some very good ore has just been foand in the Imperial mine, aear the west casiug, says the Virginia Znierprise. A 700-foot level will shortly be opened in the mine.