Volume 24 (1872) (424 pages)

178 SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [March 23, 1872. (GoRRESPON DENCE. Notes of Travel in Yuba and Nevada Counties. [By our Traveling Correspondent.] i Timbuctoo, Situated on tho South Yuha river, about 17 miles east of Marysville, is not a very prepossessing place, although located adjacent to some of the richest deep channel mining in the State. It contains at pres ent only ahout 100 inhahitants; its present dilapidated condition may he attributed to its close proximity to two’ other mining camps, each striving for the mastery to furnish goods and amusement for the laboring miner. The Babb Claim Consists of a portion of the celebrated ‘Blue Lead,” and is situated %4 mile east of Timhuctoo. The works consist of a 10-stamp mill, run by water power, for crushing cement; not at present in operation hecause they are engaged in stripping. preparatory to taking out cement. The mill will he running again ahout the 25th inst. James O’Brien is Supt., and John Boyer is Foreman; at present working 8 men; the amount of bullion realized from this claim is satisfying its owners, and in times past, has paid fabulously. Giant powder is used in this claim toa considerable extent and gives general satisfaction. Sucker Flat Is a stirriug little mining camp 2 miles N. E. of Timbuctoo, and consists of ahou 350 inhabitants. Two quite large mercantile estahlishments ate carried on here hy D. Doherty and R. L, Crary; the latter has lately erected at this place a fine skatiug rink, completed, I helieve, in Nov. last. The huilding is 50x123 feet, the main hall 50x70, with a stage 30x50 feet, with dressing rooms complete; this struct: ure has 65,0UU feet of lumber in it, and cost $5,0UU. The different mining companies in this section, of which you have said more or less of late, are all running their usual complement of men, and the dividend paying companies are taking vut the usual amount of bullion, Smarisville. This camp is situated 3 miles east of Timhuctoo, and about one mile south of Sucker Flat. It contains about 400 inhabitants, hut at preseut isquite dull. C. C. Duhain and J. McAllis & Co. are the merchants of this place, the latter uttend to the postal aflairs. There is also a hotel here, and I neglected to say that Timhuctoo and Sucker Flat were similarly pro vided for, hut if one good first-class hotel was to start in the viciuity of these three camps it would do the husiness of all. Rough & Ready, Nevada County, Is located 4 miles west of Grass Valley. It contains about 150 inhahitants, and at the present writing is the dullest camp in the State. One redeeming feature here is that the accommodations at its hotel are equal to the hest average of the interior. Rich Placer Deposit. Rees & Depew, owners of a (heretofore ordinary) placer claim, located one mile east of Rough & Ready, and three miles west of Grass Valley, had the good luck to run across a very rich deposit of gold, in a strata of decayed quartz, A specimen shown your correspondent weighiue ahout $40, looked to contain ahout 10 to 12 per cent. of iron; these genilemen own 300 feet of this lead running northeast and southwest, and friends of the ahove have taken up extensions in either direction for a halt mile. The amount taken from this claim since this rich deposit was found, will not exceed $500, hut 15 ounces of that was taken out in one afternoon, the probahility is that it is of considerahle extent, In reaching this deposit, soft granite is passed through, then a combination of iron pyrites, then a piuk colored quartz; hetween the two latter formations the gold is found, some of the nuggets, show distinctly two different deposits or formations in the same piece of gold; the upper portion heing not over 780, while the lower is at least 900 fine. Union Gravel Ml. Co., Is an incorporation of 8,000 shares, with’ a capitul Stovk of $800,0U0, one half of which is owned hy the North-Bloomfield Gravel M. Co., the remainder hy A. E, Davis, C. J. Brenham, A. H. Barker and W. W. Nichols. The latter mentioned, acting as general Supt. This claim is situated upon the celebratéd deep-channel ‘Blue Lead,” midway hetween North Columhia and Lake City; and ahout 9 miles north of Nevada. City; principal husiuess oftice 420 California street, San Francisco. This Company own 134 miles in length, on the channel of the lead, which at this point is about one-half mile wide. There is no prohahility that the next generation will see it worked out. This claim has been worked for 3 years past, but hydraulic washing has heen done but about 6 months of that time, At present they are working two of The Hydraulic Chief, Fisher’s Patent, of Nevada City, which give general satisfaction. This company’s improvements cousist in part of 2,000 ft. of tlume, 40 inches wide by 20 inches deep, with 10 inches grade to every 14 ft., all blocked with 20 inch square blocks, 6 inches thick; 2,175 ft. of 15 inch pipe, and 300 it. of 18 inch pipe—also a rescrvoir built last year at a cost of $5,200, situated oue mile from the present workings. This reservoir has a capacity of supplying 500 inches of water for 48 hours, when full, without receiving a drop. At present, 400 inches of water run into their reservoir night aud day, equal to 1,050 inches of water for 10 hours run—which amount, they are using at the present writing. Lo get a lower grade of 152 ft. helow the present working, this company are eugaged in running a Large Tunnel, Which, when completed, will he 1,500 feet in length, 6 feet 4 inches high, hy 6 feet wide, with a grade of 6 inches to every 12 feet. This tunnel was commenced Aug. 18th, 1870, and has heen worked with from two to three shifts per day to within the last 7 or 8 weeks, hy hand driiling, hut the rock was of such a character that it would have discouraged the most persistent set of menin theState. So slow) was their progress that the distance made} iu the face of the tupuel for a month could . be reached with a ten-foot pole. After due deliberation, counting the cost and time, for adding more improved machinery, the Company finally adopted one of Messrs. Severance & Holt’s Celebrated Diamond Drills, Ata cost of $4,000. After many delays of an unavoidable nature, such as bad roads, caused by the inclemancy of the weather, this drill was put iu successful operation. To say that it gives satisfaction, would not in this case suffice, for they are overjoyed at its success; they are now making from 2% to 4 feet per day, with three shifts of 8 hourseach, in the same kind of rock ahove mentioned. Mr. W. W. Nichols, the gentlemanly superintendent of this mine, speaks in the highest praise of this drill, and adds in so mauy words, it is a great success, doing more work in one day, with the number of men ahove quoted, than twice as many could doin the same tunnal ina week. This drillis run hy a HurdyGurdy wheel, placed on the rear of the drill carriage, which is driven hy Hydraulic Pressure, The water for which is conducted 3,000 ft. through an 11 inch pipe, to the mouth of the tunnel under a 274 ft. pressure; from the mouth of the tunnel to the drill at its present position, 925 feet in, hy a 7 inch pipe; there it is thrown into the hurdygurdy wheel 4ft. in diameter, through a % inch nozzle which runs the drills, 2 innumber. The hlasting agent used, is Giant Powder. The Supt. and men employed to work it, acknowledged to me that it was certainly the safest and most powerful explosive in use; further, that from 25 to 30 minutes is all they require to clear the tunnel of all bad odors after a hlast. The exploding is done by a ‘‘ Fields Electric Battery,” at the mouth of the tunuel, conducted hy au insulated wire the whole length of the tunnel. Eleven men are at present employed in this mine, and with that force including the running of the tunnel, I foresee a clean-up this fall of from $50,000 to 75,000. This claim never looked hetter since it was opened, Ll. P. MC, Mines at Phillipsburg, M. TT. Eprrors Press:—We have found ont a new way of developing quartz mines, and also how to make big money on them in the future. First, go to work and take out all the ore and sell the hole, he sureand leave a hig hole in theground with a num ber of levels, so that you can get all the ore out and then sell the mine and work the quartz yourself; original, isn’t it? You hear that there is not a developed mine in Phillipshurg, from some of those smarties that have their experience only with a hlow-pipe in St. Louis or New York, hut we have mines here with shafts over 100 feet deep and two levels running a distauce of from 68 to 90 feet from the main shaft, and also a mine that is opened1,000 feet in length with a tunnel] run in on the ledge 144 feet, with 4 shafts sunk a depth of from 30 to 75 feet on this same ground, showing a good quality of-milling ore the entire distance. Would you not call these developed mines? they would he called so in u mining country, hut perhaps not among those would-he experts. Plaistead & Co. are taking outa fine lot of ore from the Eastern Camanche and also from the Cordova lode; they intend starting the St. Louis mill in afew days. The Captain is au experienced mill-man and is confident of making a good run, being well pleased with the ore in sight. Dr. J. M. Merrell has a set of men at work on the Western Camanche lode, and Estell & Co. are taking out quartz from the Emma mine that averages over $200 per ton by assay. Professor McArdle has a numher of men at work on the Hope mine, developing it for the St. Louis Co. He is getting some very fair prospects and has great confidence in his enterprise. The Imperial Silver Mining Co. is hard at work; their five-stamp hattery with wood stems is pounding away. They are crushing dry and keep 25 men employed atthe Trout mine and mill. All the Co. wants is a good 10-stamp mill and their fortune is in sight. They have several thousaud tons of ore in sight that will work $150 per ton hy roasting process. Things look more favorahle in this place than ever hefore, *“Onp Micnican.” Phillipsburg, M. T., Feh. 29. Progress oF Sinver Minine 1n MonTaANA.—The new smelting works at Helena, Montana, are reported to he a decided success, Since this has become geuerally known in the Territory, a great deal of prospecting for lead and silver ledges has taken place, especially in the vicinity of Helena and Jetierson. The discovery of several fine ledges is said to be the result. Most of them are already vigorously worked. A very large vein of argentiferous galena has heen discovered two miles from the Gregory, in the Jefferson mines, but on the Boulder slope. It has the extraordinary width of 21 feet, but assays only from $45 to $100 iu silver per ton. But as the lead ores are reported to occur so solid that they may he at once used at the furnace, the discovery is an important one. Exuma.—Prof. Silliman, writing to a friend in England, says that since his report was written, and upto the present time, he is advised hy those at the mine that the reserves are in the greater part intact, the daily supply of ores (ahout 50 tons) being drawn chiefly from new and virgin ground, opened in course of explorations advised hy Prof. Silliman. It is understood to be the policy of the new management to follow the advice of Prof. Silliman—to hold intact the great body of their reserves aud push on new explorations in virgin ground—a policy which has already richly rewarded them, and is the only safe policy in any mine. So far as the mine is concerned, itis truly surprising in its productiveness. A Rrvat to Tea anp Corrrr.—Tea and coffe are threatened with a Brazilian rival, called guarana. Guarana consists of the seeds of a tree known to hotanists as the paulinas sorbitis which is very abundant. The tree produces a fruit about the size of a walnut, containing five or six seeds. The seeds are roasted mixed with water and dried. Before being used they require grindiug when they fall into a kind of powder. The active principle is an alkaloid identical with that found in tea or coffee, but there is twice as much of it in guarana as there is in tea. The effects are similar to those of tea and coffe. Tue Grass Valley Republican of the 6th says: We understand that a party at Truckee have a contract for making one million bushels of charcoal. <A large portion of the work is to he doue hy Chinamen. One million bushels of charcoal will weigh ahout two hundred thousand tons, and would require eighty trains of cars to remove it, allowing two hundred and fifty tons for each train. We suppose this large amount of coal is required by the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads for their various machiue shops. Trnckee is the most accessible point for timher on the entire line of the continental railway. An Apocryphal Comet. A report has obtained circulation, probably without foundation, that a Geneva Professor has discovered an immense comet, which from its direction must collide with the earth on the 12th of August next. It is also stated that many weak minded people, both in this country and Europe, are very much alarmed at the innouncement. So far from such ay event heing unwelcome to scicntificmen, nothing could be nore acceptable to thom than to have a large comet approach near enough to the earth to switch its tailin the face of mankind, for no such body (save Enck’s, a very small and distant one) has made its appearance in the heavens since the great value of the spectroscope in the determination of the constitution, of such wandering hodies, was fully understood. The next comet which does approach very near the earth will he closely scanned, and will enahle science to determine, with great precision, in regard to its physical characteristics. As to any harm heiug apprehended from auy such source, there is little need for fear. It has been quite fully d: termined that the most of them atleast are comparatively harmless bodies —nothing in fact hut huge “‘ gas-hags” scarcely more tangible than the streak of light sent out into space hy a lantern on a dark, foggy evening. Thore is little doubt but that the earth has passed through the tails of at least two comets within the last forty years, without kuowing it atthe time—the phenomena attending the passage having, in both eases, been attributed, at the time of the passage to some peculiar atmospheric phenomena. The first one, about 1837, is well rememhered hy the writer. The atmosphere over nearly, or all this continent was aglow with ared lurid light, which eaused alarms of fire in various parts of the country—the atmosphere having the appearance given hy the reflection of a fire at a great distance on a slightly foggy night. The continuance of the phenomena was observed for several hours. Frnorva.—The fence is a costly structnre. Illinois is said to have ten times as much fenceas Germany, and Duchess county, New York, more than allFrance. A narrow path divides farms in France, Germany and Holland. In South Carolina the improved land isestimated to he worth $20,000,000; tho fences have cost $16,000,000. The annual repair is a tenth of this. A recent calculation placcs the cost of fences in the United States at $1,300,000,000. Nicholas Biddle, thirty years ago, said the Pennsylvania fenccs had cost $100,000,000. In Ohio they are putat $115,000,000, and in New York at $144,900,000. Some day fences will prohably disappear, and houndaries will be marked with fruit trees or neat hedgerows. A fPynitrs Groom.—California will appreciate the following from an Mastern Exchange: <A verdant-looking Yermonter appeared at the office of 2 chemist with a large bundle in ayellow bandauna, and opening it,exclamed: ‘There, doctor, look at that.” ‘Well’ said the doctor, ‘‘I see it.” ‘*What'do you call that, doctor?” ‘I call it iron pyrites.” ‘What, isn’t that gold?” “No,” said tho doctor, and putting some over the fireit evaporated up the chimney. “Well,” said the poor fellow, with a woehegonc look, ‘‘there’s a widder woman up in our town has a whole hill of that, and I’ve been aud married her!” Iron-Parer.—German jouruals complain that this article, which is simply commou paper mixed while in the pulp with iron filings, so as to increase the weight, is **shamelessly advertised in all English aud American papers,” and is particularly recommended to shop-keepers for wrapping up their wares. As the papersin which groceries are put up are generally weighed along with the article, there can be no doubt that the use of such paper is fraudulent. But we must demur to the assertion that it is advertised in all English papers. Mriyina in Porrucgan.—The operations at the Chans silver lead mines are heing prosecuted with all practicable speed, the indications presented from lodes already discovered, far exceed the expectations held out by the promoters, and there is every reason to justify the prediction that this will prove one of the great prizes of 1872. Brazi, Ind., claims to produce its iron at a cost of $25.50 per ton, with coal, two tons at $2.50, and ore, one and five-eights tons at $8.00. ee

178 SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [March 23, 1872. (GoRRESPON DENCE. Notes of Travel in Yuba and Nevada Counties. [By our Traveling Correspondent.] i Timbuctoo, Situated on tho South Yuha river, about 17 miles east of Marysville, is not a very prepossessing place, although located adjacent to some of the richest deep channel mining in the State. It contains at pres ent only ahout 100 inhahitants; its present dilapidated condition may he attributed to its close proximity to two’ other mining camps, each striving for the mastery to furnish goods and amusement for the laboring miner. The Babb Claim Consists of a portion of the celebrated ‘Blue Lead,” and is situated %4 mile east of Timhuctoo. The works consist of a 10-stamp mill, run by water power, for crushing cement; not at present in operation hecause they are engaged in stripping. preparatory to taking out cement. The mill will he running again ahout the 25th inst. James O’Brien is Supt., and John Boyer is Foreman; at present working 8 men; the amount of bullion realized from this claim is satisfying its owners, and in times past, has paid fabulously.. Giant powder is used in this claim toa considerable extent and gives general satisfaction. Sucker Flat Is a stirriug little mining camp 2 miles N. E. of Timbuctoo, and consists of ahou 350 inhabitants. Two quite large mercantile estahlishments ate carried on here hy D. Doherty and R. L, Crary; the latter has lately erected at this place a fine skatiug rink, completed, I helieve, in Nov. last. The huilding is 50x123 feet, the main hall 50x70, with a stage 30x50 feet, with dressing rooms complete; this struct: ure has 65,0UU feet of lumber in it, and cost $5,0UU. The different mining companies in this section, of which you have said more or less of late, are all running their usual complement of men, and the dividend paying companies are taking vut the usual amount of bullion, Smarisville. This camp is situated 3 miles east of Timhuctoo, and about one mile south of Sucker Flat. It contains about 400 inhabitants, hut at preseut isquite dull. C. C. Duhain and J. McAllis & Co. are the merchants of this place, the latter uttend to the postal aflairs. There is also a hotel here, and I neglected to say that Timhuctoo and Sucker Flat were similarly pro vided for, hut if one good first-class hotel was to start in the viciuity of these three camps it would do the husiness of all. Rough & Ready, Nevada County, Is located 4 miles west of Grass Valley. It contains about 150 inhahitants, and at the present writing is the dullest camp in the State. One redeeming feature here is that the accommodations at its hotel are equal to the hest average of the interior. Rich Placer Deposit. Rees & Depew, owners of a (heretofore ordinary) placer claim, located one mile east of Rough & Ready, and three miles west of Grass Valley, had the good luck to run across a very rich deposit of gold, in a strata of decayed quartz, A specimen shown your correspondent weighiue ahout $40, looked to contain ahout 10 to 12 per cent. of iron; these genilemen own 300 feet of this lead running northeast and southwest, and friends of the ahove have taken up extensions in either direction for a halt mile. The amount taken from this claim since this rich deposit was found, will not exceed $500, hut 15 ounces of that was taken out in one afternoon, the probahility is that it is of considerahle extent, In reaching this deposit, soft granite is passed through, then a combination of iron pyrites, then a piuk colored quartz; hetween the two latter formations the gold is found, some of the nuggets, show distinctly two different deposits or formations in the same piece of gold; the upper portion heing not over 780, while the lower is at least 900 fine. Union Gravel Ml. Co., Is an incorporation of 8,000 shares, with’ a capitul Stovk of $800,0U0, one half of which is owned hy the North-Bloomfield Gravel M. Co., the remainder hy A. E, Davis, C. J. Brenham, A. H. Barker and W. W. Nichols. The latter mentioned, acting as general Supt. This claim is situated upon the celebratéd deep-channel ‘Blue Lead,” midway hetween North Columhia and Lake City; and ahout 9 miles north of Nevada. City; principal husiuess oftice 420 California street, San Francisco. This Company own 134 miles in length, on the channel of the lead, which at this point is about one-half mile wide. There is no prohahility that the next generation will see it worked out. This claim has been worked for 3 years past, but hydraulic washing has heen done but about 6 months of that time, At present they are working two of The Hydraulic Chief, Fisher’s Patent, of Nevada City, which give general satisfaction. This company’s improvements cousist in part of 2,000 ft. of tlume, 40 inches wide by 20 inches deep, with 10 inches grade to every 14 ft., all blocked with 20 inch square blocks, 6 inches thick; 2,175 ft. of 15 inch pipe, and 300 it. of 18 inch pipe—also a rescrvoir built last year at a cost of $5,200, situated oue mile from the present workings. This reservoir has a capacity of supplying 500 inches of water for 48 hours, when full, without receiving a drop. At present, 400 inches of water run into their reservoir night aud day, equal to 1,050 inches of water for 10 hours run—which amount, they are using at the present writing. Lo get a lower grade of 152 ft. helow the present working, this company are eugaged in running a Large Tunnel, Which, when completed, will he 1,500 feet in length, 6 feet 4 inches high, hy 6 feet wide, with a grade of 6 inches to every 12 feet. This tunnel was commenced Aug. 18th, 1870, and has heen worked with from two to three shifts per day to within the last 7 or 8 weeks, hy hand driiling, hut the rock was of such a character that it would have discouraged the most persistent set of menin theState. So slow) was their progress that the distance made} iu the face of the tupuel for a month could . be reached with a ten-foot pole. After due deliberation, counting the cost and time, for adding more improved machinery, the Company finally adopted one of Messrs. Severance & Holt’s Celebrated Diamond Drills, Ata cost of $4,000. After many delays of an unavoidable nature, such as bad roads, caused by the inclemancy of the weather, this drill was put iu successful operation. To say that it gives satisfaction, would not in this case suffice, for they are overjoyed at its success; they are now making from 2% to 4 feet per day, with three shifts of 8 hourseach, in the same kind of rock ahove mentioned. Mr. W. W. Nichols, the gentlemanly superintendent of this mine, speaks in the highest praise of this drill, and adds in so mauy words, it is a great success, doing more work in one day, with the number of men ahove quoted, than twice as many could doin the same tunnal ina week. This drillis run hy a HurdyGurdy wheel, placed on the rear of the drill carriage, which is driven hy Hydraulic Pressure, The water for which is conducted 3,000 ft. through an 11 inch pipe, to the mouth of the tunnel under a 274 ft. pressure; from the mouth of the tunnel to the drill at its present position, 925 feet in, hy a 7 inch pipe; there it is thrown into the hurdygurdy wheel 4ft. in diameter, through a % inch nozzle which runs the drills, 2 innumber. The hlasting agent used, is Giant Powder. The Supt. and men employed to work it, acknowledged to me that it was certainly the safest and most powerful explosive in use; further, that from 25 to 30 minutes is all they require to clear the tunnel of all bad odors after a hlast. The exploding is done by a ‘‘ Fields Electric Battery,” at the mouth of the tunuel, conducted hy au insulated wire the whole length of the tunnel. Eleven men are at present employed in this mine, and with that force including the running of the tunnel, I foresee a clean-up this fall of from $50,000 to 75,000. This claim never looked hetter since it was opened, Ll. P. MC, Mines at Phillipsburg, M. TT. Eprrors Press:—We have found ont a new way of developing quartz mines, and also how to make big money on them in the future. First, go to work and take out all the ore and sell the hole, he sureand leave a hig hole in theground with a num ber of levels, so that you can get all the ore out and then sell the mine and work

the quartz yourself; original, isn’t it? You hear that there is not a developed mine in Phillipshurg, from some of those smarties that have their experience only with a hlow-pipe in St. Louis or New York, hut we have mines here with shafts over 100 feet deep and two levels running a distauce of from 68 to 90 feet from the main shaft, and also a mine that is opened1,000 feet in length with a tunnel] run in on the ledge 144 feet, with 4 shafts sunk a depth of from 30 to 75 feet on this same ground, showing a good quality of-milling ore the entire distance. Would you not call these developed mines? they would he called so in u mining country, hut perhaps not among those would-he experts. Plaistead & Co. are taking outa fine lot of ore from the Eastern Camanche and also from the Cordova lode; they intend starting the St. Louis mill in afew days. The Captain is au experienced mill-man and is confident of making a good run, being well pleased with the ore in sight. Dr. J. M. Merrell has a set of men at work on the Western Camanche lode, and Estell & Co. are taking out quartz from the Emma mine that averages over $200 per ton by assay. Professor McArdle has a numher of men at work on the Hope mine, developing it for the St. Louis Co. He is getting some very fair prospects and has great confidence in his enterprise. The Imperial Silver Mining Co. is hard at work; their five-stamp hattery with wood stems is pounding away. They are crushing dry and keep 25 men employed atthe Trout mine and mill. All the Co. wants is a good 10-stamp mill and their fortune is in sight. They have several thousaud tons of ore in sight that will work $150 per ton hy roasting process. Things look more favorahle in this place than ever hefore, *“Onp Micnican.” Phillipsburg, M. T., Feh. 29. Progress oF Sinver Minine 1n MonTaANA.—The new smelting works at Helena, Montana, are reported to he a decided success, Since this has become geuerally known in the Territory, a great deal of prospecting for lead and silver ledges has taken place, especially in the vicinity of Helena and Jetierson. The discovery of several fine ledges is said to be the result. Most of them are already vigorously worked. A very large vein of argentiferous galena has heen discovered two miles from the Gregory, in the Jefferson mines, but on the Boulder slope. It has the extraordinary width of 21 feet, but assays only from $45 to $100 iu silver per ton. But as the lead ores are reported to occur so solid that they may he at once used at the furnace, the discovery is an important one. Exuma.—Prof. Silliman, writing to a friend in England, says that since his report was written, and upto the present time, he is advised hy those at the mine that the reserves are in the greater part intact, the daily supply of ores (ahout 50 tons) being drawn chiefly from new and virgin ground, opened in course of explorations advised hy Prof. Silliman. It is understood to be the policy of the new management to follow the advice of Prof. Silliman—to hold intact the great body of their reserves aud push on new explorations in virgin ground—a policy which has already richly rewarded them, and is the only safe policy in any mine. So far as the mine is concerned, itis truly surprising in its productiveness. A Rrvat to Tea anp Corrrr.—Tea and coffe are threatened with a Brazilian rival, called guarana. Guarana consists of the seeds of a tree known to hotanists as the paulinas sorbitis which is very abundant. The tree produces a fruit about the size of a walnut, containing five or six seeds. The seeds are roasted mixed with water and dried. Before being used they require grindiug when they fall into a kind of powder. The active principle is an alkaloid identical with that found in tea or coffee, but there is twice as much of it in guarana as there is in tea. The effects are similar to those of tea and coffe. Tue Grass Valley Republican of the 6th says: We understand that a party at Truckee have a contract for making one million bushels of charcoal. <A large portion of the work is to he doue hy Chinamen. One million bushels of charcoal will weigh ahout two hundred thousand tons, and would require eighty trains of cars to remove it, allowing two hundred and fifty tons for each train. We suppose this large amount of coal is required by the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads for their various machiue shops. Trnckee is the most accessible point for timher on the entire line of the continental railway. An Apocryphal Comet. A report has obtained circulation, probably without foundation, that a Geneva Professor has discovered an immense comet, which from its direction must collide with the earth on the 12th of August next. It is also stated that many weak minded people, both in this country and Europe, are very much alarmed at the innouncement. So far from such ay event heing unwelcome to scicntificmen, nothing could be nore acceptable to thom than to have a large comet approach near enough to the earth to switch its tailin the face of mankind, for no such body (save Enck’s, a very small and distant one) has made its appearance in the heavens since the great value of the spectroscope in the determination of the constitution, of such wandering hodies, was fully understood. The next comet which does approach very near the earth will he closely scanned, and will enahle science to determine, with great precision, in regard to its physical characteristics. As to any harm heiug apprehended from auy such source, there is little need for fear. It has been quite fully d: termined that the most of them atleast are comparatively harmless bodies —nothing in fact hut huge “‘ gas-hags” scarcely more tangible than the streak of light sent out into space hy a lantern on a dark, foggy evening. Thore is little doubt but that the earth has passed through the tails of at least two comets within the last forty years, without kuowing it atthe time—the phenomena attending the passage having, in both eases, been attributed, at the time of the passage to some peculiar atmospheric phenomena. The first one, about 1837, is well rememhered hy the writer. The atmosphere over nearly, or all this continent was aglow with ared lurid light, which eaused alarms of fire in various parts of the country—the atmosphere having the appearance given hy the reflection of a fire at a great distance on a slightly foggy night. The continuance of the phenomena was observed for several hours. Frnorva.—The fence is a costly structnre. Illinois is said to have ten times as much fenceas Germany, and Duchess county, New York, more than allFrance. A narrow path divides farms in France, Germany and Holland. In South Carolina the improved land isestimated to he worth $20,000,000; tho fences have cost $16,000,000. The annual repair is a tenth of this. A recent calculation placcs the cost of fences in the United States at $1,300,000,000. Nicholas Biddle, thirty years ago, said the Pennsylvania fenccs had cost $100,000,000. In Ohio they are putat $115,000,000, and in New York at $144,900,000. Some day fences will prohably disappear, and houndaries will be marked with fruit trees or neat hedgerows. A fPynitrs Groom.—California will appreciate the following from an Mastern Exchange: <A verdant-looking Yermonter appeared at the office of 2 chemist with a large bundle in ayellow bandauna, and opening it,exclamed: ‘There, doctor, look at that.” ‘Well’ said the doctor, ‘‘I see it.” ‘*What'do you call that, doctor?” ‘I call it iron pyrites.” ‘What, isn’t that gold?” “No,” said tho doctor, and putting some over the fireit evaporated up the chimney. “Well,” said the poor fellow, with a woehegonc look, ‘‘there’s a widder woman up in our town has a whole hill of that, and I’ve been aud married her!” Iron-Parer.—German jouruals complain that this article, which is simply commou paper mixed while in the pulp with iron filings, so as to increase the weight, is **shamelessly advertised in all English aud American papers,” and is particularly recommended to shop-keepers for wrapping up their wares. As the papersin which groceries are put up are generally weighed along with the article, there can be no doubt that the use of such paper is fraudulent. But we must demur to the assertion that it is advertised in all English papers. Mriyina in Porrucgan.—The operations at the Chans silver lead mines are heing prosecuted with all practicable speed, the indications presented from lodes already discovered, far exceed the expectations held out by the promoters, and there is every reason to justify the prediction that this will prove one of the great prizes of 1872. Brazi, Ind., claims to produce its iron at a cost of $25.50 per ton, with coal, two tons at $2.50, and ore, one and five-eights tons at $8.00. ee