Volume 24 (1872) (424 pages)

194 SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [March 30, 1872. (GoRRESPON DENCE. Quartz in Tuolumne County. Eprrors Press:—Cho Mount Jefferson mine is owned by San Francisco capitalists, and is being worked on a large scale. A few years since a large amount of geld was taken from the mino with horso power, but at reaching water level, the expense was found to,he teo heavy; work was stopped until recently, when a fine steam hoisting works was erected, a shaft sunk 170 feet and two levels run with winzes for air and stoping facilities. All ahout the premises havo the air of activity and thrift. Connected with the property is a 10-stamp steam mill and chlorination works in operation; the mill reducing about 500 tons of ore per month, while the sulphurets are saved,exceedingly clean and cheaply by a riffle invented by the euperiutendent, Mr. Lewis, who is a part owner in the property. The Rutherford Mine On the same lode or vein is being opened, and ore shipped two miles to mill for reductien. This veinextends a loug distauce asshown hy develepment on and near the eurface, and at the depth of 170 feet, with over 1,000 feet of drifts as seen in the Mt. Jefferson claim, gives evidenco of one of tbe largest deposits of ore in the State, the vein being from 4 feot to 22 feet wide. Farmiug interests in the county were never hetter tban nov; large tracts of land heing cultured; grain looking well, so far as up, with prospect of fine crops. L. DL. Utah Ores. By Pror. B, Sittmian, The ores of the mines thus far openod in the Wahsatch Mountains are largely composed of species resulting from the oxidation of sulphides, especially galenite and antimonial galena, with some ealts of zine and copper, all containing silver and rarely alittle gold. Iron and maganese ochers occur in considerahle quautity in some of them; but the process of oxidation has prevailed very extensively, so that the ochraceous character of the ores is the striking feature of most of the mines in this range. ‘The great chamber of the Emma Mine, which is an ovoidal cavity measuring, so far as explored, about 110 feet vertical hy about 80 by 110 feet transverse, was found to be filled almost exclusively with epigene species, the product of oxidation of sulpbides, and capahle of removal without tbe aid of gunpowder for the most part. Tbe study of this mass reveals the interesting fact that it is very largely composed of metallic oxides, with but comparatively small proportions of carhonates and sulphates. fortunately 1 am ahle to present an analysis of an avcrage sample of about 82 tons of first-class ore from tho Emma Mine, made by James P. Merry of Swansea, April, 1871 which is as follows, viz. Silver eeetenmes es. 0.48 Oxygen and water hy, 100.00 The quantity of alver ohtained from this lot of ore was 156 troy ounces to tho gross ton of 2,240 pounds. This analysis sheds important light on the chemical history of this remarkahle metallic deposit, and will aid us iu the etudy of the paragenesis of the derived epecies. Itis pretty certain that all the heavy metals bave existed originally as sulphides, and we may, therefore, state the analysis thus, allowing 8.52 sulphur to convert the heavy metals to this state, ROU UR Saacce onc ocrenneonss docanneuoddnnad Metallic sulphides Al ‘35, Mg .26, Ca 12, Mn?, Mn .20.. 1.52 95.02 Water, carbonic acid and loss..--. 4.9) 5 This calculation assumes that the sulphides are as follows, viz: (StUIGE STE) Gaciioned dn ng SOO DBR ee eae ae ReeICo 38.69 Stibnite,. 3.30 Bornite. Sphaleri Pyrite .. Argentite .+. 00 « There exists generally among the mining population of the central territories of the United States a distinc. tion between horn silver and chloride of silver, su error nrising, 18 Tam persuaded, from supposing the ochraceous ores to be chlorides not so perfectly developad as to be sectile, This statement excludes the presence of any other ganguo than silica, aud considering that the ores exist in limestone, the almost tetai ahsenco of lime iu the compositien of the average mass is certaiuly remarkable. The amouut of silica found is uoticeable, since quartz is not soet as such iu this great oro chamber, nor se far as I could fiud, in other parts of the mine. The silica can have existed in chemical comhinatien only in the most inconsiderahle quantity, since the hases with which it could have comhined are present to the extent of less than 1% per cent, nor do we find inthe mine any noticeahle quantity of kaolin or litbomarge, resulting from the decomposition of silicates, nor are there any feldspathic minerals. Itis most probable that the silica existed in a state of minute swhdivisiou diffused in the sulphides as I havo seen it in some of the unchanged silver ores of Liou Hill in the Oquirrh range. The ahsence of chlorino and of phosphoric acid iu the analysis corresponds well with ahsence of the species cerargyrite and pyromorphite, of which no trace could be found by the most careful search among the contents of the mine. The miners speak of the ‘‘chlorides,” and the unscientific ohservers have repeated the statement that silver cbloride is found in the Emma Mine, but the ores indicated to meas such are chiefly antimonic ochers.* The general (perhaps tetal) absence of the phosphates of lead iu the Wahsatch and Oquirrh Mountains, so far as explored, is a strikiug peculiarity of the mineralogy of these ranges. On the other haud, the absence of chlorino in the mines of the two Cettonwoods and the American Fork is in striking coutrast with the constaut occurreuce of cerargyrite (horn silver) iu the Oquirrh and also in the southern extension of the Wahsatch. I have sought in vain for a trace of this species in the dietricts of the Wahsatch just named, and the occurrence of pyromorphite is extremely douhtful. Molybdic acid, however, exists pretty uniformly disseminated in the mines of the Wahsatch; in the form of wwlfenite, Although it occurs iu minute quantity, it is rarely ahsent, and may ho regarded asa mineralogical characteristic of the districts of the two Cottonwoods and of the American Tork. For this reason a few particulars will he iu place hero. Wulfenito is found associated with calamine, (Smithsonite), cerusite, malachite, azurite and more rarely alone in little cavities in the ochraceous ores. In the ‘‘Emma Mine,” vugs, or geodes, are occasionally found lined with hotryoidal, applegreen calamine, rarely crystallized, often brownish and sometimes colorless, but invariahly associated with wulfenite. The calamine encloses and covers the crystals of wulfenite, which form a liniug of considerable thickness. The wulfenite is in thin tubular erystals of a yellow color, resemhliug the Cariuthian variety of thie species. The crystals aro very brilliant and perfect, but quite minute, rarely two or three millimoters in width, and not over Imm. in thickness, often less. They are quite ahuudant in‘ this association, no piece of the calamine which I have seen being without them. They sometimes, but rarely, penetrate through the glohules of the calamine so as to show themselves on the upper surface of that species. But the oalamine has obviously formed hotryoidal masses around the wulfenite, a crystal of this epecies heing often seen forming the nucleus of the calamine globules. These facts are of interest in the paragenesis of these epigene species. The oder of production has ohviously heen, first tbe cerusite resting on ochraceous iron, manganese, and other metallic oxides; next, tbe wulienite crystale were deposited upon and among the crystals of cerusite, and lastly came the calamine, crystalline at first, and as it accumulated hecoming fihrous and amorphous, completely enclosing and capping the other species. Wulfenite ocenre also in this mince, as likewise in the ‘‘Flagstaff,” the “‘Savage,” and “Reohert Emmet,” without the calamine, hut never, as far as ohserved, without cerusite and other carhonates. In the “Savage,” masses of cerusite with various oxides are interpenetrated hy the tahular erystals of wulfenite. Although wulfenite formsa very minute factor of the entire ore mass in these mines, by the law of minoral association it may he considered as the characteristic species of the ores of these districts, occuriug in the magnesian limestones. So far as Iam informed, or have ohserved, wulfenite hae not been hitherto found in any of the other mining districts of Utah; but by the same law,it may be reasonahly looked for whenever deposits of epigene minerals are explored in the same geological and mineralogical relationsin the Wahsatch rauge of mountains, The oxiding and desulphurizing agency which has acted npon the great ore mass ef the Emma mine, whatever it was, has performed its work with remarkable thoroughuess, A carefnl study of its action die closes some other facts of iuterest in the paragenesis of species. From the appearance of numerous large blocks of ore forming solid honlders in the general mass, a concentrio arrangement is easily recognized. On hreaking these masses across, the fresh fractures disclose a dark center which consists almost entirely of decomposed sulphides, composed chiefly of cerusite blackened by argentite and metallic silver in pulverulent form. his dark center, chiefly of corusite, is often pseudomorph of galenite in its fracture. Nextis usually a zoue of yellowish and orange yellow antimeuial ochre, cervantite, ofteu quite pulverulent, at times only stainiug the cerusite; theu follows a narrow zene of green and hlue copper salts, malachite, azurite, cupreeus anglesite, witb, rarely, wulfenite; then follows cerusite, sometimes etained with antimony ochre, and not unfrequently associated with wulfenite; outside all are the irou and manganese ochres. This concentric arrangement I havé ohserved in a great number of cases; and the ahove order of species, while not invariable, is believed to reflect accurately the general arrangement. Well crystallized species, as mineralogical specimens, are rare in this great mass, hut tbe following may he recognized as its chief cemponents. Galenite, sphalerite, pyrito, jamesonite (2), argentite, stephauite, boulangorite(?), antimonial, galenite, cervantite, mimetite(?) limonite, wad, kaolin, lithomarge, cerusile, anglesite, linarite, wulfenite, azurite, malachite, smithsinite. Those most ahundant or hest crystallized are in italics. This list can no doubt he extended as opportunity occurs for the more careful study of the ores, the great mass of which, amounting to many thousand tons, have gone into commerce without passing under any mineralogical eye. In a subsequent paper will he presented some remarks upou the Oquirrh rangeand some of its ores, and noticos of minerals from other districts of Utah. New Haven, January, 1872. The Gold of the Black Hills. The reported discovery of gold in the Black Hills is attracting much attention throughout the West, and if the statements in regard to the matter prove to be as well founded as they seem, the discovery will he one of great national importance. For several months past the Indians and whites connected with Spotted Tail’s trihe of Sioux have showu rich specimens of goldbearing quartz, but untila very recent date they have persistently refused to make known the exact locality where it was ohtained, At different times adventurous frontiersmeu have penetrated this almost wholly uuknown region, and have brought hack specimens of gold tbat certainly left no douht of the existence of the precious metals in paying quantities. In J. Ross Browne’s Report itis stated that the explorations of Lieut. G. K. Warren, in 1847, aud of Capt. W. I’. Reynolds, in 1859-60, under direction of the United States Topographical Office, satisfactorily established tbe fact that the Black Hills of Dakota Territory, were rich in gold and silver, as well as coal, iron, copper, and pine forests. Yhe report further says: ‘‘ The area occnpied by the Black Hills, as delineated on a map which accompanied Lieut. Warren’s report, is 6,000 square miles, or ahout the surface of Connecticut. ‘Their hases are elevated from 2,500 to 3,500 feet, and the highest peaks are about 6,700 feet above the ocean level. The whole geological range of rocks, from tho graniteand metamorphosed azoie to the cretaceous formatious of the surrounding plains, aro developed hy the upbeaval of the mountain mass. Thus at the junction of the silurian rocks, gold becomes accessihle, while the carboniferous strata brings coal measures within reach.” ‘‘ With the pacification of the Sioux Indians, and the estahlishment of cmigraut roads, this district of Dakota would doubtless he the ecene of great mining excitement, as the gold-fields of the Black Hills are accessible at a distance of 120 miles from the Missouri Rivor,” As far hack as 1867, the people of Dakota wore firm iu tho helief that the Black Hills were rich in gold and other minerals. In the year uamed, an expedition was organized hy B. M. Smith, for the purpose of exploring that region, hut the Government, inetead of furnishing an escort of cavalry, as was expected, ordered it to disband. In 1868, Capt. P. B. Davey of Minnesota etarted a similar echeme, hut the Government again refused to allow an expedition of that kind to euter the Indian country, Last season a party of men, having the same object in view, proposed to explore the Big Horn River, hut were compelled to disbaud for the samo reasou. About a year ago Spotted Tail, the nominal head of atrihe of peaceful Sioux, was prevailed upon to ask for the removal of his agency . from the Missouri River hack into the interior about 200 miles. The movement . was considered a very strange one at tbe time, and it has since come to light that money and presents were freely used, the prime object sought for being tbe opening of this region for mining purposes. Spotted tail soon found tbat he bad heen decoived, and, taking a large portion of his followers, moved into tho Platte Valley,/ where he hae since remained, leaving tbe reservation in possession of a large party of white and half hreed adventurers. It is now generally believed that the Government will throw no further obstacles in the way of any expedition exploring thie region, and unless scientific explorations, dating hack for yeare, and present indica: tions are wholly at fault, gold fields of extraordinary richness would reward such an enterprise.—W. Y. Tribune. Lead. The production of pig lead on this coast has been considerable during the past year or two,andie likely to he steadily increased. Tbe imports of foreign pig lead at New York for 1871 were 516,900 pigs or ahout the same average for the two previous years. It is well known that important lead mines exist in Wisconsin, Iowa, Ilinois and other Western States. The deconnial shipments from the Upper Mississippi mines since January 1, 1821, have heen as follows: Pigs. Tons. From 1821 to 1832.. s.2eeec0++ 664,118 93,244 From 1831 to 1841. -1,591,950 55,718 From 1841 to 1851 6,170,857 216,979 From 1851 to 1861. 4,609,553 161,334 From 1861 to 1871. 9,419,985 84,700 The increase for the first 30 years was immense. Since 1851 tbere has heen a steady decrease. The diminished produc-~ tion, we are assured, has not been the result of an exbausted condition of the mines, but is due to the refusal of owners to have them worked. Itis estimated that our importations of foreign lead last year cost us $4,000,000. During the past 22 years there was imported at New York alone upwards of 77,000,000 pigs lead, equal to 350,000 pigs per annum. It is eaid tbat a pig of foreign lead is fully equal to two pigs of American. With the immense quantity of lead in thisconntry it is eingular that we ehould send from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000 gold coin every year out of the country to pay for foreign lead. We are not only able to supply the home demand, but ought to be large exporters. We are glad to know that the manufacture of pig lead is attracting increased attention in this city and tbrougbout this coaet. New Discovertes.—The excitement regarding the new discoveries made in the north part of White Pine mining district, and ahout one mile from tbe city limits, is unabated. Rich specimens of ore are on exhihition from the Silver Plate mine, showing as rich as any ore ever found in the district. This mine ie in a formation of slate and limestone, with well-defined foot and hanging walls, showing a ledge 4% to 6 feet wide. In every foot made ahead tbe ore improves. The mine has been self-sustaining since operatione first commenced. The ore at first was of a low grade, and from several crushings made of ore obtained in einking, the owners realized ahout $2 por day—hardly enough to pay the expensee of provisions and tools. A few days ago the ore-body changed in character and gradually increased in grade, now ehowing a hody of ore that will work $150 per tou at the mill. Six men are employed at present, and ahont 10 tons of ore are extracted daily. There are three owners in the location. Adjoining this location ie the Silver Owl Company. The location is 600 feet in length—owned by Wm.N. Osborne and others. The com-~ pany ie sinking a shaft on the ledge in ore of the same character as the Silver Plate worked in at the same depth. Tbe prospects for finding rich ore at a greater depth are good. Next adjoining ie the Silver Central, recently located. ‘The owners are sanguino of finding a deposit of ore equal to the Silver Plate. A force of men will be put on immediately.— White Pine News. MecHantics, write for your paper.

194 SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [March 30, 1872. (GoRRESPON DENCE. Quartz in Tuolumne County. Eprrors Press:—Cho Mount Jefferson mine is owned by San Francisco capitalists, and is being worked on a large scale. A few years since a large amount of geld was taken from the mino with horso power, but at reaching water level, the expense was found to,he teo heavy; work was stopped until recently, when a fine steam hoisting works was erected, a shaft sunk 170 feet and two levels run with winzes for air and stoping facilities. All ahout the premises havo the air of activity and thrift. Connected with the property is a 10-stamp steam mill and chlorination works in operation; the mill reducing about 500 tons of ore per month, while the sulphurets are saved,exceedingly clean and cheaply by a riffle invented by the euperiutendent, Mr. Lewis, who is a part owner in the property. The Rutherford Mine On the same lode or vein is being opened, and ore shipped two miles to mill for reductien. This veinextends a loug distauce asshown hy develepment on and near the eurface, and at the depth of 170 feet, with over 1,000 feet of drifts as seen in the Mt. Jefferson claim, gives evidenco of one of tbe largest deposits of ore in the State, the vein being from 4 feot to 22 feet wide. Farmiug interests in the county were never hetter tban nov; large tracts of land heing cultured; grain looking well, so far as up, with prospect of fine crops. L. DL. Utah Ores. By Pror. B, Sittmian, The ores of the mines thus far openod in the Wahsatch Mountains are largely composed of species resulting from the oxidation of sulphides, especially galenite and antimonial galena, with some ealts of zine and copper, all containing silver and rarely alittle gold. Iron and maganese ochers occur in considerahle quautity in some of them; but the process of oxidation has prevailed very extensively, so that the ochraceous character of the ores is the striking feature of most of the mines in this range. ‘The great chamber of the Emma Mine, which is an ovoidal cavity measuring, so far as explored, about 110 feet vertical hy about 80 by 110 feet transverse, was found to be filled almost exclusively with epigene species, the product of oxidation of sulpbides, and capahle of removal without tbe aid of gunpowder for the most part. Tbe study of this mass reveals the interesting fact that it is very largely composed of metallic oxides, with but comparatively small proportions of carhonates and sulphates. fortunately 1 am ahle to present an analysis of an avcrage sample of about 82 tons of first-class ore from tho Emma Mine, made by James P. Merry of Swansea, April, 1871 which is as follows, viz. Silver eeetenmes es. 0.48 Oxygen and water hy, 100.00 The quantity of alver ohtained from this lot of ore was 156 troy ounces to tho gross ton of 2,240 pounds. This analysis sheds important light on the chemical history of this remarkahle metallic deposit, and will aid us iu the etudy of the paragenesis of the derived epecies. Itis pretty certain that all the heavy metals bave existed originally as sulphides, and we may, therefore, state the analysis thus, allowing 8.52 sulphur to convert the heavy metals to this state, ROU UR Saacce onc ocrenneonss docanneuoddnnad Metallic sulphides Al ‘35, Mg .26, Ca 12, Mn?, Mn .20... 1.52 95.02 Water, carbonic acid and loss....--. 4.9) 5 This calculation assumes that the sulphides are as follows, viz: (StUIGE STE) Gaciioned dn ng SOO DBR ee eae ae ReeICo 38.69 Stibnite,. 3.30 Bornite. Sphaleri Pyrite ... Argentite ..+.. 00 « There exists generally among the mining population of the central territories of the United States a distinc. tion between horn silver and chloride of silver, su error nrising, 18 Tam persuaded, from supposing the ochraceous ores to be chlorides not so perfectly developad as to be sectile, This statement excludes the presence of any other ganguo than silica, aud considering that the ores exist in limestone, the almost tetai ahsenco of lime iu the compositien of the average mass is certaiuly remarkable. The amouut of silica found is uoticeable, since quartz is not soet as such iu this great oro chamber, nor se far as I could fiud, in other parts of the mine. The silica can have existed in chemical comhinatien only in the most inconsiderahle quantity, since the hases with which it could have comhined are present to the extent of less than 1% per cent, nor do we find inthe mine any noticeahle quantity of kaolin or litbomarge, resulting from the decomposition of silicates, nor are there any feldspathic minerals. Itis most probable that the silica existed in a state of minute swhdivisiou diffused in the sulphides as I havo seen it in some of the unchanged silver ores of Liou Hill in the Oquirrh range. The ahsence of chlorino and of phosphoric acid iu the analysis corresponds well with ahsence of the species cerargyrite and pyromorphite, of which no trace could be found by the most careful search among the contents of the mine. The miners speak of the ‘‘chlorides,” and the unscientific ohservers have repeated the statement that silver cbloride is found in the Emma Mine, but the ores indicated to meas such are chiefly antimonic ochers.* The general (perhaps tetal) absence of the phosphates of lead iu the Wahsatch and Oquirrh Mountains, so far as explored, is a strikiug peculiarity of the mineralogy of these ranges. On the other haud, the absence of chlorino in the mines of the two Cettonwoods and the American Fork is in striking coutrast with the constaut occurreuce of cerargyrite (horn silver) iu the Oquirrh and also in the southern extension of the Wahsatch. I have sought in vain for a trace of this species in the dietricts of the Wahsatch just named, and the occurrence of pyromorphite is extremely douhtful. Molybdic acid, however, exists pretty uniformly disseminated in the mines of the Wahsatch; in the form of wwlfenite, Although it occurs iu minute quantity, it is rarely ahsent, and may ho regarded asa mineralogical characteristic of the districts of the two Cottonwoods and of the American Tork. For this reason a few particulars will he iu place hero. Wulfenito is found associated with calamine, (Smithsonite), cerusite, malachite, azurite and more rarely alone in little cavities in the ochraceous ores. In the ‘‘Emma Mine,” vugs, or geodes, are occasionally found lined with hotryoidal, applegreen calamine, rarely crystallized, often brownish and sometimes colorless, but invariahly associated with wulfenite. The calamine encloses and covers the crystals of wulfenite, which form a liniug of considerable thickness. The wulfenite is in thin tubular erystals of a yellow color, resemhliug the Cariuthian variety of thie species. The crystals aro very brilliant and perfect, but quite minute, rarely two or three millimoters in width, and not over Imm. in thickness, often less. They are quite ahuudant in‘ this association, no piece of the calamine which I have seen being without them. They sometimes, but rarely, penetrate through the glohules of the calamine so as to show themselves on the upper surface of that species. But the oalamine has obviously formed hotryoidal masses around the wulfenite, a crystal of this epecies heing often seen forming the nucleus of the calamine globules. These facts are of interest in the paragenesis of these epigene species. The oder of production has ohviously heen, first tbe cerusite resting on ochraceous iron, manganese, and other metallic oxides; next, tbe wulienite crystale were deposited upon and among the crystals of cerusite, and lastly came the calamine, crystalline at first, and as it accumulated hecoming fihrous and amorphous, completely enclosing and capping the other species. Wulfenite ocenre also in this mince, as likewise in the ‘‘Flagstaff,” the “‘Savage,” and “Reohert Emmet,” without the calamine, hut never, as far as ohserved, without cerusite and other carhonates. In the “Savage,” masses of cerusite with various oxides are interpenetrated hy the tahular erystals of wulfenite. Although wulfenite formsa very minute factor of the entire ore mass in these mines, by the law of minoral association it may he considered as the characteristic species of the ores of these districts, occuriug in the magnesian limestones. So far as Iam informed, or have ohserved, wulfenite hae not been hitherto found in any of the other mining districts of Utah; but by the same law,it may be reasonahly looked for whenever deposits of epigene minerals are explored in the same geological and mineralogical relationsin the Wahsatch rauge of mountains, The oxiding and desulphurizing agency which has acted npon the great ore mass ef the Emma mine, whatever it was, has performed its work with remarkable thoroughuess, A carefnl study of its action die closes some other facts of iuterest in the paragenesis of species. From the appearance of numerous large blocks of ore forming

solid honlders in the general mass, a concentrio arrangement is easily recognized. On hreaking these masses across, the fresh fractures disclose a dark center which consists almost entirely of decomposed sulphides, composed chiefly of cerusite blackened by argentite and metallic silver in pulverulent form. his dark center, chiefly of corusite, is often pseudomorph of galenite in its fracture. Nextis usually a zoue of yellowish and orange yellow antimeuial ochre, cervantite, ofteu quite pulverulent, at times only stainiug the cerusite; theu follows a narrow zene of green and hlue copper salts, malachite, azurite, cupreeus anglesite, witb, rarely, wulfenite; then follows cerusite, sometimes etained with antimony ochre, and not unfrequently associated with wulfenite; outside all are the irou and manganese ochres. This concentric arrangement I havé ohserved in a great number of cases; and the ahove order of species, while not invariable, is believed to reflect accurately the general arrangement. Well crystallized species, as mineralogical specimens, are rare in this great mass, hut tbe following may he recognized as its chief cemponents. Galenite, sphalerite, pyrito, jamesonite (2), argentite, stephauite, boulangorite(?), antimonial, galenite, cervantite, mimetite(?) limonite, wad, kaolin, lithomarge, cerusile, anglesite, linarite, wulfenite, azurite, malachite, smithsinite. Those most ahundant or hest crystallized are in italics. This list can no doubt he extended as opportunity occurs for the more careful study of the ores, the great mass of which, amounting to many thousand tons, have gone into commerce without passing under any mineralogical eye. In a subsequent paper will he presented some remarks upou the Oquirrh rangeand some of its ores, and noticos of minerals from other districts of Utah. New Haven, January, 1872. The Gold of the Black Hills. The reported discovery of gold in the Black Hills is attracting much attention throughout the West, and if the statements in regard to the matter prove to be as well founded as they seem, the discovery will he one of great national importance. For several months past the Indians and whites connected with Spotted Tail’s trihe of Sioux have showu rich specimens of goldbearing quartz, but untila very recent date they have persistently refused to make known the exact locality where it was ohtained, At different times adventurous frontiersmeu have penetrated this almost wholly uuknown region, and have brought hack specimens of gold tbat certainly left no douht of the existence of the precious metals in paying quantities. In J. Ross Browne’s Report itis stated that the explorations of Lieut. G. K. Warren, in 1847, aud of Capt. W. I’. Reynolds, in 1859-60, under direction of the United States Topographical Office, satisfactorily established tbe fact that the Black Hills of Dakota Territory, were rich in gold and silver, as well as coal, iron, copper, and pine forests. Yhe report further says: ‘‘ The area occnpied by the Black Hills, as delineated on a map which accompanied Lieut. Warren’s report, is 6,000 square miles, or ahout the surface of Connecticut. ‘Their hases are elevated from 2,500 to 3,500 feet, and the highest peaks are about 6,700 feet above the ocean level. The whole geological range of rocks, from tho graniteand metamorphosed azoie to the cretaceous formatious of the surrounding plains, aro developed hy the upbeaval of the mountain mass. Thus at the junction of the silurian rocks, gold becomes accessihle, while the carboniferous strata brings coal measures within reach.” ‘‘ With the pacification of the Sioux Indians, and the estahlishment of cmigraut roads, this district of Dakota would doubtless he the ecene of great mining excitement, as the gold-fields of the Black Hills are accessible at a distance of 120 miles from the Missouri Rivor,” As far hack as 1867, the people of Dakota wore firm iu tho helief that the Black Hills were rich in gold and other minerals. In the year uamed, an expedition was organized hy B. M. Smith, for the purpose of exploring that region, hut the Government, inetead of furnishing an escort of cavalry, as was expected, ordered it to disband. In 1868, Capt. P. B. Davey of Minnesota etarted a similar echeme, hut the Government again refused to allow an expedition of that kind to euter the Indian country, Last season a party of men, having the same object in view, proposed to explore the Big Horn River, hut were compelled to disbaud for the samo reasou. About a year ago Spotted Tail, the nominal head of atrihe of peaceful Sioux, was prevailed upon to ask for the removal of his agency . from the Missouri River hack into the interior about 200 miles. The movement . was considered a very strange one at tbe time, and it has since come to light that money and presents were freely used, the prime object sought for being tbe opening of this region for mining purposes. Spotted tail soon found tbat he bad heen decoived, and, taking a large portion of his followers, moved into tho Platte Valley,/ where he hae since remained, leaving tbe reservation in possession of a large party of white and half hreed adventurers. It is now generally believed that the Government will throw no further obstacles in the way of any expedition exploring thie region, and unless scientific explorations, dating hack for yeare, and present indica: tions are wholly at fault, gold fields of extraordinary richness would reward such an enterprise.—W. Y. Tribune. Lead. The production of pig lead on this coast has been considerable during the past year or two,andie likely to he steadily increased. Tbe imports of foreign pig lead at New York for 1871 were 516,900 pigs or ahout the same average for the two previous years. It is well known that important lead mines exist in Wisconsin, Iowa, Ilinois and other Western States. The deconnial shipments from the Upper Mississippi mines since January 1, 1821, have heen as follows: Pigs. Tons. From 1821 to 1832... s.2eeec0++ 664,118 93,244 From 1831 to 1841. -1,591,950 55,718 From 1841 to 1851 6,170,857 216,979 From 1851 to 1861. 4,609,553 161,334 From 1861 to 1871.. 9,419,985 84,700 The increase for the first 30 years was immense. Since 1851 tbere has heen a steady decrease. The diminished produc-~ tion, we are assured, has not been the result of an exbausted condition of the mines, but is due to the refusal of owners to have them worked. Itis estimated that our importations of foreign lead last year cost us $4,000,000. During the past 22 years there was imported at New York alone upwards of 77,000,000 pigs lead, equal to 350,000 pigs per annum. It is eaid tbat a pig of foreign lead is fully equal to two pigs of American. With the immense quantity of lead in thisconntry it is eingular that we ehould send from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000 gold coin every year out of the country to pay for foreign lead. We are not only able to supply the home demand, but ought to be large exporters. We are glad to know that the manufacture of pig lead is attracting increased attention in this city and tbrougbout this coaet. New Discovertes.—The excitement regarding the new discoveries made in the north part of White Pine mining district, and ahout one mile from tbe city limits, is unabated. Rich specimens of ore are on exhihition from the Silver Plate mine, showing as rich as any ore ever found in the district. This mine ie in a formation of slate and limestone, with well-defined foot and hanging walls, showing a ledge 4% to 6 feet wide. In every foot made ahead tbe ore improves. The mine has been self-sustaining since operatione first commenced. The ore at first was of a low grade, and from several crushings made of ore obtained in einking, the owners realized ahout $2 por day—hardly enough to pay the expensee of provisions and tools. A few days ago the ore-body changed in character and gradually increased in grade, now ehowing a hody of ore that will work $150 per tou at the mill. Six men are employed at present, and ahont 10 tons of ore are extracted daily. There are three owners in the location. Adjoining this location ie the Silver Owl Company. The location is 600 feet in length—owned by Wm.N. Osborne and others. The com-~ pany ie sinking a shaft on the ledge in ore of the same character as the Silver Plate worked in at the same depth. Tbe prospects for finding rich ore at a greater depth are good. Next adjoining ie the Silver Central, recently located. ‘The owners are sanguino of finding a deposit of ore equal to the Silver Plate. A force of men will be put on immediately.— White Pine News. MecHantics, write for your paper.