Volume 24 (1872) (424 pages)

310 SCIENTIFIC PRESS) {May 138, 1872. The Hot Springs and Geysers of Montana. {Concluded from page 178] The Yellowstone Basin a Volcanic Crater. This bssin has heen called the vsst crater of an ancient volcano. Itis prohahle that, during the Pliocene period, the entire country drained hy the sources of the Yellowstone and the Columbia was the scene of as extensive volcanie activity as that of auy portion of the globe. J It might be called one vast crater made up of thoussnds of smsller rents and fissures, out of which the fluid interior of the esrth, fragments of rocks and volcanic dust have heen erupted in unlimited quantities. Hundreds of the cones: of these voleanic vents are now remaining, some rising to a hight of 11,000 feet ahove the sea. Monnts Dosne, Lsnegford, Stevenson and over a hundred other pesks msy be seen from any high point on either side of thehssin, esch of which was once a center of eruptiou. Indeed the hot springs and geysers of this region are only the closing stages of that wonderful period of voleanic sction*which began in Tertiary times—the eecape pipes or vents for those internal fires which were once so active, but are now dying out. . Even at the present time there are connected with these manifeststions of internal heat, earthquake phenomena which are well worthy of attention. Shocks are not uncommon and are, at some eeasons of the year, very severe, Yellowstone Lake—Singular Parasite—Formation. Yellowstone lake isahont 22 miles long, averages 10 or 15 miles in width and hss an unusual average depth, although the greatest depth is about 300 feet. Itis fed hy the snows which fall npon the eurrounding mountsin rsnges and is the most heautiful sheet of water in the West. The clear green shading, with the deep ultramarine hue of the wsters, adds not a little to the effect of the scene. The lake has at all eessons nearly the tempersture of cold spring wster. It lies 7,427 feet above sea level. But one species of fish were found, a trout, weighing from 1 to 3 pounds esch. They are very ahundant, but generally infested hy a singular psrasitic worm, which (called Dibothrium cordiceps) is found in the abdorminal cavity, or interwoven in the mueculsr portions in sses or cysts; or sometimes in the gills. Possibly this diseased condition of the fich is caused by the proximity of the hot springs so abundant all around the lake shore and sometimes extending far out into the watere. The Iske basin is prohshly due in part to erosion. All alongits margin are high hanks and terraces composed of a moderu stratified deposit, paesing up into an aggregation of sand, pehbhles, ete., which is often cemented into a tolerably firm conglomerate. These deposite, made np oferoded volcanic rocke, have sometimes the white appearance, and somewhat the composition, of the Pliocene clsys, marls and ssnds of the lake-hssins along the Missouri and the lower Yellowstone. In the northern portion of the basiu these deposits reach a thickness of 300 to 600 feet and must he of the Ister Pliocene age, perhaps extending down to the present time. The two lakes were then connected, although probably never completely united. The belt of mountains which separated them was ahout 4 miles wide. It is estimated thst, since the period of voleanic activity, the lake has been about 500 feet decper than at present. During the time of the greatest volesnic action, the water must hsve covered the loftiest peaks, for many of hem are composed of the breccia or conglomerate in a regularly stratified condition. The ares of the lake is now gradually, but very slowly diminishing. Hot Springs—Brimstone Basins—Sulphur Mt On the shore of the southwest arm of the \ske is a group of hot springs covering a belt 3 miles long and 1 mile wide. These springs have huilt*up a series of beds or stratra, 25 feet thick in the ageregate, composed of laminse of silica, The shores are covered with the decomposed siliceous crust, Many of the springe are constantly boiling with violence, but rise and fall every second or two, with each pulsation throwing out a small quantity of water. Quite a pretty symmetrical funnel-shaped crater is found, with a circular rim varying from a few inches to several feet in diameter. Some of theee chimneys extend out into the lake several feet, and hot spring depoeits may he seen through the clear depths for 50 yards. The eame variety of colors, quiet and mnd springs, old ruins, ete., as before described, occur here, hnt, hut no geysers, On the east and northeast side of the lake are groups of living and dead springs, High up on the monntain sides are two extension patches of siliceons deposit, resemhliug at a distance an immense enow bank. They are called brimstone basins by the monntaineere, on account of the great quantities of sulphur mixed with the silica. At steamboat Point two vents constantly pulsate, throwing columns of steam to a hight of 100 feet ormore. Dead and dying springs in great numbers occur along the shore and high up among the foothills, a mile or two from the lake. One of the most conspicuous of these great white hills is called Sulphur Mountain, at the north end ofthe lake, The summit of this deposit, from 50 to 150 feet thick, rises 600 feet above the lake. Silica predominates, mixed with oxide of iron, sulphur, ete. At the foot of the mountain are a few springe with a temperature of 150° to 180°, East Fork of the Madison. Leaving the Yellowstone Basin and pursuiug a westerly course we cross the high range between the Yellowstone and Madison rivers, striking first the eources of the Esst Fork of the Madison. Groupe of dead and dying springe are met every few miles. Oue locality, covering several acres, is most heautiful. The entire area is covered thickly with cornical mounds of various sizes, ranging in diameter froma few inches to a hnndred feet or more, and full of orifices from which streams were issuing. All theee little orifices sre lined with hrilliant crystsls of sulphur. The hssis of the deposit is silica, white as snow, but variegated with every hue of yellow from sulphur and with scarlet or rose color from iron oxide. In the distant view the sppearance of the whole country may be not unaptly compared to a vast limekiln in full operation. The esst branch of the Madison is slmost entirely fed from the hot springs and its temperature is 60° to 80° all the time. The vegetation along its branchee and in the stream itself is a marvel of Inxurisnce. The monn‘tains on either side are composed of hassit and obsidisn. Surface waters render the valley one vast bog. The springs grow more ahundant as one proceeds down the valley and nesr its junction with that of the Madison occurs, on both sides of the stream, a lsrgegroup of boiling and quiet springs, with basine from a few inchee to 50 feet in dismeter, and temperaturee ranging from 100° to 197° F. At this elevation the hoiling point is 192° to 1969 F. Great Geyser Basin of Firehole River Architectural Fountain. From the last mentioned springs one crosses hetween isolated huttes of hasalt and hot spring msterial, into the Grest Geyeer Bssin of Firehole river. The entire valley, 3 miles wide here is covered with a snow white siliceous crust, and columns of steam rising among pines on the hillsides, denote the presence of springs. Some of these hsve most hesutiful bssins. In the Lower Geyser Bssin are many interesting springs, riddling the whole area of 3x5 ules, but no geysers of the first clase. Geysers however, there are, with rather regular periode of activity, throwing up wster colnmns 15 to 30 most elshorate and beautiful cistern. It is called the Architectural Fountain. The whole hasin is about 150 feet in diameter. Near the center is the rim of the spring, ahont 25 feet in diameter. The water is in constant agitation, occasionally spouting up a column of water, 30 to 60 feet high, like an artificial fountain, and filling up the reservoirs and the sides for a radius of 50 feet or more. The siliceons sccumulstion made hy this spring descends for several hundred feet in innnmerable semi-circular steps, and is exquisitely beautiin] in sll its detsils. In the Firehole basin silica predominates in the deposits, with little, if any, lime, and small quantities ofsulphur. Remarkable Mud Springs—lInteresting Picture. There is here a remarkable group of mud spriugs, one with a hasin 50 ft.in diameter, which is covered over thickly with puffs, like an immense cauldron of hasty pudding. The exact symmetry of these puffs, their uniform size and fineness of msteris] renderthem exceedingly beautiful; and there is among them every shade of color, from a hright scsrlet to the most delicate pink or rose, with a hase as white assnow. The white siliceousclay, when dried, has the appesrance of the finest merschaum. The most fastidious manufacturer of porcelain would go into eestacies over this magnificent bed of mortar, which hss perhaps been worked and re-worked for msny thousands of years. These springs occur everywhere, often close to geysers or clear quiet springs, and are in every state of consistency and temperature. When the heat hss diminished to 160°, iron oxide is deposited in a coating, which, in the old springs, hecomes hroken up and is suspended all over the sides like rotten, monldy frsgments of lesther. When the springs entirely dry up, these are blown away by the winds. Near active geysers the surface ie covered ‘often with a jelly-like substance. All over the surface are irregular depressions with eharp raised edges, like the inner surface of a cow’s stomach. Silicified wood is found in every stage of petrifaction. In the early morning this valley presents a most interesting picture, columns of steam rising from a thousand vents and completely shrouding it as with a dense fog. A view of the city of Pittsburg from a high point would convey some idea of the appearance, except that pure white feathery clouds of eteam replace the dense black smoke. Wonderful Geysers. Up the Five-hole river about ten niilea, and near the source, there is the Upper Geyser Basin, where the great geysers are found. One geyser, near the center of the hasin, operated twice during our stay of two days. First comes a tremendons rumbling and shaking of the ground, then an immense mass of steam hursts out of the crater as from an escape pipe, followed by a column of water eight feet in diameter and rising hy steady impulses to a hight of 200 feet. The wonderful fountain continues to play for the space of fifteen minutes; then the water gradually subsides and settles down in the crater, ahout two feet, and the tempera: ture slowly diminishes to 150°. There are here two esparate basins, one in constant agitafeet high. One spring here has huilt up a}. tion, while the other playe only at intervals of ahont thirty-two hours; and although, so fsr as the eye could detect, there wse a partition of not more thsn two feet in thickness hetween them, ueither eeemed to be affected hy the operation of the other. The decorations ahout the springe were beautiful heyond deecription, outrivslling the most delicate embroidery in variety and complexity. Sawmill Geyser, with a emsll elevsted crater two feet high, throws up a small column of wster ahout twelve feet, by continued impulses, like the movement of a saw. Castle Geyser has a crater forty feet high, and 150 to 200 feet in diameter, built up of thin layers of silica which rise, like steps, to the chimney on the summit,’ which is about ten feet high. Clouds of steam issue; constantly from this chimney, and every few moments a column of wster is thrown np fifteen to twenty-five feet. Another geyser, ‘Old Faithful,” operates every hour, throwing up a column of water, six feet in diameter, from 100 to 150 feet. When about to mske a display, very little warning is given. There is simply a rush of steam for a moment, and then a column of water shoots up vertically into the air, and hy a succession of impulses is apparently held steadily up for fifteen minutes, the water falling directly back into the crater and overflowing in large quantities. It then ceases, and with a rush of eteam for a few secouds closes the display for the time. Conclusion. The two kinds of deposits in these regions, esleareous and siliceous, have heen previously mentioned. According to Dr. Peale’s analyses LUSHER’S PATENT VEGETABLE CUTTER. the (White Mountsin) springs on Gardiner’s River deposit carbonate of ime mostly. There are present, also, sulphate of magnesis, chloride of lime, sulphate of soda and a little silics. In the Firehole Basin deposits not a trace of ime was detected, but about 85 per cent. of silicia, 11 per cent. of water, and the rest mostly chloride of msgnesia; and only a slight trace of lime was found in the water. In hut one locality west of the lake, Colonel Barlow found a caleareous deposit. There are, scattered over the great area of about 40x50 miles, a few patches of the sedimentsry rocks, and it ismost probable that under the deposit of thie small group of springe there are portions of the carhoniferous limestone. So far as ascertained in all the deposits of the Yellowstone Basin proper and of the Firehole Bassin, silica is the predominant constituent. The springs are, with very few and importsnt exceptions, near the borders of streams helow any Hmestone beds. It is quite possible that underneath the vast masses of volcanic material which compose the mountains on every side, the sedimentary rocks exist, hut prohably only iu isolated and much restricted patches, if at all. It may therefore be stated, in geueral terms, that the great hot spring region of the sources of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers is covered with rocks of voleanic origin, of comparatively modern date. CircuLaTion oF Sar.—It is maintained by scientists that the sap of trees ascends in the Alhurnnm or ssp-wood, and descends between the Alburnum and the bark, where it forme a layer of new wood—a theory that has led to manyexperiments, Mr. Williams applied it to the early maturation or ripening of grapes; he found by taking off one-quarter of an inch of the hark in width, that the sap was impeded in its desceut, the parts above hecame Isrger, the fruits swelled and ripened early hy many days. Zante, the well-known Mediterranean island, is said to have exported over 25,000,000 pounds of currants the last year, and about 86,000 barrels of olive oil. a Lusher’s Patent Vegetable Cutter. Our illustration represents a very eimple but useful device for elicing all manner of vegetatahles. Itis one of those really excellent little things, that while their cost is hut trifling they can hardly be diepensed with when once brought into use. As the knivee are tinned, they cannot rust, and yet havea good cutting edge thst will last for years. They are essily kept clean, as they are made all in one piece, and are perfectly smooth. All kinds of vegetables can he cut with them, cabbagee, potatoes, applee, pears, turnipe, carrots, beets, cucumbers, radishes and onions. Six slices are thrown off with every stroke of the hand, so that enough can be prepared for a large family in one minute. One cutter eent—postage or expressage free— toany address, for $1 50. Address, Weister & Co., 17 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco. Working Gold Ores in North Carolina. A correspondent in the Scientific Ameriican, engaged in gold mining in North Carolina, writes as follows on the subject of Amalgamating Gold Ores: A great majority of mines yielding free gold produce ores that will not work more than ten dollars per ton; and, of course, 2 large quantity must be worked to make it pay. Hence, any process that isnot rapid and cheap will not answer. As to the working of sulphuretted or “rebellious” ores: Of the hundreds of patented and other processes, hardly one is worth a moment’s consideration. It may be said, however, that many of the eo-called improved and newly discovered methods work well enongh in the laboratory, but, when put to a practical test, are found to be worthless. After many experiments, I have found the following process to be the best: I first roast the ore (though it is free gold ore) in large piles, thus rendering it very friable, and thoroughly drying all the dirt and clay. Inevery ton of the ore, there is about 300 pounds of fine rock and dirt, which I have sereened out through wire sieves of about one-quarter inch meshes, and this fine stuff I run through a common drag mill, and then through a ‘ Georgia rocker,” thue saving nearly all the gold. In fact, by this simple process I obtain nearly fifty dollars of gold per ton of dirt; whereas, when run through the stamp mill and over copper plates, I obtain only about ten dollars per ton. The rock I crush in one of the Wilson patent stamp mills, using qnicksilver in the battery, and then running the crnshed matter over the ordinary copper plates. The rock is worth fully ten dollars per ton, but I save only about half of this. As to working tolerably high grade sulphuretted ores: The best way, if not too far from a shipping point, is to send them to Swansea, England, But if this cannot be done, then erect a common furnace, having the fire surfaces of good soapstone; then, to every 150 pounds of ore, put in one bushel of charcoal and ten per cent. of salt. The ore will readily melt to a slag, and will be pretty well desulphurized. The slag can be drawn off, and when cold can be broken up and worked like free gold ore. A small trial furnace can be built of good fire brick, and an ordinary blackemith’s bellows will answer to blow the fire. As the loss of gold, by the present process of anialgamation, is known to be very great and, in many cases, disastrous to those engaged in mining, it is important, it seems to me, that the different processes which have been found to work the best, by different miners, shonld be made known to the public. In this way much good may be done, and 2 great industry made more valuable than it is. A Comprirment.—W. H. Bruckner, author of “American Manures and Farmers’ and Planters’ Guide,’’ Monroe, Michigan, writes : While in Philadelphia, I frequently heard the Screntrric Press, of San Francisco, lauded by scientific men who had lived in California. I am pleased to bear witness to the truthfulnees of their statements. That journal (and Pacrrto Rvuzat Press) reflect no little credit on the publishers. A Noven Mouse Trar.—The Evening Mail ‘norates ’’ that a mousein Belfast, Maine, was found, the other day, frozen stiff npon a hammer. Investigation showed, that in picking up something that lay on the iron head of the hammer, the tonge of the monse had frozen to it, and, being unable to get away, it died.

310 SCIENTIFIC PRESS) {May 138, 1872. The Hot Springs and Geysers of Montana. {Concluded from page 178] The Yellowstone Basin a Volcanic Crater. This bssin has heen called the vsst crater of an ancient volcano. Itis prohahle that, during the Pliocene period, the entire country drained hy the sources of the Yellowstone and the Columbia was the scene of as extensive volcanie activity as that of auy portion of the globe. J It might be called one vast crater made up of thoussnds of smsller rents and fissures, out of which the fluid interior of the esrth, fragments of rocks and volcanic dust have heen erupted in unlimited quantities. Hundreds of the cones: of these voleanic vents are now remaining, some rising to a hight of 11,000 feet ahove the sea. Monnts Dosne, Lsnegford, Stevenson and over a hundred other pesks msy be seen from any high point on either side of thehssin, esch of which was once a center of eruptiou. Indeed the hot springs and geysers of this region are only the closing stages of that wonderful period of voleanic sction*which began in Tertiary times—the eecape pipes or vents for those internal fires which were once so active, but are now dying out. . Even at the present time there are connected with these manifeststions of internal heat, earthquake phenomena which are well worthy of attention. Shocks are not uncommon and are, at some eeasons of the year, very severe, Yellowstone Lake—Singular Parasite—Formation. Yellowstone lake isahont 22 miles long, averages 10 or 15 miles in width and hss an unusual average depth, although the greatest depth is about 300 feet. Itis fed hy the snows which fall npon the eurrounding mountsin rsnges and is the most heautiful sheet of water in the West. The clear green shading, with the deep ultramarine hue of the wsters, adds not a little to the effect of the scene. The lake has at all eessons nearly the tempersture of cold spring wster. It lies 7,427 feet above sea level. But one species of fish were found, a trout, weighing from 1 to 3 pounds esch. They are very ahundant, but generally infested hy a singular psrasitic worm, which (called Dibothrium cordiceps) is found in the abdorminal cavity, or interwoven in the mueculsr portions in sses or cysts; or sometimes in the gills. Possibly this diseased condition of the fich is caused by the proximity of the hot springs so abundant all around the lake shore and sometimes extending far out into the watere. The Iske basin is prohshly due in part to erosion. All alongits margin are high hanks and terraces composed of a moderu stratified deposit, paesing up into an aggregation of sand, pehbhles, ete., which is often cemented into a tolerably firm conglomerate. These deposite, made np oferoded volcanic rocke, have sometimes the white appearance, and somewhat the composition, of the Pliocene clsys, marls and ssnds of the lake-hssins along the Missouri and the lower Yellowstone. In the northern portion of the basiu these deposits reach a thickness of 300 to 600 feet and must he of the Ister Pliocene age, perhaps extending down to the present time. The two lakes were then connected, although probably never completely united. The belt of mountains which separated them was ahout 4 miles wide. It is estimated thst, since the period of voleanic activity, the lake has been about 500 feet decper than at present. During the time of the greatest volesnic action, the water must hsve covered the loftiest peaks, for many of hem are composed of the breccia or conglomerate in a regularly stratified condition. The ares of the lake is now gradually, but very slowly diminishing. Hot Springs—Brimstone Basins—Sulphur Mt On the shore of the southwest arm of the \ske is a group of hot springs covering a belt 3 miles long and 1 mile wide. These springs have huilt*up a series of beds or stratra, 25 feet thick in the ageregate, composed of laminse of silica, The shores are covered with the decomposed siliceous crust, Many of the springe are constantly boiling with violence, but rise and fall every second or two, with each pulsation throwing out a small quantity of water. Quite a pretty symmetrical funnel-shaped crater is found, with a circular rim varying from a few inches to several feet in diameter. Some of theee chimneys extend out into the lake several feet, and hot spring depoeits may he seen through the clear depths for 50 yards. The eame variety of colors, quiet and mnd springs, old ruins, ete., as before described, occur here, hnt, hut no geysers, On the east and northeast side of the lake are groups of living and dead springs, High up on the monntain sides are two extension patches of siliceons deposit, resemhliug at a distance an immense enow bank. They are called brimstone basins by the monntaineere, on account of the great quantities of sulphur mixed with the silica. At steamboat Point two vents constantly pulsate, throwing columns of steam to a hight of 100 feet ormore. Dead and dying springs in great numbers occur along the shore and high up among the foothills, a mile or two from the lake. One of the most conspicuous of these great white hills is called Sulphur Mountain, at the north end ofthe lake, The summit of this deposit, from 50 to 150 feet thick, rises 600 feet above the lake. Silica predominates, mixed with oxide of iron, sulphur, ete. At the foot of the mountain are a few springe with a temperature of 150° to 180°, East Fork of the Madison. Leaving the Yellowstone Basin and pursuiug a westerly course we cross the high range between the Yellowstone and Madison rivers, striking first the eources of the Esst Fork of the Madison. Groupe of dead and dying springe are met every few miles. Oue locality, covering several acres, is most heautiful. The entire area is covered thickly with cornical mounds of various sizes, ranging in diameter froma few inches to a hnndred feet or more, and full of orifices from which streams were issuing. All theee little orifices sre lined with hrilliant crystsls of sulphur. The hssis of the deposit is silica, white as snow, but variegated with every hue of yellow from sulphur and with scarlet or rose color from iron oxide. In the distant view the sppearance of the whole country may be not unaptly compared to a vast limekiln in full operation. The esst branch of the Madison is slmost entirely fed from the hot springs and its temperature is 60° to 80° all the time. The vegetation along its branchee and in the stream itself is a marvel of Inxurisnce. The monn‘tains on either side are composed of hassit and obsidisn. Surface waters render the valley one vast bog. The springs grow more ahundant as one proceeds down the valley and nesr its junction with that of the Madison occurs, on both sides of the stream, a lsrgegroup of boiling and quiet springs, with basine from a few inchee to 50 feet in dismeter, and temperaturee ranging from 100° to 197° F. At this elevation the hoiling point is 192° to 1969 F. Great Geyser Basin of Firehole River Architectural Fountain. From the last mentioned springs one crosses hetween isolated huttes of hasalt and hot spring msterial, into the Grest Geyeer Bssin of Firehole river. The entire valley, 3 miles wide here is covered with a snow white siliceous crust, and columns of steam rising among pines on the hillsides, denote the presence of springs. Some of these hsve most hesutiful bssins. In the Lower Geyser Bssin are many interesting springs, riddling the whole area of 3x5 ules, but no geysers of the first clase. Geysers however, there are, with rather regular periode of activity, throwing up wster colnmns 15 to 30 most elshorate and beautiful cistern. It is called the Architectural Fountain. The whole hasin is about 150 feet in diameter. Near the center is the rim of the spring, ahont 25 feet in diameter. The water is in constant agitation, occasionally spouting up a column of water, 30 to 60 feet high, like an artificial fountain, and filling up the reservoirs and the sides for a radius of 50 feet or more. The siliceons sccumulstion made hy this spring descends for several hundred feet in innnmerable semi-circular steps, and is exquisitely beautiin] in sll its detsils. In the Firehole basin silica predominates in the deposits, with little, if any, lime, and small quantities ofsulphur. Remarkable Mud Springs—lInteresting Picture. There is here a remarkable group of mud spriugs, one with a hasin 50 ft.in diameter, which is covered over thickly with puffs, like an immense cauldron of hasty pudding. The exact symmetry of these puffs, their uniform size and fineness of msteris] renderthem exceedingly beautiful; and there is among them every shade of color, from a hright scsrlet to the most delicate pink or rose, with a hase as white assnow. The white siliceousclay, when dried, has the appesrance of the finest merschaum. The most fastidious manufacturer of porcelain would go into eestacies over this magnificent bed of mortar, which hss perhaps been worked and re-worked for msny thousands of years. These springs occur everywhere, often close to geysers or clear quiet springs, and are in every state of consistency and temperature. When the heat hss diminished to 160°, iron oxide is deposited in a coating, which, in the old springs, hecomes hroken up and is suspended all over the sides like rotten, monldy frsgments of lesther. When the springs entirely dry up, these are blown away by the winds. Near active geysers the surface ie covered ‘often with a jelly-like substance. All over the surface are irregular depressions with eharp raised edges, like the inner surface of a cow’s stomach. Silicified wood is found in every stage of petrifaction.

In the early morning this valley presents a most interesting picture, columns of steam rising from a thousand vents and completely shrouding it as with a dense fog. A view of the city of Pittsburg from a high point would convey some idea of the appearance, except that pure white feathery clouds of eteam replace the dense black smoke. Wonderful Geysers. Up the Five-hole river about ten niilea, and near the source, there is the Upper Geyser Basin, where the great geysers are found. One geyser, near the center of the hasin, operated twice during our stay of two days. First comes a tremendons rumbling and shaking of the ground, then an immense mass of steam hursts out of the crater as from an escape pipe, followed by a column of water eight feet in diameter and rising hy steady impulses to a hight of 200 feet. The wonderful fountain continues to play for the space of fifteen minutes; then the water gradually subsides and settles down in the crater, ahout two feet, and the tempera: ture slowly diminishes to 150°. There are here two esparate basins, one in constant agitafeet high. One spring here has huilt up a}. tion, while the other playe only at intervals of ahont thirty-two hours; and although, so fsr as the eye could detect, there wse a partition of not more thsn two feet in thickness hetween them, ueither eeemed to be affected hy the operation of the other. The decorations ahout the springe were beautiful heyond deecription, outrivslling the most delicate embroidery in variety and complexity. Sawmill Geyser, with a emsll elevsted crater two feet high, throws up a small column of wster ahout twelve feet, by continued impulses, like the movement of a saw. Castle Geyser has a crater forty feet high, and 150 to 200 feet in diameter, built up of thin layers of silica which rise, like steps, to the chimney on the summit,’ which is about ten feet high. Clouds of steam issue; constantly from this chimney, and every few moments a column of wster is thrown np fifteen to twenty-five feet. Another geyser, ‘Old Faithful,” operates every hour, throwing up a column of water, six feet in diameter, from 100 to 150 feet. When about to mske a display, very little warning is given. There is simply a rush of steam for a moment, and then a column of water shoots up vertically into the air, and hy a succession of impulses is apparently held steadily up for fifteen minutes, the water falling directly back into the crater and overflowing in large quantities. It then ceases, and with a rush of eteam for a few secouds closes the display for the time. Conclusion. The two kinds of deposits in these regions, esleareous and siliceous, have heen previously mentioned. According to Dr. Peale’s analyses LUSHER’S PATENT VEGETABLE CUTTER. the (White Mountsin) springs on Gardiner’s River deposit carbonate of ime mostly. There are present, also, sulphate of magnesis, chloride of lime, sulphate of soda and a little silics. In the Firehole Basin deposits not a trace of ime was detected, but about 85 per cent. of silicia, 11 per cent. of water, and the rest mostly chloride of msgnesia; and only a slight trace of lime was found in the water. In hut one locality west of the lake, Colonel Barlow found a caleareous deposit. There are, scattered over the great area of about 40x50 miles, a few patches of the sedimentsry rocks, and it ismost probable that under the deposit of thie small group of springe there are portions of the carhoniferous limestone. So far as ascertained in all the deposits of the Yellowstone Basin proper and of the Firehole Bassin, silica is the predominant constituent. The springs are, with very few and importsnt exceptions, near the borders of streams helow any Hmestone beds. It is quite possible that underneath the vast masses of volcanic material which compose the mountains on every side, the sedimentary rocks exist, hut prohably only iu isolated and much restricted patches, if at all. It may therefore be stated, in geueral terms, that the great hot spring region of the sources of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers is covered with rocks of voleanic origin, of comparatively modern date. CircuLaTion oF Sar.—It is maintained by scientists that the sap of trees ascends in the Alhurnnm or ssp-wood, and descends between the Alburnum and the bark, where it forme a layer of new wood—a theory that has led to manyexperiments, Mr. Williams applied it to the early maturation or ripening of grapes; he found by taking off one-quarter of an inch of the hark in width, that the sap was impeded in its desceut, the parts above hecame Isrger, the fruits swelled and ripened early hy many days. Zante, the well-known Mediterranean island, is said to have exported over 25,000,000 pounds of currants the last year, and about 86,000 barrels of olive oil. a Lusher’s Patent Vegetable Cutter. Our illustration represents a very eimple but useful device for elicing all manner of vegetatahles. Itis one of those really excellent little things, that while their cost is hut trifling they can hardly be diepensed with when once brought into use. As the knivee are tinned, they cannot rust, and yet havea good cutting edge thst will last for years. They are essily kept clean, as they are made all in one piece, and are perfectly smooth. All kinds of vegetables can he cut with them, cabbagee, potatoes, applee, pears, turnipe, carrots, beets, cucumbers, radishes and onions. Six slices are thrown off with every stroke of the hand, so that enough can be prepared for a large family in one minute. One cutter eent—postage or expressage free— toany address, for $1 50. Address, Weister & Co., 17 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco. Working Gold Ores in North Carolina. A correspondent in the Scientific Ameriican, engaged in gold mining in North Carolina, writes as follows on the subject of Amalgamating Gold Ores: A great majority of mines yielding free gold produce ores that will not work more than ten dollars per ton; and, of course, 2 large quantity must be worked to make it pay. Hence, any process that isnot rapid and cheap will not answer. As to the working of sulphuretted or “rebellious” ores: Of the hundreds of patented and other processes, hardly one is worth a moment’s consideration. It may be said, however, that many of the eo-called improved and newly discovered methods work well enongh in the laboratory, but, when put to a practical test, are found to be worthless. After many experiments, I have found the following process to be the best: I first roast the ore (though it is free gold ore) in large piles, thus rendering it very friable, and thoroughly drying all the dirt and clay. Inevery ton of the ore, there is about 300 pounds of fine rock and dirt, which I have sereened out through wire sieves of about one-quarter inch meshes, and this fine stuff I run through a common drag mill, and then through a ‘ Georgia rocker,” thue saving nearly all the gold. In fact, by this simple process I obtain nearly fifty dollars of gold per ton of dirt; whereas, when run through the stamp mill and over copper plates, I obtain only about ten dollars per ton. The rock I crush in one of the Wilson patent stamp mills, using qnicksilver in the battery, and then running the crnshed matter over the ordinary copper plates. The rock is worth fully ten dollars per ton, but I save only about half of this. As to working tolerably high grade sulphuretted ores: The best way, if not too far from a shipping point, is to send them to Swansea, England, But if this cannot be done, then erect a common furnace, having the fire surfaces of good soapstone; then, to every 150 pounds of ore, put in one bushel of charcoal and ten per cent. of salt. The ore will readily melt to a slag, and will be pretty well desulphurized. The slag can be drawn off, and when cold can be broken up and worked like free gold ore. A small trial furnace can be built of good fire brick, and an ordinary blackemith’s bellows will answer to blow the fire. As the loss of gold, by the present process of anialgamation, is known to be very great and, in many cases, disastrous to those engaged in mining, it is important, it seems to me, that the different processes which have been found to work the best, by different miners, shonld be made known to the public. In this way much good may be done, and 2 great industry made more valuable than it is. A Comprirment.—W. H. Bruckner, author of “American Manures and Farmers’ and Planters’ Guide,’’ Monroe, Michigan, writes : While in Philadelphia, I frequently heard the Screntrric Press, of San Francisco, lauded by scientific men who had lived in California. I am pleased to bear witness to the truthfulnees of their statements. That journal (and Pacrrto Rvuzat Press) reflect no little credit on the publishers. A Noven Mouse Trar.—The Evening Mail ‘norates ’’ that a mousein Belfast, Maine, was found, the other day, frozen stiff npon a hammer. Investigation showed, that in picking up something that lay on the iron head of the hammer, the tonge of the monse had frozen to it, and, being unable to get away, it died.