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ANJ{i

GOLD-SIMEE'S HA.N

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IE DOMINION

lNii;Mii:[> l«» hi; fjSKl) IN TffK nia'iiij OOIM'KU, VNI> OTTIKK METAI.S KO

Ol' (.'ANAIM. I NITKI) STA'IKS, AND BIMTISB rOJ.UMFMA

SO IJiMPLiKIEI) AK T«;t UK fNUKKSlitUl* UY ANY MAN OF OhlJlXAKY CAl'ACITA'.

1^ H O M A S H U G FI E S

;IJIV11. KNdlNKlill ANJ>P. LH.

KAPANEE:

PUBLISH KO r. Y S. VIVIAN, ROOKSKLLER. ANO sol.D l',Y A. S. liaiN(i. ToltONTo, ITNIs <t <;<>., (LIFTON, V.C,

\Nr> AM. HOOKsHI.LKHn. PHTOF, TWlilXTY-FrVK OK NTS.

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T H E

GOLD •SEEKER'S HANDBOOK.

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THE

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GOLD-SEEKER'S HANDBOOK '

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vit^tial §^!$i!!Siipi!St;

INTENDED TO BE USED IN THE DETECTION OF GOLD, SILVER,

COPPER, AND OTHER METALS FOUND IN THE DOMINION

OF CANADA, UNITED STATES, AND BRITISH

COLUMBIA.

80 SIMPLIFIED AS TO BE UNDERSTOOD BY ANY MAN OF -r ORDINARY CAPACITY.

BY

THOMAS HUGHES,

CIVIL ENGINEER AND P.L.S.

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NAPANEE :

PUBLISHED BY S. VIVIAN, BOOKSELLER. AND SOLD DY A. S. IRVING, TORONTO, TUNIS & CO., CLIFTON, U.C,

AND ALL BOOKSELLERS.

PRICE TWENTY-FIVE CENTS.

1867.

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PREFACE.

This little ^work does not claim to rank high as a scientific production. It is indebted for its origin to the recent discoveries of various minerals, and espe- cially gold, in different parts of the Dominion of Canada, now added to the splendid developments of California and British Columbia, and is intended chiefly for the use of those not deeply read in the lore of our colleges. But whilst it shall be the constant aim of the author to state all facts in the plainest admissible terms, yet he trusts that he will not" be suspected of a desire to ignore or despise the learning of the scientific. Far from this ; inasmuch as it is said that " simplicity is the perfection of art." He hopes that this unpretending work will be found to be based upon true science, although clothed in a plain and simple garb.

Whilst it is the design of the author to furnish to the public a safe and reliable guide as to the search- ing for, and detection of, minerals, he does not profess to establish any new theories. His only merit, if such

there be, consists in presenting in a cheap and acces- 1*

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VI.

rREFACE.

siblc form what otherwise could only he got iroiii hooks of much cost and deep research.

It is hy no ni(;ans the intention of this work to supersede the labours of the analytical chemist, whose researches often call for an amount of scientific train- ing, as Avell as of man\ial dexterity and costly appa- ratus, much exceeding the means of those for whom this work is intended. It is hoped, however, Lhat through its means the public will be able to form a tolerably correct idea as to the prevalence, in paying quantities, of valuable metals in certain localities, so that, should they be doomed in some cases to disap- pointment as regards a " golden future," they may, at least, be spared the unavailing sacrifice of valuable time and means ; whilst those to whom the prospects seem brighter may be encouraged to persevere in more extended and complete examinations.

Should this work be the means either of aiding in the development of our hidden mineral wealth, or of preserving unsuspecting men from certain ruin, through a want of knowledge in searching for mineral treasure, the object of the author, as well as of the Publisher, will have been amply attained.

In conclusion, the author desires to acknowledge his indebtedness to several writers, from whom he has derived much valuable information.

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his work to sniist, wliose iiitific train- 3ostly appa- e for whom wever, Lliat e to form a 3, in paying ocalities, so 3s to disap- ley may, at of valuable le prospects ersevere in

T

I'lJEFACE.

Vll.

Amongst those deserving of especial mention is a "Manual of ]\Iineralogy" by James Nicol, F.Pi.S.E., F.G.S. ; also the "Book of Science," by John M. Moffatt, Esq., and the "Gold-seeker's Manual," by Professor Ansted, F.li.S.

of aiding in ealth, or of rtain ruin, for mineral 1 as of the

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CONTENTS.

Page.

Preftice 5

Chapter 1. — Physical properties of minerals — hard- ness, colour, weight, taste and odour,

crystalline form, &c 11

2. Gold, its lithological position, treatment

upon a large scale, mode of assay- ing, &c IG

3. Silver 24

4. Lead 30

5. Copper 34

'6. Iron 38

7. Tin, Tungsten 43

8. Zinc, Arsenic, Manganese, Plumbago... 4G

9. Mercury, Antimony, Tellurium 51

10. Platina, Palladium, Osmium-iridlum,

Iridium 54

11. Nickel, Bismuth, Cobalt,, Molybdena... 57

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THE GOLD-SEEKER'S HANDBOOK.

CHAPTER I.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS ; HARDNESS ; COLOUR ; WEIGHT ; TASTE AND ODOUR ; CRYSTALLINE FORM, &C.

Although it is not intended to write a treatise upon Mineralogy, yet as the metals at present under con- sideration are, of course, also mines xs, it will be needful to give some general marks of a physical nature, whereby, as well as by varieties of chemical constitution, minerals are distinguished from each other.

We shall begin with hardness. By it is generally implied the ability to resist abrasion or scratching, and it is to be carefully distinguished from consistency, which signifies tenacity rather than hardness. Thus, a substance may be at ^he same time very hard and very brittle ; or it i^ay be extremely soft, and at the same time tough, or tenacious.

One substance is said to be harder than another when it will scratch, but cannot be scratched by that other. Thus, flint is said to be harder than chalk.

Minerals are usually ranged in nine or ten classes as regards hardness No. 1, or the lowest step in the scale, is usually occupied by talk, a soft kind of mica (isinglass) ; whilst at the other end of the scale is placed the diamond, as the hardest known substance.

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12

THE GOLD-SEKKKK S HANDBOOK.

Colour is also sometiiues useful in distinguishing minerals ; but it is by no means an infallible guide, inasmucli as many substances, naturally colourless, are often, through accidental impurities, found pre- senting every imaginable colour.

Lustre is associated with colour, and is often of much importance. The principal kinds of lustre are the adamantine (diamond), vitreous (glassy), oily, resinous, fatty, pearly, and metallic.

Weight is an essential and valual)le element in tlie determination of mineral species, and particularly in the case oi metals, many of which differ greatly in this respect.

The usual mode of estimatino; the weight of min- erals is ])y stating wliat is termini tlieir " specific gravity," or tlie proportion tliat then- weiglit bears to that of nu equal bulk of water ; the latter being always put at 1. Tlius gold being, upon the average, eighteen times as heavy as distilled water, its specific gravity is said to Ise 18.

Taste and odour are obvious (jualiiies of some minerals, but cannot be very extensively applied to practical ]nirposes.

Taste is chiefly confined to saline minerals, and is very evident in most cases where it exists, as in rock salt (chloride of sodium), and alum (sulphate of alumina).

Hornblendic species are distinguished ])y a bitter clayey smell when breathed uj)()n ; and a particular Ivind of limestone, called stinkstone or swinestone, has, as its name' significantly indicates, a very dis- afjreenhle odour.

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THE GOLD-SEEKERS IIANDIiOOK.

13

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liiiguishing ible guide, I colourless, found pre- ps often of lustre are Issy), oily,

element in articularly greatly in

ht of min- ' " speciiic lit hears to itter bein le average, its specific

s of some applied to

lis, and is as in rock Ipliate of

•y a l)itter particular vinestone, verij dis-

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Crystalline form, altliougli mentioned last, is 1)y no means the least important amongst the distinguishing features of ndnerals, inasmuch as there are few indeed of the mineral l)odies, especially amongst the metals, tliat do not at thiies present themselves in the crys- talline form.

A crystal form may he defined to he a regularly formed geometrical solid; sucli, for example, as the cube, as seen in grains of common salt, or the octa- liedron in crystals of alum, familiar to most ]3eople.

Crystal forms are generally divided int(j six sys- tems. Tliese are the tesseral, or cubic ; tlie tetragonal, or four-sided ; the liexagonal ; tlie rhondiic ; the monoclinohedric and tlie tricliiioliedric.

To the first of these systems l)elong all such forms as may be created by modification of the cube, or octahedron, such as tlie cutting off of angles, edges, &c. Hence arise a great variety of regular figures ; as, for instance, the tetraliedron, or figure of lour triangu- lar faces ; four kinds of dodecahedrons, or figures of twelve faces, having different forms, such as triangular, rluunbic, &c. In addition to these are created in the cubic system five figures of twenty-four faces, and one of forty-eight ; the form of the faces lieiiig tri- an<»les, and four-sided fii^ures of various kinds.

The tetragonal system comprehends a variety of four-sided, and also prismatic and pyramidal figures of four and eight sides, derived by modifying causes from what may l)e termed ad(jable reguhir ])yri\mid, or tw(^ l)yramids joined at their bases, the plane of junction of tliese pyramids being a rectangle. 2

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14

THE GOLD-SEEKER S HANDBOOK.

T

Tlie hexagonal and rhombic systems are in like manner based upon the supposition of double regular pyramids, the plane of the base being'in^^the one case a hexagon, and in the latter a rhomb.

From these systems also proceed a great]^number of pyramids and ])risms, liaving from tliree to twelve sides.

The hexagonal system likewise produces the well- known figure termed a " rhombohedron," so frequently seen in some kinds of calc-spar. This figure'^may be described as a solid bounded by six equal and^parallel rhombs.

The monoclinohedric and triclinohedric systems are somewhat more complicated in their develop- ments than those of tlie rhombic, although they are based upon precisely similar principles, the differences of form arising from the fact that instead of the fun- damental pyramid being perpendicular, as in the rhombic system, it is in the monoclinohederic inclin- ed in one direction, and in the triclinohedric in two directions to the base.

Of the six systems of crystalography, the triclino- hedric is the least represented among mineral bodies and is, consequently, the least deserving of lengthened notice.

It may be further remarked of crystals, that they are seldom peifcctly formed ; the sides and edges being often curved and distorted, whilst portions of the figure are often wanting.

They are often, also, grouped together in apparently great confusion, although in reality all the varying

I

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THE GOLD-SEEKEU'S HANDBOOK.

15

are in like )le regular e one case

if^number to twelve

the well- Tequently e^may be d^parallel

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develop-

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the fun-

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i triclino- al bodies ngthened

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combinations are the result of the most certain and unchanging principles.

In general, the smallest crystals are by fai the most perfect, both as regards symmetry of form and completeness of development.

li

Sihat they ges being s of the

)parently varying

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16

THE (lOLD-SEEKEUS HANDBOOK.

i ii

CHAPTER IT.

01

GOLD ; ITS LITHOLOaiCAL POSITION ; EATMENT UPON A LARGE SCALE ; MODE OF A-i-kHNG &C.

Gold, in a state of perfect purity, does not seem to exist in nature.

It appears always to be more or less mixed with silver, as also copper, iron and other metals ; but fre- quently, these latter ingredients are so limited in quantity as to be practically disregarded, and the com- pound is termed " native gold."

Gold, in its natural state, varies nnich in colour, according as it is alloyed with silver and other metals. It is found presenting many variations of yello^^', from a pale light to a deep gold yellow, or to a bronze yellow. Tliis metal is remarkal)ly ductile and malle- able.

Gold crystallizes in forms of the tesseral system, the usual fisj^ures beinsjj the octahedron, cube, and some varieties of twelve and twenty-four sided figures. The crystals are generally quite small, and the lustre of native gold is generally bright, although sometimes. it is rather dull.

Gold is also connnon in wire-like, arl)orescent, interlacing, or moss-like forms, and in plates and folio. Very frequently it is found disseminated, often in particles of microscopic minuteness. It is also found

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THE GOLD-SEBKERS HANDBOOK.

17

ON A LARGE

not seem

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; but fre-

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systen], 11(1 some 3s. TJie istre of fcimes.it

i^escent,

id folio.

"ten in

found

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in the' form of nuggets of varying shape and size, some of them weighing nearly 100 lbs.

As regards hardness, gold stands very low, being only put at from 2 J to 3 in the scale of 10, the diamond being at the head of the scale.

The specific gravity of gold is from 17. to 19.4.

Gold is one of the most Widely-distributed minerals, being found not only in beds, nests, and veins, usually of small extent, occurring in various rocks, such as granite, syenite, greenstone, claystone-porphyry, tra- chyte, the crystalline slates, and transition strata, but also disseminated through these rocks.

It is likewise often found in connection with iron pyrites, quartz, carbonaceous matter, mica, calc-spar, and even in coal strata, and sometimes in volcanic rocks, and the lower sandstones.

Gold is also sometimes found in great abundance in the sand and gravel deposits of rivers, and in some of these deposits in the East India islands it is often accompanied by platina, iridium, magnetite, nigrine, rutile, anatase, chromite, zircon, and diamond.

As gold is not found mineralized, or in the state of ore, like the generality of metals, but either pure or else combined with some other metals to form an alloy, the metallurgic processes for reducing it are, generally, simpler than in most other cases.

This metal is derived from two general sources ; being either mixed with sand, gravel, and earthy mat- ter, in valleys, ravines, and the beds of rivers; or in veins, mostly of quartz, and is then obtained Iby mining, like minerals in general. 2*

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Tiic modes of tveatiiiciit ref[iiire(l to olitain ^>(»](1 ill ti istatti of ]nn'ity vary accovdiiiLi; to the state in Vvdiieli it is lound in the situations just mentioned.

(Jold ol)tained from alluvial soils in mi;4'o'ets and grains, may l)e se])arated more or less from tlie suh- staiices l>y whieji it is eontaminated hy v/asliing. This operation is often ])erfo'rmed on tlie s])ot Vvdierc it is ])r(Knired. Thus the i^old-seekers sometimes wash the auriferous sands in a sieve held in the hand, or else use inelined tahles covered Avith coarse woollen cloth, ttc. The sandy material then heuii;- placed upon the tnhle in small quantities, over ■which a stream of water is conducted, the lighter Darticles are Avashed awiiy, and tlie ])articles of ij,"old detained hy their sujierior weii^ht upon the surface of the cloth. A rocking' motion heing given to the tahle renders this process more complete. The gold thus olitained may he further purified hy amalgamation with mer- cury, or l)y cupellation.

( Jold is also found pure in veins, hut sometimes in a state o'i minute division, and so lilended with other hodies as to re([uire various operations iV)r its extraction. It is thus procured in Hungary; and in this case the A\'hole contents of the vein, holding small particles or strings, or little nests of native gold, are hroken int(j small pieces, and carefully examined ; the grains, Vvdiere perceptilde, lieing detached i'voui the ma.trix, which is cluetiy (|uartL. The i)oorer parts are then stamped hy heams of wood, shod w4th iron, and worked hy machinery, and thus the ore is crushed t(j a powder upon an iron plate.

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le state in iitioiied. i.U'i^'et.s and 1 the su])- vriisliiiio'. j)ot Vvdiore .soiiic'tiiiies ?ld \\\ tlie ith coarse fieii \m\Y^ ver Avliicli ' particles

detained the clotli. e renders

obtained ritli nier-

3metimes :led with ts for its ; and in holding- ;ive gold, , aniined ; ed i'roni 5 poorer )d, shod - hus the 1 plate.

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This ])()'NV(l;'r is ruen dani])ed l>y thv(>\\iiig wiiter con- tuhiing salt ii])(>n it, and a (iiiiintity <»f iiiercuvy ])eing put into a hag of ])orons leath(:^r, is forced throngli the ])ores, and (h'o]t])ing on the damped ])ow(ler in a minutely divided state, is kneaded n]» with it. This ]»aste, contiiining mercury and gold thus incorporated, is ai'ter»wa,rds heated in a ]>roj»er vessel, to uhout the tem])erature ol'ljoiling v.-. iter, for three or four da3^s, • The mixture is then wa-'ied ciirei'ully in small parcels at a time, so tliat tlie earthy jtarticles are waslioil olf leaviuLi" onlv th.e auiaf'^am oi' mercury and gold. Part of tlie mercuiy is then sejiarated ])y jU'essure in a leathern hag, and the re-^t i^' <li'iven oh* hy distillation, leaving ])ehin<i the gold, a.nd a.lso a jiortion oi' silver with wliich it inay he idloved.

When gold occui's in a, matrix, . aisisting of iron pyrites (suljjliuret of iron), galena (sul])huret of lead), &c., in v>duch th.e gold exists in invisible particles, the masses of ore arebrolveuhy hand into small pieces, and then reduced by the stamps to j^ov.'der, Avliicli is carried by a stream of ^^'ater to a series of jnts, hi which the heaviest particles subside, the lighter earthy matter being" carried away by the current.

After repeated Avashings, the metallic parts, con- sisting chieily of iron ])yrites arid galena, are roasted in a reverberatory furnace, with a ])roportion of cpiick lime, at fi read heat, but n(jt so as to fuse the mass, until part of the sulphur is driven off; the hre is then increased, and the whole l)rought to a state of thin fusion, and then let out into a mould of sand.

During the fusion, the iron, on account of its

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20

THE GOLD-SEKKEK S HANDBOOK.

strong affinity for sulpluir, resumes the portion of which it liacl been deprived by previous roasting, by decomposing the sulphurets of lead, copper, «&c., with which it is mixed; in consequence of which these metals, by specific gravity, fall in drops through the vitreo-ferruginous scoriie, carrying with them the gold and silver, and unite at the bottom, in a dense metallic mass. Hence the " pig," that is formed in the mould of sand, is found to consist of two parts, adhering to eacli other, l)ut easily separable by the hammer ; the uppermost, and largest portion, is com- posed of cellular scDria;, beneath which is a black, heavy, compact mass, containing the cjold and silver, together with lead, copper, some sulphur and iron . tliis is now broken into small pieces, roasted and fused once or twice more, until the sulphur and other impurities are separated, leaving nothing but the gold, silver, lead and copper.

The separation of gold from lead is effected by " cupellation." The cupel, or test, is a porous infusi- ble earthy mass, with a hollow concavity at the top for the reception of the metal ; this being placed in a furnace, so as not to be in contact with the burning fuel, and a current of air at the same time passing over the surface of the test, the metal is brought almost to a state of boiling ; at this temperature, the lead becomes changed to the state of a vitreous oxide? which sinking into the pores of the tost, leaves the gold behind ; and if the ore contained silver and cop- per, subsequent processes will be required to eftect their separation.

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TIIK (iOl.D-SEEKKK S HANDHOOK.

21

portion of oasting, by ', &c., with liich tliese irougli the them the ill a dense formed in two parts, Ijle by the n, is corn- is a black, iiid silver, and iron . asted and and other but the

fleeted by His infusi- at the top laced in a e burning le passing brought iture, the )us oxidcj eaves the and cop- . to efl:ect

Having glanced at the distinguisliing features of gold, as also the methods of treating it upon a large scale, we shall now proceed to explain to the reader how he may, by observation and simple experiments, satisfy himself as to the presence or abseiu^e of gold in certain localities. ■ Gold is the heaviest of nil metals except platina, and one or two very rare metals; it is more than twice as heavy as iron or copper, and six or seven times the weight of quartz or otlier non-inetallic min- erals. It is also, as we have stated, one of the softcd of metals, and sometimes of dullish lustre, and it can > be beaten into thin plates. liy l)earing these marks ill view, it will not be hard to distinguish gold from , the substances that most nearty resemble it, sucli as • iron and copper pyrites, and various tinted micas ; the pyrites being harder and far /I'l/Jiter than gold, and also ^;; very J'riftic, wliilst their lustre is greater. The dif- ferent kinds of mica are l>ut one-sixth }iart of the weight of gold, and have a brigliter lustre.

In making examinations of sraid for gold, tlie

material may first be well roasted in an ordinary

i iron ladle, or common crucibk'. This will have the

^ eflect 01 expelling tlie sulphur irom all pyritous siib-

' stances, and thus destroying their gold-like aj)pear-

. ance, and the niateriail may then be washed upon a

, hoard, covered with cloth as above descriljed, and

quicksilver may be afterwards added, if it is suspected

, that (.'•((Id exists in the form of line dust, as is some-

\ times tlie ease. The mercmy inny bo very easily

discharged from an aiualgain {tfuvl I and mercury hy

22

THE GOLD-SEEKER\S HANDBOOK.

distillation, as previously mentioned, or it may be simply driven off, or volatilized by the application of heat to an open vessel.

Wliere quartz or other minerals are to be tested for gold, it is a good plan to expose the material to a read heat for several hours. This, besides expelling the sulphur as before mentioned, if such be present, will, in general, much faciiiate the subsequent crush- ing of the material, Avhich forms the next process. The crushed matter, now being in the state of sand, is to be dealt A\'ith accordingly.

Supposed gold may be tested by applying to it nitric acid, which acts with more or less violence upon all metals, save gold only ; the latter being affected by '•' aqua regia" (nitro muriatic acid) alone. By means of these two acids gold may be separated from its alloy of silver. If the gold forms only a fourth part, or less of the mixture, it must be heated with nitric acid, which giv es it a black colour, and gradually removes the silver. If the proportion of gold is greater, the nitro muriatic acid must be used, which holds the gold in solution ; from tliis solution, the sulphate of iron (green vitriol) being added, throws down metallic gold.

As regards the crushing of quartz, &c., for experi- mental purposes, although the agate mortar and por- celain pestle furnish the completest means, yet the operation may be performed tolerably well by means of a common hammer and any hard and smooth sur- face, tlie material being first broken into small pieces, and then crushed to a powder by a rotary motion of the hammer.

THE GOLD-SEEKER S HANDBOOK.

23

it may be ^plication of

to be tested aaterial to a es expelling be present, iient crusli- ;xt process. »* 3 of sand, is ||

inlying- to it ss violence itter l^eing acid) alone, e separated •ms only a t be heated colour, and oportion of Lst be used, jlution, the led, throws

for experi- r and por- ns, yet the

by means nooth sur- lall pieces,

motion of ^

Gold in combination with silver, copper, &c., may be assayed in the following simple manner : —

The material is first ground to powder, and is then mixed with three times its weight of pure lead, ob- tained by melting " sugar of lead ;" the whole is then fused, and nitric acid is added, which dissolves the silver, &c., leaving the gold belnnd. The gold is after- wards washed and dried.

It may be observed that the gold-bearing rocks of the United States are frequently micaceous, or talcose chists, with veins or beds of quartz — the gold extending into the rock on either side from the quartz.

The veins worked in Orange Co., Virginia, appear to run K K E. and S. S. W., and dip to K E., the ores consisting of iron pyrites, various oxides and hy- drous oxides of iron, and sulphuret of copper, all rich in natwe gold.

In Brazil, gold is found in a soft kind of gneiss, which is traversed by a great number of quartz veins running in planes nearly perpendicular to the hori- zon. In these veins alone the gold is found in its matrix, traversing the spar in small threads or filling up every interstice between the crystals so completely as to seem like metal fused and poured into a mould.

a

24

THE GOLD-SEKKEK'S HANDBOOK.

m

CHAPTER III.

SIIiVEli.

SiLYEK, like gold, is seldum found iu a «tato of com- plete purity, Ijeiiig more or less mixed witli gold, pla- tina, lead and copper, and sometimes antimony, Ijis- mutli and arsenic.

The colour of native silver is pure metallic white, but it is often tarnished yellow, red, lm)wn, or black.

Tlie crystals of silver are very similar in form to

those of gold, consisting of the cube, (jctahedron, and

twelve and twenty-four-sided figures. They are usu-

. ally small, and oiten v.'edge or segment-sluijied, l'r(nn

the sliortcning or lengthening of one ol' the sides.

Silver is also common in capiUary, filiform, moss- lii<e, ar])orescent, or tooth-like forms ; in leaves, plates, or crusts, and also nuissive or disseminated. Jt is, like gold, veiy maliealde and ductile.

Tiiis metal- retpiires a great heat to melt it, but by a iierce and long-continued tire it may he volatilized. It does not tarnisli in the air from the a])sor])tion of oxygen ; but wlien sid})]iurous vapours are present its surface becomes tinged witli i)urple, from the for- mation of sulphuret of silver ; and the same effect is })roduced wlien a silver spoon is dipped in the yolk of an egg;, wliich contains sulphur.

Silver also reseml)les gold in its extreme softness,

ate of coin- gold, pla- inoiiy, l^is-

illic white, , or black, in form to edron, and 7 arc usii- aped, I'roni

orni, nioss- ves, plates, cd. It is,

it, but l)y

k'olatilized. sorption of t'o present m the for- le effect is I the yolk

e softness,

THE r,OLI)-SP:EKP:K S HANDBOOK.

or.

ranging only from two to three in the scale of liard- ness. It is from ten to eleven times as lieavy as water.

By means of the blowpipe it may be fnsed, and on cooling sometimes crystallizes in octahedrons. Easily soluble in nitric acid ; the solution colours the skin black ; and with hydrocldoric (muriatic) acid gives a voluminous white precipitate (deposit), which in the light becomes first bluish, then brown, and black.

Silver is found in veins, and occasionally in beds in crystalline or primitive rocks, such as gneiss (strati- fied granite), mica and hornblende slates ; in gmnite, syenite and pophyry ; also in the transition and older secondary rocks, along with various ores of lead, cop- per, &c., and mixed with calc-spar, fluor-spar, quartz, and hornstone.

Silver is found more frequently pure, or in the state of alloy, than most other metals, but it is most plentiful in the state of native silver. The metal is occasionally found in immense masses ; the silver mines of Kongsberg, Norway, formerly afforded speci- mens weighing from 100 to 150 pounds, and in the mine called Nye Forhaabning one was raided 560 pounds in weight, which is still preserved in the royal cabinet at Copenhagen.

Silver is extracted from its ores either by smelting, in a manner similar to that practised with regard to other metals, or by amalgamation with mercury.

Silver, like gold, frequently requires to be subjected to the process of cupellation to separate it from oxi-

M«S'

I!

I

! i

v

26

THE GOLD-SEEKER S HANDBOOK.

1'^

(lizable metals. This method of purifying silver is adopted in Persia, and is thus described in Brande's " Journal of Science," Vol. 8 : —

" A sort of basin is made, either by excavating the ground or by arranging stones in a circle.

" This is from nine to twelve or fourteen inches wide, and is incomplete at the side in one place for the reception of the fuel, which by its combustion is to melt tlie metal.

"The fuel consists of two large and long logs of wood, which are placed with their ends in the aperture, on the edge of the basin.

" These ends are lighted by placing on them burn- ing fuel ; and then the blast from a pair of bellows is directed so as to pass across the fire, and thus drive the flame and heat into the basin, acting as a large blowpipe.

"Lead containing sih^er, or impure silver, with the addition of lead, is then placed in the basin ; and being soon melted and heated by the flame, it is puri- fied as by common cupellation.

" The litharge (vitrified oxide of lead) is forced off to the sides as it is formed, and either absorbed or lost ; and as the wood burns away before the blast of air, the logs are thrust onward, until all is consumed ; then fresh logs are supplied, if necessary, or the pro- cess stopped, as may be found convenient."

Silver ores are often smelted in the following simple manner: —

The ore is first calcined in a puddle furnace, a proportion of lime having been added to act as a flux,

^^s

-,3^,

THE GOLD-SEEKER S HANDBOOK.

27

silver is i I Brande's

xcavatins:

en inches

place for

bustion is

long logs is in the

em burn-

ellows is

|hus drive

IS a large

ver, with Lsin; and t is puri-

'orced off 5orbed or ! blast of

nsumed ; the pro-

3llowing

mace, a s a flux,

that is, to assist the melting process. This process is continued for sixteen hours, during which time the mass is stirred continually.

A black lead pot, of about two gallons capacity, is then nearly filled with the melted ore, to which is added, nitre J lb. and flour 2 lbs.

It is allowed to remain in the hot furnace one hour, at a wliite hepi and is then poured into a mould.

The silver sinks to the bottom, and the " slag " remains at the top ; wliicli, when cold, is easily separ- able from the pure metal.

Silver may l^e assayed by either of the three methods, viz. : the " mechanical," the " dry," or " moist " assay.

Wliere native silver, in a state of comparative purity, is only mechanically mixed with certain mineral ingredients, the mechanical assay may be re- sorted to. This is essentially the same process as that described in the case of Gold ; such as crushing, wash- ing, amalgamation with mercury, &c. For assaying by the dry method, the blowpipe is an essential agent.

The assay (or mineral to be tried) is reduced to powder, and kneaded up with moist soda, or other suitable flux, into a small ball, not larger than a pep- percorn— which being placed in a hollow formed in a piece of charcoal, is then in a fit state to be acted on by the blowpipe.

Silver, in its metallic state, is at once known, and from many combinations can be readily extracted on charcoal.

28

THE GOLD-SEEKEK S HANDBOOK.

\

I'

! >

■■\i

Other conibinatioiis, and the metallic siilplmrets in whicli it is iucidentally present, are thus tested :

The pulverized assay, mixed with borax, glass and lead, is melted by the " reducing " flame, and then kept for some time in tlie oxidating flame, by which a granule of argentiferous (silver) lead is obtained. This lead is then melted by the oxidating flame in a small cupel of bone ashes, previously ignited, and the heat continued until it is nearly changed to litharge.

The very argentiferous lead grain is now heated in another cupel, into which the lead sinks, and leaves behind a grain of silver, sometimes cupreous or auriferous.

From its solution in nitric acid, silver is thrown down by muriatic acid, as a white chloride, which in the light soon becomes black, is soluble in ammonia, and can be again precipitated from the solution, by nitric acid, as chloride of silver.

Silver ore may be assayed in the moist way by reducing a small quantity of it to powder, digesting it in nitric acid, and mixing the filtered liquid with a solution of common salt (chloride of sodium.) A chloride of silver will then be precipitated, contain- ing, when dried, 75 per cent, of metal ; or the chloride may be reduced by fusing it with three times its weight of sub-carbonate of soda.

Chloride of silver may also l)e reduced in the following manner :

l*ut the chloride into a small vessel of zinc, or cast iron, containing a little water, and leave it tliere a short time. If the vessel be clean tlie decomposition

li

■PHMPi

r,^.i^..

suljjliiirets [lus tested : X, glass and e, and then e, by which is obtained. I flame in a :ed, and the to litharge, low heated

sinks, and cupreous or

is thrown e, which in I ammonia, olution, by

st way by ', digesting luid with a )dium.) A d, contain- he chloride 3 times its

3ed in the

THE gold-seeker's HANDBOOK

29

will soon take place ; otherwise a little muriatic or sulphuric acid may be added. The metallic product may be washed with muriatic acid.

Silver may also be precipitated from its acid solu- tion by means of copper plates immersed in the solu- tion.

'I*

I I

,;«

1'<

of zinc, or ^e it tliere omposition

oi

30

THE (iOLD-SEEKKKS llANDIJOOK.

CHArTEii n;

Li:.vi).

\ i, {

This metul is not found vuiy al)nn(l;intly in r. state of ])urity, or as native lead; l>ut is nKjve common in ores and associated witli other metals and minerals, sucli as silver, siili^hnr, copper, ^'c. — as in j^'alena, tlie various l(j;id salts', cVc, o}' Avhich, ;io-,\'ever, ^^alena is the most importiint, as well as tlie most common ol" the ores of lead, beiuLi," the ]'rinci|»al source from wiiich it is derived..

i^ative lead does not appear in the crystal form, only capillary, filifoi'm, or branched, andintln'n plates, or disseminated. It is ductile and malleal)le. Its colour is l')luisli grey, \\'ith a Ijlackish tarnish.

Lead is still softer tlian wdd, the denTee of liard- ness bcino' only l.o. Its speciiic gravity is 11.3, or more than eleven times as lieavv as water. It is a readily fusible metal, and thougli meallealjle and duc- tile, is deficient in tenacity.

Lead has l)een found in consideral)le alnindance in vesicular cavities of lava, on the island of Madeira. It is niucli associated with silver, and is met with in the carboniferous limestone. Galena, as the most im- portant ore of lead, may be thus described : —

It crystallizes in the tesseral system ; the usual ^ forms being the culje, octahedron, and twelve and

THE (lOLD-BEEKER S IIANDnOOK.

31

M <i state iiiuoii ill

miiierals, leun, tlie iali'iKi is iniiou of

111 wijicli

id ioriii, 1 plates, >le. Its

'f liard- 11.3, or it is a id (liic-

aiice iu adeira. 'itli ill )st ini-

usual e and

tweiity-four-sided ii inures. The crystals, of various sizes, arc seldom perfectly formed.

Galena occurs most fre.-pieiitly massive, and dis- seminated in granular, compact, and striated laminar aogregates. This metal has a very perfect hexahedral cleavage ; that is, in all cases of fracture or division, it lias a strong tendency to preserve a cul)ical or rec- tangular form.

Its colour hi lead-grey, •'ind when tarnished, be- comes darker, or rarely iridescent. The lustre is often brilliant. The degree of liardness is 2.5 ; and specific LiTavitv 7.5.

it is soluble in nitric acid, with evolution of ni- trous acid, and residue of sulpimr.

(laleiia usually contains a small proportion of sil- ver, generally from 0.01 to 0.05, and very rarely 1 per cent, or more.

The pure galena in tlie Hartz mountains contains from 60 to 71 per cent, of Iqad, the remainder being chieliy sul})hur.

Some galena contains selenium and antimony; cop- per and platina are occasionally found in it. .

(Jalena is very common in rocks of all ages and formations. It is found in veins of gneiss ; in mica slate ; in transition clay-slate, and greywacke; in the Killas ill Cornwall, and in the carboniferous limestones of many countries. It also occurs in sandstone ; in veins in granite ; and hi claystone porphyry ; and in the Western States of North America, it occurs in im- mense abundance in the cliff Ihnestone.

In the usual process for the smelting of lead ore,

! I-

i

32

THE gold-seeker's HANDBOOK.

the galena being freed by the hand and hammer from all such impurities as can be readily separated from it, is beaten into small pieces, and after thorough wash- ing is placed in a reverberatory furnace, at a low red heat, for some hours.

The effect of this roasting is to drive off the sulphur and arsenic, without melting the lead, and when the flame on the surface has changed from blue to a red- dish white, the roasting is considered as finished, the lead being converted into an oxide.

The roasting being completed in a moderate heat, a small quantity of charcoal is added, the doors of the furnace closed, and the reduction completed.

The lead is then found, in a reduced state, lying at the bottom of the furnace, covered by a slag, two or three inches in thickness ; the slag is then tapped, and runs off.

Some quicklime, in powder, is now thrown down upon the fused metal, which serves to raise and cake the remaining slag, which, by means of a rake, is taken from the surface.

This slag is nearly black, and is very heavy.

The lead is then suffered to run out of the furnace into a pan, and the scum or dross being taken from its surface, is thrown back into the furnace. The lead is lastly ladled from the pan, into iron moulds, and left to cool.

The ores of lead may be tested by means of the blowpipe, the assay having first been prepared as de- scribed in the case of silver.

Lead, in union with other metals, is known by the

THE (;ou)-seeker's handbook.

33

nmer from

•ated from

ugh wasli-

a low red

lie sulphur when the I to a red- lished, the

jrate heat, ►ors of the

:ate, lying

slag, two

;n tapped,

)wn down

and cake

3, is taken

ivy.

le furnace

ken from

The lead

•ulds, and

sulphur-yellow deposit of the oxide, left on the char- coal, when heated in the oxidating flame.

Its salts, treated with soda, in the reducing flame, (,11 charcoal, are known both by the mark of the oxide, and the reduction of the metallic lead.

The solutions of the lead salts are colourless, but crive a black precipitate with sulphuretted hydrogen. " The moist method of assay may also be used m

testing the ores of lead.

The roasted ore must be dissolved m nitric acid, somewhat lowered, and the solution is to be diluted with water, and precipitated by a sufficient quantity of some soluble sulphate. This forms, with the oxide of lead, sulphate of lead.

The precipitate, being washed and dried, always

contains 68 per cent, of metal.

In this mode of assay the silver which may be con- tained in the ore will also be precipitated in the form

of sulphate. ^ i j

When it is necessary to assay sulphates ot lead, either alone or mixed with other substances, the muri- atic acid must be used instead of the nitric acid.

M:-

ns of the •ed as de-

vn by the

34

THE GOLD-SKEKKK « HANDBOOK.

CHAPTEK V.

COPPER.

Copper crystallizes in the tesseral system, in forms nearly similar to tliose of gold. The crystals are small, and generally irregnlar, deformed and grown together.

It often occurs filiform, moss-like, and arborescent ; or in plates, and laminai ; also investing, massive and disseminated, and sometimes in loose grains and lumps.

It is malleable and ductile. Hardness =2. 5 to 3, and specific graYit3'"=8.7.

The colour is copper-red, with yellow or brown tarnish.

This metal is rather easily fusible, colouring the flame green.

It is readily soluble in nitric acid, and in ammo- nia, with access of air, forms a blue solution.

Native copper sometimes contains a little iron or other metals.

Copper occurs in veins and beds ; or disseminated in granite, serpentine, and the crystalline schists ; as also in the transition and secondary strata.

Some fine crystals have been found in fibrous mesotype, in amygdaloidal trap rock.

i

THE GOLD-SEEKER S HANDBOOK.

35

, iu forms ystah are nd grown |

)orescent ; issive and ^ains and .i

s=2.5 to

or brown

"ring the

n animo-

e iron or

minated schists ;

fibrous

Large masses of copper, with silver adliering to them, weighing from 1,630 lbs. to 4,000, have been found near Lake Superior ; and a solid mass from Cachoeira in Bahia, now in the museum of Lisbon, weighed 2,600 lbs.

Fused copper, in favourable circumstances, crys- tallizes in reojular octahedrons. It seems, sometimes to be deposited in mines from water containing the sulphate, and especially upon pieces of wood.

Copper exists in considerable variety in the form of ore, as in the different copper salts, amongst which is ranked the " malachite ;" also in the red and green copper ores, and in the sulphuretted metal known as copper pyrites.

The copper ores of Cornwall, England, from which the metal is generally procured, are the yellow sulphuret, a mixture of copper, sulphur and iron ; also the sulphuret, or copper pyrites, containing about. 80 per cent, of copper.

The reduction of the ore of copper, upon a large scale, is completed by means of eight processes, consisting of roasting, melting and refining, or tough-

enmg.

Copper may, in general, be detected by means of the blowpipe.

The assay, if apparently metallic, should be first roasted, and then melted, with borax, or salt of phos- phorus in the oxidating flame, when an opaque red- dish bro^vn glass is produced, a small addition of tin aiding in the result.

In the reducing flame, the glass, when warm, is

If

ill;

36

THE ("iOLD-SEEKErv S HANDBOOK.

liiii

t

green, and when cold, blue. With soda, metallic copper is produced.

A small proportion of copper may often he detected 1)y heating the assay, inoistened with muri- atic acid, in the oxidating flame, when it is tinged of a beautiful green colour. Solutions of its salts are blue or green, and j^roduce a brownish-black precipi- I tate with sulphuretted hydrogen. Ammonia, at first, throws down a pale green, or blue precipitate, but in excess, again produces a very fine blue colour.

Cyanate of iron and potassium, even in weak solutions, give a dark, reddish-brown precipitate; and iron throws down copper, in the metallic state.

Chalcopyrite (Copper Pyrites), as the most im- portant ore of copper, may be thus describe'!: —

It crystallizes in the tetragonal system, the usual forms being various combinations of three-sided pyr- amids and four-sided prisms. The crystals, gener- ally small and deformed by the shortening or elon- gation of one side, are attached singly or in druses. <

Most commonly it is found compact and dissem- inated, and sometimes also botiyoidal and reniform. The hardness is =3.8, and gravity =4.2. Colour brass- yellow, often with a gold-yellow or iridescent tarnish ; streak, greenish-black.

Before the blowpipe, this mineral upon charcoal becomes darker, or black, and on cooling, red. Fuses easily to a steel-grey globule, which at length liecomes magnetic, brittle, and greyish-red on the fractured surface. With borax and soda it yields a grain of copper, and in the open tube evolves sulphurous acM, but no sublimate.

""■'-■■««fi.H»V"

THK GOLD-SEEKEK 8 HANDBOOK.

:37

, metallic

often be

itli muri-

tiiiged of

salts are

K 2)recipi-

i, at first, y

te, but in

ill weak Ltate; and -te. most im-

tlie usual ided pyr- Is, gener- ; or elon- Iruses. ' I dissem- reniform. )ur brass- i tarnish ;

charcoal . Fuses becomes Taetured grain of 3US SLcid,

Moistened with hydrochloric acid, it colours the tiame blue. Soluble in nitrochloric acid, leaving sul- phur; also, with more difficulty, in nitric acid,

Chalcopyrite usually contains, besides copper^ iihout a third part of iron, and also of sulphur.

Is found in primary and transition rocks, in por- ])iiyry, sienite, &c.

[lHDRUTIiite, or Copper-glance, is another impor- tant ore of copper. This mineral crystallizes in rhombic forms. These are usually combinations of rliombic and rectangular prisms and pyramids.

The crystals are generally thick tabular, attached -ingly or in druses.

It usuady occurs massive, disseminated, in plates or lumps. Hardness = 3, and gravity =5.6. Lustre rather dull, brighter on tlie streak. Colour, blackish lead-grey, with a blue or other tarnish.

Acted upon by the blowpipe, it colours the flame blue; on charcoal, in the oxydating Aame, sputters and fuses easily, and iu. the reducing flame becomes solid. With soda gives a grain of copper.

It is soluble in warm nitric acid, depositing sul- phur. The composition is about J copper and ^ sul- pliur.

This mineral occurs witli various other ores of copper and iron in tlie metamorphic and stratified rocks.

^^W"

38

THE GOLD-SEEKER S HANDBOOK.

m

'iV

CHAPTER yi.

IRC^.

The crystal form of iron is generally that .-.f ihe regular octahedron. Its hardness is 4.5 ; grai r. ;" ■■ \ 7 to 7.8, and colour steel-grey, or iron-blac ., (rl'ten with a blackish tarnish.

Native iron is very magnetic — cannot be acted upon by the blowpipe, except in thin plates and a strong heat, but is soluble in muriatic acid.

Iron, though one of the most common of metallic bodies, is not often found in the native state, in con- sequence of its powerful tendency to unite with oxygen, sulphur, and other substances.

Most of th^ existing specimens of native iron are supposed to have derived their origin from meteoric stones.

But few mineral bodies are found so abundantly, or in so many forms as iron. It occurs in tlie forms of " vSparry iron ores," oxidized ores, sulphurets, &c., and appears, in one shape or another, in evevT/ kind of rock, from the volcanic; or overlying rock down to tls granite, or foundation of the stratified system.

Iron being found in a state of nature so variously combined, different processes, ac<;jrdin.<r ^o circum- stances, are re(|uisite to reduce,' it to the metallic state.

m

THE GOLD-SEEKER S HANDBOOK.

39

^t of the

-, (.'iten

be acted • es and a

metallic , in con- y I oxygen,

iron are p meteoric i

ridantly, le forms Bts, &c., kind of 1 to til

iriously ircum- letallic

These consist, in general, of roasting, smelting, &c., after the ore is broken into moderately sized pieces, as in the cases of lead and copper.

The roasting is intended to drive off the sulphur, carbonic acid, water, or inflammable matters, and often lasts several days. In the smelting process, . whicli lasts about forty-eight hours, limestone or some other flux is largely used.

In assaying iron ores by means of the blowpipe, it is observed that the peroxide and hydrated peroxide be- come l)lack and magnetic in meltiu"'.

Ferruginous minerals form with borax, or salt of phosphorus, in the oxidating flame, a dark red glass, becoming bright yellow Avhen cold, and in the reduc- ing flame, especially (jn adding tin, an olive-green, or mountain-green glass. Yet some precautions are 7iecessary when cobalt, copper, nickel, chrome, or ura- .'ium are also present ; and when the presence of lulphur or arsenic is suspected the assay should be i^'')t roasted.

Salts of protoxide of iron form a green solution, from wliicli potassa or annnonia throws down the pro- toxide as a hydrate, which is first white, then dirty green, and finally yellowish brown.

Carbonate of lime produces no precipitate. Fer- rocyanide of potassium produces a voluminous bluish- white precipitate, becoming deep blue in the air ; whilst the ferridcyanide of potassium causes a beau- ful blue precipitate.

The salts of the peroxide, on the other hand, form yellow solutions, from which the peroxide is thrown

[I

I

i

40

THE GOLD-SEEKEK 8 HANDBOOK.

! !

I ■

down by potassa or ammonia, as a flaky brown hy. drate.

Carbonate of lime also causes a precijjitate.

Ferrocyanidc of potassium produces a very fine blue precipitate ; tlie ferridcyanide, no precipitate.

From the clay iron-stone, or impure varieties of ore, 1

most

- " f 1

<^ Britisli iron is manufactured.

Thi>. ineral is generally of blue, bro\\'n or ])lack 2 colours, witli gravity =3, and hardness =4.

It is found cliiefly in slate-clay or marls, in layers or nodular masses, often containing fossil plants or other organic bodies, which seem to hiive attracted the carbonate of iron. Is also common in brown coal strata.

The oxidized ores, however, a])pear to be tlie most important in this country, the principal oi' these being: —

Magnetite (^lagnetic Iron), which is crystallized in tesseral forms, being chieHy unions of portions of eight, twelv'e and tw^enty-four sided figures.

It is generally found massive, in granular or almost compact aggregates; often also in loose grains, forming magnetic sand. Its liardness is = G, aiul gravity = 5. Lustre, metallic, sometimes imperfect; colour, iron- black, occasionally inclining to brown or grey, and is highly magnetic.

Before the blowpipe, it becomes brown and non- magnetic, and fu,-,es wdth great difficulty. Its powder is soluble in hvdrocldoric acid.

Magnetite occurs chiefly in igneous or metamor- phic rocks, or, as in many basalts, disseminated

brown hy.\

ate.

very fine ipitate.

3tie8 of ore 1

'1 ov black

S in layers l)lants or attracted

in brown

i tiie most of these

tyytallized 'ortions of

or abnost s, formino' ■avity=5. niv, iron- y> and is

md 11011- 3 powder

[letanior- iiriinated

THE GOLD-SEEKER S HANDBOOK.

41

tlu'ougli tlie mass. It also forms beds in gneiss, in chlorite, mica, hornblende and clay slates ; also in marble, greenstone, &c., but seldom appears in veins.

Hematite, or Specular Iron, is also a highly important and valuable oxidized iron ore.

It is found crj'Stallized in various rhomboliedral forms, tlie crystals being imbedded, or oftener attached and united in groups and druses. Hematite also appears in granular, foliated and scaly masses, or botryoidal, reniform, columnar or fibrous. The hard- ness is = 6, and gravity =5.2. In their laminae, trans- lucent and deep blood-red. Lustre, metallic. Colour, iron-black to steel-grey, but often tarnished, also various tints of red. Streak, cherry-red or reddish- brown. Usually weak magnetic.

Before the blowpipe, in the reducing flame, it becomes Idack and magnetic. Slowly soluble in acids.

The reddle or "red chalk,'' and the jaspery, colum- nar and lenticular clay iron, are impure varieties of this mineral.

Hematite occurs chiefly in the older crystalline rocks, in large beds or veins, often with pyrites and quartz, and is? also found in volcanic rocks.

Pyrite (Iron Pyrites), although not of much importance in itself, is nevertheless, from its frequent association with other valuable minerals, deserving of some notice^ here.

It is crystallized in complicated forms of the tes- seral system, in which triangular faces chiefly pre- dominate. Tlie crystals often occur imbedded singly 4*

42

THE (.;OLD-SEEKEK S HANDBOOK.

and also united in druses and A'avious groups, or in] spheroidal, reniform and otlier aggregates.

Most often it is massive and disseminated. It is I brittle. Hardness =6.3, and gravity =5. Colour, a' peculiar bronze-yellow, sometimes inclining to gold- yellow, at other times with a brown or rarely varie- gated tarnish. Streak, brownish-black. Yields sul- phur in the closed tube. On charcoal, before the blowpipe, burns with a bluish flame and a strong smell of sulphur. In the reducing flame, fuses to a black magnetic bead.

It is soluble in nitric acid, with deposition of sul- phur; but is scarcely affected l)y hydrochloric acid.

Pyrite consists of about equal parts of sulphur and iron, and in addition it often contains gold, silver, or silicum. It is one of the most common minerals in rocks of all ages and classes. Its presence is regarded as injurious when mixed with iron ores, or the coal used in their reduction, rendering the metal brittle.

^I.f^jtm'' --

P5

THE GOLD-SEEKEK'S HANDBOOK.

43

oups, or in

ted. It Lsi Colour, a! g to gold- rely varie- ^ields siil- before the I a strono fuses to a

on of siil- ic acid.

f sulphur old, silver, minerals :esence is n ores, or ihe metal

CHAPTEE YII.

TIN. TUNGSTEN.

Although Tin, as well as many of the metals still to be described, have as yet not been found in Canada, the presence of certain associate minerals— as tung- sten in case of tin— gives hopes that many of these metals may yet he found here, as also in other parts of our continent. A short notice of them is therefore deemed advisable.

Tin has not " certainly " been found in the native state, although some authors affirm such to be the

case.

This metal, in its pure state, is easily recognized. It is not very hard nor ductile, but extremely malle- able. It has a- characteristic odour, and a faint, dis- agreeable taste.

Although tin, like most metals, is variously asso- ciated with mineral bodies, yet the pure metal is derived from but one source, which is thus described :

Cassiterite, or tin ore, is an oxide of tin. It crystallizes in the tetragonal system, the usual forms being regular prisms, and pyramids of varying forms and combinations. It also occurs massive in granu- lar aggregates, or finely fibrous (wood tin) ; also in loose, angular fragments and grains (stream tin).

44

THE GOLD-SEEKEK S HANDBOOK.

K

The hardness is from G to 7, and gravity from 6.3 to 7.

It is translucent, or opaque ; lustre adamantine, or resinous. When pure, the colour is white ; but usually various shades of grey, yellow, red, brown and black ; rarely wine-yellow, or liyacinth red ; streak white, light grey, or brown.

This mineral is infusible in tlie forceps, by the blowpipe; but on charcoal, in the inner flame, with a strong heat, and mixed with soda, it is reduced to tin.

Tin ore occurs chiefly in granite, syenite, felspar- porphyry, and in the crystalline and transition strata.

It is frequently accompanied by rock-crystal, fluor- spar, apatite, topaz, tourmaline, wolfram, molybdenite, mispickel, and ores of lead and copper.

T(f obtain tin in the pure state, the ore is roasted, pounded, and finally smelted in a manner somewhat similar to that described in the case of lead.

Tin occurs chiefly as pyrites (sulphuret),and tin ore (oxide), and is easily detected by the blowpipe — which causes a white deposit to be left upon the charcoal, behind the assay, and which is not driven off either by the reducing or oxidating flame, but takes a blue- ish-green colour from the solution of cobalt. The oxide is reduced by soda, and this even when a very small proportion of tin is present as a mere accidental element.

TUNGSTEN.

This metal crystallizes in tetragonal forms, such as regular prisms and pyramids of various dimensions.

I

THE gold-seeker's HANDBOOK.

45

from 6.3

Qiantine, ite ; but 3\vn and ; streak

by the le, with luced to

felspar- ti strata, il, fluor- bdenite,

roasted, niewhat

I tin ore —which harcoal, f either a blue- b. The a very sidental

Its liardness is 4.3, gravity 6, and lustre vitreous, resinous, or adamantine.

It is colourless, but usually tinged grey, yel- low or brown, rarely orange-yellow or green ; streak,

white.

Before the blowpipe, it fuses difficultly to a trans- lucent glass ; Avith borax to a clear colourless bead, which if not fully saturated remains clear when cold, but if again slowly heated becomes opaque, and enamel-like ; if fully saturated it becomes milk-white, and crystalline upon cooling.

With salt of phosphorus it forms a glass, which in the oxydating flame is clear and colourless ; in the reducing flame, green when warm, and l)lue wlien

cold.

It is decomposed in nmriatic or nitric acid, leaving tungstic acid ; also in solution of potash, with precipi- tate of lime. .

This mineral occurs with vv'olfmm ; especially in veins of tin ore ; sometimes in beds with gold or magnetic iron ; and also with galena and quartz.

Tungstic acid forms a fine yellow pigment, but the mineral is too rare to l)e generally used.

■

I

;!

I r

IS, such jnsions.

r

:!■ i.

*!' f:-

it

46

TiiK gold-seekek's tiani>book.

5

(IIAPTKR Vlll.

ZINC, ARSENIC, MANGANESE AND PLUMIIAGO.

These .siil),staiices l)eiiig often associated in a state of nature, we ]nivpose to describe theui to^'otlier, com- mencing witli

/INC.

This metal in appearance resemhle.s lead, but is, when untarnished, of a lighter colour. It speedily attracts oxygen when exposed to air and moisture, and it is easily dissolved by acids and alkalies, both in the metallic state and wdien oxidated.

Zinc is ^lot found in tlie native state.

It is malleable and ductile when heated to between 210° and 300°, Fahrenlieit. At about 725° it melts, and crystallizes on cooling.

If exposed to a temperature beyond its melting point, with the access of air, it burns w' itli a bright bluish flame, forming the oxide formerly called " flow- ers of zinc."

The principal ores of zinc are the carbonate (cal- amine), and the sulphuret (blende) ; the latter of these, however, has not generally l)een used AA^ith much success as an ore.

Calamine crystallizes in rhombohedric forms, and in six-sided prisms. The crystals are generally small,

i

'

obtu occu

luce

less, irree

lose; redi coal

also

r

talli iferc lime bier

tills

su.cl figu disi

rad

ni 1

Sei res yel

lUJ IfiP

THE (iULD-SEEKKIt'S IIANDBUOK.

47

o.

in a state liev, coiu-

id, but is,

speedily

;ture, and

>tli in the

eated to lout 725°

? melting a bright 3d " flow- ate (cal- latter of itli much

rms, and ly small,

obtuse-edged, and a^jparently rounded. Usually it occurs in reniform, botryoidal, stalactitic, and laminar arrgregates ; or fine, granular, and almost compact.

It is brittle ; hardness =5 ; gravity =4.0. Trans- lucent or opaque ; lustre pearly, or vitreous ; colour- less, but often tinged pale greyish yellow, ])rown or

green

Calamine l)efore the blowpipe becomes white, and loses its carbonic acid. It sometimes forms in the reducing flame a dark yellow or red ring on the char- coal, from cadmium oxide.

It is soluble in acids, with effervescence; and also in solution of potash.

This mineral occurs in beds and veins in the crys- talline and transition rocks, and also in the carbon- iferous and oolite formations. It is most common in limestone, and is often associated with calc-spar, quartz, blende, and ores of iron and lead.

Zinc is obtained from this mineral chiefly by dis- tillation. V

Blende crystallizes in tesseralandteii.i^edralforms,

such as the octahedron, cube, four and twelve-sided figures ; but the crystals are so contracted as to seem

distorted.

Frequently it occurs massive and granular, rarely

radiating, and very fine fibrous, &c.

A very i)errect "dodecabedral cleavage" is remarked

in tliis mineral.

It is l)rittlc; Hardness =r 3.7, and (}ravity=4. Semi-trauspareut to opacpie. Lustre, adamantine and resinous. Colour, commonly brown, or black ; also red, yellow, or green.

'b

.Hi

48

THE (K)LI)-SEEKKRS IIANDUOOK.

Before the l)lowpipe, in the oxidating liauie, in a strong heat, deposits zinc oxide on the charcoal, which api)ears yellow, when hot, but becomes ])aler when cold.

It is solul)le in concentrated nitric acid, leaving sulphur.

ARSENIC.

In the metallic, or uncombined state arsenic is of a greyish-white colour, witli brilliant In ; but it is soon tarnished by al)sorbing oxygen from the air.

Arsenic fuses readily, and volatilizes when heated to 360°.

When thrown upon a red hot iron, in tlie open air, it burns with a blue Hame, subliming in the form of a white vapour, having an odour like garlic. The sub- limate, when cooled, crystallizes in octahedrons.

Arsenic is not found " native ;" l)ut arsenical pyrites (Mispickel) occurs ]irincipallyinveins of primi- tive rocks, and is common in the copper mines of Corn- wall, England.

It is often iridescent. Some varieties are argen- tiferous.

Mispickel crystallizes in rhoml)ic forms, generally of prisms. It is also found massive, granular, or columnar, and disseminated. Ih-ittle. Hardness = 5.7. Gravity =6.1. Colour, silver white, or almost steel-grey, with a greyish or yellowish tarnish. Streak, black

In the closed tube, mispickel yields first a red, then a brown sublimate of sulphuret of arsenic, and then

THE CIOLD-SKKKKKS HANDnoOK.

49

uie, 111 a l1, wliioli 2r when

leaviiio'

uic is of but it is air. L heated

|)en air, form of 'he sub-

iS.

t'senical P prinii- •f Corn-

argen-

nerally liar, or Jiess = almost Streak,

a red, id then

metallic arsenic. ^Vitll the bh)wpii)e, on charcoal, fuses to a black niaoiietic globule, which sdiuetimes sliows traces of cobalt, colouring l)orax glass-l)lue.

It is soluble in nitric acid, also in muriatic, witli a residue of sul])hur, and arsenifms acul.

Mispickel is used as an ore of silver, sometimes.

.MANdANESK.

This metal, in some of its properties, resembles iron. It is of a dusky- wliitisli colour, and iinely granu- lar texture ; softer than iron, and very brittle. Dith- cult of fusioli, and is readily acted on l)y the air, tar- nishing, and at length cruinljling into a powder. The ))eroxide, or "black oxideof manganese," is frequently found native, and is the chief source whence the metal is obtained.

T]iis mineral (Pyrolusite) crystallizes in short rliombic ])risnis ; but generally it occurs massive and diss(uninated, or in botryoidal, reniform masses, witli radiating, columnar, or hln-ous structure.

It is ratlier brittle. Hardness = 2.:i (iravity, 4.8. l.ustre semi-metallic, or silky wlien hbrous ; colour, dark steel-gray, l)luish, or iron l)lack ; streak, black, and soiling. Infusible by tlie blowpipe, but when stroiK»"lv i<»'nited gn charcoal, it loses 12 per cent, oxygen, and is converted into the brown protoperoxide; with borax, and salt of pliosphorus, it sliows reaction for

manganese.

It is solulde in muriatic acid, witli large evolution of chlorine. Found chiefly in beds in gneiss, clay- slate, porphyry, and the older rocks ; or in veins, often

i)

ritfi

50

THE GOLD-SEEKERS HANDBOOK.

with Ctilc-spar, lieavy-spar, and ores of iron and man-

ganese.

TLUxMBACJO.

nil I

Hi

Graj)liite, or plumbago, aliliough not now regarded as a metal, has been so lom^ associated with them as to merit a place here.

This mineral crystallizes in tabular or short hex- agonal prisms, but is usually massive and foliated, radiating, scaly, or compact. It is also disseminated, or as a constituent of many rocks.

It has a very perfect " basal" cleavage. Is very sectile, flexible, in thin laminae, and sometimes slightly malleable ; feels greasy. Hardness=0.o to 1. Gravity = 2. Lustre metallic, and colour iron-black. Leaves a mark on paper.

Plumbago burns with much difficulty before the blowpipe; in oxygen gas, even less easily than the diamond. Heated with nitre in a platina spoon, only partially detonates.

Plumbago was long regarded as a compound of carbon and iron, but is now known to be pure carbon.

It has been found in gneiss, with garnets, also in the coal formation, where it seems to have resulted from coal, altered by contact witb.trap rock.

THE GOLD-SEEKER S HANDBOOK.

51

and man-

' regarded I them as

liort hex- i foliated, sminated,

Is very

s slightly

Gravity

Leaves a

efore the than the 3on, only

pound of i carbon. 3, also in resulted

CHAPTEII IX.

MERCURY. ANTIMONY. TELLURIUM.

Mercury, or quicksilver, is at ordii)'./ tempera- tures d fluid; but at 40° below zero it congeals, and forms tesseral crystals.

Its specific gravity is 13.5 when fluid, and 15.6 solid. The lustre is bright metallic, and colour tin- white. Before the blowpipe it is wholly volatile, or leaves a little silver.

Mercury sometimes occurs native in globules, dis- seminated in coarse sandstones and rocks of all ages, chiefly with cinnabar, in veins and fissures ; and native amalgams of the metal, with silver, occur both in the semi-fluid and solid states.

Cinnabar is the principal ore of mercury, which is obtained from it either by sublimation or distillation. The purer varieties of cii/nabar are used as a pig- ment.

This mineral crystallizes in small rhombohedrons and hexagonal prisms. It also occurs disseminated and granular. Compact and earthy. Fracture uneven and splintery. Sectile. Hardness =2.3. Gravity = 8.1. Semi-transparent, or opaque. Lustre adaman- tine, and colour cochineal-red, with a lead-grey and scarlet-red tarnish. The streak is scarlet-red.

In the closed tube it entirely sublimes; and in the

mm

THE G0LD-SP:EKER S HANDBOOK.

!'

open tiil)e sublimes partly, without decomposition • partly as metallic mercury, wliiL^t sulphuric acid escapes.

In the closed tube, with soda, it yields only mercury. It is j^erfectly soluble in nitrochloric acid, but not in muriatic acid, or solution of potash.

Cinnabar occurs in the crystalline, transition, and secondary strata, in beds and veins, with native mer- cury, iron pyrites, juid other ores.

ANTIMONY.

This metal is sometimes, altliou^^h rarely, Ibund crystallized in rliom1)()lietlrons.

It is j^eiR'rally massive and disseminated ; some- times in spherical, botryoidal, and renil'orm agj^re- s»"ates, with a '•ranular texture. The basal and rhom- l)ohe(lral cleava<j,es jive perfect , especiidly the ibrmer.

llatlier l)rittle, and soiiujwhat seciile. ITardness = r)..'), and gravity = (). 7. It-^ colour is tin-white, with a greyish or yellowisli tarnish.

It is easily I'usilde by the bl()W])i])v^% iiud on cool- inu" crvstalhzes into rliomlioheih'ons. On charcoal, Inirns w\{\\ a weak Ihime, and volatilizes, Ibrming a white de])osit. In t!ic closed tuhc, yields a white sublimate.

Native antimony is usually mixed with a small amount oi' silver, ii'on, or arsenic. 11' rub])ed on the lingers, it gives out a ])eculiar smell and taste.

It is a somewhat rare metal, being only worked in a lew ])arts of Kui'o])e ; bu.t is als'» known in Mexico and J^)orneo.

v

osition • ic acid

Is only ic acid,

on, and v^e mer-

, I'oiind

; soiiie-

I rlioin- ornier. ardnoHs te, with

u con]- liarcoal, 'iiiinL!; a I wliitc

a small on tlu'

rkcd in Moxicu

THE GOLD-SEEKER S HANDBOOK.

53

.TELLURIUM

Rarely crystallizes in hexagonal pyramids and prisms. It is usually found massive or disseminated, and fine granular-^cleaves perfectly into hexagonal prisms, and is slightly sectile. Hardness =2.3, and gravity =6.2. Its colour is tin-white ; and is easily fusible by the blowpipe, when it burns with a green- ish flame, and much smoke, which forms a white ring with a reddish margin on charcoal.

In the open tube, burns with a greenish-blue flame, and forms a white sublimate, wliicli can be fused to clear colourless drops. Tlie vapour hns often ii smell of radish from selenium.

Solul)le in nitric acid with evolution of nitrous vapours, and in concentraied sulphuric acid forms n bluish-red solution. Tellurium oit-u contains a little gold or iron.

Tt occurs with ([uartz, iron i)yrites, and gold.

]

li^

I

■u-

3 I

i

!(>:

54

THE GOLD-SEEKEU'S HANDI500K.

CHArXEK X.

PLATINA. PALLADIUM. OSMIUM-IRIDIUM. IRIDIUM.

Native plutina occurs rarely in small cubes ; coin- monly in minute, flat, or obtuse-angled grains, with smootli, sliining surfaces ; sometimes in larger grains, and roundish lumps, with an irregular, granular struc- ture. It is malleable and ductile. Hardness =4.5 and gravity =17.5. to 19. The coL)ur is steel-grey, inclining to silver-white. Sometimes slightly mag- netic. Very difficidtly fusible.

In nitrochloric acid, forms a red-coloured solution, from which ammonia throws down yellow ammoniate of platina, which on ignition is changed into spongy platina.

Native ])latina is generally alloyed with iron, iri- dium, and other metals.

When dissolved in nitrochloric acid, it leaves a residuum, sometimes of (quartz or other stony min- erals, sometimes of chromate (jf iron ; but, when metallic, chiefly osmium-iridiuuL

Platina is found in veins of quartz and limonite, sometimes witli the diamond; also in diluvial sands, where it seems to have Ijeen originally disseminated in serpentine.

PALLADIUM.

This metal sometimes crystallizes in very minute

^

[UM.

s ; com- ns, with r grains, [IT struc- !ss=4.5 3el-grey, ly mag-

julution,

moniate

spongy

iron, iri-

leaves a ny min- 3, when

inionite, l1 sands, niinated

THE gold-seeker's HANDBOOK.

55

niiJiute

octahedrons; more frequently it occurs in small loose

grains or scales.

It is malleable. Hardness=47, and Gravity^ 12. The colour is light steel-grey to silvery-white. Infu- sible before the blowpipe. In nitric acid, forms a brownish-red solution;

Palladium is generally alloyed with platinum and iridium. It has been found with platina and gold, near seleniuret of lead, in greenstone, in the Hartz, forming very small, brilliant hexagonal tables ; also in the sands of rivers, &c.

OSMIUM-IRIDIUM.

Occasionally crystallizes in very minute tabular, hexagonal crystals ; but is more common in small flat grainl It is slightly malleable, but soon breaks under the hammer, and may then be beaten to powder. Is not affected])y acids. Two varieties are distin- guished.

OSMIRIDIUM.— Colour, tin-white Hardness = 7—

Gravity =19.4. Is not altered by the blowpipe. Fused with nitre in the closed tube, it yields osmium vapours, known by their peculiar, unpleasant smell, and forms a green saline mass, which, boiled in water,

leaves blue iridium oxide.

lRn)OSMiUM.— Colour, lead-grey— Hardness =7— Gravity=21. P^efore the blowpipe, on charcoal, be- comes black, with a very strong odour of osmium. In the flame of a spirit-lamp shines brightly, and colours

it yellowish red.

Both these minerals occur in the Ural, the former

'S

^PIiPP«<M|

56

THE gold-seeker's HANDBOOK.

especially, in gold sand, and the latter in platina sand, but rarer.

The first, also, is found in Brazil, and a mixture of these metals has been met with in Borneo.

IRIDIUM.

The crystal forms of this metal are the cube and octahedron ; usually small. It is also found in small rounded grains. Slightly malleable. The hardness is=i 6.5, and gravity =22. 7. Colour, silver- white, inclining to yellow on the surface, and to grey in the interior.

It is unalterable by the blowpipe, and is insoluble in acids, even the nitToclilt)ric.

This metal is generally alloyed with platina, pal- ladium, copper, or iridosmium, and lias been found in gold sands, and the sands of rivers.

Iridium is used in porcelain painting, to produce black and grey colours.

THE COLD-SEKKKIl'S HANDBOOK.

57

CHAPTER XI.

NICKEL. BISMUTH. COBALT. MOLYBDENA.

Nickel is not foimd " native." When pure, it is a liard metal, of a white colour ; malleable and ductile, but difficult of fusion.

It is not acted on hy the atmosphere or water at common temperatures. May l)e rendered magnetic like iron. If exposed to intense heat, with access of air, it becomes shjwly oxidated ; and it burns with vivid scintillations in oxygen gas.

Nickel is chiefly found in the form of " pyrites," and variously conduned with bismuth, arsenic, iron, ,.,,balt. antimony, lead, copper, and sulphur. NicKELiNE is OHO of tlic cliicf ores of nickel. Tbis mineral hardly occurs crystallized, being p-enerally massive and disseminated. It is brittle. "l[ardness=r5.r), and gravity=7.(K The colour is light copper-rwl, with a tarnish, hrst grey, then blackish. It forms no suidimate in the closed tube. On char- coal, fuses, with str(U)g arsenic fumes, to a white, lu'ittle metallic globule.

It is soluble in concentrated nitric acid, with de- posit of arsenious acid ; and more easdy and com- pletely in nitrochloric acid.

Nickeline occurs in veins, or rarely in beds, in orjuiite, and in the crystalline, transition and second- ary strata, mixed with cobalt, silver and copper.

1

h

ym

r

n

\>-. I

li

68

THE gold-seeker's HANDBOOK.

BISMUTH

Crystallizes in octahedrons and dodecahedrons — 'often misshapen, or rendered indistinct by their union in groups. It also occurs arborescent, feathery, or reticulated, rarely filiform, or in plates. It is often massive, or disseminated, and granular.

This metal has a perfect octahedral cleavage. Is not malleable, but very sectile. Hardness = 2.5 and gravity =9. 7.

Its colour is reddish silver- white ; often with a yellow, red, brown, or parti-colour tarnish. Very easily fusible even in the flame of a candle.

On charcoal, it volatilizes, leaving a citron-yellow coating. Soluble in nitric acid, when much water throws down a white precipitate froni the solution. Native bismuth often contains a little arsenic.

Bismuth is found in granite and the crystalline slates ; also in transition strata, chiefly with ores of cobalt and silver.

COBALT,

When pure, is of a reddish-grey colour; has a fibrous, or laminated texture, is brittle, and difficultly fusible. Like iron and idckel, it may be rendered magnetic. Air or water does not act on it at a low temperature ; but when heated to redness, in an open vessel, it forms an oxide of a very deep blue colour. If the heat be intense the metal takes tire, and burns with a red flame.

Cobalt is found chiefly in the form of pyrites, one of its principal ores being : —

in

^

THE gold-seeker's handbook.

59

irons — r union lery, or is often

ige. Is 2.5 and

with a Very

L-yellow 1 water solution.

''stalline ores of

; has a

fficultly

endered it at a

is, in an

Bp blue

kes lire,

tes, one

COBALTINE. — This mineral crystallizes in tesseral forms. It also occurs massive, granular, or dissemi- nated, and has a perfect cubical cleavage. Brittle Hardness = 5.5, and gravity=C).2.

Its colour is" silver-white, inclining to red ; often with a grey or yellowish tarnish. Streak, greyish- l)lack, and lustre brilliant.

In the open tube, in a strong heat, yields arseni- ous acid, and sulphurous fumes. On charcoal, fuses Avith a strong smell of arsenic, to a grey, weak mag-

netic globule.

After roasting, it shows reaction for cobalt with borax. Soluble in warm nitric acid, depositing ar- senious acid. Cobalt, in this mineral, is associated with iron, arsenic and sulphur.

Cobaltine is found chiefly in the crystalline slates, in beds.

MOLYBDENA.

This metal is said to have been obtained in the state of small grains, of a brittle texture, and a light grey colour; but its complete reduction has been questioned, as it is exceedingly difficult of fusion.

Wlien heated in contact with oxygen gas, or in the air, it becomes converted into a white crystalline sublimate, which is the molybdic acid.

Molybdena occurs chiefly as a " sulphuret " known

as

Molybdenite.— This mineral sometimes appears

in tabular and short hexagonal prisms. Generally, it occurs massive and disseminated, in scaly or curved foliated aggregates.

T

V.

60

THE GOLD-SEEKERS ilANDBOOK.

It is very sectile, and has a perfect "babul ' cleav- age. Is flexible in thin laminjii and feels greasy. Hardness=1.3, and gravity =4.7. The colour is red- dish lead-grey. Makes a grey mark on paper ; green- ish on porcelain.

Before the blowpipe, in the platina Ibrceps, coloui's the flame siskin-green, but is infusi])le. On charcoal, yields sulphurous fumes, and forms a white coatin-i. but burns slowly and imperfectly.

Is decomposed in nitric acid, leaving a white powder of molybdic acid ; in warm nitrochloric acid forms a greenish, and in boiling >iul]>huric acid a blue solution.

This mineral is common, in small quantities, in granite, gneiss, and chlorite slate ; and in veins with tin and other ores. It much resembles graphite, l)ut is readily distinguished by its " streak," lustre, gravity and action before the blowpipe.

i»ji

I cleav-

i greasy.

ir is red-

; green -

, colours

'liarcoal,

coating,

a white )i'ic acid d a blue

bities, ill ins witli lite, 1nit gravity

€«4ii^i mwm

AT THE EXPRESS OFFICE.

BELLEVILLE, C. W.

Silver and Bills Boagbt and Sold.

Highest Price paid for American Cunency,

ALSO, F(tU

BASK OF IPPER CANADA BAKR BILLS.

J. W. THOMPSON.

Provincial Land Snrveyor,

Civil & Patent Engineer & Mineral

Assayist.

OFFICE :-DTJNDAS ST., WEST END,

NAPANEE, C.W.

i'

^t *

t

I

LAND AND GENERAL AG-ENCY.

T.

^' ,w

W

/

GEORGE CHOWD,

Tin, Iron & Copper ¥arc Manufacturer,

DEALEU IX

STOVES, COAL URATES, CUTLERY.

Pumps, Sinks, Coal OU, <S:c., «fcc.

• ♦-•^

A LIBERAL DISCOUNT MADE to'DEALERS

Store, Front St., Belleville, C.W.

II^l^ES & SIMPSON.

CIVIL ENGINEERS,

SOLICITORS FOR PATENTS. OFFICE :-FROST ST., BELLEVILLE, CIW.

Mineral Lands examined and reported on, and Mineral Claims Surveyed.

W4f ^HSfj^i^ia & f iwsi^Ea.

C1.0CKS, WAT€IIEI», AIVD JEWKI^RIT

OF ALL KINDS FOR SALE.

Watches and Clocks Cleaned and Repaired, Minerals Assayed. -A.LL. WORK WA.R,K,A.3SrTE:D.

OPIPOSITE CfRA.H'iM'S HOTEZ.. OliD eOL1> AND SILYEB TAKE.V IN £XCIIAN6£.

>,

turer,

.LERS

c.:w.

n, and

II.RY

.ssayed.

GRANGE & BROTHERS,

DRU&GISTS,

BOOKSELLERS & DEW III FANCY GOODS

-*• — * • »■ <4-

Uncnrrent Money Boaglit and Sold

AT

Grange & Brothers' Exchange Office,.

NAPANEE, C.W.

Having made great alterations and improvements in the fur- nishing of the house, I am enabled to offer better accommodation than any house in the place.

i^^Good Accommodation for Commercial Agents.

(Staffcs leave this lloi se dnily for Kirg^ion, Fieton, Slefvbursrlk and 'lainworth.

;:i !',^

IT

I

jr« C^» 'Gr JtC

BUILDEK & MANUFACTURER OF

Sashes, Doors, Blinds and Mouldings.

PLANING-, SAWING-, DRESSED FLOORINa,

'^"^ Aim mmmm wm mm.

GLAZED SASH CONSTANTLY ON HAND.

NAPANEE.

G, S. SIXSMITH,

IMIEIIGHANT TAILOR,

NAPANEE, C.W.,

Always keeps on humd a large & varied assort-

ment Oj

©L@T&I1S| Hl^TS. ©aPS

'D

COLL Alls, TIKS, SL'AllFS, &r.,

Wind) h,' x'lls at tin- lowest pobsililt- luh'uiUH' o\\ cost,- *' Small profits and quick ckturns'* iK'ing his muttu.

o

'xi)

jsort-

P-^S

e

Icost,- Ittu.

■I