The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-06
oeoIopleaI survey OF Canada.

accompanied with the reports of his assistants, Mr..
Murray and MIR Hunt. Mr.. Murray's report,
! We are informed by the Toronto Patriot, compre-
hends the result of his examination Of the eastern
coast Of Lake Huron and the northern and south
western shores Of the Georgian bay and Mr. Hunts
an analysis of the mineral waters Of the st. Law
renee and the Richelieu, &c.
! The Toronto print says iappears from the report
| that
| "a careful examination has determined the level
of Lake Superior TO be twenty .one feet five inches
above that of Lake Huron. This is important, as
showing how little lockage a canal around the Sault
| ste. Marie would require"
The eastern coast of Lake Huron is remarkably
destitute OF good harbors and places of safety for
vessels. The only ones Tobernory and The
mouths of the three rivers, Aux Stables, [north,l
Aux Stables, [south,l and Goderch harbor. OF
| these, but two, Tobermory aud the southern Aux
Stables, arc harbors for large vessels.
The Niagara limestone is found in large quarries
IN the districts from Dundas and Gait to Cape iiurd,
and ID an excellent stone for building. Gypsum
and mari are found between the river Sangune
and the Aux Stables. Hydraulic lime has been
found at Point Douglas and in other parts. Btu
miuous shale has been found at Nottawasaga bay,
OF which this account Is given in the report:
''Ihc whole OF the beach where these bituninou5
sha!cs occur, appears to have been overrun by fire,
which is rumorcd by the Indians and others ac
quantcd with that section Of country, TO have orr
gihatcd spontaneously, and to have continued
burning for several consecutive years That rocks
CON tanning SO much bituminous matter, once ig-
nitcd, should not cease to burn for months, or even
years 10 very probable; but it is difficult to
tain, satisfactorily, whether the lire was the result
of natural causes accident. Spontaneous com
buston IL known TO be OF frequent occurrence near
collicres, where bitumnous shale is thrown up in
heaps refuse, resulting from the working OF the
coal, when the shale is of crumbng nature and ID
accompanied by iron pyrites mineral present In
most coal seams. 1t is not in my power to explain
the phenomenon clearly, but it Is supposed to be
connected with the decomposition Of the pyrites;
but in the of Kettle Point the same materials,
bituminous shalc and pyrites present together;
and it ia nsi unreasonable to suppose that their
ton on ono another may have originated the gni-
ton. We observed that on digging foot deep
more into the shingle faint and almost coloress
vapor Immediately arose from the opening, which,
gradually increasing in volume and density, in the
space of two three minutes, became a distinct
smoke emitting odor very similar TO that pro-
duced by the combustion of a sulphurous COAL and
evolving at the time considerable heat.
The Single of the beach, which ID almost exclu-
sivey derived from the formation, is of bright red
color wherever the fire has extended, the btumin-
Gus matter having entirely disappeared"
Here is the description OF Georgian bay, which is
| SO remarkably separated from Lake Huron, that 1t
almost forms lake OF itself.
''Such parts of the land as came under our eX-
amina ton were in general low, rocky, and either
perfectly barren or very lightly covered over by
dwarfsh evergreens and moss. Long narrow arms
and inlets were found to strike far into tie main
land, and crowds of islands and rocks to extend
for many miles out into the lake. rendering the
voyage through them very intricate. Harbors for
all sorts OF vessels presented themselves i'll album
dance, Is might be expected among such numer-
ous assembly, &C of islands and inlets; but the APP
proach to the coast amidst reefs and sunken rocks,
is at almost all parts dangerous and difficult. a
pretty good description OF soil was occasionally
observed on flat lands between rocky knobs and
ridges where the timber was principally oak, but
1t would require more minute and extended eX-
animation TO ascertain where there is any great
amount of surface valuable in regard TO its capa-
bilities for cultivation. IN. Y Ere. Post
CAST IRoN BUuDINos.-Publica attention has been
aroused to the necessity of adopting some method
of building which viii eitcctually prevent the
spread of conflagration when it occurs in the bus
mess portions of our city, and the lamcntablc de-
struction OF property consequent upon 1t.
The public probably do not sufficiently appreci-
ate the fact, that have at hand material des-
tined, il by Providence TO be applied to just such
purpose; We refer to iron-a material better
adapted to the construction of houses for living,
manufacturing, or public purposes, than either
brick, wood or stone, and one susceptible of being
worked with more case, beauty and economy than
any other in use.
The space of newspaper article is too limited
to allow oil full discussion upon the peculiar
adaptation of iron for the purposes alluded to, but
a few of its most obvious advantages may be emu
merated.
Frst-As regards form and shape. Forms which
stone could never be made TO assume, varying from
the ghtost fairy structures to the most elaborate de-
signs of the Grccian or Gothic.
Saving Of space in foundations, dscarding the
cumbrous pile Of stones, and substituting hrmer
and more compact base.
The capability of being speedily and easily erect
ed, or Of being taken down and removed without
loss Of time material
Protection against lightninC-a philosophical
certainty.
Security against ire-In addition to the iron,
presenting "iood for fire" naturally; in the for
nation of the parts Of an iron building, il be
shown that IL can never be injured by contraction
in the event of internal conflagraton, cracked
by the sudden application Of water, even were it
brought to a white heat
Nentilation-the nature Of the material aff0rdiBg
the best method OF securing the most perfect sys-
| TEN of ventilation
Facilities for the transmission Of sound-a dcsid
cratum in all churches public buildings adapted
/ for large audiences.
Absence of ycrmin-avoidance Of mildew and alb
/ sorptiUn of dampness.
| For the application Of paint-thc best known ma.
/ tcria afiording beauty Of external finish with a
/ protection from the weather.
Durability, strength, and firmness, in particular
for factories employing steam and heavy machine
| ~.
Strengthening properties Of iron for the consti-
/ tuition, principle Of health.
! External and internal ornamental finish by the
/ means of castings
! Economy. The slight effects Of time and wear
/ the slight repairs necessary, and the and small
/ expense with which additions may be made.
! The repetition Of lOrm.-lhrOugh the medium Of
/ castings, a single design may be multiplied thou
sand times, az the simple expense Of the iron, saw
] The peculiar adaptation OF iron 10 the formation
Of circulincar and graceful lines in contradstinc-
/ ton TO the rectangular and perpendicular. The
severe rules which govern the Gothic and Grecian
structures, in the laying Of stones be departed
/ from in every essential particular.
] In conncxion with this last mentioned advan-
tage, much might be said in regard 10 the adapta-
ton Of antique forms TO the wants Of our CONNER
! cial community; and whether shapes more in keep
| ing with the purposes intended would not be pre-
| fcrabc to the Grecian Temple or the other struc-
lures Of the ancients, however beautiful they may
| appear at Rome or Athens.
! The foregoing few Of the many advanta gee
which iron affords every other material in use
for the construction of our dwellings, factories,
warehouses churches The subject ought TO be
examined into and treated by men Of science; and
the public, in these days Of burning down and
building up, should give their careful attention TO
a material which carries with il the three great
scntias of house. building, viz, sdUing Of fnt Ia
Dor, aud o1pensc-N. Y. Mirror.
! Coat TRADE OF GREAr BRITAiN.-Thcrc arc up
wards Of 1900 coal mines in Great Britain, which
! employ nearly $50 900 men, women, and boys. IN
| foreground and above, termed hewers, puttcrs,
! trappers, ovcrlookers, bankmen, SC. The capital
invested in working stock, tramways, staiths and
harbors, altogether exceeds E3O,OO0 900 ia value;