New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-07-08
LAKE SUPERIOR.
". Geology and Topography.


inc, IN the State Of Michigan. as rendered to the
House of Representatives. |; forms an interest
ing volume Of 224 pages, illustrated by numerous
charts. maps and views Of natural scenery
The field Of investigation marked out by the
parties engaged IN his work has been faithfully
observed. and the results embodied IN the Report
vii prove highly valuable. Not the Copper Ne
zion only. with the weld and prospects OF the
Mines. but the history climate and general iorm-
alton of the District have been carefully exam
med number Of facts are brought TO lght
which were before unknown, and comPrehen-
siye GLOSSARY of Mining and Metallurgic Terms
is added for convenient reference
A few items gathered at random IRON the Re
por,. nav not be without interest Tor the reader
In the Spring of Is47, DR.. Charles T. Jackson
was appointed 10 execute the Survey of the
Lake Superior Land District IN Michigan. but
after having spent two seasons IN the prosecution
of the work, he resigned, and It's completion was
con6ded 10 Messrs Foster and Whitney Messrs
;. ". Hi and Edward Desor have been EN-
Moved a. First Assistants. The phenomena OF
the d,ih and alluvial deposits of the region have
been ably investigated by Mr. Desor' the Fauna
were all confded 70 his charge, and the results
will he communicated hereafter. The investiga-
tions Of Nr. W. u. Whitney Botanlst, were
mainly directed 10 the Flora of the region. His
remarks OF the nature of the forest trees. their
geographical distribution and the economical
uses to which they may be applied, will be Moor
porated in subsequent Report.
A. - ,ro
miles.
The number Of Rivers is "a, of which the
largest Is the Menomonee. Their aggregate
length Is as miles. and the area drained Is
10. $50 square miles The course OF the Rivers
is chiefly northwest, the outlets of eighteen be.
ing IN Lake Superior The remainder fall INTO
Lake Michigan. Keweenaw Bay or Lake Huron.
or are tributaries of the larger rivers
The Mountains ofthe region consist oitwo gran
tie belts IN the northwest, the Huron Mountains to
the southwark, "a trap range starting from the head
of Keweenaw Point and running west and south
west into Wisconsin, the Porcupine Noun
talns. and the detrital rocks The Huron Noun
tains IN places attain an elevation OF l,2OO feet
above the Lake The highest elevation attained
by the Porcupine Mountains is ,3s0ieet.
Meteorological observations were instituted by
order Of the Government at three military posts
in the District, VIZ Forts wilkins, Brady and
Mackinac. From these observations II appears
that the mean annual temperature OF Fort Brady
is nearly two degrees lower than that of Fort
Wilkins, although the latter post Is nearly de-
gree further north This difference arises from
the insular position of Keweenaw Point, which
is surrounded on three sides 10y water The cil-
mate at Fort Brady during the whole season cor
responds IN a remarkable degree with that OF st.
Petersburg. The temperature of the region Is
very favorable to the growth of cereals. The an
nual ratio OF rair day. Far, Prady Is les: OF
cloudy days ~ rainy days Il; snowy days H.
The temperature of the water OF Lake Su-
peror during the Summer. fathom or two be-
low the surface is but few degrees above the
freezing point. In the western portion the wa
ter Is much colder than in the castern-the sur
face flow becoming warmer as 1t advances to-
ward the outlet The mirage which fire.
ouentlv occurs, Is occasloned 10y the difference
between the temperature OF the air and the Lake.
Great difficulties are experienced from this cause
IN making Astronomical observations
Auroras, even in midsummer are of frequent
occurrence, and exhibit a brllhancy rarely OBJ
served III lower ATTITUDES
With regard to the Copp0 Mines, the Report
brings together valuable mass of statistical lnfor
nation showing ,he range and extent OF the
mines now wrought in the Lake Superior Dis
trct and the products of other countries. The
mining interest of North America is believed to
be yet in It's infancy. As the country becomes
opened, and the means for exploration become
increased, new sources of mineral wealth will
undoubtedly be revealed For certain purposes
IN the arts, the Copper of Lake Superior stands
unrivaled, and according TO the present Report,
II surpasses all the ores of Copper IN density and
tenacity Its per centage of silver-too incon-
siderable in most cases to Justify separation, still
enhances It's value by protecting II IN consdera-
be degree from the corrosive action of saltwater
These qualities (>ays the Report when known,
VIII give It preference in market over Copper
reduced from the ores
The average value OF Copper imported INTO
the United States slightly exceeds sl,70s,0o0.-
Assuming the price of pig Copper to be Is cents
per pound, and sheathngS to be % cents, the an
nua consumption would be less than 5000 tuns.
The product OF the Lake Superior mines for the
year 1851 Will probably reach one-hali this SUN.
or $500 tuns.
According 10 the estimates OF VI. Leplay Sc
cretary OF the Commission OF Mining Statistics
IN France, the whole amount Of Copper produced
in the world Is equal TO 52,4OO tuns This, how
ever, does not include portions OF the Asiatlc
Continent, with regard 10 which We have no sta
tstioal knowledge, but of which the mineral
produce Is entirely consumed within It's own
borders. According TO the same authority, this
amount OF Copper Is consumed in the following
manner