The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-06-09
Geology Of California.

ia, or Call1ornla range, which contains
much that is of interest to both scientific
and practical men. Professor Trask states,
in this document, in his account of the ge-
ology of the primary or central district of
the State, included between latitude 80
deg. 80 min. and 40 deg. north, that the
serpentine rocks, when found in the form
of states, particularly, are entitled to more
consideration than has been bestowed up
on them by the mining community, as
repositories of the precious metals. He
adds;
1t is to this class of rocks, that we
are in great measure, indebted for those
valuable deposits of gold which the slate
contains, as well, also, as the auriferous
quartz veins with which they are so fire.
quently combined. 1t was on these rocks
that one of the greatest geologists Mr..
Dana of the age based his opinion on the
probable value of this State as an aurif-
erous district, long before the discovery
of gold, and subsequent time has demon
strated how correct and just where his o.
pinions and yet public opinion, even at
this time, has eglected to take cognizance
of this class of rocks, so far only as acci-
dental circumstances have thrown them
in their way. think that no hazard
would be incurred by expressing the opin-
ion that this class of rocks will be found,
inmany cases, the proli6csources of wealth
in the future, equalled only by the aurif-
erous quartz, and excelled by none. This
class of rocks, or those known by the
name of chlorite, which is but variety
Of this group, is represented in Maripsa
county, at the locality known as Bear Val
ley; and sufficient illustration of its value
will be found in the excitement that pre-
vailed on its discovery. Moccasin creek,
four miles south of Stevenson'S Bar, Tuo-
lumne county, and river, is also another
point at which they may be studied with
advantage.
"TheSe are but two of many instances
in which the auriferous deposits have been
developed in this class of rocks; and when
found, it is as much an integral of the for
nation containing it, as the thread of gold
that permeates the vein of quartz.
"In addition to its containing gold as
an integral part, when unassociated with
the veins of quartz, it frequently becomes
the retaining mepium of this metal when
in contact with those veins. Henc has a
risen much loss to parties who have en-
gagged in that latter branch of industrial
employment, from the neglect of attention
to this important point"
The rock known as Buhr mill stone a.
bounds on the Pitt river, and also north
Of Goose lake. Primary limestone covers
much space between the American and
Merced river. Recent sandstone is found
between the Merced and Tuolumne
rivers. AS regards the auriferous quartz,
Professor Trask suggests:
"That the value of these veins will be
found in the relative age which they main
tain to the rocks with which they are found
in connection, being modified as their pas
sage is found to be through igneous or
sedimentary rocks"
Platinum appears as widely distributed
as gold, there being scarcely section of
California in which gold has been discov-
cred that this metal is not also found. It'll
occurs on Salmon river; on the South Fork
of the Trinity, about eight miles from its
mouth; on Butte creek, near Reeves Bar;
on Horcutcreek; and Canon creek of Butte
county; in the Middle Fork of American
river; on Calveras river; on Woods creek
and at Gold Plat. Silver has been found
in the Southern district in several of the
rivers that have been opened. There is
vein of it at Carson Hill, and it is also
found in the old Dominion north of this :;
in the Relief mine south of it; in the New
York mine at Eagle Hill; at the Chilean
mine, two miles north of Columbia, and
at Frazer's mine, twelve miles east of So
nora. AT all these localities, except Car
son Hill, it is generally disseminated
through the quartz. Copper is found on
the North Fork of the Trinity river; on
the Middle and South Forks of Feather
river between Nevada and Grass VALLEY.
and IN many parts of the southern mines;
Chromium is found in abundance upon
Nelson creek, near its junction with Feath-
er river; on the ridge between the North
and Middle Forks of American river: on
Bear river, four miles above Anson's Fer
~; in the Cayota Diggings, near Neva-
Ia, and on Deer Creek, two miles below
Nevada. The report gives list of local
ties in which cinnabar, rock salt, obsidi-
IN, iron, magnetic iron, emerald, magan-
'se, jasper, arsenic, Franklinite, argen-
iferous galena, white, clouded, yariegated
Ind jet marble, and variety Of other
'aluable minerals are found Mineral !
prlngs are widely scattered through the
country, being mostly cbalybeate and sui :
'hur. The sulphur spring at Jackson, =
n Calaveras county, is the most important \
# all, and, as its waters are powerfully .
medicinal, it will probably become place )
# resort for invalids. Professor Trask =
.lso visited number of caverns, some =
icing of considerable extent in calcare- ="
us formations.
PETRIFIED MAN.-The Morris (nl,)l
DOL l. III