The hydraulic press., 1860-05-12

PROSPECTING ATH HOME.

munication asserting the discovery of
quicksilver mine near Columbia Hill, in this
county, and subsequent reports apparently
confirmed the assertion. To investigate
matter of SO much consequence we visited
the site of the supposed cnnabar ledge,
which is on a spur from the Backbone Ridge,
about mile above Columbia Hill. Some
title last fallMr.%J. w. Forster found in ra-
Vine near his ranch at this point peculiar
kind of red, cIayey earth, or decormposed
slate, and was strusk by its resemblance to
the red clay which he had read the natives
at New Almaden procured from the out
groupings of the quicksilver mine there and
used for making a coarse paint. No test
was made of it, however, until last week,
when DR.. Lilly tested some in an iron retort
and obtained from ten ounces an ounce of
quicksilver A Spanish South American
miner tested some by roasting in an open
vessel and afterwards washing it, discover
ing what he called quicksilver. Two other
parties made similar tests, and obtained
globules of the metal, as we were most pos
itlvely assured. But for these unequivocal
statements, made by respectable parties, we
should not have thought the red earth con-
tanned any more mineral than common
brick. 1t was evidently believed to be Gin
nabar, and shaft had already been sunk
into the soft rock about Eve feet with the in
ntion ofrgoing down thirty or forty feet
more. Messrs. Forster, Lilly & Sanborne
had formed a company and posted notice
claiming 'l4oo feet running north and south
on the supposed lead; though we could see
no indications that the direction was rightly
given, or that the entire bed rock for acres
all around was not composed of the o-called
cinnabar. The adjoining ground was
claimed" for considerable distance by
other parties. We did not care to add our
name to the list of claimants, but contented
ourself with bagging several specimens,
intending if we obtained quicksilver there
from to use our influence with the Rothschiios
and secure 10y means of their capital an in
terest for ohrself ard them in the new mine
Two friends who accompanied us on this i'm
'poftaht Prospecting tour were to be sharers
of our good fortune, and as we dwelt upon
the certainty of it We began to grow human
and regret we had not gone forth alone
After securing cinnabaar specimens we
started in search of a rich quartz ledge just
discovered by Mr.. Thomas Ryan. Pieces Of
the rock were exhibited and presented to US
in which considerable gold was visible to
the naked eye. These pieces were evidently
taken from outcroppngs. The new lead is
Situated somewhere near Grizzly Canon, but
the worthy hibernians who were in posses
sion Of the secret would not divulge the ex-
act iccaiity; 50 50 Two Hours search through
the woods was labor wasted, except that It
gave US view Of the grand pine forests in
their spring glory, with vistas of far blue
mountains snow crowned and cloud kissing,
and near visions Of grassy glades and slopes
where the hand Of cultivation will hereafter
make beautiful homes for vigorous race.
The ride down the ridge was entirely through
grand ana lovely country. The summit of
the ridge is generally quite level, and its
slopes gentle enough for settlement and TIL
Iage, both being covered by deep rich soil
and magnificent oak, pine aud cedar timber.
Arrived at home, several careful assays of
the 'sore" were made without eliciting
globule of mercury 4 brand new retort
was employed in making two tests by roast
ing, but no subtle quicksilver answered to
the conjuration of fire and the coindensing
power cf water. Some of tie deceitf1l earth
we snbihitted to most delicate chemical tests,
such as treating its solutions, before and af-
ter roasting, with acids, iodine and copper;
but there was no more trace of silver dead
or alive than could be found in free lunch
er's pockets. Our Columbia Hill friends may
possibly be more fortunate than we were,
but it is our opinion they will never be able
70 compete with tie mines Of Santa Clara.
They have rich gold mines and millions of
wealth in their noble forests, but their sup
plies of quicksilver viii have to be obtained
abroad a little while longer. This second
failure ofquicksilver indications in Nevada
county has IN oral in it: fiji is so easy to
be deceived at home, at our very doors, how
slow we should be to credit the rumors of
rich discoveries that float to US from Utah,
Oregon and British Columbia; and how much
wiser would it be to seek thoroughly, where
we are before looking elsewhere for riches.
John Xantus, the naturalist, is engaged
in Mexico in collecting specimens for the
Smithsonian Institute, and writes to San
Francisco friend as follows concerning bis
labors:
Besides IA species of land birds, col
lected 60 species. Of water birds, amongst
them eleven kinds Of .herep. Ia all, have
at present nearly 1900 specimens Of bird
Skins, ABOUT 10000 mammals. 100000 in
sects, about 10000 fishes, 1000 reptiles, As
-. I.,1c &c, -.