The weekly Butte record., 1862-03-15
NO. 10
On the Origin O Qnartz Veins.


enabled to study the subject better; where in
a softer stratum disorder presented itself, in
this hard rock the eTuptjve origin Of the quartz
was plainly diScernible The strata consisted
Of alternate layers Of sandstone and slate, or
chistone rocks inclining At an angle Of 25o.
Counting the various layers of strata as the
course Of the issure made in the coavalsion OF
nature tcausoi by the contracting Of the eavths
crust On the irneous liquid mass, within which,
exerting a force equal on all sides bursts the
weaker part, which it shows generally to be in
+ the secondary rocksl gases and fumes Of min
erals would be the first discharged from the
plutouic gas fires in part depoSiting themselves
as condensed out on the walls Of the opening
so made this takes place with great rapidity.
/ the liquid molten mass of quartz following af-
ter, the heat of which causes nearly all mineral
substances TO fly lightly away, but in nearing
the surface, the powerful force exe7ted has
nearly found its balance and the column of
quartz moves slowly, and some mineral sub
stances, which have been condensed from the
fumes of minerals arising from beneath and
deposited on the walls Of the fssure now take
at q less temperature their metallic form, inter
mixing with the auriferous quartz as lead or
other minerals, such as used in huxeS to gather
gold in the furnace. So do the minerals left
by fumes again take their metallic form, in the
quartz dyke, gathering the gold disseminated
throughout the mass into small particles or
nuggets, again diverting their glittering COM
panion to visit the atmosphere, according TO
the temperature. as it may be, consequently
other minerals and stains are seen where mug
getty gold is found. And the uuderwall would
naturally as the quartz becomes solid while in
motion, be cut and groovod, particularly that
part corresponding 10 the mass in the column
above, and therefore by clearing away the
OVERLAPPING quartz will be seen a flute ike ap-
pearance groovod on the hard edge of the rock,
once rough and now smooth, and of futed
/ form, as seen at Stigetz; while the back or
oyerhauging wall, especially near to the sur
face, is upheaved and disordered, and the edge
of the stratum running across is carried up
ward. plainly indicating force and showing
the direction from which it came The shoots
of mineral, or small leaders or veins, in the
quartz rich for gold, also incline in the same
direction as the auted appearance before named
does, but are entirely different from other min
eral formations, presenting the appearance of a
half molten mass, once gathered together, and
then stretched out a few feet or q short dis
tance, as it may be. And again, gold is often
found abundant in small particles on the under
WALL as if the gold usually disseminated
I throughout the mass had been gathered by
some influence or fux and deposited on The ur-
derwall Of the quartz dyke the various effects
produced are caused by variation in tempera-
ture.
At Stgletz the column of quartz seems to
have cooled while in motion towards the sur
face. with little or no outcrop whereas at
Balarat the overflow was generally excessive,
and possibly in some cases in liquid state
this, together with softer rock would prevent
any defined action being seen. But what is
wanting in one as proof origin is abundantly
shown in the other. The pure quartz drift of
Baarat, varying from one foot to fathoms in
thickness; what are they but the mark Of
convulsions, filling the beds of rivers? And
again, the layers, one Of which have seen to
be greatly impregnated with mineral sub
stances, iron pyrites partly calsned, etc, and
basaltc lava flowing over all.
l have given proofs, as seen of the origin of
quartz dykes and have endeayored to account
for their apparent richness at or near the sur
face. As nearly all gold mines are started by
rough gold being found at or near the surface,
and as Adventures are tempted TO a trial of
the ground by rich specimens, while sample
of quartz equally rich, if quantity be tested,
without lis snowy qualities, would want its
attraction seeing is believing. 4 good spec
linen Of gold, as other minerals, is a great
attraction, and is often worked, where more
productive vein lies totally neglected, and rice
Versa. The apparent richness in depth may
vanish away, and that which was only hidden
from our view may present, on further explo-
ration, the allabsorbug spaDgled appearances.
i
at the greatest depth for such must be the
case if quartz is to be considered the mother
of gold. Another proof Of which is given in
the late practical report Of the Port Philip
Gold Mining Company, where it is shown tha.
there is no diminution of product 10 depth, the
gold being disseminated throughout the mass,
therefore to theoretical observer quartz seems
/ less productive as the specimens or nuggets
become more scarce London Mining Jour.
/ 4 YOUNG man in country town, who had
recently commenced in business, was green
enough to be sold by an advertiser who profess
cd to give information " How to succeed ii
business To obtain the secret he remitted
half crou,r's worth Of n0stare stamps, and