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Mark R. Lamb, Torres, Sonora, Mexico (communication to the Secretary*): I have read Mr. Merrill's paper with much interest, and cannot but accept his challenge as regards the cost of the clean-up at the Homestake mill. If I understand him correctly, the two men take the precipitates from the presses in about six hours, and do nothing towards refining them. If that is so, it would correspond to the work four men do here in about eight hours—that is, to clean the box and to place the precipitates in the driers. In order to make a fair comparison, the bullion in each case should be stated in ounces, since it is as diflicult to precipitate silver as gold, and our bullion is mostly silver. Bullion to the value of $50,000 is equivalent to a weight of about 2,500 oz. At our last clean-up eight standard bars, each 1,100 oz. in weight, were made, which equals a total weight of 8,800 oz'. Four men had the precipitates drying by 8 p.m. This plant, the Minas Prietas works of Charles Butters & Co., at Minas Prietas, has square-bottomed electrolytic vats, an arrangement which necessitates the handling of all the precipitates in buckets. The Butters plant at Virginia City, Nev., is equipped with conical vats, and probably could make a still better showing under similar conditions. Another point is that common labor only is required. (Ordinary laborer's wages at Minas Prietas are $0.70 gold.) I may say also that, except for the convenience of the refinery, the box could be cleaned monthly, instead of bi-monthly, at only a slight additional expense. The comparison, if made a few months ago, would have been much more in favor of the electrolytic process, as the tailings handled at that time contained a large quantity of copper, and the amount of zinc-dust required would have been enormous.

Jan 1, 1904

AlfreD H. Cowles, Cleveland, Ohio (commuaication to the Secretary*):—Mr.Gillette's paper and his deductions seem to me of the very greatest importance, if the validity of his conclusions and figures can be confirmed. His work seems to solve an unfinished problem that I attempted to solve on the same lines about two years ago, at a time when I was preparing a paper' on another subject for the American Electrochemical Society. The following paragraph is quoted from the paper referred to: "I feel convinced that a further study of the heats of combination now known for so many compounds, which merely express in other terms their voltages of disruption, will show us the allowance that must be made as a departure from unity in the case of each element, for the intrinsic charge of its elementary molecule, and thereby render possible the creation of a table of apparent relative atomic capacities for electricity, similar to the table of atomic weights. With the numerals of this table known, thermal reaction or energy-transformations will be read with the same ease that we now read and trace the shifting of mass

Jan 1, 1904

H. 0. Hofman, Boston, Mass. (communication to the Secretary*) :—The experimental demonstration by Professor H. Ries, of the fact that a mixture of clay and finely-ground flux will melt more readily than one in which the flux is less fine and therefore less intimately mixed, is very striking, and will be appreciated especially by those who have to discuss, before classes of students, fusions on a small or a large scale. The statement, that I " rather disputed" the influence of size of flux-particles on the ease with which fire-clay mixtures fused, is an erroneous inference from the paper written by Mr. B. Stoughton and myself in 1898.' We did not undertake to study the influence upon fusibility of the sizes of the particles, either of clay or flux. What we did try to find out was, whether the common practice of finely grinding raw or burnt clay, or a mixture of the two, before testing with Seger cones for resistance to heat and to fluxes, xould give the same results as if the materials were tested just as they were going to be

Jan 1, 1904

H. W. Turner, San Francisco, Cal. (communication to the Secretary*): This excellent paper apparently represents the results of extensive observation and experience among the mines of the Mother-Lode, but I strongly question its relegation of the dioritic intrusions to the period of fissuring and ore-deposition. The dioritic rocks referred to are evidently those areas represented by Ransome in the Mother-Lode folio1 as meta-diorites, and, as he says, are merely basic facies of the great granodiorite batholite of the Sierra Nevada. If followed downward I venture to predict that these meta-diorite areas would be found to connect with the great batholite, and to be in fact mere apophyses of it. I see no reason for supposing that these apophyses were intruded into the Mother-Lode slates at a period later than the intrusion of the granodiorite in general. The period of fissuring was subsequent to this intrusion; the basic granodiorite or quartz-diorite areas of the foot-hill region are themselves fissured extensively; and the fissures were filled with quartz, apparently during the same general period of the formation of the Mother-Lode veins. Prichard and Ransome2 both refer to the deposition of quartz in the same lode at different periods resulting from a reopening of the fissures. Some time since, I saw in the stopes of the

Jan 1, 1904

Frank Firmstone, Easton, Pa. (communication to the Secretary*) : It may not be amiss to point out that the top-pressure in iron blast-furnaces is largely affected by variations in the temperature of the gas. I find in my note-books, cases in which the pressure was from 9.25 to 9.5 in. of water when the material in the furnace was low (after dinner-hour), which fell to from 8 to 8.5 in., when the furnace was again full, and the gas consequently cooled. The chief cause for this effect is, that, at the higher temperature, there is a decrease in the weight of the gas in the descending-leg of the siphon formed by the down-comer and the chimneys. It does not seem probable that there is any direct relation between top-pressure and quantity of flue-dirt. Top-pressure, at any given moment, measures the " head " necessary to discharge the gas then passing, against the resistances of pipes, valves, etc., in the gas-conduits between the top of the furnace and the mouths of the chimneys, and can be increased at will by closing, more or less, the valves, or dampers, at the stoves and the boilers. The question of relation between top-pressure and flue-dirt can be settled very easily by direct experiment, working alternately with gas-valves open, and partly closed, and noting the top-pressures and the respective quantities of fluedirt collected. The quantities of fine ore blown away, as shown by Mr. Grammer's tables, are astonishing to one who has had no actual experience with Mesabi ore and hard driving. Flue-dirt, in the sense in which he uses the term, was unknown at anthracite furnaces so long as the working was normal; when it did occur, it was always an incident of scaffolding and bad work, and was no doubt caused by an increase in the velocity

Jan 1, 1904

Edwin A. SpeRry, Denver, Colo. (communication to the Secretary*) :—Since writing my former paper on this subject I have had several discussions concerning some of the statements contained therein, with men who have had a large experience with the old form of buddle, both in this country and in Cornwall. The present paper gives a brief statement of some of the points debated, together with the arguments and proofs in their substantiation. The first point is the question of the capacity. In my origi-

Jan 1, 1904

Charles Catlett, Staunton, Virginia (communication to the Secretary*): I have had occasion to examine a few of the irondeposits in the immediate section of which Mr. Watson speaks, but have not had an opportunity to visit any of the well-known manganese-deposits. I find the former can be very safely read in light of the information which it is possible to get from the same measnres farther. north, where they are less completely decomposed. In the same way all of his conclusions in regard to the geology of the manganese-deposits bear out their occurrence in Virginia, when we allow for the far more complete decomposition in the section he has so carefully studied. Judging from the same measures farther north, I think he will be safe in agreeing even further with Penrose as to the origin of these ores. Some years ago I carried on prospecting work in these measures in Virginia, in which the iron-ore and manganese-ore were followed down to undecomposed material, and in which their occurrence along a definite line of stratification, and apparently a part of the original bedding, was plainly shown. This is unusual, however, even in the section of which I speak. At Crimora, Virginia, the decomposition is quite complete; at the same time the results of some hydraulic work, which has been done there, disclosed, at the time of my last visit, the manganese interbedded in the residual clay along a definite and distinct plane parallel to the bedding of the underlying quartzite, and which, as is shown at other points, corresponds with the plane of the original material. In view of the phosphorus reported by Mr. Watson as existing in the Cartersville ores, and the not uncommonly prohibitive amount in southern ores, I am interested to know whether

Jan 1, 1904

Allan Gibb, Mount Perry, Queensland, Australia (communication to the Secretary):—In drawing conclusions from his observations, Mr. Van Liew has apparently overlooked the reduction in weight that takes place in the content of the converter. The percentage-compositions of the matte, etc., are not directly comparable for determining the rate of elimination of the impurities; and, in the absence of exact weights (which in such an operation could not be obtained), it is necessary to determine the relation between the impurities and the copper with which they are combined at various stages, in order to get data that are comparable. Owing to a portion of the copper being removed in the slag, etc., the weight of copper in the converter is not a fixed quantity, but.it is sufficiently approximate to permit very reasonable comparison. The analytical data given by Mr. Van Liew, reduced to this basis (a ratio between the impurities and the copper with which they are combined), are shown in the table on page 958. From this table it will be evident that Mr. Van Liea's conclusions as to the source of heat at digerent stages are not quite correct. During the first 10 minutes, no iron is scorified, the heat being derived from the oxidation of the sulphur, of which 7 per cent. of the total is removed in this time. Prom

Jan 1, 1904

William Metcalf, Pittsburg, Pa. (communication to the Secretary*): I am greatly pleased that some one has at last reached what I have long regarded as the only rational explanation yet given of the reasons why steel hardens. Mr. Field claims originality; and doubtless he is entitled to it, but not to priority, mhich must be granted to Prof. John W. Langley.' The difference between them is that Langley says " Tension, probably molecular," and Field says " Tension, probably atomic "; in either case the vital thing after solution is tension. Mr. Field's argument carries with it the idea of increase of density with hardness; if he mill study the facts farther he will observe that the case is just the reverse; that is, the greater the hardness the less the specific gravity; it was just this fact that led Langley to his conclusion, in mhich I have always concurred. Field agrees with Langley that the first requisite for perfect hardening is complete solution of the carbon, not combination; and all of the facts agree with this conclusion. The fact that increase of hardness causes reduction of density was first brought to my notice some 40 years ago, when Major William Wade was testing Jones & Laughlin's cold-rolled iron, and I mas his assistant. We found the well-known increase of tenacity, compressive strength, torsional resistance, and hardness. Specific-gravity tests showed that the cold-rolled iron was less dense than the hot-rolled bars. Major Wade was so surprised at this result that he gave me a lot of samples to weigh, saying that he was not satisfied with

Jan 1, 1904

Lawrence Addicks, Perth Amboy, N. J. (communication to the Secretary*): The excellent series of photo-micrographs given in this paper shows clearly the relation between micro-structure and cuprous oxide in refined copper. The authors suggest that this method of examillation might be substituted for the " button " method now used to control the refining of cop

Jan 1, 1904

W. L. SaundeRs, New York City (communication to the Secretary*):—Notwithstanding the sweeping statements made by Mr. Clarke in this paper, the friends of compressed air are not dismayed. There is no war between electricity and compressed air. Each one has its field of usefulness, and in that field each is supreme. In spite of commercial interests, in spite of prejudices and the enthusiasm of the inventor, the thing that is best will survive and flourish. At least ten years ago, our engineering papers contained large advertisements and pages of reading-matter about the application of electricity to mines, recording the introduction of numerous rock-drilling plants, and claiming that the problem had been solved, greatly to the advantage of the miner and with promise of large profits to the manufacturers of electrical apparatus. Edison and Thomson labored to apply electricity to mines, and each believed that the probabilities of success were great. This was the period of the solelloid rock-drill, which mas admirably suited, theoretically, to the percussive principle and in the development of which hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent without satisfactory result. I have searched in vain for a standard mining equipment where electric rock-drills are in constant, commercial operation. During a recent trip made from New York to California, I visited most of the important mines of the West and failed to discover a single electric equipment, so far as this class of mining-work is concerned. If any one will inform me where there exists today an electric-drilling equipment in constant service in mines in the United States, I shall be glad to receive the information. Mr. Clarke has been for some years an active and intelligent writer on the subject of electricity for mining. Whenever his

Jan 1, 1904

By Waldemar Lindgren

I. Introduction............790 II. Geological Feature*:........793 The Gold-Bearing Fissure- Veins........793 Contact Melamorphic Deposits.........798 Classification According to Age........ 799 Introduction...........799 Pre-Cambrian Deposits.........800 Cretaceous Veins of the Pacific Coast...... 801 Late Cretaceous or Early Tertiary Deposits (Central Belt).. 802 Tertiary Deposits..........804 Conclusions,...........808 III. Detailed Descriptions:.........811 United Stater...811 Alaska.. ..812 Arizona,..814 California ..816 Colorado .. ..818 Idaho...823 Montana...825 Nevada...829 New Mexico,..........831 Oregon...833 South Dakota..834 Utah...836 Washington.. 837 Wyoming..838 Appalachian States..........839 British North America..........840 Mexico ....843 I. Introduction. The precious metals. gold and silver. are the basis of the monetary systems of the world. It is. therefore. natural arid inevitable that widespread interest should be manifested in their

Jan 1, 1903

Jan 1, 1903

By James P. Roe

Steel has occupied such a prominent position in most minds during the last thirty years, particularly since the introduction of the basic open-hearth process (by which the field from which the raw material could be obtained has been so widened), that little attention has been made to improvements in puddling iron. In fact, the general tendency seems to have been to accept the prediction that puddled iron is doomed. Events have in a measure justified such a forecast, due in large part to the introduction of mechanical appliances and operations with large units in the manufacture of steel, from which much lower costs have resulted. But this general tendency has met checks in certain directions. This is notably the case where the finished product is a welded one, or is subject to oxidation, to shock or to vibration; and, as far as the writer's observation goes, the bond (which is largely a mechanical one) is not as close and lasting between steel and tin or zinc as between iron and the same materials. The field still open for puddled iron is, therefore, a large one, provided the low costs of steel-manufacture can be approached. The process of puddling is one of the most interesting in the metallurgy of iron, as the reactions and the changes effected are apparent. The subject has had the strongest fascination to the writer from boyhood, and has led, not unnaturally, to a close study, which long ago resulted in the conviction that it could be successfully carried out with large units and by mechanical means. That others have also drawn these conclusions is shown by many undertakings, though there have been few such attempts during the last twenty-five or thirty years. Puddling cousists, essentially, in the removal of most of the carbon and silicon, and part of the phosphorus and sulphur

Jan 1, 1903

By H. D. Hoskold

As the theory and the practice of valuing mines have never been discussed in the Transactions, a paper on the subject may be acceptable, even though not exhaustive. The method here indicated is set forth, not as a model of perfection to be followed absolutely, to the exclusion of any other system based on sound scientific, commercial and equitable principles, but merely as an aid to mining engineers and financiers in estimating the value of mining-property. This paper is intended merely to point out certain financial features of the question, and not at all to go into the theories of the formation of mineral veins, extremely valuable as it must, of course, be to understand the laws of the earth's formation and of its various changes, which are the basis of such important sciences as geology and mineralogy, and highly useful as guides in determining the probable existence and extension of mineral deposits. Financial Elements of Mine- Valuation. The practice of basing the stock-exchange price of mining shares upon reports, periodically received from the mine-captain or manager, stating that in his opinion the mine is " improving " in this or that level, and is worth so much " per fathom," is, of course, absurd. Everybody experienced in metalliferous mining is aware that a mineral vein varies in thickness and also in percentage of metal in different parts of the same mine. According to the practice just indicated, a mine must have had as many values a per fathom " as there have been given reports upon it at intervals during the year,

Jan 1, 1903

Jan 1, 1903

Jan 1, 1903

By J. E. Spurr

Jan 1, 1903

By C. M. Schwerin

It is often necessary to calculate the size of a hoisting-plant required to raise a given quantity of material, either as a preliminary to the detail design of the machinery, or to decide whether machinery on hand or offered by a manufacturer is adapted to the work to be done. The first element of the problem to be determined is the load to be raised. In a mine that is already developed, this is limited by the size of car that can be hoisted out of the mine and that will pass through the underground gangways. If these place no limits on the design, the size of the load will depend on the output desired per day, and on the number of hoists that call be made per day. The latter are fixed by the time required per hoist and the number of hours available for hoisting, after deducting from the working-day the time required for raising and lowering men, sending down supplies, and for the many small delays in handling cars. It must also be decided whether the hoisting is to be done in one shift or in all of them.

Jan 1, 1903

By R. W. Raymond

CLARENCE King born January 6,1842, at Newport, R. I. His ancestors on both sides mere New Englanders, of English blood, and among them not a few distinguished themselves in art, science, politics or commerce. His grandfather, Samuel Vernon King (partner in 1803 in the house of Talbot, O1yphant & King, later known as King $ Co.), was a pioneer in the China trade, and four of his sons succeeded him in the business. Three of the four died in the far East; and one of

Jan 1, 1903