barren portions of the vein by minute spots of black sulphide of silver, with arborescent black oxyde of manganese, which latter is beautifully developed on the milk white compact quartz at the northern extremity of the mine in the form of ferns, similar but more distinct to those found in the casing of some portions of the Comstock Lode. The lode dips to the east at an angle of about 48 deg., and has well defined walls of a hard schistose, like altered porphyry, the rock consisting of that formation, of a greenish gray color, and much harder than the bluish variety found in the Comstock. The result is, that although the mine has obtained a depth of three hundred and fifty feet, having been worked down from the croppings, no timbering has yet been required; and as the dip corresponds very closely with the slope of the mountain, the mine can be worked by means of short tunnels to a depth of over a thousand feet, thereby avoiding the very heavy expense of hoisting and pumping works. From the brilliant success which has attended the experiments of opening out the Occidental mine, it is to be hoped that other claims on this magnificent ledge, particularly the St. John and Monte Christo, will soon be put into vigorous operation, when we may expect this ledge will prove one of the richest and most enduring in the State, outside the Comstock.

W. T. RICKard.

NOTES ON THE OCCIDENTAL MINE.

BY GEO. HUNT, C. E., DECEMBER, 1866.

From the croppings to the depth of one hundred feet (vertical) the vein had been worked out for about one hundred and fifty feet, with the exception of a few pillars, which are now being worked out. The "pay streak " is from two to fifteen feet in width; average width, five feet.

The above mentioned workings are from the middle tunnel to the surface. From this tunnel an incline has been sunk a distance of one hundred and seventy-five feet, to connect with lower tunnel in three hundred and five feet. Estimated length of lower tunnel to connection with incline, three hundred and fifty feet. Incline shows good ore throughout entire length.

PROCEEDS OF MINES IN LANDER COUNTY.

QUARTERLY RETURNS.

Following are the returns of bullion from producing mines in Lander County for the quarter ending thirtieth of September, as compiled from the books of C. O. Barker, County Assessor. It will be observed that in several instances ore was brought here from districts in Nye County for reduction, and they are marked thus: Philadelphia*, Danvillet and Northumberland‡. The average yield per ton, as well as the production of the Savage mine, is lower than the preceding quarters, owing to the fact that they have been opening new levels in the direction of the deposits of richest ore, which they are now extracting, and which will augment the production and average value for the present quarter:

The Reveille gives the following statistics of the produce of the mines in Lander County for the quarter ending December 31, 1866, as shown by the books of the Assessor:

As

The above table, says the Reveille, embraces forty-seven mines, which have yielded more or less bullion during the quarter, and, with few exceptions, the ore reduced is of a good grade, sufficiently so to admit its being worked here remuneratively. It will be observed, that a number of mines which were included in the previous quarters of the year do not appear in the present list, as well as that several mines appear for the first time. According to the Assessor's returns, there are in Lander County-and mainly in the Reese River Districtfully seventy-five mines which have produced bullion during the past year. we have remarked, the ore worked is very generally of a high grade, as the average yield per ton will show. A considerable number of the mines em! braced in the quarterly lists were subjected only to testing operations, and the general results must be deemed very encouraging, and their excellent character argues well for the future of this district. In the case of the Savage Mine, the average yield of the ore is less than in several quarters preceding, but is still high, being $103.25 per ton. The yield of the Washington, Chase, Buel North Star, Great Eastern, Semanthe, Magnolia, Florida, Timoke, Idora, Metacom, Taylor & Passmore, etc., is grand, and as most of them are pretty well developed, they may be fairly classed henceforth among the producing and paying mines of the Reese River District.

REMARKS ON MILLING AND MINING OPERATIONS AT REESE RIVER.

In the Appendix may be found quite an interesting and elaborate, and, in my opinion, valuable article upon this subject, to which the attention of mining and mill men throughout the State is invited. It has been kindly furnished by Mr. C. A. Luckhart, mining engineer, by special request.

Mr. Luckhart has, at least, endeavored to direct us in the way in which our future prosperity evidently lies, viz: greater economy in our mining and milling operations, and improved processes for saving the precious metals.

THE SUTRO DRAIN TUNNEL.

The absolute necessity of providing drainage for the mines on the Comstock Lode, it is believed, will become more apparent with the development of each succeeding year. As this subject was somewhat extensively treated in my former report, it will now be dismissed with the remark that, as the great mining companies have now become convinced that they must do something to help themselves before others will assist them, and as several of them have already subscribed $100,000 each towards the project, and as others will probably do equally well, it is not improbable that the great project will be commenced before another year shall have been lost by delay.

THE VIRGINIA AND GOLD HILL WATER COMPANY. This company was formed by the consolidation of the Virginia and Gold Hill Water Works, on the twelfth of May, 1863, and incorporated under the laws of

the Territory of Nevada. Its capital stock is $1,000,000, in 10,000 shares of $100 each.

The following is a statement of the receipts and disbursements of these works from July, 1863, to February, 1866, inclusive:

About one-half was derived from mills and hoisting-works, the other half from Virginia and Gold Hill, for domestic use.

est.

The following table exhibiting the receipts and disbursements may be of interIt contains the proceeds for the latter half of February, 1866, which is included above. It shows that the mills and mines have paid over $79,000, and the citizens of Virginia and Gold Hill have paid over $54,000 during the year for water. Total, over $133,000; of which more than half, over $70,000, was profit.