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works, which may be remedied by private enterprise, but also by the uncertainty of land lines and other things which can and should be changed by legislation. Until the locations of land lines are definitely settled, and the prospector has some assurance that after his work in developing a mine he will be secured in its possession at a reasonable cost, and not be called upon for a heavy royalty, or even have to give up his work entirely, little will be done. The State has millions of acres of University and other lands in Trans-Pecos Texas. By a generous policy toward prospectors and settlers (for much of it will ultimately be made agricultural land if proper assistance is granted), this land can be made to bring its proper revenue from taxation instead of lying untaxed as at present.

TIN.

The occurrence of tin was reported, doubtfully, in the Central Mineral District last year, and it was also found in connection with lead ores in Trans-Pecos Texas. In November, during the examination of specimens collected by members of his party, Dr. Cornstock found some excellent pieces of Cassiterite, or Oxide of Tin, and made a special trip to decide the reality and manner of its occurrence. This resulted in the discovery that it occurred not only as Cassiterite, but in small quantities in connection with other minerals in the rocks of a certain portion of the Burnetan System extending from the western part of Burnet to the eastern part of Mason County, a distance of fifty miles, and having a width of eight to ten miles. In this belt the-tin ore has been found at four or five localities. It occurs in a quartz of somewhat banded appearance, and when pure may often be recognized by its weight, being of greater specific gravity than the iron ores.

Near the divide between Herman Creek and tributaries of the San Saba River, in Mason County, are the remains of two old furnaces, and considerable slag which carries tin in little globules scattered through it.

While it is impossible to speak positively of the probable quantity of ore, the indications are favorable for its existence in amounts sufficient to be of economic value.

In Trans-Pecos Texas tin was found by Prof. Streeruwitz in connection with some of the ores of the Quitman Range.

MERCURY.

Like tin, this metal has been reported from several localities, but up to the present we have not succeeded in verifying any of the reports or of finding any traces of it