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150 THOMPSON'S COAST PILOT. the white fish, pickerel, trout, siscowit and large herring. Capital to the amount of $200,000 is invested, and the number of barrels packed annually varies from 60,000 to 90,000. It is conceded that in mineral wealth, Michigan stands pre-em- inent, and though comparatively but just being developed, her mines are already renowned throughout our own country and Europe. The first copper mine was opened in 1845. At the present time the yearly product of the mines is worth $3,000,000. The Lake Super- ior iron has been proved by actual test to be the best in the world. In 1860 the product of the mines was 138,800 tons. The ore is _ remarkably rich, yielding about 70 per cent. of iron. 'There are mountains in the Northern Peninsula, embracing tracts of hundreds of acres, rising toa height of from four to six hundred. feet, which there is every reason to believe, from the explorations made, are solid iron ore. The extent of the contents of these mountains is in fact so enormous as to baffle computation. These facts exhibit the untold wealth of the State in iron alone, and point with certainty to an extent of business that will add millions tc our invested capital in the establishment of iron manufactories, and furnish employment -- to thousands of our citizens. The amount of capital invested in the copper and iron mines, is $4,868,000. There exists no longer any doubt of the existence of a valuable field of coal i in central Michigan. It covers an area of nearly seven thousand square miles, and is crossed by two of the principal rail- ways. 'The two principal mines are located near Jackson and Cor- unna, and preparations are being made to mine at other points. The coal is of good quality, and is coming into general use. 7 Indications of coal oil are numerous, and attracting much at- tention. Parties are engaged in investigating, and there is a reason- able probability that within a few years the houses of our own citi- zens, aS well as those of other States, will be warmed and lighted. with materials found within our own State, : In the manufacture of salt, she bids fair to outstrip the " Em- pire State."" The saline basin is 100 miles in diameter, with a qual- ity of brine which is from 10 to 36 per cent. stronger than that of any well in New York, and it can be barreled much cheaper than at any other salt works in the country. Although the manufacturing