71

elevation above the lower masses and perhaps 400 to 500 feet above the ©
creek bed. Probably less than 30 per cent of their aggregate mass would
be clay, although there are parts which contain more clay. An accurate
estimate of this character is most difficult to make, however.

Sample 6 is from an outcrop that lies one mile down the canyon on the
west bank of the creek near the southeast corner of lot 8654 (Figure 12,
locality 10). The outcrop which is of the same character as No. 5 is 80 by
120 by 40 feet in extent and is overlain by a red ochre clay that stains the
white clay. . |
Sample 5. Semi-refractory. Grey-white, residual clay; only 40 per
cent washes through a 150-mesh screen. Washed product has no plasticity,
burns to a buff vitrified body at cone 7 (1290 degrees C.), softens and
deforms at cone 15 (1430 degrees C.). Needs addition of 20 to 30 per cent
of a clay like sample 7.

Sample 6. Semi-refractory. Crude clay, low plasticity, difficult to
mould, buens to a hard, grey body at cone 7 (1290 degrees C.) and fuses at
cone 18 (1490 degrees C.). Portion washed and 70 per cent of the washing
passed through a 200-mesh sieve. The washed material had low plasticity -
and was difficult to mould. Burnt to a porous, white body at cone 7.
Clay white enough for paper filler, but lacks cohesiveness. It needs
addition of plastic clay as in the case of sample 5.

The deposits from which sample 5 was taken lie on the steep slope of
the canyon in a position not easily accessible and where they would be
difficult to work. A road could, however, be built without much difficulty
to the flat on which the lower outcrop (sample 6) lies. This would be
about 2% miles from steamboat transportation. A few other outcrops
on the south side of the canyon may yield workable clay.

North of Quesnel.

Eight miles above Quesnel, on top of a series of steep bluffs from 400 to
600 feet high, are outcrops of beds of clay and infusorial earth (Figure 12,
locality 3) that have been subjected to sliding, and lie in detached masses.
Outcrops are not plentiful except near the cliff edges, and the beds have not
been traced to their original location. They belong to the Frasec River
formation of Tertiary age and their horizontal extent is in all probability
quite limited.

Sample 7 was taken from a bed 20 feet thick and 50 feet long (Figure
12, locality 3). Undoubtedly more clay of the same quality is present,
and another 20-foot bed overlain by 20 feet of infusoril earth occurs
nearby. The location of the original bed should be sought for back from
the cliff faces to the west.

Sample 7. Stoneware clay. A erey-white, bedded clay. Plasticity and
working qualities good. Dries well and has low air and fire shrinkage.
Burns to a white, porous, strong body at temperatures up to cone 7 (1290
degrees C.) and a strong dense body at cone 7. It softens and deforms at
cone 17 (1470 degrees C.). This is a clay suitable for stoneware manufac-
ture, the first recorded from British Columbia. Mixed with the clays
from Baker canyon, it could be used to advantage in making semi-refractory
clay products.

There is an overburden of soil 2 feet thick on the outcrop. In other
places there is from 5 to 7 feet of soil and large trees.