State proved a valuable repository for metals, and the workings will doubtless be shortly abandoned. The ore is associated with quartz, (No. 44,) carbonate of lime in crystals and incrustrations upon other minerals, (No. 45) and a reddish brown calcareous spar, (No. 46) which presents curved and broken surfaces on cleavage. The white limestone which furnishes this ore, is overlaid at this locality with Potsdam sandstone, thus furnishing one instance in addition to the many I have observed in this vicinity, proving at least the relative age of the two formations, although it affords no criterion by which to decide the disputed question of their origin. As the relation of the rocks and the ore is somewhat interesting, I insert a figure to represent them. d. Iron ore deposited in strings and masses through the rock. e. Red and coarsely crystalline limestone. 47. SPECULAR IRON ORE, of a soft sectile texture, like red chalk, from the farm of James Morse, Governeur, St. Lawrence county. This place has also been recently wrought for iron ore, and several tons of a quality like this, and No. 48, (more silicious and gritty) have been procured. It is in and under Potsdam sandstone, and appears to exist abundantly. The sandstone of this vicinity is in many places highly colored with iron, which renders it harder and less liable to decay upon exposure. The surfaces of the rock appear every where studded with projecting masses of this ferruginous mixture. No. 49 represents one of these masses. In the immediate vicinity of this locality, and in the same field, is a deposite of SCALY IRON FROTH, (No. 50.) of an extremely unctuous character, and dark red color. It possesses but slight cohesive properties, and has been used with great advantage in diminishing the friction of wagon wheels and heavy machinery. It may be used successfully in sharpening razors, polishing cutlery, imparting a metallic coat for electrotype purposes, and for all other uses to which plumbago is applied, except where the color would be an objection. It occurs in white limestone and apparently in large quantities, associated with the following: 51, 52. SULPHATE OF BARYTES. Of a highly crystalline and cleavable variety. The color is snow white when not stained by the iron; in some cases it is nearly transparent, and in others it is filled with angular cavities from the high crystalline development which it exhibits. The edges of the plates which form the cavities do not often present crystalline planes, yet several have been observed which besides the more common forms represent the modifications represented in the following figures: (11, and 12.) The surface often presents a columnar appearance, as is represented in specimen, No. 53. Besides this mineral, there is found with the micaceous ore, a hard silicious mineral, of dark color, and conchoidal fracture, (No. 54,) a porous and stratified variety of the same, (No. 55,) and a white spongy mass (No. 56,) apparently the heavy spar partially decomposed by exposure to the weather. 57. DARK GREEN SERPENTINE. Associated with the rock in the vicinity of the above locality. The iron froth and the heavy spar of the locality above described, appear to occupy separate veins, which vary constantly in width, and change in character within short distances. Their relation is shown in the following section: |