306 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



wharf — wlience it becomes a matter of doubt whether the gypsum 

 was derived from the ledges or was imported. On the New Bruns- 

 wick side of the St. Croix, proceeding in a north-westerly direction, 

 we saw syenite for the distance of two and a half miles beyond the 

 St. Stephens bridge. Then mica schist succeeds. This we followed 

 for six miles, where are large veins of auriferous quartz and plum- 

 baginous strata on Mr. Bolton's land. 



Very near a water station of Lewey's Island Railroad, in New 

 Brunswick, the mica schist commences. At Sprague's falls the 

 schists dip 45° S. 30° E. Nearly a mile beyond on the railroad, 

 the dip is from 40° to 70° S. 65° E. A number of rods further the 

 dip is from 20° to 80° S. E. This ledge is full of small contorted 

 veins of auriferous quartz. Several small pieces of gold were 

 found in this vicinity during our visits. Some of the strata con- 

 tain pyrites, which has decomposed very much, so as to impart a 

 reddish tint to the ledge. About five miles from the Princeton 

 line, estimating on the railroad track, ledges of a calciferous clay 

 slate occur. They are common all the way to the line, dipping 

 60° N. W. A single lodge near the line has a talcose aspect. 

 Near the village of Princeton, this clay slate dips 60° N. W. Its 

 decomposition must make fertile soil, as the limestone is very 

 abundant, almost as much so as the slate itself. This formation is 

 not very extensive. We suppose it runs into New Brunswick, 

 and also some distance south-west from Princeton village. It 

 does not extend north of the Kennebasis river. 



Near the Princeton line the railroad crosses a horseback, at least 

 five miles long, and running south-westerly. It slopes considerably 

 towards the river as it disappears in the woods, more rapidly than 

 any other horseback we have seen. A mile nearer Princeton another 

 horseback appears, of inferior proportions and somewhat imper- 

 fect. Through the generosity of the Superintendent we were 

 enabled to make these observations along the line of the railroad 

 both by a special engine and the use of the regular trains. 



Between Sprague's falls and the mouth of the Kennebasis we 

 did not travel on the river, but did so on the whole of the Cheped- 

 neck. Near the head of the St. Croix are large falls, called the 

 Grand falls. There is an alluvial island with very good soil at the 

 union of the three rivers, and upon it is located the dirtiest house 

 that we have ever seen, both without and within. A short distance 

 above this island are the Frying Pan rips, where the strata of mica 



