376 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



lost for several years, and some who had sought for it were unable 

 to find it, until last autumn, when from directions given them, 

 Messrs. Bastoii and Chase of Kockabcma, succeeded in again dis- 

 covering it, a description of which he gave in a letter to me pub- 

 lished in your report (page 320). I look upon this ledge as a 

 very valuable oue. Specimens from it were put into the hands of 

 a marble worker, who found that it received a good polish — worked 

 free and made good corners, and was compact and even or uniform 

 of structure. Its proximity to the Aroostook road, and the ease 

 with which it can be quarried, render it a feasible and valuable 

 source from which to obtain marble or lime, to meet the wants of 

 a growing community. 



The next indication of this formation occurs in a line of the 

 course hitherto pursued from No. 4, on or near the northern line 

 of No. 8, R. 5. Boulders of Helderberg rock are found here, but 

 the true spot of their original site has not yet been ascertained, 

 and future exploration will be needed in that place to make it cer- 

 tain. Here ended my hurried, and of course imperfect search for 

 this species of rock formations in this part of the State. They are 

 deserving a longer and more careful scrutiny, which shall develop 

 more fully both their geological and economical characteristics. I 

 consider these formations, or beds, to be exceedingly interesting, 

 not only on account of the intrinsic value of such rocks, in and of 

 themselves, as afibrding a source from which to obtain marble for 

 monumental or ornamental purposes, or excellent lime for cements 

 or agricultural applications, but also for the geological teachings 

 and testimonials they give of the period far back in the ages, when 

 this portion of Maine was submerged 'neath the ocean, and crinoid 

 and coral, and sea-fern, and mollusk, flourished on its shores and in 

 its deep soundings, as they now do in the tropical seas of the south. 

 Interesting too, for the story they tell of the singular changes that 

 have taken place in the condition of the materials which compose 

 them — of the hardening into stone of the soft ooze, while full of 

 animal and vegetable life, embracing, and still exhibiting their 

 organic remains as clearly and distinctly as when they flourished 

 in it in the vigor of actual life — for the unmistaken evidences they 

 give of the mighty upheaving of this ancient bed of the sea, and 

 its disruption into mountain masses in obedience to the laws and 

 commands of Ilim 



" Who thundered and the ocean fled." 



Very respectfully and truly yours, 



E. HOLMES. 



