PART IV. 

 MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY. 



The field of researches presented by Essex county, in these de- 

 partments, is so expanded and rich, that the labor of years would 

 be required for its competent examination. Neither the peculiar 

 duties of my survey, nor the opportunities atforded me, have al- 

 lowed more than a rapid and superficial investigation of thes« 

 highly important aspects. A strong and universal public senti- 

 ment of regret and disappointment pervades the county, that 

 the public nuinificence designed to explore and reveal these re- 

 sources, has been so sparingly extended to a region, richer, proba- 

 bly, in its mineralogy, and more interesting in its geological ar- 

 rangements than any section of the State, if not all the other 

 parts combined. Few and insignificant specimens have illustra- 

 ted, in the geological rooms, the vast and diversified elements of 

 its natural structure and resources. More imperative eng^go- 

 ments of those, to whom this duty has been confided, have doubt- 

 less produced results so adverse to the inteiestsof the county. 



The mineral wealth of Essex county is not limited to iron ore, 

 but comprehends numerous other minerals of great interest and 

 value. Iron, however, in immense deposits, constitutes its pre- 

 donjinant resource. In many sections of the county, it firms the 

 basis of the entire striictiue of the earth, and occurs not njerely 

 in veins, nor even masses, but in strata which rise into nioi.ntains. 

 The surface is often strewn with " holders '' of Iron ore, wtighii^ 

 from u few pounds to many tons, as ordinary rocks are scattered 

 in other districts. The AdirDndac district is ])re-eminent in this 

 county, and is probably surpassed in no region in tlie extent of 

 its deposits of iron, and the higher qualities and varied propertiea 



