404 KEPOET ON NATIONAL MUSEUM, 188ti. 



Ohio. — The limestones and dolomites of tbis State are almost alto- 

 gether of a dull, uninteresting color, and though in many cases durable 

 and strong are entirely uutit for any sort of iine building and orna- 

 mental work. They are therefore used chiefly for the rough work of 

 foundations, street paving, and flagging, and to a very large extent for 

 making quicklime. In many instances they have been useel locally 

 for building purposes, but their qualities are not such as to cause them 

 to be sought from a distance. 



At Point Marblehead, in the northern i)art of the State, dull, light- 

 colored compact dolomites of Carboniferous age have been quarried for 

 making lime and for building jnirposes for the past fifty years. Many 

 buildi»ugs in the vicinity have been constructed from it, and it has also 

 been largely used by the Government for light-houses aud other struct- 

 ures along the lake front. Of late years its use for building has very 

 considerably diminished. Near Sandusky, in Erie County, the same 

 formations have beeu extensivly worked, not less than 12 acres in 

 the vicinity having been quarried over to a depth of 8 feet. The 

 stone is of a dull, bluish-gray color, aud is used for building, flagging, 

 and making lime ; about one hundred and eighty houses in the city 

 have beeu constructed from it. Near Columbus, in Franklin County, 

 the Devonian limestones are extensively quarried, aud the i)roduct has 

 in a few instances been used for building })Ui'poses. By far the greater 

 l>art of the product is, however, used as a flux for lion and for nuiking 

 quicklime. A dolomite from the same formations is quarried for rough 

 building and lime burning at and near Marion, in INIarion County. 



In Allen, Miami, Clarke, Greene, Montgomery, Preble, and several 

 other counties the dolomites and limestones of Upper Silurian age are 

 extensively worked, but so far as the author can learn but a small part 

 of the quarry product is utilized for building. At Springfield the stone 

 is buff in color and somewhat porous, though it is said to be strong and 

 durable. 



Near Greenfield, Ross County, and Lexington, Highland County, 

 there are extensive quarries of a bituminous dolomite, Avhich is largely 

 used in Cincinnati for flagging, steps, and in the manufacture of lime. 

 Specimens received at the National Museum from the places show the 

 s'oiie to vary from dark grayish distinctly laminated to line, comi)act, 

 and homogeneous of a yellowish or buft' color. The bull" stone can be 

 cut to a sharp edge, and acquires a good surface, but takes only a dull 

 polish. So far as the author has observed this is one of the finest aj)- 

 pearing and best working stones in the State. 



The Montgomery County stone is a magnesian limestone, and it is 

 said to have obtained a good reputation. It is not now used as njuch 

 as formerly, however. The stone quarried in the other localities men- 

 tioned present so little diversity of character as to need no special 

 descrijition. 



