Gil Gypsum, 315 



cal Journal, Vol. I. that gypsum is found upon one of 

 the head waters of the Staunton about 25 miles from 

 F'mcastle, in Virginia: on the 9 mile creek, or outlet of 

 the Owasco lake. Also at the falls of the Genesee river; 

 and at the falls of Niagara on the Canada side. 



According to Dr. Mitchell^ it is found at St. Mary^s 

 between the Patuxent and Potomac in Maryland and 

 in the town of Marcellus, in New York. Fibrous gyp- 

 sum is found in great quantities near Lexington in Ken- 

 tucky. Whether this substance has, in any successful 

 experiments, been applied in agriculture, or to what 

 extent, I am not informed. 



I am. Sir, 



your obedient servant, 



Richard Peters, 



' April I2t!i, 1808. 



Dr. James Mease, 



Secretary Agric. Soc. Philad. 



I have received fine specimens of it from the outlet of the 

 Oxvasco lake, in the state of Nexv York. No doubt large 

 quantities of this substance, will be found anaong the lime 

 stone of our country, particularly, perhaps, in the counties of 

 Lancaster and Dauphin in Pennsylvania, And in the great 

 valley of Berkley in Virginia^ where, along with the common 

 carbonates of lime, we discover immense quantities of cubic ' 

 Pyrites^ and Pyrites in other shapes." 



If these actual discoveries, or the conjectures realised, should 

 be productive of xht gypsum proper for agriculture ; the coun- 

 tries distant from the sea board will receive a most valuable 

 accommodation. For us, we must still depend on the present 

 sources of supply. 



