cd 
a e- : 
Liad Mines, §e. of Hampshire County, Mass. 26 
Fig. 7. This figure is al- 
so a representation of granite 
veins in granite. Todeed they. 
show themselves in all possible 
forms. 
Remarks upon galena veins: 
As we recede from the Connecticut valley, on either hand, 
the primitive rocks emerge from the secondary formation, un- 
til they gradually rise into mountains. As we approach the 
e see the granite composing the mountains themselves, with 
ihe other rocks leaning against it. Sometimes t er pri- 
mitive rocks seem to be wanting, and then the granite 
makes its appearance at a low level, soon after we leave the 
secondary formation, as at Southampton and Leveret. 
Where the granite first makes its appearance, or soon after, 
is the place for galena veins; that is, they are found in the 
mountainous ranges of granite, which stretch along north- 
east and south-west, on the borders of the Connecticut val- 
ley, running parallel with it. My observations have been 
principally confined to the range along the western border, 
where it will be seen, by the map accompanying this com- 
munication, that most of the veins described are situated. I 
have never had time to examine, with much attention, the 
range along the eastern border. Two veins only have been 
iscovered on this side, and these are both at Leveret; very 
probably others might be found, by thorough examination. 
These veins, except that at Southampton, never have been 
extensively wrought, on account of the very ready demand for 
capital for other purposes; but when the population of this 
country shall have become dense, and capital abundant, we 
may expect that these mines will be thoroug ily explored ; 
and every thing promises that they willbe found as rich in 
treasures as similar veins in other countries. : 
Phe galena veins, all except that at Hatfield, are situated 
in granite of the oldest formation; that is, in the granite 
which emerges into mountains, and seems to be the founda- 
tion rock upon which the others rest. A question naturally 
occurs; whence is the origin of these veins? ‘The Neptu-— 
VOL. XII. No. 2 34 
