Telescopes—Lafe of Fraunhofer. 301 
of quartz. A well has been sunk into it at Providence, but 
nothing is yet known of its extent there. At Newport, large 
quantities of anthracite have been taken from the same 
range, and the beds are still extensively wrought. 
A fourth range of argillite crosses the stage road at Cam- 
bridge, about three miles west of Boston, Mass. It is about 
forty miles east of the Worcester range, Its extent north 
and south has not been ascertained. I believe no anthracite 
has yet been discovered in it, but as it agrees with the other 
three ranges ‘in all its characters, it is probable that it con- 
tains anthracite. 
It is a remarkable fact that these four ranges of argillite, 
are nearly parallel to each other, and about equidistant, leav- 
ing the intervals occupied with primitive rocks of very simi- 
lar character. Granite, hornblende rock, and talco-mica- 
ceous rocks, are present in all the intervening ranges, Gran- 
ular limestone and quartz, occur in some, and mica slate in 
others. : 
Having myself made an examination of all the localities 
to which [ have referred, I speak from personal knowledge ; 
excepting as to quantities of coals taken from the beds, an 
as to a few other facts, for which, it will be seen, that 1 must 
rely upon information given by others. In these cases, I was 
particular to collect unquestionable testimony. William N. 
 Greeve, Esq. of Worcester, was with us, at that bed, on the - 
2d of June, and gave me the information which I could not 
obtain from inspection. =, : 
Finally, I am willing to stand pledged to the scientific pub- 
lic, for the foregoing statement of facts. I am thus particu- 
lar, because it appears to me that here are facts enough to 
answer the great question—Have we such a rock as primitive 
argillite ? OS EATON, 
June 9, 1829. nid 
Arr. XVUI.—Telescopes—Life of Fraunhofer. 
REMARK. : 
Tue subjoined extracts from a letter to the editor, written 
by Dr. B. Lynde Oliver, dated May 21, contaming impor- 
yes 
join the memoir of the life of Fraunhofer, mentioned by Dr, 
Oliver, being willing that an article of such high interest 
should be made more extensively known in this country. 
