14 Sketch of the Geology of the Arctic Regions. 
ALLUVIAL ROCKS. 
Very few alluvial rocks were met with in those parts of the arctic 
regions, in the vicinity of Hudson’s Bay. The most striking objects 
are the outliers or bowlders, spread over some of the islands.* Whole 
limestone islands are strewed over with blocks of gneiss, granite, 
and quartz, both in rolled masses, and angular fragments. 
1V. GreENLAND. 
Schist of a black color, enclosing garnets, agate, limestone, ala- 
baster, mica in small plates or scales, flexible asbestus, soapstone, 
potstone, quartz, jasper, topaz, red garnets, by some lapidaries call- 
ed ruby, and quartz crystals. 
According to Crantz, the potstone, of which the natives mde 
their lamps and kettles, occurs but rarely, and. is an article of trade 
among them. They carry utensils made of it, to districts where it is 
not found, and barter them for provisions, furs, &c. The Green- 
landers sometimes send them as presents to persons of distinction in 
Denmark, where they are highly valued, as it is thought that articles 
of food prepared in them are finer than when done in metallic vessels, 
The stone is soft and compact, and more easily carved or turned 
wood. It does not crack or scale off, but hardens after being 
wrought, and grows firmer by fire. When rubbed with oil, it ac- 
quires a beautiful porcelain smoothness. The cuttings are like fine 
flour, or viscous clay, and have a greasy feel. He adds, that he 
saw a few curious petrifactions of fishes, but could discover no pum- 
ice, or basalt rocks, or other volcanic appearances.t Coal and sul- 
phur are of rare occurrence, but iron and lead ores are seen with 
indications of copper. 
The mountains rise in sharp peaks and splinters, furrowed and 
scarred with deep weather stained fissures, so perpendicular on the 
south sides, as to be uncovered with snow. The lower elevations 
rise with broad backs, and are constantly enveloped with snow and 
ice. The surface of the — generally, consists of white sand, 
“ Prof. Jameson’s notes on the geology of the arctic region 
t Basalt rocks are mentioned by O'Reilly, as of araeei occurrence.—See 
O’Reilly’s voyages to Greenland, in 1817. 
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