Geology of Massachusetis. — 27 
West Springfield, a few miles south of Mount Tom. It is the bitu- 
minous limestone, and is quite impure. But it answers well, and 
that too on account of its impurity, for water proof cement, or mor- 
tar that will harden under water. It was used on the Farmington 
canal, particularly in the construction of the aqueduct across West- 
field river. The same rock occurs at Southington and Middletown, 
Ct., and I-doubt not may be found in many other places, along the 
river, associated with the new red sand stone. Iam not aware that 
the bituminous limestone has ever before been used as a water proof 
cement. In Europe, and I believe in New York, the blue argilla- 
ceous limestone is employed. Pure lime, however, will answer the 
purpose, if it be mixed with puzzolana or tarras. The former of 
these substances is decomposing lava, and the latter decomposing 
Basalt. 1 doubt not but that decomposing greenstone will answer as 
well; and if so, it can be found in abundance on the north of Boston, 
and along the Connecticut river. Lava, basalt, and greenstone, are 
so much alike, that I think the laiter well worth a trial. Indeed, if 
I recollect aright, the experiment has already been successfully tried 
in New Haven, Ct. 
As the Springfield limestone is abundant, it would be very desirable 
to have it tried upon some land in the vicinity : for, if it answers well in 
agriculture, (and I see no reason why it may not,) it might prove an 
invaluable acquisition to the farming interest of the Connecticut valley. 
Postscript.—Discovery of good Limestone in the Valley of the Con- 
: “necticut. 
After the preceding remarks upon the limestones of Massachusetts 
were written, I received specimens, through the kindness of Mr. Hen- 
ty W. Cushman, of crystalline carbonate of lime, found in Bernards- 
ton, near the center of the town, and a short distance from the stage 
road from Greenfield to Brattleborough, Vt. I immediately visited 
the spot, and found, indeed, a large bed of limestone, in the argilla- 
ceous slate, not less than fifty rods long, and three or four rods thick, 
appearing at the summit of a hill, and dipping nearly south east at a 
small angle. In the limestone is a large bed of iron ore, which was 
dug forty or fifty years since, and with the limestone sent to Winches- 
ter, N. H. to be smelted. Neither the limestone, nor the iron have 
been thought worthy of attention since. But a kiln of the former has 
recently been burnt, and found to produce a very strong lime, al- 
though of a rather darker color than the white limestones generally 
produce. This results from a quantity of the oxide of iron, which 
