Brown Oxide of Iron. 55 



Magnetic oxide of iron is found at other places in Massachusetts j 

 as at Woburn, in a vein of greenstone, associated with sulphuret of 

 copper ; but at none of the localities, in quantity sufficient to make 

 it an object for the miner. 



Micaceous oxide of Iron. 



This ore, which is found abundantly at Hawley with the magnetic 

 oxide, furnishes perhaps the most elegant specimens in the world ; 

 and I know not why it should not produce good iron. Indeed, I be- 

 lieve it has been smelted within a few years, along with the magnetic 

 oxide. 



Vein of micaceous oxide in Montague. 



Near the mouth of Miller's river is a hill of considerable extent, 

 which appears to be traversed by numerous veins of this ore. The 

 largest which comes in sight, is in the south east part of the hill, at 

 the top of a ledge of mica slate and granite, and is several feet in 

 width. It is favourably situated for exploration, and unless the ore is 

 injured by an occasional mixture of sulphuret of iron, I do not see 

 why it might not be profitably wrought. Wood is very abundant in 

 the vicinity, and it is not far from Connecticut river. Good mica- 

 ceous oxide of iron, yields about 70 per cent, of excellent iron. 



According to Professor Webster, thin veins of micaceous iron ore, 

 exist in the porphyry of Maiden, which were formerly wrought to 

 some extent. It occurs also in graywacke, at Brighton, and in green- 

 stone at Charlestown, according to the Messrs. Danas. 



Hydrate of Iron. 



Several varieties of ore heretofore regarded as distinct species have 

 lately been brought together under this name. It embraces brown 

 and red oxides, and the argillaceous oxides, and of course compre- 

 hends the greater part of the iron ores in the State. I shall describe 

 the different varieties under the names that have been most common^ 

 ly applied to them. 



Beds of "Brown oxide of Iron. 



This ore is of an excellent quality, and it occurs in the loose soil 

 above the rocks, so as to be easily obtained. Hence it is used to a 

 greater extent, perhaps, in our country, than any other variety. A 

 very extensive series of beds of this ore, accompanies the limestone 

 that is so abundant along 1 the western margin of Connecticut, Massa- 



