7/4 Plainfield 63 



at Woburn ; but not, probably, in a sufficient quantity, to be worth 

 mining. At several places in Cumberland R. I, where excavations 

 were formerly made, are found gray oxide of copper and pyritous 

 copper with the green and blue carbonates. 



Zinc. 



The sulphuret of this mineral occurs, as has already been noti- 

 ced, in several of the lead veins in Hampshire County, and in some 

 of them in sufficient quantity, no doubt, to be wrought with advantage, 

 should these veins be ever opened. Those in Southampton, Hatfield 

 and Leverett, abound most in this ore. It is useful in the manufac- 

 ture of brass and white vitriol. 



Manganese. 



In a metallic state this mineral is of no use ; and indeed, it is reduced 

 to that state with great difficulty. But in the state of oxide, it is 

 extensively employed, both to remove color from g-lass and to im- 

 part colors ; also in painting porcelain and glazing pottery, and still 

 more extensively within a few years, in the manufacture of the 

 chloride of lime, now so generally used in bleaching and for disin- 

 fection. 



At least three ores of manganese abound in the western part of 

 Massachusetts and on the borders of New Hampshire. It has been 

 already remarked, that more or less of the gray oxide exists in the 

 iron beds of Berkshire and Bennington, Vt. In the vicinity of Con- 

 necticut River, however, or rather on the eastern slope of Hoosac 

 mountain, distinct veins and beds of manganese are found. 



In Plainjield. 



Beds of the oxide of manganese occur in two places in this town 

 one a mile west of the center, and the other near the south-west cor- 

 ner of the town ; and both in talcose slate. Two ore s are associ- 

 ated at both these places, viz. the common gray or blac k oxide and 

 the silicious oxide ; the former investing the latter as a black crust, 

 and most probably proceeding from its decomposition ; while the 

 latter, when newly broken, is of a delicate rose red. I suspect the 

 silicious oxide predominates at these places ; and from these beds, 

 probably came by diluvial action, those numerous rounded masses 

 of silicious oxide in the vicinity of Cummington meeting house ; al- 

 though a deep valley intervenes and the distance is three or four 





