358 Scientific Geology. 



The bed of steatite in this talco-chlorite slate in Smithfield, is not of 

 a very interesting character in an economical point of view. That 

 which is gray colored is so filled with brown spar as to be almost 

 useless. A greenish scaly variety, (chlorite slate ?) however, occurs, 

 which is interesting. Fine foliated greenish talc, also, abounds here. 

 Decided chlorite slate is likewise abundant at the quarry and in the 

 vicinity. The steatite lies about half a mile west of Blackstone river 

 and of Maysville. 



Dip, Direction, aad Character of the Strata. 



It is hardly necessary to say, that this rock is always schistose in 

 its structure ; though in the most compact soapstone, both the slaty 

 and stratified structures are nearly obliterated. Yet in some portions 

 of the bed, they are usually visible. In both these structures this rock 

 corresponds very nearly with mica slate ; except that the former is 

 less contorted than the latter. Chlorite slate is particularly remarka- 

 ble in the Hoosac range, for the evenness and beauty of its layers, com- 

 paring in this respect with argillaceous slate. In both structures, so 

 far as I have observed, the dividing planes correspond : and I have 

 never noticed a double set of strata seams. 



Dip and Direction of the Strata in the Hoosac Mountain Range* 



Direction. Dip. 

 Florida, eastern slope 

 of Hoosac Mountain : the talcose 



slate alternating with mica slate. N. and S. 70 to 90 East 

 Middlefield, Do. 70 to 80 East. 

 Plainfield, Hawley, Charlemont, 

 Rowe, Zoar, Cummingtofi, Ches- 

 ter, (west part.) and Worthington, N. and S. nearly 90 East. 

 Somerset, Vt. (Iron Mine,) Do. 20 to 90 East. 

 Whitingham, Vt. (Limestone beds) E. and W. 30 West. 

 Rowe, (north part) Do. South, small. 

 Whitingham, Vt. (Chlorite Slate,) N. and S. nearly 90 East 

 Peru, (Do.) Do. perpendicular. 

 Windsor. (Do.) Do. between 70 and 80 East. 



It will be obvious from the above statements, that the strata of al- 

 most all this deposit stand nearly at right angles to the horizon. 

 Very different is the case with the talcose slate in Smithfield, Rhode 



