CHAPTER I, 



METALS AND THEIR ORES, 



JW^CONOMIC geology is an account of rocks with reference to their 

 yJ^ pecuniary vahie, or immediate apphcation to the wants of society. 

 A full treatise would include a description of the methods of mining, 

 quarrying, and metallurgy; chemical processes for the manufacture of 

 various salts ; account of the manufacture of quicklime, glass, and earthen- 

 ware ; the discussion of the nature and origin of metalliferous deposits ; 

 the uses of peat in agriculture, etc. Our work will be mainly the de- 

 scription of the localities, modes of occurrence, and quantity of materials 

 valuable for economic purposes. Very few of the industries involved 

 in the manufacture of mineral materials have become thoroughly estab- 

 lished in New Hampshire, so that our contributions to the perfection of 

 the processes employed cannot be extensive. Allusion will be made 

 from time to time to methods of manufacture or processes of reduction, 

 so far as seems desirable. For convenience, this part will be divided into 

 three chapters, — first, that relating to the occurrence and extraction of 

 the metals; second, facts about the supplies of mineral materials used 

 for building and the manufacture of useful articles; third, an account of 

 deposits serviceable to the interests of agriculture. A part of this topic 

 has been already discussed in the chapter upon Agricultural Geology in 

 Volume I. 



The following metals occur in considerable abundance in the state 

 (insomuch that the question will be raised with each, whether its ores 



