240 



GEOLOGY OF THE SECOND DISTRICT. 



but ihc entire vein, at the depth of only ten feet, will be free from stony matter at this particular 

 point. It is difScult to account for these projecting masses, except on the supposition that 

 the ore has been forced between the strata, and, in some instances, has broken them off and 

 otherwise displaced them. It is, however, a matter of more importance to know, in the 

 progress of mining, that in regular veins they will disappear ; and that such difficulties are 

 more common at the first opening of a vein, or when near the surface, than at great depths. 

 Another phenomenon exhibited at one of the smaller openings of the Hall vein, is the folding 

 of the strata. The rock is gneiss, and distinctly stratified ; and the ore, together with the rock, 

 exiiibits the appearance represented in the cut : 



The apex, point or plane of the folding is removed. It is clear, from an inspection, tliat the 

 ore on each side of the axis belongs to the same vein or mass. The ore in this place occurs 

 in alternating layers with the gneiss, but it is only an inconsiderable vein, and probably is not 

 of sufficient importance to be opened. 



The Hall vein furnishes a remarkably good ore for bar iron ; forming a metal that is very 

 tough, and possessed of a moderate degree of hardness. It may be traced for half a mile 

 upon the surface ; and should encouragement be held out for the manufacture of iron in this 

 country, this vein will prove one of great importance. It is not so wide as many others, but 

 still it can be raised at a jirofit, in consequence of its superior qualities. In appearance, and 

 in its associated minerals, it is like the Penfield ore, about ten miles to the southwest in 

 Schroon, a vein which I have already described. It resembles that vein, too, in the quality 

 of the iron which it yields. At one time, I entertained the opinion that the two veins are 

 connected. 



EvercsVs Vein. 



Within thirty or forty rods of the Hall vein, is the one under the above name. I am not 

 satisfied whether it is the Hall vein prolonged, or one distinct from it. The qualities of the 

 ore, and the general phenomena, are not very dissimilar. The dip is west, and the width and 

 strike of the vein is about the same in both. The Everest vein exhibits a greater disposition to 



