254 GEOLOGY OF THE SECOND DISTRICT. 



approved process, but in rallier a rough unscienlific mode, it seems to be clearly establislied 

 that there is something very extraordinary in this ore, to produce the kind of iron whicli is 

 proved by experiment it actually does. And who can doubt, but that in scientific hands, it 

 will prove fully equal to the best Russian and Swedish irons, which have been so long cele- 

 brated, and used in the manufacture of steel. Such at any rate I conceive to be the qualities 

 of the iron, that it is a matter of national importance that the operations in its manufacture 

 should be conducted in the best possible mode. There are some particular uses to which 

 this can be applied, and for which there is nothing equal to it made in this country, viz. wliere 

 there is much wear or friction, and at the same time great tenacity required ; as the axles of 

 locomotive engines, railroad cars, or chain cables for ships of war, large spikes, nails, etc. 

 Iron is so much used in the present state of society, and so many lives depend on its quality, 

 that it is a subject of great importance to secure for public use that quality of it which 

 shall not jeopardize life and limb in the public conveyances on the great thoroughfares of the 

 nation. It is in this light that an article becomes important to a nation ; and though its pa- 

 tronage benefits, in a pecuniary point of view, the individual proprietors, yet the nation is 

 after all the most benefited by promoting safety and expedition on the ocean and on the land 



Of the Vein called the Fine-grained Ore. 



Tills ore constitutes a distinct variety, and is peculiar in its characters. At the surface, it 

 is always more or less granular ; the grains rarely exceeding a common buck shot, and gene- 

 rally much finer. In many parts of the vein, it is quite friable, and belongs to that variety 

 which is termed by the miners, sliot ore. The greater portion of the vein is quite firm, and 

 requires a smart blow of the hammer to break it. At the ])]ace where it has been quarried, 

 it presents a black dull appearance ; it has all the characters of rich ore. 



The width of the vein is over one hundred and fifty feet ; it has been traced continuously 

 in the direction of its length, 5,742 feet ; and it preserves a great uniformity of breadth 

 throughout this distance. Its relation to the rock is not as yet well made out. 



Generally, at the surface, this vein ajjpcars more intermixed with rock than either of the 

 others. I have, however, often found that this is owing in part to weathering ; as a large 

 proportion of the particles in mass, though earthy in their appearance, still were obedient to 

 the magnet. Disseminated very sparingly in the ore at some points, are minute particles of 

 sulphurct of iron. My attention was first directed to this mineral by observing a brown stain, 

 and in some instances a thick brown rust over the face of the vein, where it was exposed to the 

 weather : it was beneath the rust, that I detected the mineral. It is not, however, uniformly 

 present; and when it is, it is ([uitc doubtful whether it is in sufEcient quantity to affect the 

 quality of the iron. Judging from experience, I am disposed to consider this ore as better 

 adapted to the furnace than the other veins. The presence of sulphuret of iron in part im- 

 proves the appearance of the castings, renders them smoother, and in fact increases the 

 fusibililv of the ore. 



