326 GEOLOGY OF THE SECOND DISTRICT. 



south, to a point four miles south of Malonc, in tlic valley of the Salmon river. This boun- 

 dary line then pursues again a northwest course, in order to sweep around those primary 

 spurs which come up from Brandon, and which terminate a mile or two north of the road 

 leading from Malone to Dickinson. The direction, after passing around these spurs, is south- 

 west through Dickinson and Hopkinton, and then more westerly to Parishville. South of this 

 line, the whole county is primary, consisting principally of granite, gneiss and hornblende. 

 According to these views of its topography as well as geology, Franklin lies west of the 

 great chain of mountains which terminate at Port Kent ; the succeeding range on the west 

 being less elevated, and more broken into insulated mountains, as may be seen in its termi- 

 nation in the hills of Chatcaugay, and those which lie to the south. 



Iron Ores. 



As in Clinton and Essex, so in Franklin county, the magnetic iron ores are found connected 

 with the primary rocks, both with granite and gneiss. Having, however, described the pheno- 

 mena of veins and masses of iron, as they exist in Essex and Clinton, very little need be said 

 of the ores of this county, inasmuch as the facts do not vary or differ materially from those 

 already given. A very brief account, therefore, will suffice to put the reader in possession 

 of all that is material in the iron ores of this county. It is, however, but just to myself to 

 say, that my object in giving so much detail and illustration of the veins and masses of ore in 

 Essex and Clinton, was to furnish the miner, and persons directly interested in the iron busi- 

 ness, with all the facts which were important to be known in order to pursue the business of 

 mining, particularly on established principles, or under the guidance at least of correct ob- 

 servations ; and as the veins are more abundant, and the circumstances for observation far 

 better in those counties than in Franklin, it became necessary there to select those facts which 

 appear to lie at the foundation of this business, and which are necessary to be known in order 

 to secure success in its prosecution. 



First, as it regards the geographical position of the iron ores of Franklin, it is evident they 

 must be confined exclusively to the southern townships ; and in order to be definite, I may 

 say that they cannot be found in any of the towns in the two northern tiers, north of the 

 boundary line which I have already marked out for the northern limit of the primary. I make 

 this remark, in consequence of the claims which have been set up for mineral riches in the 

 north part of Franklin. A more unfortunate claim could hardly have been made for any sec- 

 tion of the State. The truth is, that almost all of the northern slope is sandstone, one of the 

 most barren rocks known in mineral riches of any kind whatever. But in the great region 

 south of the line or boundary referred to, the facts are quite different ; for we find not only 

 a possibility of the existence of iron, but a great degree of probability. The formation is 

 such as extensive observation proves may abound in ores ; though it is still to be remembered 

 that no certainty exists of their presence, even when the geological structure is compatible. 



The most southern point known to me of the existence of the magnetic oxide, is in the 

 town of Franklin. At this place a vein of rather fine grained ore occupies a hill near the 



