"JO GEOLOGY OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 



The joinU in Uie sandstone are numerous at the falls, dividing the layers into quadrangular 

 blocks, either rhombic or more* or less square. Some of the upper layers are a foot or more 

 thick. The rock dips slightly up the stream, and inclines to the west side. The falls, it is 

 said, have receded two rods in thirty years ; not by the decomposition of the rock, but by 

 frost, and the weight and movement of the water \vhich flows over the ledge. 



Not far from the falls, is the grindstone quarry ; it is on the east side of the river. The 

 upper layer is much contorted ; those below it, for about twelve feet or more, arc mostly good 

 building stone. Some parts are thin, and of sufficient surface' to be used for flags, but are 

 not very straight. There is but one layer suitable for grindstones ; this is from eighteen 

 inches to two feet thick, but not uniform in quality throughout its mass. It lies at the bottom 

 of the quarry. It has the dots of hydrate of iron ; the cause here and at the falls being very 

 obvious, and the result as before mentioned of the decomposition of pyrites. 



The rock is of an excellent quality for grindstones,' but too hard for scythe stones. The 

 grindstones, in their finished state, sell for fourteen to twenty-four shillings per one hundred 

 pounds. 



The grey sandstone forms three falls on' the north branch of Salmon river, the lower about 

 forty feet, the two upper over twenty each, and not less than about one hundred feet of the 

 rock is there exhibited. The upper fall has fpr its upper rock tlie same peculiar mass which 

 appears on the top of the grindstone quarry ; and the rocks below, forming the falls, presented 

 an accordance so great with those of Salmon falls as to leave no doubt of perfect identity, the 

 one series being but a repetition of the other. 



Very little of the northeast portion of Oswego is settled ; and such is the case also with the 

 whole of that part of Lewis county which is covered with the grey sandstone, and which forms 

 its southwest border. No road or any means of communication exists between the two coun- 

 ties, where this rock is the surface mass. This shows, notwithstanding tlie general diffusion 

 of alluvion or drift, that soil is in no small manner influenced by the rock beneath it ; that a 

 sandstone like this rock, would yield an inferior soil to shale and limestone ; and that until 

 the better soils were fully occupied, the former would remain in a measure uncultivated. 



