136 



GEOLOGY OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 



The beautiful specimen of coral in the State Collection, arranged in the Table containing 

 the fossils of the Onondaga limestone, is from the quarry to the south of Chittcnango village. 

 It consists of circular stars of uniform size, about three-fourths of an inch in diameter, com- 

 posed of rays slightly undulating and curved, round and crenulated, which pass from one to 

 another by straight and angular lines ; no distinct division existing between the stars, other 

 tlian a slight enlargement of the crenulations and angles of the rays. In the centre of each 

 star or circle, there is a small raised disk, as in Astrea ; the disk being composed of rays, 

 which bifurcate at the outer margin. It does not appear to belong to any known genus, but 

 is allied to Astrea and Acervularia, making a third one with them. Considering it distinct, 

 the name of Asterocycles is proposed for the genus, and confiuens for the species ; it will 

 therefore be, in anghcized language. Confluent asterocycles. No less than three distinct 

 circles are to be perceived within the outer one, and formed by the undulations of the rays. 



Near Manlius square, in a west and south direction, the Onondaga limestone is seen upon 

 the water-lime group at the kibs, having a few inches of Oriskany sandstone between them. 

 It is covered by the comiferous limestone, and not much of it is exposed. It contains the 

 Gigantic cyathophyllum, as well as the Elongated pentamerus so characterstic of this rock. 



At Split-rock, to the southwest of Syracuse, the surface of the rock is uncovered for a mile 

 or more from east to west, and farmed out to contractors, furnishing stone for a considerable 

 portion of the western section of the canal. The rock has a slight dip to the south and west, 

 and from one or more fractures which it exhibits, it obtained the name of Split rock. West 

 of these fractures, there are sink-holes ; and the waters which formed them, probably removed 

 a part of the support of the rock, and produced the fractures, the rock inclining from them 

 towards the east. At one of the holes, the layers are much disturbed. 



