S64 GEOLOGY OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 



At Oriskany falls, the Water-lime group, the Pentamerus and the Catskill shaly limestone, 

 with the Oriskany sandstone, are uncoTered for some distance along the canal, and the surface 

 of the hill on that side. It is the last point south, where these rocks appear in that valley. 



When the demand for lime becomes considerable to the south, this hill will be of impor- 

 tance, from the rock being uncovered ; from its great thickness, consisting of three distinct 

 masses ; and from having the Chenango canal at its side and end, the canal slightly bending 

 at the end of the hill. 



The Oriskany sandstone is better exposed at this locality, than in any other part of the 

 State, resting upon the Catskill shaly limestone. In a loose specimen picked up, the Smooth 

 atrypa (A- levis), which occurs there in great abundance in some places, near the top of the 

 Catskill shaly limestone, showed that the calcareous material of their envelope had been re- 

 moved, or that it had ceased to be deposited when the sand was spread over them, being partly 

 covered with sand. Not one of the species was found in the sandstone west of Otsego county. 



The north end of the hill to the south of Hamilton College, shows the Water-lime group. 

 It is the upper or surface rock of the hill, to within two or three miles of Oriskany falls, 

 wbere the higher ones begin to appear, the highest seen being the Oriskany sandstone, and 

 the western side being covered with alluvion. 



The hill which rises between Skanandoa and Oneida creeks, rises to a greater height than 

 those on the sides of the Oriskany creek ; the former in places showing the whole series, 

 with the Marcellus shales and a part of the Hamilton group. The best point for examination, 

 is in the descent to Munsville from the village of Augusta. Several quarries are opened on 

 the side of Oneida valley in the Water-lime group, the largest of which is to the north of the 

 road, the stone having been extracted for the Chenango canal. 



South of the ridge, and between some of its projecting points, as at Bridgewater flats, at 

 Waterville, along the road to Cassville, etc, the Marcellus shales appear, being the first rock 

 above the limestone. At Bridgewater, there are two or more diggings which were made for 

 coal ; and also one near Waterville ; all which were noticed in the Annual Reports. 



The Hamilton group is the next and last rock of the county ; forming the highest eleva- 

 tions, rising upon the shales, and covering the greatest part of the town of Sangerfield and 

 the hills of Bridgewater. Its particles are generally more coarse than the shales beneath ; 

 their color usually some shade of brovim, and their fossils very different from each other. 



8. Lewis County. 



The geology of Lewis county is quite simple. It contains the three classes of products 

 which belong to the district. The valley of Black river forms a perfect line of division 

 between the Primary and the New-York system, dividing the county in about two equal por- 

 tions ; the primary covering the whole of the county lying east of the river, and the New- 

 York system all that part of the coimty to the west of the river, with the exception of a few 



