MAGNETIC OXIDE OF IRON. 



21 



On this subject I will only add, that there is probably nothing peculiar in this ore, and that 

 the same steely properties will be found to belong to many of our magnetic iron ores. The 

 important point which I think still remains to be determined is, whether the steel thus obtained 

 from the Duane ore is of such an uniform texture as to produce good cutting instruments, 

 without some subsequent process. If correct ideas have heretofore been entertained in regard 

 to the nature of steel, the properties for which it is most esteemed are due as much to me- 

 chanical as to chemical agencies. The metal yielded directly by the process of smelting, 

 may possess some of the characters of steel ; but I should doubt, whether, without the me- 

 chanical operations which are ordinarily employed, it would stand the test to which good 

 steel is to be subjected. It is not improbable that this ore may be well fitted to the manu- 

 facture of steel, which will hereafter render it valuable ; but I can not yet give entire credence 

 to the statements which have been made concerning the direct mode in which the " best steel " 

 may be so easily and so directly obtained. 



St. Lawrence County. By far the largest proportion of the iron ores now known in this 

 county, belongs to the species to be hereafter described ; but there are some deposits of the 

 magnetic oxide of iron, which deserve to be briefly noticed. 



In Pierrepont, a bed of magnetic oxide of iron has been worked to some extent, and the 

 ore is thought to be abundant. Ore of the same kind is also found in the town of Canton, 

 on the land of the Hon. H. Van Rensselaer. 



Chamont Ore Bed. This bed, according to Dr. Emmons, was several years since exten- 

 sively worked. It is situated in a hill of gneiss, about four miles west from the point where 

 the Albany road crosses the Oswegatchie river. The ore is black and highly magnetic, but 

 is largely mixed with quartz. It is thought, however, to be sufficiently pure.* 



Magnetic oxide of iron is often observed in the gneiss rock in the western part of this 

 county, sometimes accompanied with hornblende, and sometimes without that associate. About 

 seven miles south of Potsdam, a bed of this ore is found, which supplied a forge at that 

 village. I have also obtained good specimens from the town of De Kalb, but the mineral has 

 not heretofore been found there in any quantity. 



Jefferson County. The deposits of magnetic oxide of iron in this county, as in the pre- 

 ceding, are few in number, and limited in extent. The town of Alexandria furnishes some 

 localities, but they are of little importance. 



There is a deposit of this ore, apparently abundant, on the farm of P. Wicks, two and a 

 half miles southwest of the village of Oxbow. What adds to the interest of this, is the fact 

 that it is quite near to a bed of specular iron ore, which, as we shall presently see, is abun- 

 dantly diffused through this, as well as the preceding county. 



I have thus noticed the principal localities of the magnetic oxide of iron in this State ; and 

 have traced the deposits of this ore, with some interruption, from the extreme southern part, 

 in a northern direction, nearly to the Canada line, and thence westwardly upwards of one 



* Nav-York Geological Reports, 1840. 



