SULPHURET OF LEAD. 47 



copper. Mr. Mather states, tliat all tlic openings arc in the limcstouo, (which is of a bluish- 

 grey colour, and nearly compact structure,) a few rods east of its junction with the slate on 

 the west. From the great number of small veins in this vicinity, he thinks it probable that 

 larger ones occur, of which these are the mere strings.* 



Unimportant localities of sulphuret of lead have also been noticed in the towns of Amenia 

 and Rhinebeck. 



Herkimer County. From the specimens of galena which have been found in this county, 

 it was supposed by some that workable beds of it would be discovered. Thus far, however, 

 these anticipations have not been realized. Excavations have been made about two miles 

 from Salisbury Corners, but they have furnished only cabinet specimens of the sulphurets of 

 lead, iron, zinc and copper, with occasional stains of the green carbonate of copper and bog 

 iron ore ; the former, proceeding from the action of the atmosphere upon pyritous copper ; 

 and the latter, from the decomposition of iron pyrites. 



Small quantities of lead ore have been found in Jefferson County, but its occurrence has 

 not yet led to many extensive mining operations. 



Lewis County. Near the village of Martinsburgh, galena is found associated with iron 

 pyrites in narrow veins, traversing the Trenton limestone. At one of these, about three thou- 

 sand dollars have been expended in excavations, which extend for nearly two hundred feet 

 along the surface, and at one point are fifty feet in depth. Copper pyrites and blende are 

 sometimes associated with the galena. The gangue is calcareous spar, which often exhibits 

 interesting crystalline forms. Some of the specimens of galena have a beautiful feathery 

 appearance, resembling certain ores of silver. 



A specimen of the galena from this locality gave the following results, viz : 



Sulphur, 11.97 



Lead, 77.15 



Iron pyrites, carbonate of lime, &c 10.88 



The same minerals are found in minute cjuantities on the banks of Whetstone creek, n 

 mile and a half from Martinsburgh. The galena at this locality is often in small but perfect 

 octahedrons. The associated calcareous spar has the form of lenticular crystals. 



At the falls near Lowville in this county, galena has been found with cubes of green fluor 

 and six-sided crystals of calcareous spar. This ore was erroneously thought to contain a 

 large proportion of silver, and the locality is often called the " Silver Mine." 



Monroe County. Small masses of galena occur in the limestone near Rochester in this 

 county, and at one locality a small vein has been noticed. A company was some time since 

 formed for mining and working this ore ; but it is almost unnecessary to add, that it has never 

 commenced active operations. 



* Nm-York Geological Reporls, 1838. 



