— Geological Notices. 97 
traversing the strata of gneiss, and this characier continues to be ob- 
served as far as into Old Haddam, on the west bank of Connecticut 
river, and south to Ely’s ferry, opposite Essex, or Pettipaug. The 
granite is found here, not only in veins, but also in beds, as they appear 
to be, between the strata of gneiss, and in many places, the beds an 
veins appear to be contemporaneous. ‘This granite contains some of 
our finest minerals, as the emerald, beryl, chrysoberyl, black tourma- 
lines, terminated at both extremities, columbite, garnets, Clevelan- 
dite, and many others. 
- Itis in the region traversed by these granite veins, that what are 
called “Moodus noises,” that have figured in the history of Connect- 
icut, have been, and still continue to be heard. They are called 
thus, from their having been first observed on the Moodus river, 
where they are still heard more distinctly than in other places. 
inhabitants describe them as resembling the sound of a heavy log or 
timber falling upon the ground, and it is said that fissures of considera- 
ble extent, are often found on the surface of the ground, after hear- 
ing these noises. If any relation exists between the Moodus noises, 
the fissures and granite veins, it remains to be determined. 
2. Notices of the Geology of the Highlands of New York. 
Gneiss, sienite, gneissoid-hornblende, and granite constitute the 
principal masses of the Highlands. ‘The gneiss sometimes passes 
into mica slate, and the sienite into gneissoid-hornblende. 
tof. Eaton mentions granite, gneiss, mica slate, and hornblende 
tock, as occurring at and in the vicinity of West Point, where they 
miybe seen to advantage in place,* and he asks the question, “is 
Stanite to be found in New England, or in New York, other than in 
Yeins, or alternating layers (possibly beds) embraced in other primi- 
uve rocks >” | can answer, that so far as my observation has gone, 
Thave Not seen granite in the Highlands in place, except as beds and 
cae other rocks. ‘The granite in beds is frequently thirty feet 
ts ess, 1s of a coarse grain, with a base of red feldspar, and 
te we adularia. The granite in veins, is generally of a much 
exture than that in beds, and rarely contains the red feldspar. 
“e seems to be no regularity in the direction of the veins, but 
® yet ¢ 
Pp. be jem and Agricultural Survey, pp. 28 and 29; Geological Nomenelature, 
Vou. XXE—No. 1. 13 
