594 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



freestone was formerly quarried in different places, and the great 

 entrance to Caledon House was constructed of this stone. 



Sand and Gravel. — Pit sand of a good quality is very 

 general in the county, while river sand can be obtained in the 

 rivers and streams. Gravel can be procured from the Bskers : those 

 in the Tehallan district being noted for their wearing qualities > 

 they for the most part being made up of hard jasperry pebbles. 



[In the high level portions of the counties Monaghan, Tyrone, Fermanagh, &c.,. 

 there are gravel ridges that have been called " Eskers" ; they are not, however, true- 

 Eskers similar to those of the great central plain of Ireland. The true Eskers are of' 

 marine origin, the ridges being due to the colliding of tidal currents, and all occur 

 below fixed levels, which are the maximum heights of the Esker Sea ; their height 

 varying a little, as in the seas of the present day, the tides rising higher in the bays- 

 than in the open. The gravel ridges of the high levels, and in some places even on, 

 the lower levels, of the above-named counties, are for the most part of a different 

 origin, being similar in aspects to the sands, gravels, and other drifts found in the 

 valleys and plains and slopes associated with the Alpine regions, such as those found in 

 connexion with the "Foot Hill" of the Canadian Kockies. In some of the low counties,, 

 Monaghan and Fermanagh, &c, the marine and glacial gravels seem in part to be 

 mixed or to graduate into one another.] 



QUEEN'S COUNTY. 



The greater portion of this area is occupied by Carboniferous 

 JAmestone ; but to the north-west, surrounding small exposures of 

 Ordovicians, are tracts of Loiver Carboniferous Sandstone ; while to 

 the south-east, in Cullinagh and the northern portion of Slieve- 

 margy (Leinster Coal-field) are Coal-measures. The Orclovician 

 grits are rarely used, even for local purposes, the associated slates, 

 being preferred. 



Lower Carboniferous Sandstone. — In colour these are from- 

 whitish-yellowish to brownish, and streaked. Some are argilla- 

 ceous, they not being as durable as those having a silicious cement. 

 These sandstones have been very generally used in the neighbour- 

 hood. They have been largely used in Mountmellick, a soft, sili- 

 cious stone in that neighbourhood being at one time extensively 

 manufactured into chimney-pieces and hearthstones. In the 

 churches of Abbeyleix, Slieve-Bloom sandstone and Ballyullen 

 limestone were used in the dressings. Ballyfin House and the 

 chief entrance lodge in the Slieve-Bloom district were built of local 



