376 Report on a re-examination of the 



sily fall to powder. They abound in small fresh water shells. 

 They contain from 50 to 90 p. c. of carbonate of lime, with con- 

 siderable organic matter and traces of phosphate of lime ; and can- 

 not fail of proving an invaluable application for the adjoining 

 lands. ^ 



The clay-beds of the state are described as frequently contain- 

 ing calcareous matter, particularly those which give rise to those 

 curious rounded and flattened concretions, called clay-stones, and 

 which often consist of carbonate of lime in the proportion of 50 

 per cent. Calcareous diluvium abounds in Springfield, West 

 Springfield, and South Hadley. It consists of the detrital mat- 

 ter from a red slaty rock, which originally contained a few per 

 cent, of carbonate of lime. The lime serves as a cement, and 

 imparts to the aggregate the firmness of a rock ; but on being ex- 

 posed to the weather, it finally crumbles down and in this condi- 

 tion may be conveniently spread upon land. 



The composition of the various limestones in the state is also 

 given, from which research it appears that. they are chiefly dolo- 

 mitic. Several new localities are moreover added to the list ; and 

 what to us was quite unexpected, two deposites of green sand, 

 one at Marshfield (in a region of granite) and the other at Gay 

 Head. Hydrate of silica, or the light silicious soil which under- 

 lies peat-deposits is also used as a fertilizer to some extent in the 

 state, and no doubt with good reason, inasmuch as its animal ori- 

 gin, (having composed originally the skeletons of infusoria,) its 

 impregnation with peat juice, and its favorable mechanical condi- 

 tion, must each contribute to render it highly serviceable. 



Prof H. next points out the sources of geine, or vegetable neu- 

 triment with much particularity and good judgment ; and finally 

 concludes this part of his subject with the following remarks : 



Though I have dwelt so long upon the analysis and improvement of our soils, it 

 wHl be seen that I have touched only a few of its more important features, and that 

 even these are but imperfectly considered. Many minor points, of no small im- 

 portance, however, have been wholly passed over, or only allitded to ; and sensi- 

 ble that I cannot do them justice at present, I shall not attempt to discuss them. 

 My great object has been, after ascertaining the greatest deficiences in our soil, to 

 satisfy the Government that we have the means of remedying them and of making 

 great improvements in them, by the aid of chemistry. If I may hope that I have 

 accomplished this object, then 1 take the liberty to inquire, whether it be not im- 

 portant enough, and whether there is not enough still left to accomplish respecting 

 it, to make the appointment of a State Chemist desirable ? We ought to have still 

 turther experiments made on the suliject of geine, and the salts, which the soils 



