Telescopes — Life of Fraunhofer. 301 



of quartz. A well has been sunk into it at Providence, but 

 nothing is yet known of its extent there. At Newport, large 

 quantities of anthracite have been taken from the same 

 range, and the beds are still extensively wrought. 



A fourth range of argillite crosses the stage road at Cam- 

 bridge, about three miles west of Boston, Mass. It is about 

 forty miles east of the Worcester range. Its extent north 

 and south has not been ascertained. I believe no anthracite 

 has yet been discovered in it, but as it agrees with the other 

 three ranges in all its characters, it is probable that it con- 

 tains anthracite. 



It is a remarkable fact that these four ranges of argillite, 

 are nearly parallel to each other, and about equidistant, leav- 

 ing the intervals occupied with primitive rocks of very simi- 

 lar character. Granite, hornblende rock, and talco-mica- 

 ceous rocks, are present in all the intervening ranges. Gran- 

 ular limestone and quartz, occur in some, and mica slate in 

 others. 



Having myself made an examination of all the localities 

 to which I have referred, I speak from personal knowledge ; 

 excepting as to quantities of coals taken from the beds, and 

 as to a few other facts, for which, it will be seen, that I must 

 rely upon information given by others. In these cases, I was 

 particular to collect unquestionable testimony. William N. 

 Greene, Esq. of Worcester, was with us, at that bed, on the 

 2d of June, and gave me the information which I could not 

 obtain from inspection. 



Finally, I am willing to stand pledged to the scientific pub- 

 lic, for the foregoing statement of facts. I am thus particu- 

 lar, because it appears to me that here are facts enough to 

 answer the great question — Have we such a rock as primitive 

 argiUite? Amos Eaton. 



June 9, 1829. 



Art. XVII. — Telescopes — Life of Fraunhofer. 



REMARK. 



The subjoined extracts from a letter to the editor, written 

 by Dr. B. Lynde Oliver, dated May 21, containing impor- 

 tant information, appear worthy of publication, and we sub- 

 join the memoir of the life of Fraunhofer, mentioned by Dr. 

 Oliver, being willing that an article of such high interest 

 should be made more extensively known in this country. 



