188 Geological Reports. 



Prof. Emmons describes the second geological district, comprising 

 that portion of the state which lies between the St. Lawrence and 

 Lower Canada, and Lake Champlain, down to the great fork of the 

 Hudson, and thence across to the St. Lawrence, thus including the 

 great northwest angle of the state. 



Primary rocks are prevalent in this region, with tertiary and tran- 

 sition in certain parts. 



The mountains of granite and sieniie rise to a great elevation — 

 the highest, Whiieface, being nearly five thousand feet above the sea; 

 ihey form abrupt ridges and defiles, and abound in immense ruins, 

 in vast unbroken forests, in beautiful lakes — often at a high elevation, 

 forming inexhaustible hydraulic fountains, and in metallic ores, espe- 

 cially those of iron. There are mountains of feldspathic rocks, in 

 which the resplendent chatoyant feldspar forms the prevailing mine- 

 ral. Extensive dykes are numerous here, and the region is highly 

 interesting both in a theoretical and practical view. 



A full account is given by Mr. Hall of the iron ores, which are in 

 this region so numerous and rich that their importance, although al- 

 ready realized in many forges, furnaces, and manufactures, cannot 

 be duly estimated for futurity. Prof. Emmons has very properly in- 

 sisted upon the importance of science in mining, and we fully respond 

 to his views as to the imperious necessity existing in this country for 

 a school of mines, which not only our necessities demand, but our 

 resources now fully justify. 



The third geological district comprises the counties east of and 

 contiguous to Lake Ontario, and to it^ junction with the St. Law- 

 rence — also south of and contiguous to Lake Ontario, pursuing the 

 line of the Erie Canal as far as the counties of Niagara and Erie : 

 this district was assigned to Mr. T. A. Conrad. 



The remaining or fourth geological district comprises the remain- 

 der of the state, and lies chiefly south of the Erie Canal, extending 

 to the Pennsylvania line south, and west to Lake Erie, the Niagara 

 river and Lake Ontario. 



This district was assigned to Prof. Lardner Vanuxem, assisted 

 by Dr. James Eights. 



Primary rocks occupy but a small space, comparatively, in the 

 third district, and, excepting stragglers, they are entirely excluded 

 from the fourth. 



There are many points of great similarity, and not a few of per- 

 fect identity, between these two very important districts. In an ag- 



