380 Miscellanies. 
topic. This arises from the fact that there are immense treasures 
of shells—the riches of exuberant tertiary deposits which being par- 
tially decomposed or readily susceptible of that process, are happily 
adapted to fertilize the soil. 
We have no doubt that the united labors of Messrs. Alexander 
and Ducatel, will bring this arduous survey to a happy conclusion, 
alike useful and honorable to the state and the country. 
36. Asclepias Syriaca.—Memorandum of specimen articles man- 
ufactured exclusively from the long fibre of the external and internal 
cortex of the asclepias syriaca, namely, asclepias thread, netting bags 
and purses, tapes, socks, knotting for fringes and daisy trimmings, 
fancy fibrous and flossy flowers, flossy feathers in imitation of the 
ostrich, papers, hats in miniature. 
We have seen at Salem, in the hands of Miss Gerrish, articles 
corresponding with the above list and manufactured from the asclepias 
by herown hand. ‘They are very beautiful and command the admi- 
ration of all who see them. 
We are fully satisfied that the ligneous fibre of this plant, (we do 
not refer to the fine glossy down which bursts from the ripe pod and 
floats away in the wind) is capable of being wrought into many forms 
both of utility and ornament. 
The plant is hardy and is raised with the greatest facility. 
37. Strontian in Marcellus, Onondago Co., New York.—Ex- 
tract from Eaton’s Geological Text-book; second edition, published 
in June, 1832, page 109. ‘‘ Carbonate of strontia and lime, (very 
vaguely described by foreigners under the name Arragonite) has 
been found to be an excellent flux—its excellence increases in the 
ratio of the proportion of strontia. In crystals it is found in small 
quantities in the geodiferous limerock of Lockport, Niagara falls, &e. 
But it has not hitherto been announced in any printed publication, 
which has come to my knowledge, in sufficient quantities to be used 
profitably by artists asa flux. A few days since, a Mr. William 
Deere of Syracuse, (formerly my pupil, now a Teacher) brought me 
twenty pounds of this mineral from Marcellus, Onondago County, 
midway between Onondago and Skeneatelas, and five or six miles 
south of a point on the Erie canal, seventy five miles west of Utica. 
It is in connexion with Corniferous lime-rock, probably beneath it, 
and equivalent to geodiferous lime-rock. Some specimens seem to 
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