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202 Geology, "'i^c: of the Comitcticut 



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',yhs and fluor spar intermixed. The vein declines fen 

 or fifteen degrees from a perpendicular ; is six or eight feet 

 in diameter, and traverses granite and other primitive rocks. 

 <t has been observed at intervals from Montgomery to Hat- 

 field, a distance of twenty miles : but it is very doubtful, 

 whether it continues, uninterruptedly, the whole of that ex- 

 tent; indeed, from what I have observed of other lead veins 

 in the vicinity, I have sometimes been disposed to ques- 

 tion, whether the veins observed at many of these intervals, 

 may not be totally distinct from one another. In Southamp- 

 ton, eight miles south west from Northampton, is the only spot 

 where this vein has been extensively wrought. In that 

 jihice it has been explored thirty or forty rods in length, to 

 llie depth of forty or fifty feet, and the galena, which is the 

 principal ore, has been found in masses from a quarter of aa 

 inch, to a foot in diameter. At the depth above mentioned, 

 the water became so abundant, that it was thought advisable 

 to abandon a perpendicular exploration, and to descend to 

 the foot of a hill on the east, nearly eighty rods from the vein, 

 and attempt a horizontal drift, or adit, and ever since its 

 commencement, seven or ei^ht years ago, the working of 

 the vein has ceased. This drift is now carried into the hill^ 

 on an exact level, nearly sixty rods, and the workmen told 

 me, that not less than 20,000 dollars had been expended 

 upon it. The rocks that have been penetrated, reckoning 

 from the mouth of the drift inwards, are geest, the red and 

 gray slates of the coal formation, ("granulated schistose ag- 

 gregate." Eaton. Journal of Sci. Vol.1, p 136,) with thin beds 

 of coal, and mica slate, and granite alternating. Probably 

 the fundamental deposit of granite is now uncovered ; and 

 the principal vein of galena cannot be far distant. Several 

 small branch veins of crystallized quartz and galena have 

 been crossed ; and several specimens of these, collected by 

 Dr. Hunt, were very rich and beautiful ; the crystals of pure 

 galena sometimes exhibit, on their faces, insulated crystals 

 of honey coloured carbonate of lime. The principal vein 

 will be found not less, I should judge, than one hundred and 

 fifty feet below the surface : — and when that time comes, it 

 is confidently expected, not only that the proprietors will be 

 rewarded for the great expence they have incurred, but, al- 

 so, that many a rich specimen will be found to ornament the 



