103 Geological Purvey of the State of New York, 



Hydrous anthophyllite rock,* that exists in place on the west 

 side of the island, lying between the granite and gneiss, is found 

 in bowlders of large size, extensively diffused. Some of them are 

 fifteen feet, Xl2x6; 13x8x7, and are even distributed over 

 the adjacent parts of Long Island. 



'' The direction of the current" that carried these, " is ascertain- 

 ed by the grooves and scratches left on the solid rocks, and its 

 force, by the size and quantity of the fragments, and the distance 

 and elevations over which they had been transported." The fur- 

 rows are visible, wherever the rocks are uncovered, " on the high- 

 est rocks and at the lowest tide-water mark, a difference of more 

 than one hundred feet in perpendicular height, always more 

 strongly marked on the northwest slopes of the hills, than on the 

 southeastern — often very distinct on the west and northwest slopes, 

 extending to the highest point of the rock, and no trace of them 

 on the south and southeast slopes, although both surfaces are 

 equally exposed. From observations made in sixty to seventy 

 places, the general course of the current rises from N. 45° W., 

 with extreme variations of 23°, coincident with the direction of 

 the furrows found on the greenstone across the river in New 

 Jersey. 



The present position of the bowlders of anthophyllite and lime- 

 stone, indicates a deflection of the current S. and S. S. W. 



The size of the furrows is very various and of some remarkable, 

 ranging from a line in width, and eighteen inches wide by four 

 deep, to troughs of two feet in width by six to eight deep, as may 

 be seen on the 8th avenue, between 79th and 81st street, and at 

 one locality on the Hudson, six miles from the city, " furrows 

 ascend from beneath the lowest tide-water, up an elevation of 

 seventy feet in three hundred or four hundred feet distance." 



The portion of the 2nd district surveyed by Prof. Emmons, 

 seems rich in resources, as marbles, porcelain and other clays, 

 peat, graphite, and iron ores. This section, including the unset- 

 tled portion of Herkimer, comprises nearly one fourth part of the 

 area of the state, is chiefly a primitive country, and is like New 

 England, in its geology, unequal surface, soil, climate and pro- 

 ductions. Its highlands, the loftiest mountains of the state, are 

 covered with most valuable timber, and the streams and rivers 



* Commonly known as the radiated asbestus. 



