228 On the strength of Pine and Spruce Timber. 



diameter, in carbonate of lime. Augite, yellowish brown. White 

 hornblende in crystals terminated at each end. They are usually 

 small, some of them are one inch long by three eighths in diameter. 

 Noble serpentine, massive or intermixed with Hmestone. Noble ser- 

 pentine in small grains in calcareous spar. 



One mile beyond Allen's mill there is a hill of red felspar inter- 

 mixed with minute particles of quartz. The intensity of color of 

 this rock would cause it to be distinguished by any traveller. It di- 

 vides into small fragments of indeterminate size. Although the lines 

 of separation are visible on the surface of the rock, it requires some 

 exertion of force to detach them. 



One mile from Little York, on the north side of the road, is a 

 rock of steatite. It appears to be abundant, preparations are ma- 

 king to open a quarry, and it promises to be of advantage to the com- 

 munity. We observed here soapstone in large masses. Talc in 

 broad foliae, pearl white, grayish white. Tremolite, glassy. As- 

 bestos. Indurated talc. 



When we consider that great part of St. Lawrence county is still 

 covered with wood, that few quarries have been opened, and that the 

 above minerals were found in the course of a very hasty examina- 

 tion, it promises to become one of the richest counties of the state to 

 the mineralogist, and merit a more detailed examination. 



Art. IV. — An account of some experiments made by order of Col. 

 Totten, at Fort Adams, JVewport, R. I., to ascertain the relative 

 stiffness and strength of the foUoiuing kinds of timber, viz. : White 

 Pine, (Finns Strobus,) Spruce, (Abies nigra,) and Southern 

 Pine, (Finns Australis,) also called (Long leaved Fine.^) — Com- 

 municated by Lt. T. S. Brown, of the corps of Engineers. 



The white pine and spruce were obtained from the eastern part 

 of New England, and the southern pine from North Carolina. The 



* It is proper to remark, that although there is no reason to doubt that the spruce 

 used was Abies nigra, and that the southern pine was Pinus Jlustralis, yet it ob- 

 viously may be very difficult to establish with certainty the botanical name of a kind 

 of wood seen only in the form of timber. In the present instance, an attentive con- 

 sideration of all the circumstances, has given great confidence that the names adopt- 

 ed above are correct, yet those familiar with the subject will at once perceive that 

 in certain cases, the timber of Abies alba, might easily be taken for that of Abies 

 nigra, and that it might also be difficult to decide between Pinus 77iitis and Pinus 

 Australis. 



