Geological Notices. 97 



traversing the strata of gneiss, and this character continues to be ob- 

 served as far as into Old Haddam, on the west bank of Connecticut 

 river, and south to Ely's ferry, opposite Essex, or Pettipaug. The 

 granite is found here, not only in veins, but also in beds, as they appear 

 to be, between the strata of gneiss, and in many places, the beds and 

 veins appear to be contemporaneous. This granite contains some of 

 our finest minerals, as the emerald, beryl, chrysoberyl, black tourma- 

 lines, terminated at both extremities, columbite, garnets, Clevelan- 

 dite, and many others. 



It is in the region traversed by these granite veins, that what are 

 called "Moodus noises," that have figured in the history of Connect- 

 icut, have been, and still continue to be heard. They are called 

 thus, from their having been first observed on the Moodus river, 

 where they are still heard more distinctly than in other places. The 

 inhabitants describe them as resembling the sound of a heavy log or 

 timber falling upon the ground, and it is said that fissures of considera- 

 ble extent, are often found on the surface of the ground, after hear- 

 ing these noises. If any relation exists between the Moodus noises, 

 the fissures and granite veins, it remains to be determined. 



2. Notices of the Geology of the Highlands of New York. 



Gneiss, sienite, gneissoid-hornblende, and granite constitute the 

 principal masses of the Highlands. The gneiss sometimes passes 

 into mica slate, and the sienite into gneissoid-hornblende. 



Prof. Eaton mentions granite, gneiss, mica slate, and hornblende 

 rock, as occurring at and in the vicinity of West Point, where they 

 may be seen to advantage in place,* and he asks the question, " is 

 granite to be found in New England, or in New York, other than in 

 veins, or alternating layers (possibly beds) embraced in other primi- 

 tive rocks ?" I can answer, that so far as my observation has gone, 

 I have not seen granite in the Highlands in place, except as beds and 

 veins in other rocks. The granite in beds is frequently thirty feet 

 in thickness, is of a coarse grain, with a base of red feldspar, and 

 often contains adularia. The granite in veins, is generally of a much 

 finer texture than that in beds, and rarely contains the red feldspar. 

 Theie seems to be no regularity in the direction of the veins, but 



* Geological and Agricultural Survey, pp. 28 and 29; Geological Nomenclature, 

 pp. 20 and 21. 



Vol. XXI.—No. 1. 13 



