Mineralogy of Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, JV.Y. 349 



inch to two inches in diameter, but the large crystals are not abun- 

 dant. We have the same mineral in small and less perfect crystals, 

 in a similar gangue, from Grenville, Upper Canada. The specimens 

 of phosphate of lime from this locality, are probably the most remark- 

 able both for size and perfection of crystals, that have ever been 

 found in the United States. They are found in the lime rock, but al- 

 ways w^ithin a foot or so of the granite, and are most abundant very 

 near the junction of the two rocks. We obtained crystals nearly 

 six inches in length, and an inch and a half in diameter. They are 

 perfect six sided prisms, of a fine sea-green color, and variously mod- 

 ified at their terminations. The smaller crystals are nearly transpa- 

 rent, and equally perfect. By continuing the excavation, and removing 

 the rock by blasting, which will be attended with considerable labor, 

 there is little doubt the mineral may be obtained in any desirable quan- 

 tity. 



In another locality in the same field, we met with a few crystals of 

 smaller size and less perfect in form. It is highly probable that other, 

 and perhaps superior localities of these minerals, will be discovered 

 whenever this region is more thoroughly explored. Nearly all the 

 rocks that are scattered through the field, and by the road side, contain 

 brown tourmaline, in crystals varying from one inch to several inches 

 in length. Indeed crystals six inches in length, and from one to four 

 inches in diameter, more or less perfect, are not uncommon. They 

 vary in color from light reddish brown, color of cinnamon stone, to 

 dark brown. This mineral is apparently inexhaustible, and may be 

 obtained without blasting. 



In the town of Dekalb, eight miles from Gouverneur, on the road 

 to Ogdensburgh, we find brown tourmaline in very perfect crystals, 

 imbedded in tremolite. It is difficult to obtain perfect crystals, on 

 account of the tenacity of the tremolite which contains them, but 

 although smaller they are more perfect in form, and have a higher 

 lustre than the specimens from the locality in Gouverneur. Near the 

 bridge across the Oswegatchie river, at the village of Gouverneur, 

 we find nohle serpentine, in masses, imbedded in limestone of a fine 

 green color, capable of taking a fine polish. 



One mile below the village of Gouverneur, on the bank of the river, 

 we obtain calcareous spar in fine rhombs, translucent to transparent, 

 exhibiting double refraction very perfectly. Good specimens can 

 be obtained only when the water in the river is quite low. 



Li the town of Fowler, twelve miles from Gouverneur, is a bed of 

 bog ore, which contains perfect impressions of the leaves and strobiles 



