Mineralogy, Geology, &c. 43 
ner township of Vermont, there is a mountain group of most 
imposing sublimity, with a richness (as we saw it,) of light 
and shadow rarely surpassed.* 
Tortuous Slate, singularly curved and involved, occurs 
on the right of the road a little south of Bennington : it is 
worth noticing as a curious specimen of the kind ; this slate 
appears very black, as if it were mixed with carbon. 
Lime stone of a dove colour occurs in continued ledges 
for many miles before coming to Bennington : it follows the 
general stratification of the country, and appears to be a part 
of the great transition formation of limestone which contin- 
ues on to Middlebury, &c. 
Fluor spar, (as we are informed by Bishop Brownell, 
who discovered it,) occurs in an iron mine near and east of 
Bennington; we had nottime to visit this place, nor the lo- 
cality of excellent manganese which exists in this vicinity. 
(Prof. Hall. Vol. III. pa, 57.) 
Sileceous slate, and even the Basanite or Lydian stone, 
lie scattered on the hills near the Hudson : we crossed 
these hills in passing to this river from Bennington ; we did 
not observe the mineral in place, but from its frequency 
and the geological structure of this region, (transition slate,) 
we presume that it may be found in its proper bed ; quartz 
crystals were also of frequent occurrence in the stones of ° 
the roads and fences. 
Yellow ochre of a delicate and bright colour, and formed 
in concentric bands like agate, also occurred on these hills. 
Veins of crystalized calcareous spar exist at Baker’s falls, 
inlaid in a black slate, and forming a striking feature, both 
by their contrast of colour and by their zigzag windings ; 
they are visible at a considerable depth through the water, 
and their ruins are abundant on the shores; the slate in 
which they lie also effervesces with acids, as does that of 
Saratoga through which they are now digging the Northern 
Canal. 
* Mr. Morse made sketches of several mountain scenes both here and on 
Lake George, and at Ticonderoga, and other places. 
