1O2 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 
largely used in New York, Buffalo and the new House of Parliament 
at Ottawa varies considerably in its character. Dr. Hall states that 
at different points along the outcrcp of the formation our earthy 
Heematite or Clinton Iron band, as we noticed recently, changes at 
Grimsby into a red and mottled sandstone. Granites, considered 
the most durable for building purposes and displaying no inherent 
cause for decay, will show sometimes quite unexpectedly a strange 
want of cohesion on the quartz, Felspar Mica, a little way off, as 
in this instance of the specimen now produced, which may easily be 
crushed in your hand. The decomposition may be due occasionally 
in this class of building stones to the weathering process, affecting 
large felspar or homblende crystals. Iron Pyrites, finely dis- 
seminated, also occur and are frequently the cause of destruction in 
the gneissoid and granite rocks. The famous Kaolin clay of China 
is merely decomposed felspar. No doubt the instructive and ex- 
ceedingly interesting paper on. “ Pottery,” by Professor Ireland, 
Principal of the Art School, is still fresh in our memories. 
I understand that the limestone of the Barton Niagara rocks at 
Lime Ridge, behind the Mountain View Hotel, are coming into use for 
building purposes. It may prove difficult to dress, but it seems well 
fitted for the heaviest structures, possessing great strength and powers 
of resistance to pressure. The upper or glaciated layer should only 
be used in basements of houses. It contains large numbers of 
organic remains less durable than the enveloping dark material, 
which slowly but surely would disappear if exposed to weathering. 
Since the great fire in Chicago many have become impressed 
with the idea that brick resists intense leat better than limestones. 
It is said the Niagaras used for buildings in that city were 
saturated with crude petroleum like many of the corniferous lime- 
stones of Ontario Granites which are used for lining kilns 
will stand any amount of heat. The surface becomes glazed. 
The pre-historic vitrified forts in Ireland, built without mortar, erected 
more than 2,000 years ago, seem indestructible. No better material 
could have been selected than the massive freestone blocks recently 
used in the construction of the Incline Railway. 
The color of a building stone may be of less importance than 
its durability, yet it is a matter which cannot be well ignored, and 
perhaps too little attention has been given to our surroundings. 
Nature has done much for Hamilton. ‘“‘ The suburbs and City of 
