Geology of Massachusetts. 29 
hundred tons of marble were exported from this town. The marble 
used in building the city hall in New York city was chiefly from this 
town. A part of the marblein the state house in Boston, was from 
the same place. In 1828, a charge of two hundred and four pounds 
of powder, was put into the rock in one of the West Stockbridge 
quarries, and a block from fifty to sixty feet square and eight feet 
thick, was raised ; and as much more loosened. 
The Lanesborough marble is of a superior quality, and a good 
sample of it may be seen in the capitol at Albany. The New Ash- 
ford quarries furnish a marble of the same kind; and several quar- 
ries are opened. Only one mill is there erected for sawing it into 
slabs. A mill of the same kind is in operation in Lenox, and an- 
other at New Marlborough. In Sheffield, three quarries are opened. 
In Alford, two. In Egremont, a bed of marble limestone extends 
nearly through the town. 
There can be ne doubt that greater facilities for the transportation 
of the Berkshire marble—such as a rail road to the Hudson—would 
greatly increase the demand for it, by reducing its price. Such fa- 
cilities will undoubtedly be provided at some future time. For asa. 
country grows older, and increases in wealth and refinement, its val- 
uable and ornamental minerals and rocks will be more sought after and 
used. The inhabitants of Berkshire cannot, therefore, but regard 
their inexhaustible deposits of marble and common limestone, as a rich 
treasure to themselves, and an invaluable legacy to their posterity. . 
The limestone of Smithfield, R. I. and of Stoneham in this state, 
bears a close resemblance to that which produces the celebrated Ca- 
rara marble of Italy. But as yet, few blocks have been obtained at 
either of these localities, large enough and free enough from fissures, 
to be used for statuary. 
Serpentine. 
Tn richness and variety of colors, this rock exceeds all others; and 
is, therefore, eminently suited for ornamental sculpture and architec- 
ture. The prevailing color is green, of different shades, spotted or 
clouded, or veined with other colors; and hence its name, from its 
spotted and striped appearance, bearing a resemblance to the skins of 
some serpents. In hardness, it varies very much; being in some in- 
stances very hard, and in others as easily wrought as marble. 
This rock exists in Massachusetts in great abundance, particularly 
in the Alpine part of the state, or in the Hoosac mountain range. 
