32 Geology of Massachusetts. 
dale; one also in Blanford, which is wrought and produces an ex- 
cellent stone. ‘Two beds occur in Granville, which I have not visi- 
ted. Another is opened in Zoar, where are two distinct varieties, 
one nearly white, another of a deep green. In Rowe is another 
quarry, where these two varieties are equally distinct. At the two 
last named localities, however, the rock is distinctly green and white 
tale ; and indeed, the two minerals (tale and steatite) are probably in 
every case identical. 
On the east side of the Connecticut river are several beds of this 
rock, more or less quarried in every instance ; but in general not ex- 
plored deep enough to develop the rock in its unaltered character : 
for the air and moisture generally affect it for several feet deep. In 
the south part of Shutesbury is one bed: in the southwest part of 
Wendell another : and two miles east of the centre of New Salem, 
a third. The quality of the rock at these places, is not as good as 
that west of the river; though it has scarcely been explored at all, 
at the localities above mentioned. 
In Groton is a bed of soapstone on which considerable labor has 
been expended. Its width appears to be 10 or 12 feet, and it de- 
scends into the earth towards the southeast; dipping about 30°, and 
lying between layers of mica slate. It is not of the best quality, being 
somewhat too hard: yet its proximity to Boston, Newburyport, and 
Salem, will probably render it an object of importance. 
In the states adjoining Massachusetts, and not many miles from 
its limits, several extensive and valuable quarries of soapstone have 
been opened. In Vermont, they occur at Marlborough, Windham, 
and Grafton.. In New Hampshire, very fine steatite is found at Fran- 
cestown. In Connecticut, a bed is wrought in Somers. ‘The Grafton 
steatite is employed extensively and successfully for aqueducts: the 
joints being connected by sheet lead. A bed of this rock exists in 
Smithfield, R. I.; although it is not wrought; there are beds also 
in several other places in that state. 
From the preceding statements it seems, that in this state, and 
contigtious to it, immense quantities, and every variety of steatite 
exists. As yet, however, the working of it has hardly commenced ; 
although almost every man is aware of the value of this rock; and 
there are few who do not sometimes stand in the need of it for eco- 
nomical purposes. As the facilities for transportation are multiplied, 
and particularly in the mountainous part of the state, its use will un- 
doubtedly be greatly extended. At present I believe, the shops in 
Boston are supplied from Vermont and New Hampshire. 
