Geology of Massachusetts. 35 
Graphic Slate. 
This occurs in small quantities, along with the argillaceous slate, in 
Lanesborough and Williamstown; also abundantly in Bennington, 
(Vt.) Prof. Dewey, from whose account I derive this fact, does not 
state whether it is pure enough to be employed by artificers for draw- 
ing lines, and for crayons; uses to which this mineral has been appli- 
ed in other countries. 
New Red Sandstone. 
This rock occurs in Massachusetts, only in the vicinity of Connect- 
icut river ; along which, on both sides, ranges extend from Middle- 
town, (Ct.) to Vermont. It affords large quantities of good stone 
for building and other purposes. Some of the numerous varieties of 
this rock are slaty; and either of a red, gray, or black color. These 
varieties furnish good flagging stones; and the side walks of all the- 
principal places along the river, are chiefly covered by them. In the 
more common varieties, the strata are from six inches to two feet or 
more in thickness ; and for the’ most part, the color is red, though 
sometimes gray. From hence is obtained most of the rock of this 
formation used in architecture. ‘The most delicate variety occurs in 
Long Meadow and Wilbraham. It consists simply of an almost blood 
red sand, cemented probably by iron. It is remarkably uniform in 
its color and composition ; and forms a beautiful and most valuable 
building stone ; though liable to be easily injured and sometimes dis- 
integrating by exposure. ‘The quantity of this rock is inexhausti- 
ble, and it occurs only from three to five miles from Connecticut riv- 
er ; the intervening region being nearly level. A great number of 
quarries are now explored ; but I have no means of determining how 
great is the demand for the stone. ‘The celebrated Chatham quar- 
ries, on the banks of Connecticut river, in Connecticut, are opened 
in the same kind of rock, although of a coarser variety. 
Another variety of the new red sandstone, quarried in many places 
in Massachusetts and Connecticut, is coarser than the Long Meadow 
stone ; but being harder, it is more enduring, though less elegant. A 
gray and rather coarse variety is used in some places, e. g. in Gran- 
by, (Mass.) This, indeed, with the other varieties mentioned above, 
forms excellent underpinning, door and window caps, and foundations, 
and door steps; and, like the Berkshire marble, they are sometimes 
wrought into sinks and other similar articles. ‘The ease with which 
the rocks of this formation are wrought, forms a great recommenda- 
