Geology of Massachusetts. 19 
purposes, the distinction of granite and gneiss is of small importance ; 
though of much consequence in respect to the science of Geology. 
The quarries of gneiss in Massachusetts are perhaps even more 
numerous than those of granite, though not in general so exten- 
sively wrought. It forms an admirable building stone ; and is in no 
respect, that I know of, inferior to granite; while the facility with 
which it cleaves in one direction, renders it easier to get out and 
dress ; so that it can be afforded at a less price. Accordingly we 
find that a large proportion of the better class of buildings, in the ex- 
tensive portion of the central part of the State, where this rock pre- 
vails, are underpinned by wrought blocks of it. Its fissile character 
also renders it an excellent material for common stone walls and 
flagging stones. ‘The same property enables the quarry-man to split 
out layers of it of almost any size, and only a few inches in thick- 
nesss: and their surface is generally so even, as to require but little 
dressing. Hence it is very common to see such large stones of this 
description in front of very many of our churches and other public 
buildings. 
_ It is a curious fact, that in Europe gneiss seems to have been ap- 
plied to no useful purpose. One of the latest geological writers in 
Great Britain says, that “ this schistose (slaty) body serves no particular 
purpose in the arts of life.”* This rock appears to be more perfect- 
ly developed in our country thanin Europe. ‘There it seems chiefly 
to consist of that variety, not uncommon here, in which the layers are 
so contorted and irregular as to prevent its splitting into parallel 
planes. 
The western part of Worcester County, and the eastern part of 
Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties, afford the best quar- 
ries of gneiss. ‘That branch of the Worcester range extending into 
Middlesex County, and the range in Berkshire County, do. not fur- 
nish so good specimens for architecture, though by no means devoid 
of interest in this respect. 
The quarries of gneiss that are most extensively wrought, and fur- 
nish the best stone, are situated in the following towns : Wilbraham, 
Pelham, Monson, Montague, Dudley, Millbury, Westborough, Boyls- 
ton and Uxbridge. Much of the stone at these quarries can hardly 
be distinguished from granite, even by the geologist. The Millbury 
* Ure’s Geology, p. 100. 
