On the Strontiamic of Schoharie, (N. Y.) 363 



Art. XXVI. — On the Stronfinnitc of Schoharie, (N. Y.) nith a 

 Notice of the Limestone Cavern in the same place ; by Charles 

 U. Shepard, Lecturer on Natural History in Yale College. 



The announcement of Strontianite in the last number of this 

 Journal, (p. 182.) has probably excited the wish for farther inforrha- 

 tlon relating to its mode of occurrence. During the absence of 

 Prof. SiLLiMAN last autumn, I was entrusted with the care of pub- 

 lishing Dr. Emmons' letter, and took advantage of his suggestion to 

 the Editor to make application to Mr. Bonny of Schoharie, for the 

 circumstances respecting the locality of the Strontianite, and for il- 

 lustrative specimens ; in consequence of which, I have received two 

 communications, each accompanied by a case of minerals, from 

 whence the following particulars concerning the mineral in question, 

 are derived. The account of Ball's Cave is abstracted from a news- 

 paper communication, also forwarded by Mr. Bonny.* 



From Mr. Bonny's first letter, dated Schoharie Court House, 

 Sept. 7, 1834, I make the following extract: "Your favor, dated 

 August 30th, was duly received, and agreeably to your request, I 

 have put up a box containing all the varieties yet discovered, to- 

 gether with a draft by Mr. John Gerhard, jr. showing as nearly as 

 possible, the locality and situation of the rocks in its vicinity." 



The place described, is situated a quarter of a mile east of the 

 Court House. The following remarks are capable of giving an idea 

 of the subject, approximatively correct, Avithout the diagram. 



1st. stratum, twenty five to thirty feet in thickness, consists of 

 shelly limerock, and^contains the Asaphus, Orthoceratites, Spirifer, 

 Terebratula, &c. 



2nd. stratum, one to two feet in thickness, consists of clay-slate, 

 and contains the Lily, and Stag's horn, Encrinite. 



3rd. stratum, five feet in thickness, consists of stratified limerock, 

 containing Asaphus. 



4th. stratum, ten feet in thickness, consists of a similar rock, but 

 destitute of Asaphus. 



• I regret that the letters of Mr. Bonny do not enable me to give the names of 

 the first discoverers of these interesting localities, in such a manner, as to do those 

 persons complete justice. I therefore leave it for Mr. Bonny, or some other indi- 

 vidual on the spot, to acknowledge in a future communication (and which, I trust 

 will supply all other deficiences of this,) their meritorious services. 



