28 Mineralogy of New York. 



to be a most valuable improvement, especially as charcoal is giv- 

 ing out in some portions of our iron country. 



Lead ores. — The only deposits of lead ore which are worthy 

 of special mention are the veins of Rossie in St. Lawrence 

 County and of the Shawangunk Mountains in Sullivan County. 

 These have already been described in this Journal, and we need 

 not repeat in this place. We cite a few sentences from Dr. Beck 

 with regard to the condition of the Shawangunk mines. 



" The mining operations have been carried on in the most ju- 

 dicious manner, all the galleries and levels being susceptible of 

 complete drainage and ventilation. The amount of ore obtained 

 is large, and it is quite probable that it may be increased to any 

 extent, and at a trifling cost. The mineral was reduced in a 

 reverberatory furnace ; and the lead, of which many tons have 

 been manufactured, is said to have been of good quality. Both 

 the lead and the ore yield by cupellation a small proportion of 

 silver ; too small, however, to warrant the separation in a large 

 way. 



" The ore itself, aside from the associates above named, is as 

 rich, as valuable, and as easily reduced, as that of any lead mine 

 whatever. The location of this mine, too, and the prospect of a 

 supply of ore, are all as favorable as could be desired, while the 

 average quantity of ore in a cubic yard of the vein is as great, if 

 not greater, than that of any lead mine at present known in the 

 state. 



" The Sullivan and St. Lawrence mines may be thus briefly 

 contrasted. In the latter, the ore is in small veins, with very 

 good associates, and is easily reduced ; but the situation of the 

 mines is bad. In the former, the ore is in large veins, with bad 

 associates, and is more difficult of separation and reduction ; but 

 the mines are admirably situated, whether we regard the removal 

 of the ore, or the facility of transporting the produce of it." — 

 p. 51. 



The associates here referred to, are blende and copper and iron 

 pyrites, the first of which constitutes a large part of the vein. 

 The mines of Rossie have not been worked since 1839. 



Manganese ores. — Manganese is found most abundantly in the 

 counties of Columbia and Dutchess, where it occurs in marshes 

 and is mostly the bog variety. According to Mather, fifty thou- 

 sand tons of ore could be obtained at these deposits with little 



