Mineralogy of New York. 3 1 



" The limestone is first reduced to small fragments, which are 

 then thrown into a kiln with layers of the screenings of anthra- 

 cite intermixed. At an interval of twelve hours, the lower lay- 

 ers of the kiln are removed, and fresh portions of the limestone 

 thrown into the upper part. These operations are so managed 

 that each layer is subjected to heat for about three days. The 

 lime thus calcined is of a light drab color ; and when reduced to 

 powder and mixed with about one third its bulk of sand and made 

 into a paste with water, soon becomes hard. The grinding is 

 performed in a mill, and the powdered cement is put up in barrels 

 which are lined with paper to prevent as much as possible the 

 access of air." — p. 77. 



In the following chapters, Dr. Beck treats of the marl deposits, 

 and the brine and other mineral springs in the state, which we 

 need not notice here, as the principal facts have already been stated 

 in this Journal. With regard to the origin of the salt in the Brine 

 Springs, Dr. B. argues that there are beds of rock-salt below, 

 from which it is dissolved, and opposes the view that salt is dis- 

 seminated in particles through the rock. Both suppositions may 

 be true; like lime, salt may be disseminated in beds or in grains, 

 and in either case might give origin to brine springs. Both sour- 

 ces probably exist in the state of New York. Leaving these dis- 

 'cussions without further remark, we pass on to 



Part II, entitled Descriptive Mineralogy, which includes com- 

 plete descriptions of all the various minerals of the state. The spe- 

 cific characters of each species are given as in common mineralo- 

 gical treatises. This is more than should have been expected in a 

 state report ; but it renders the work more complete in itself and 

 more convenient for those who have not other general works on 

 mineralogy at hand. A large number of crystalline forms is giv- 

 en. But a small proportion of the figures, however, are new, and 

 much yet remains to be done in studying out the more complex 

 crystallizations of some of the New York minerals. Very many 

 of the forms, although before known, are for the first time identi- 

 fied in any work, with the different localities in the state, and 

 much useful information is thus conveyed. The localities are 

 described with great fidelity, and whatever pertains to the habits 

 of the species, their accidental variations and mineral associates. 

 In addition a number of new analyses are given. 



