8 Geology and Mineralogy of a part of Massachusetts, &c. 
The mica-slate of the Taconick range is far coarser than 
that of the eastern ridge. Taconick Mt. is a huge mass 
of mica-slate. The same kind of rock continues along 
the highest part of this range, and is crossed by the road 
passing from Pittsfield to New Lebanon Spring; at the 
summit of the same hill between Lanesborough, and Han- 
cock ; and apparently terminates with this ridge at the south 
part of Williamstown. It is found again farther south and 
west in Hancock along the eastern foot of the hills which 
here form the western boundary of the state. It disappears 
before you reach the place where the range is broken 
through by Hoosick river. On the north side of the Hoo- 
sick, however, it appears again, apparently a continuation 
of the hill which terminates at the south part of Williams- 
town, and extends towards the west as you proceed north- 
wards, forming the southern part and perhaps the summit of 
Mt. Anthony in Bennington, Vt. The south declivity of 
this mountain extends southwards to the middle of Pownal, 
and its rock seems to be a continuation of this coarse mica- 
slate, which was before mentioned as appearing on the 
west side of Hancock, and extending along the boundary 
line towards the north. J have been thus particular in de- 
signating the places where this rock appears, because this 
point is essential to a right understanding of the position of 
the argillite in Berkshire county, and the south-west part of 
Vermont, and is conclusive of the place where, at least, we 
are notto look for transition rocks. 
This stratum is separated from the other mica-slate by 
the primitive limestone. It often contains some tale, form- 
ing talco-micaceous slate, especially along the eastern base 
of the Taconick range, while the higher parts are often the 
coarse mica-slate without any mixture of talc. 
A Geologist, in passing from the east across Berkshire 
Co. into the state of New-York, would naturally anticipate 
his approach towards a different formation, as he examined 
the mica-slate of the western boundary of Massachusetts; 
and he would pass only a short distance farther west to be 
satisfied that he had come upon the transition series of rocks. 
