38 



AURORA AND ZODIACAL LIGHT. 



[1853 



part of the State where neither havo been discovered, marl of a 

 fine quality seems to have been abundantly supplied to fertilize 

 and aid the agriculturist in producing his crops. There are 

 many lime formations suitable for agricultural purposes. 



Coal. — This mineral has been found in many localities in this 

 State, but not in workable quantities; and I believe it is now 

 pretty generally conceded that the chances are very much against 

 finding it in quantities. The following localities are the most 

 promising: Sullivan County, Dutchess county near Poughkeep- 

 sie, Ancram, Bethlehem, Buffalo, Canajoharie, Clinton and 

 Florida. Bituminous coal occurs near Genesee, Little Falls, 

 Salisbury. 



Precious Stones. — The following list comprises the precious 

 stones of this State : jasper, agates, garnets, emerald. 



Marbles. — Black marble occurs at Crown Point, also at 

 Glenn's Falls ; white marble at Sonth Dover, and white calca- 

 reous spar at Pleasantville ; all of which is a strong and durable 

 building stone. Marble is also found at several places in West- 

 chester county; also verd antique in Putman county. 



Mineral and Salt Springs. — These exist at' Saratoga, Balls- 

 ton, New Lebanon, Cherry Valley, and in Westchester county ; 

 Salina, Syracuse, Montezuma, Lenox, and in the town of Ellis- 

 burgh, Jefferson county, on the farm of Ezra Stearns, Esquire. 

 The waters are impregnated with salt, and present evidences of 

 havino- been used before that section of the country was inhabited 

 with the present race of people. 



I hope to be able to continue the mineral resources of the State 

 of New York in your next number ; but, before I take leave for 

 the present month, allow me to make some remarks designed for 

 the profession of which I claim to be an humble member. I 

 have witnessed with regret a disposition on the part of many 

 individuals to pluck prematurely the honors due to older members 

 of a profession, which cannot be acquired in a day. Since the 

 present renewed interest in mining has taken possession of the 

 minds of the public, the clergyman has left his pulpit, the lawyer 

 his briefs, the druggist his pills, and the shoemaker his wax, and 

 before its odor has been exhaled by his contact with the disinfect- 

 ing principles of the fresh air, he offers himself as a competent 

 pe son to examine and report on mines, and take the direction and 

 management of them. Thus the capital invested is often lost, 

 and an unfavorable influence prematurely fixed in the minds of 

 those who have lost their money. 



In no pursuit is intelligence, judgment, and experience so 

 requisite; and if duly exejeised by those who have these qualities, 

 the developement of the mineral resources of the country will 

 advance under the most favorable auspices. — \_Mining Magazine. 



Limestone and Marble Quarries on the Shores of Lake 

 Couchiehing. 



The existence of a limestone quarry on Lake Couchichino- bas 

 long been known to the public. The measurements and short 

 descriptions of the Limestone are given in the Geological Reports 

 for 1845. The probable presence of Lithographic stone is there 

 alluded to, as well as of most excellent building stone, and stone 

 for burning into lime. The quarry known by the name of the 

 Government Quarry, lately leased by Messrs. W. E. O'Brien and 

 Moberly, of this City, does not appear to have been much work- 



ed since the time when Mr. Murray made his report in 1845 — ■ 

 neither have the exertions to ascertain the existence of layers of 

 Lithographic bands been prosecuted with much zeal, and it is 

 scarcely to be expected that efforts will be made to set the question 

 at rest, until the demand for building stone will so far facilitate 

 the removal of the superimposed layers as to permit the lower 

 bands, where, most probably, the true lithographic stone exists, to 

 be reached without much trouble and expense. We are glad to 

 find that there is now a prospect of the various bands of Lime- 

 stone forming the shores of this part of Lake Couchiehing, ac- 

 quiring the importance they msrit. We have lately had the op- 

 portunity of visiting a new quarry, recently opened on the oppo- 

 site side of the Peninsula on which the old Government Quarry 

 is situated. The name of this quarry is Tor Thorwald, and its en- 

 terprising proprietor, Mr. Carlyle, is now engaged in conveying 

 some very magnificent specimens of limestone for building pur- 

 poses to Toronto. We were much struck with the singular 

 beauty of many of the huge blocks which we saw ready for ship- 

 ment at Tor Thorwald. We have no doubt that Marble of ex- 

 quisite beauty is to be found in the quarry. Some of the specie 

 mens we examined were delicately veined with pink and blue, 

 and if layers can be obtained without the occurrence of too fragile 

 chrystaline carbonate of Lime, replacing fossils, we do not 

 doubt that marble of singular beauty and value will be obtained. 

 Bands of limestone much approaching that used for lithographic 

 purposes also exist at Tor Thorwald. They are continuations of 

 the same bands which have been already referred to as existing at 

 the old Government Quarry. 



During our stay a schooner was taking on board a cargo of 

 lime, to be forwarded to Toronto; the produce of two lime- 

 kilns constructed within a few feet of the water, which is suffi- 

 ciently deep to admit of a schooner of 60 tons approaching 

 within two yards of the shore. The limekilns, hke the working of 

 the quarry, is at present an experiment, which we do not doubt 

 will be successful, and amply repay the enterprise and courage of 

 the proprietoi's, Messrs. O'Brien and Moberly. The lime is of a 

 very pure description and will soon find a ready market. We 

 were glad to hear of the safe arrival in Toronto of the first ship- 

 ment of lime from the lime-kilns of Tor Thorwald — an event of 

 much importance to builders, and one likely to advance the set- 

 tlement of th* beautiful waste, the north-eastern shores of Lake 

 Couchiehing. We understand, however, that it is the intention 

 of Mr. O'Brien to establish limekilns at Barrie, in the Spring of 

 1854, and convey the stone per schooner from his quarries at 

 Lake Couchiehing. Toronto and intermediate places will then 

 always be able to secure any quantity of hme of excellent quality 

 at a few day's notice, and' at a reasonable charge. We cordially 

 wish this enterprise all the success it so justly merits. 



Aurora and Zodiacal Light. 



We enjoyed an opportunity of witnessing a very magnificent, 

 and in these latitudes, a rather unusual description of Aurora at 

 Welch Pool, Severn River, on the morning of Tuesday the 6th 

 inst Waving streamers of pale light, moved with considerable 



