82 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



unreduced remnants of feldspar s:attered through the fine ground- 

 jnass, as evidence of their derivation from an originally coarse- 

 grained rock. 



The principal area of the syenite, thus far noted, lies on the 

 western border of the Fine-Pitcairn granite bathylith, and has been 

 described in some detail by C. H. Smyth, jr. There are smaller 

 scattered areas in other parts of the western Adirondacks. The 

 syenite is not well adapted for building stone on account of its 

 prevailing dark color; moreover its tough unyielding nature in the 

 mass ofifers difficulties in the way of extraction and cutting that 

 would make the cost rather high. Its chief application seeins to 

 be for crushed stone, for which purpose it is superior to the granite 

 and compares very favorably with the best trap. As a monumental 

 stone it does not appear to show nearly the density and fineness of 

 grain that are found in the syenites of Clinton and Essex counties. 



Gabbro is not very common in this section and the occurrences, 

 in part at least, seem to represent a basic, pyroxenic variety of the 

 syenite. The few areas that have been noted up to the present 

 time are in remote sections. They require little 'consideration, 

 therefore, from an economic standpoint, though they may prove of 

 some value as sources of material for local highway construction. 



Trap dikes are likewise of minor importance, the recorded occur- 

 rences being few in number and of small size. 



THE FINE-PITCAIRN GRANITE AREA 



In the towns of Fine and Pitcairn, southern St Lawrence county, 

 is an area of massive granite which, though not delimited as yet 

 or shown on any of the published geological maps, must rank with 

 the large granite exposures in the Adirondacks. By reason of its 

 situation and adaptability to economic 'development this granite 

 seems worthy of more than passing mention. So far apparently 

 it has not been used for any purpose and its existence came to 

 the writer's knowledge only through visits made several years since 

 to the magnetic iron ore localities in its vicinity. The occurrence 

 was revisited in the summer of 191 1 when the section along the 

 Carthage & Adirondack Railroad was examined with some care 

 and samples taken for further study. 



In places the granite possesses qualities as to physical structure, 

 composition and appearance that seem to fulfil the requirements of 

 a good architectural stone which could be employed very generally 



