78 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
CALCITE FROM STERLINGBUSH, LEWIS CO., N. Y. 
Plate 8 
Early in October 1906, the attention of the Assistant State Geologist 
was directed to several fine calcite crystals in the possession of Miss 
Pauline Sterling in Antwerp. These proved on investigation to have come 
from’ the quarry of the New Vork lime (Com mabout wa mile teasimon 
Sterlingbush in the town of Diana, Lewis co. The quarry was situated 
on the eastern slope of a ridge of dolomitic limestone extending northeast 
and southwest, the exposed face rising to a hight of about 35 feet. Ata 
hight of approximately 20 feet from the base of this exposed face, the 
limestone had been hollowed out to form an irregular shaped cavern, the 
wall, roof and floor of which were covered with calcite crystals some of which 
were of enormous size. At the time of the visit a portion of the walls of this 
cave had been removed in the operation of quarrying the limestone. Access 
to the cave was gained through an opening about 4 feet in diameter. Inside 
this opening the cavity expanded to a cross section of about 10 feet in width 
by 5 feet in hight, running back for a distance of some 20 feet when it 
suddenly contracted to a small passage about 4 feet in cross section, rather 
winding, but extending downward in a general direction for a distance of 
about 20 feet, gradually narrowing to a size which rendered it impossible 
of access. 
Many of the largest crystals were found in the outer portion of the cave, 
the roof and walls of which were thickly covered with calcite crystals of 
all sizes. Fewer and smaller crystals were encountered in the inner cave 
where they were found mostly attached to the roof and sides. 
The crystals are of unsual size, the largest taken out measuring 3 feet 
7 inches by 3 feet 14 inches by 1 foot 6 inches and weighing approximately 
1000 pounds.’ A number of smaller crystals ranging in weight from 100 to 
500 pounds were obtained besides several large slabs covered with smaller 
crystals and a vast amount of smaller specimens representing single crystals 
1The largest calcite crystal of which a record is accessible is one from Eskifjordhr, 
Iceland, at present in the British Museum. 
