424 V. F. MARSTERS — ASBESTOS DEPOSITS OP BELVIDERE MOUNTAIN 



ships of the area between the plateau and Hazens notch very difficult 

 to ascertain. 



Rock Types 



general distribution 



Within the area under consideration three widely different types of 

 rock are to be found, namely, schist, amphibolite, and serpentine. The 

 first occupies the valley floors and lower slopes of the Missisquoi; the 

 second forms the uppermost 1,000 feet of Belvidere mountain, and the 

 third occupies the area between the schist and the amphibolite. 



SCHISTS 



Brief discussion of composition. — It will be seen from an inspection of 

 the map showing the distribution of a part of the formations of the state 

 that the Belvidere area lies entirely within the so-called talcose schist as 

 mapped by Hitchcock and published in the report for 1861.* 



On account of the lithological characters and mineralogical associa- 

 tions the schists of Vermont were early regarded by Hitchcock and 

 others as a part of the great terrane extending from southeastern Canada 

 (Quebec) to Alabama. Among the first scientific men to devote atten- 

 tion to these peculiar rocks was T. Sterry Hunt, who carried on a series 

 of chemical investigations with the hope of gaining some knowledge of 

 the origin of this rather prominent series of metamorphics as they appear 

 within Canadian territory. His studies led to the conclusion that they 

 were derived from slates. His chemical results, moreover, brought out 

 the fact that the name " talcose " as applied to the schists was a misno- 

 mer. This fact is evident from an inspection of his analysis, which is 

 appended : 



Silica 66.70 



Alumina 16.20 



Peroxyd of iron 6.90 



Lime 67 



Magnesia 2.75 



Alkalies (by difference) 3.68 



Water 3.10 



100.00 



Thus it is seen that less than 3 per cent of magnesia is to be found 

 in this sample (Saint Marie), and even in the slates with which the tal- 

 cose schists are closely associated not more than 8 per cent. It is 



* Edward Hitchcock : Geology of Vermont, vol. 1, p. 504. Map, vol. 2. 



