LOEAIN COUNTY. 217 



ties of the State, and extensively quarried in many localities, the Berea 

 grit seems to reach its maximum of excellence in Lorain county. Here 

 it has been chiefly quarried at Amherst, and the " Amherst stone " is 

 now as widely known and has a reputation as firmly established as any 

 other building material in use. The Amherst quarries are located in a 

 series of ledges which, as I have stated, were once the shore cliffs of Lake 

 Erie. The base of the stratum here lies about 140 feet above the Lake, 

 with which the quarries are connected by railroad. The Lake Shore 

 Railroad also passes them, and supplies means of transportation by 

 which a large part of their product is removed. The Berea grit at Am- 

 herst, as elsewhere, varies considerably in character, and especially in 

 solidity, within limited distances, and the ledges in which the quarries 

 are situated apparently represent the more massive and solid portions of 

 the stratum which have best resisted erosion, and hence have been left in 

 relief. Their elevation has also caused them to be thoroughly drained, 

 and the iron contained in the stone generally oxidized so that it has a 

 warmer tint than where, as at Berea, it lies below drainage. The Am- 

 herst stone is commended by the following qualities which it possesses 

 in an unusual degree : 



1st. Durability. It is chemically nearly pure silica, and is scarcely 

 more affected by weathering than the best granite ; it is also very re- 

 fractory, and will endure exposure to fire by which granite or limestone 

 would be entirely destroyed. 



2d. Strength. This varies from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds to the square 

 inch ; from two to four times that of the best brick, and at least sufficient 

 to endure any weight likely to be imposed upon it by modern archi- 

 tecture. 



3d. Color. This is generally light drab, warm, cheerful, uniform, 

 and unchangeable. The variety known as " blue Amherst," recently 

 obtained from the base of the formation, is a delicate and attractive 

 blue. 



4th. Texture. This is fine and homogeneous, without flaws, iron, or 

 clay balls. While containing the quarry water, it works, as the stone- 

 cutters say, "like cheese," but hardens on exposure, and retains every 

 inscription with the greatest fidelity. 



These qualities are rarely found in as great perfection combined in one 

 stone, and are such as fully warrant the high reputation it enjoys. The 

 other uses of the Amherst stone are scarcely less important than those 

 to which I have referred. It is now furnishing several varieties of grind- 

 stones which have no superior in the world. They are wrought of all 

 sizes, and are adapted both for dry and wet grinding. Among other 



