PIKE COUNTY. 623 



their greater accessibility, it has come to pass in all of the larger quarries 

 that the supply of the first variety is much more limited than formerly. 

 The blue stone when laid in masonry undergoes a change of color in its 

 exposed portions similar in kind to that which the outer portions of the 

 native beds have already passed through. 



There is also in the Waverly system a large amount of stone of a yel- 

 lowish cast, which deepens by exposure ; but this, though equally durable 

 is less sought for the better class of buildings. ' 



On the western side of the county especially, though not strictly con- 

 fined to this region, these same courses are beautifully variegated with 

 bands of red, yellow, and brown. This variety is shown in its best state 

 near Cynthiana, and whenever railroad transportation shall be furnished 

 to this region, it may be counted certain that the admirable qualities of 

 this stone will be in demand for ornamental architecture. This varie- 

 gated sandstone happens to have a constitution that fits it for use as 

 grindstones, for which it is in considerable local demand. 



There is also in the same locality, viz., near Cynthiana, a very white 

 and fine-grained representative of the quarry courses, which, among 

 other uses, has been in limited demand for gravestones. The whiteness 

 of the stone has more than once suggested it as a glass-making rock, but 

 the subjoined analysis shows that the property in question is due to the 

 absence of oxides of iron, and that in reality the sandstone is not of the 

 highest degree of purity. 



The specimen in question was taken from the quarries of John Traber, 

 Esq., on the western edge of Shepherd's Mountain : 



Silicic acid 91.35 



Iron, sesquioxide trace 



Alumina 6.00 



Lime, carbonate • 0.75 



Magnesia, carbonate • 0.34 



Water, combined 1-00 



99.44 

 The principal defects which the "Waverly stone exhibits in its applica- 

 tion as a building stone are the following : 



a. Some varieties of it are too tender for the uses to which they are 

 put. For the exposed courses of buildings, for steps, or flaggings, such 

 varieties are ill adapted. 



6. Many representatives of the Waverly stone are unable to endure 

 the action of the atmosphore. When exposed to the weather a process 

 of exfoliation begins, which, though it advances very slowly, results in 

 the destruction of the stone. 



