404 REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1886. 



Ohio. — The limestones and dolomites of this State are almost alto- 

 gether of a dull, uninteresting eolor, and though in many cases durable 

 and strong are entirely unlit for any sort of line building and orna- 

 mental work. They are therefore used chiefly for the rough work of 

 foundations, street paving, and flagging, and to a very large extent for 

 making quicklime. In many instances they have been used locally 

 for building purposes, but their qualities are not such as to cause them 

 to be sought from a distance. 



At Point Marblehead, in the northern part of the State, dull, light- 

 colored compact dolomites of Carboniferous age have been quarried for 

 making lime and for building purposes for the past fifty years. Many 

 buildings in the vicinity have been constructed from it, and it has also 

 been largely used by the Government for light-houses and other struct- 

 ures along the lake front. Of late years its use for building has very 

 considerably diminished. Near Sandusky, in Erie County, the same 

 formations have been extensivly worked, not less than 12 acres in 

 the vicinity having been quarried over to a depth of 8 feet. The 

 stone is of a dull, bluish-gray color, and is used fur building, flagging, 

 and making lime ; about one hundred and eighty houses in the city 

 have been constructed from it. Near Columbus, in Franklin County, 

 the Devonian limestones are extensively quarried, and the product has 

 in a few instances been used for building purposes. By far the greater 

 part of the product is, however, used as a flux for iron and for making 

 quicklime. A dolomite from the same formations is quarried for rough 

 building and lime burning at and near Marion, in Marion County. 



In Allen, Miami, Clarke, Greene, Montgomery, Preble, and several 

 other counties the dolomites and limestones of Upper Silurian age are 

 extensively worked, but so far as the author can learn but a small part 

 of the quarry product is utilized for building. At Springfield the stone 

 is buff in color and somewhat porous, though it is said to be strong and 

 durable. 



Near Greenfield, Ross County, and Lexington, Highland County, 

 there are extensive quarries of a bituminous dolomite, which is largely 

 used in Cincinnati for flagging, steps, and in the manufacture of lime. 

 Specimens received at the National Museum from the places show the 

 stone to vary from dark grayish distinctly laminated to line, compact, 

 and homogeneous of a yellowish or buff color. The buff stone can be 

 cut to a sharp edge, and acquires a good surface, but takes only a dull 

 polish. So far as the author has observed this is one of the finest ap- 

 pearing and best working stones in the State. 



The Montgomery County stone is a magnesian limestone, and it is 

 said to have obtained a good reputation. It is not now used as much 

 as formerly, however. The stone quarried in the other localities men- 

 tioned present so little diversity of character as to need no special 

 description. 



