CATSKILL FORMATION. G 5 . 63 



of coal from \' to 1" thick are sometimes found in some of 

 the sandstones, and in a few cases have led to a considera- 

 ble outlay in prospecting for coal ; but it can be stated with 

 the fullest assurance that no workable beds will ever be 

 found. 



At some localities small quantities of wad, or black oxide 

 of manganese are found scattered through the Catsklll sand- 

 stones, but never in sufficient quantities to warrant mining. 



Traces of copper glance are also found occasionally ; and 

 at one locality near Honesdale copper and nickel were found 

 in small quantities in reel shale, but in such small amount 

 and so distributed through the rock as to be of no value. 



In Manchester township, Wayne county, a good deal of 

 time and money was once wasted in prospecting one of the 

 Catskill sandstones, iron-stained and specked with mica, 

 which was mistaken for gold. 



Catsklll Fossils. — The only vertebrates seen in the Cats- 

 kill rocks of either county are the supposed fish fragments 

 in the calcareous breccias. 



Plant remains are seen occasionally ; among which is the 

 Archo3opteris Jacksoni, found by Prof. Dolph in the Pau- 

 pack sandstone, opposite Honesdale. Fragments of leaves 

 and stems are often seen too badly preserved for even gen- 

 eric determination. 



As for shells, I have not noticed a single specimen of a 

 molluscan fossil in the Catsklll rocks anywhere within 

 this district : if any exist they must be exceedingly rare. 



Mount Pleasant red shale (1), 100' thick is very well ex- 

 posed along the road descending from the village, west- 

 ward ; has a uniform, dull, dark red color ; and shows no 

 sandstone layers. Also, under Prospect Rock, in the South 

 Knob, Clifford township. 



The general erosion of the country in both counties lim- 

 its the present area of this red shale to isolated patches in 

 the higher ridges and hill- tops. 



