104 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



ends the upper Clinton limestone is only a few feet above the road- 

 bed, and the shale above it is accessible. 29 to 30 feet above the top 

 of the limestone, a group of calcareous beds rich in bryozoa project 

 from the bank, being readily traceable for some distance on account 

 of their compact nature. Their total thickness is about 4 feet, 

 and they consist of numerous thin limestone layers with shale part- 

 ings of greater or less thickness. On the weathered surfaces of the 

 limestone layers, the bryozoans stand out in relief, and such surfaces 

 will often be found completely covered with these delicate organ- 

 isms. The cylindric types prevail, but the frondose forms are also 

 common. With them occur brachiopods and other organisms. 

 Slabs of this rock are often found on the talus slopes, and they are 

 among the most attractive objects that meet the collector's eye. 

 The section begins again, after an interruption of perhaps a quarter 

 of a mile, near the old quarry in the Clinton limestone. (Plate 15) 

 Between the river and the railroad are several mounds of shale, 

 which were left in place when the railroad cut was made. These are 

 subject to disintegration, and the fossils in consequence weather out. 

 They may be picked up on these mounds completely weathered out, 

 and often in perfect condition. The best of these mounds is about 

 halfway between the old Clinton limestone quarry and the fourth 

 watchman's hut. Here the top of the mound is on the level of the 

 top of the Bryozoa beds, the whole thickness of which is therefore in- 

 cluded in this remaining mass. As these beds are extremely fossili- 

 ferous, this mound is a productive hunting ground. 1 



An equally productive locality for weathered-out fossils is the 

 slope of disintegrated shale rising from the Rome, Watertown and 

 Ogdensburg railroad tracks above Lewiston hights. The best hunt- 

 ing ground is in the little gullies made by the rivulets of rain water 

 in the bank. Some glacial till is here mingled with the clay from 

 the decomposed shales, and it requires a little attention to dis- 

 tinguish the two. 



1 The fossils here obtained are extremely delicate and brittle. They 

 should be placed at once on layers of cotton batting, in a small box and 

 covered with similar material, the box being completely filled. This is the 

 only way in which many of these delicate fossils can be carried away with- 

 out breaking. 



