limestones, they vary slightly in structure and com posi- 
tion. While all the strata are fossiliferous, it is often dif- 
ficult to obtain good specimens on account of the extreme 
toughness of several of the layers. Both plants and ani- 
mals are represented in these fossil remains. Fishes first 
make their appearance in this period. Sponges, corals, 
crinoids, brachiopods, gasteropods, lamellibranchs, ceph- 
alopods and trilobites are common, while plants are 
represented by ferns and lycopods. Many of the courses 
of rock furnish excellent building stone, and some are 
burned for the manufacture of lime. 
The Onondaga Limestone.—The first group of this 
period which we will discuss is the far-famed Onondaga 
Limestone. In color itis gray; in structure, tough and 
crystalline; in durability it approaches granite, which it is 
often said to resemble. If it has once been carefully 
noted it will henceforth be easily recognized. It is capa- 
ble of taking a very excellent polish, which, with its other 
qualities, makes it a valuable substitute for granite 
and marble in monuments, tombstones, ornamental trim- 
mings, etc. In these forms it is often sold by local deal- 
ers for granite. As a building stone it is unsurpassed, 
and not only has it the local reputation of being one of 
the finest building stones in the country, but is known as 
such all over the United States. For several years past, 
however, competition has sprung up, its rivals being two 
handsome sandstones. Owing to an unlimited amount of 
advertising these have gained a considerable amount of 
public attention and praise. In our own city, several large 
buildings have been constructed from these materials, and 
we heartily join in the popular voice which has called 
them ‘‘handsome.’”’ Whether they will prove superior to 
the Onondaga Limestone, as their promoters have often 
maintained, or whether they will eventually occupy an 
inferior position to the limestone, which on account of its 
27 
