286 



Report of the State Geologist. 



besides Spirifer, two species of goniatites, etc. Above this is a succession of 

 hard, sandy, bluish shales and thin bedded sandstones, aggregating 155 feet in 

 thickness. The sandstone layers in the upper part of this division have been 

 quarried for flagstone near the village of Spafford. In some of the layers of 

 shale which separate these sandstones at the quarry, specimens of Strophomena 

 id iioroitata and a small Orthis are quite abundant, and other species occur 

 sparingly. This quarry is 260 feet above the top of the black shales, and is 

 in the Ithaca beds of the Portage group. This horizon is not exposed in 

 King's gulf, but near the top of the hill directly east, in the highway lead- 

 ingfrom Tully to Truxton, a layer of sandstone crops out which contains main 

 Chemung fossils. This layer is 265 feet above the Aulopora beds and 370 

 feet above the top of the black slate. Overlying it and outcropping in many 

 places, are hard shales and sandstones, which cap all the high hills on the 

 southern boundary line of the county, the greatest thickness being 300 to 350 

 feet, all belonging to the Chemung group. Although these upper sandstones 

 are suitable for building stones, and in some places for flagging, they are not 

 quarried. The loose blocks and slabs scattered about the fields supply the 

 demand, which is entirely local. 



The quarry at Spafford was operated vigorously at one time, and pro- 

 duced some very line flagging, which was taken down the hill to Spafford's 

 landing, thence to Skaneateles by boat. It is not now operated. A factory 

 located at Manlius manufactured whetstones from a layer of Portage sand- 

 stones in Labrador hill, or South mountain. They were called "Labrador 

 stones," and had a large sale, but their manufacture has ceased. Many flags 

 from the Aulopora beds may be seen in the sidewalks in Tully. They Avere 

 quarried a few miles south, at Preble, in Cortland county. 



Quaternary Era. 



The deposits of the Quaternary era consist of the earlier drift material 

 brought from the north, with additions from the local limestones and shales 

 carried by a southward movement and spread over all the south part of the 

 county, even to the tops of the highest hills, where granite boulders and 

 blocks of Medina sandstone, together witli Lower Ilelderberg and Onondaga 

 limestones, are common. This drift is generally coarse and unassorted, and 

 the few beds of sand or clay found in sheltered positions are small and of 

 little importance. 



The valleys of Limestone and Butternut creeks in the town of Fabius, 

 ami of Onondaga creek in Tully, are choked by immense deposits of unstrati- 



