Hawley Iron Mine. 



53 



Phosphate of Iron. 

 The earthy variety of this ore has been found, in considerable 

 quantity, at the mineral spring in Hopkinton. It forms a bed, one or 

 two feet below the surface and has been employed as a pigment. It 

 is said to exist also near Plymouth. 



Sulphuret of Iron or Iron Pyrites. 

 This is the yellow ore, so frequently mistaken for gold. It occurs 

 more or less in almost every rock ; but is of no use, unless it exists 

 in large quantities, and is of that variety which easily decomposes. 

 In such a case, it may be converted into the sulphate of iron ; that is, 

 into copperas. The ore is broken up, and exposed to the action of 

 air and moisture, when the change takes place, and the lixivium is 

 evaporated to obtain the copperas. In Massachusetts, one can hardly 

 avoid meeting with iron pyrites, and in the western part of Worcester 

 county, the traveller cannot but notice, that nearly all the rocks are 

 coated over with iron rust. This is the result of the decomposition 

 I have spoken of. In Hubbardston, the sulphate is so abundant, that 

 a manufactory of copperas has been established, and I believe success 

 has thus far attended the enterprise. I should presume, that copperas 

 might be manufactured in several other towns south of Hubbardston ; 

 as in North Brookfleld and Southbridge, although the rocks do not 

 appear as highly impregnated with pyrites in any place as in Hub- 

 bardston. 



The decomposition of pyrites, in large quantities, often produces a 

 considerable degree of heat ; and sometimes pieces of rocks are 

 driven off with explosion. This is one of the sources of those numer- 

 ous stories which one hears in the country, concerning noises heard, 

 and lights with smoke, seen in the mountains. Such occurrences ex- 

 cite the belief of the existence of valuable mines in the vicinity ; but 

 they evince the existence of nothing more than iron pyrites. 



Magnetic oxide of Iron. 



This is a valuable ore, affording from 50 to 90 per cent, of iron. 

 It exists in several places in Massachusetts, and on the borders of 

 the state. 



Hawley Iron Mine. 



The principal ore here is the magnetic oxide, which is very good, 

 and the bed is favorably situated for exploration. The ore does not 



