54 Economical Geology. 



seem to be abundant, the bed being rarely more than one or two feet 

 wide. It has been wrought to some extent ; but the operations are at 

 present suspended. It belongs to Hon. Samuel C. Allen. Micaceous 

 oxide of iron occurs at the same bed. 



The same bed of ore makes its appearance a mile or two south of 

 the excavation : and also, as I have been told, two or three miles 

 north, in Charlemont. 



In Bernardston. 



As already remarked in the postscript to limestome, this forms a 

 bed several feet thick in limestone, dipping at a moderate angle to the 

 south east. ^Wien the ore was formerly worked, some complaint was 

 made, as if it did not produce the best of iron. But probably the 

 trials then made were very imperfect. The ore is doubtless very 

 abundant, and I should think well worthy the attention of the iron 

 manufacturer. 



In Somerset, Vt. 



This bed is similarly situated to that in Hawley, and in the same 

 range of talcose slate, although twenty miles north of the north line 

 of Massachusetts. The ore, yielding 78 per cent of iron, is of the 

 first quality ; and this spot is peculiarly interesting on another ac- 

 count, to which I shall refer in the sequel. 



In Winchester, N. H. 



This bed is only two or three miles north of the line of Massa- 

 chusetts, and the ore is said to be abundant, though for some reason 

 the working of it has ceased. The ore very much resembles that 

 from Franconia in New Hampshire. 



In Cumberland, R. I 



Dr. Robinson says that he has obtained magnetic oxide of iron, 

 from " most of the thirteen mine holes" which he visited in that town. 

 But the principal bed of ore, lies about two miles north east of the 

 meeting house, and constitutes a large hilL It is obtained with great 

 facility by blasting. It contains however several foreign minerals, 

 so that as it is now worked, it yields only about 30 per cent of iron. 

 This is probably far less than it contains ; for it has a high specific 

 gravity. The ore is smelted principally in Massachusetts. It is 

 owned by General Leach of Easton, and will furnish an inexhausti- 

 ble supply. 



