63 



Economical Geology. 



viz. that the central parts of Hampshire county contain extensive de- 

 posits of lead, which may be of great value to posterity, if not to the 

 present generation. Probably many more veins will hereafter be dis- 

 covered, since little examination has been made with a view to bring 

 them to light. 



Copper. 



This valuable metal occurs in numerous places near the junction 

 of the greenstone and sandstone, in the valley of the Connecticut, be- 

 tween New Haven and Vermont. Several veins of copper ore are 

 found in Connecticut ; and the only one in that state, that has been 

 explored to any considerable extent, lies on the borders of Massachu- 

 setts, viz. in Granby. It has long been known under the name of 

 Simsbury mines, although it is within the limits of Granby. Many 

 years ago, before the war of the revolution, I believe, this vein was 

 explored to a considerable extent. Afterwards the Government of 

 Connecticut made use of the abandoned shafts and galleries for a 

 State prison. Since the removal of this prison to Wethersfield, the 

 exploration has been resumed, by a new company, I believe, and, as 

 I am informed by the agent, with success. The principal part of the 

 ore is the red oxide, associated, however, with green carbonate. 



In Greenfield. 



In the north-eastern part of this town, on the banks of the Connec- 

 ticut river, are two veins of copper, about a mile apart*; the most north- 

 ern one being about one hundred rods below the mouth of a small 

 stream, called Fall river, and the same distance in a direct line from 

 the cataract in Connecticut river, sometimes called Miller's Falls ; 

 but lately, and more appropriately, Turner's Falls. These veins 

 are several feet in width, and they pass into a hill of greenstone 

 on one hand, and under the river, on the other hand, into sandstone. 

 The gangue is sulphate of barytes and toadstone, and the ores are the 

 green carbonate and pyritous copper. Actual exploration alone can 

 determine whether these veins might be profitably worked. 



On the most southern of the small islands, in the middle of Tur- 

 ner's Falls, has been found pyritous copper, of a rich quality, and 

 in considerable quantity. Indeed several varieties of the sandstone 

 rocks in the vicinity, appear to be considerably impregnated with 

 copper. 



Pyritous copper is associated with iron, in a vein, in greenstone, 



