40 



appearance of truth, that it is not in its original site, but that 

 throughout this whole extent, the galena is out of place. Set- 

 ting aside the evidence of Mr. Schoolcraft, and that derived from 

 personal observation, that the ore is often found in the transi- 

 tion limestone ; the fact that this immense body of lead, un- 

 paralleled in the world, should be found as an accidental de- 

 posit, would be quite too startling to the geologist. The 

 clay above mentioned always reposes upon the transition lime- 

 stone, and there is no doubt that it has been formed by the dis- 

 integration of the rock which formerly constituted the bed of 

 the ore. The abundance of the mineral so near the surface, 

 has prevented the sinking of shafts, except in a few instances ; 

 and hence it has been generally supposed not to exist at all in 

 the rock stratum — a mistake into which Mr. Keating, in 

 common with others, has fallen, from not having personally 

 examined these mines : Hearsay evidence, books, or even 

 specimens, can seldom be depended on in matters of this sort. 



The most extensive mining operations at present conducted 

 on the Mississippi, are those of Fevre river, a short distance be- 

 low Dubuque's mines. These operations commenced in 

 1822 ; previous to which, however, the mines had been quite 

 extensively worked by the Indians. 



Between the northern and southern points heretofore de- 

 scribed, galena has been found in various places. But in 

 consequence of the vast quantity of the mineral found at the 

 upper mines, and the ease with which it can be obtained and 

 brought to market, few researches have been made at the in- 

 termediate places. 



In general, the galena of this region yields from 60 to 75 

 per cent of pure lead, the smelting of which is conducted in 

 the simplest manner. Indeed, when compared with similar 

 operations in other countries, they may be said to be altogeth- 

 er crude and unscientific. Yet such are the abundance and 

 richness of the ore, that many millions of pounds of the purest 

 lead are annually sent down the Mississippi to New-Orleans, 

 and from thence to the various other markets of the U. States. 



A number of specimens of agricultural products presented 

 to the Agricultural Society of the county of Albany, for its 

 premiums, in February 1825, were exhibited by Mr. Henry 

 W. Snyder. 



April 13. The following donations were received : From 

 E. C. Genet, a copy of his address, delivered before the 

 Rensselaer County Agricultural Society, and also of his ad- 

 dress before the Society for the promotion of Useful Arts, de- 

 livered February 5, 1824. 



