^ [Assembly 
rence county; Ancram, in Columbia county; Martinsburgh, in Lew- 
is county; Amenia, in Dutchess county; Canajoharie, in Montgo- 
mery, and the west side of the Shawangunk mountains, in Ulster. 
Specimens of galena have been so widely distributed during the 
past season, that there are probably few persons who are not fami- 
liar with the appearance of this mineral. It has a high metallic 
lustre; sometimes it occurs crystallized, or in masses, which easily 
break into cubical fragments. Occasionally, also, it has a granu- 
lar texture. Its specific gravity is usually about 7.560. 
The most important locality of galena at present known in this 
State, is in St. Lawrence county, and it deserves to be particular- 
ly noticed as one of the most interesting deposites of this mineral. 
The vein, now known as the Rossie Lead Mine, is situated about 
two and a half miles south of the village of Rossie, in the county 
just mentioned. I shall briefly describe this valuable mine as it 
appeared when I visited it, in the early part of August last. 
Following the road from the village of Rossie at no great dis- 
tance from the bank of Indian river, after passing through a dense 
forest, there appeared towards the east a precipitous ledge of rocks 
about fifty feet in height. My attention being particularly direct- 
ed to this hill, I observed a white deposite, contrasting with the 
dark colour of the rock, passing down perpendicularly, or very 
nearly so, from the summit to the base. The part of the vein thus 
distinctly and beautifully exposed, was ascertained by measure- 
ment to be fifty feet, while its average width was two feet. Upon 
a more close inspection, the vein, previously to its sinking below 
the surface of the alluvial^ was found to incline slightly to the 
north, and the whitish appearance was also ascertained to be due 
to the salts of lead formed by the decomposition of the galena. 
On ascending the ledge of rocks, the course and extent of the vein 
could be easily determined by the excavations which had been 
made, and by the appearance of the surface in those parts where 
it has not been opened. Its course was found to be about E. S. 
E. and W. N. W., and its length, as exposed at that time, was 450 
feet; and every part of it seemed to be so distinctly characterized 
as to excite surprise that it had not long since been discovered. 
I should not forget to mention that at the distance of about eight 
feet from the principal vein, was a smaller one, which intersected 
