No. IGl.] 
137 
Local Details. 
As before stated, the specular iron ores, so far as observed, are 
confined to St. Lawrence county, though they are probably co- 
extensive with the limestone of this pari of the section. The 
coarse, porous and vesicular quartz, which is sometimes associated 
as the immediate ganguo or matrix, has its interstices filled with 
the argillaceous, or the scaly red oxide of iron, which is washed 
out entirely by exposure to rains. In many places this ore is ar- 
gillaceous, very adhesive, and soils almost indelibly, whatever 
comes in contact wath it; the skin and clothes of those engaged in 
working the ore, become so impregnated with it that it is not easi- 
ly removed. These remarks do not apply to the crystalline varie- 
ties, which are hard and unyielding to the touch. 
Beds of this ore have been most extensively worked m Ros- 
sie. The two beds known as the Parish and Kerney beds have 
supplied the furnaces in the vicinity. These beds consist mostly 
of the brown or argillaceous varieties, and are considered superior 
for working to those which are crystalline. 
The Parish bed occupies almost the whole extent of a knoll 20 or 
30 feet in height, and from 20 to 30 rods in length and breadth. A 
large quantity of the ore and rock in which it is contained has been 
removed from the northern extremity of the hill, opening to view a 
section more than 20 feet in depth entirely across the hill from east 
to west. The rock is so irregularly fractured or fissured in almost 
every direction, that it is only by the general configuration of the 
hill we acquire any knowledge of its stratification, which, however, 
apparently conforms to the outline of the hill, scarcely varying, 
except at its edges, from a horizontal position. This immense de- 
^Dosite of ore has been for a long time neglected, but preparations 
have recently been made to work it more extensively than here- 
tofore; and there can be no doubt but it will richly repay the own- 
er and manufacturer. 
The Kerney ore bed is near the Parish bed, and probably connect- 
ed with it beneath the surface. This bed scarcely rises to the sur- 
face of the soil, but has been sufficiently uncovered in several 
places to exhibit its contour, which resembles an irregular and very 
much flattened cone, and appears as if formed, either by some 
force acting from beneath so as to raise up the strata, or by the 
strata of ore having been deposited upon and around some prom- 
[Assem. No. 161.] 18 
