No. 161.] . 147 
successful. Small masses of, or streaks of ore, in a rock, are 
often sufficient inducements to cause the expenditure of large sums 
in unsuccessful enterprises. A gentleman engaged in the manu- 
facture of iron, in this State, observed to me, that had he possess- 
ed some knowledge of geology and mineralogy, when he commenc- 
ed his operations, it would have saved him many thousands of dol- 
lars, which he had expended in unsuccessful mining and manufac- 
turing operations, within a few years. One example of this kind 
ought to suffice for convincing every intelHgent person of the value 
of this kind of knowledge, but hundreds, if necessary, might be 
mentioned. 
The practical miner and worker of ores, generally holds geolo- 
gy and metallurgy, in little estimation, and like men in other em- 
ployments, prefers following the steps of his forefathers to adopt- 
ing improvements which have resulted from scientific investiga- 
tions. 
In France and Germany we find national institutions for facili- 
tating the study of sciences applicable to mining, and in no other 
countries, perhaps, is the science of mining carried to so great per- 
fection. The advantage of such a course of instruction, is suffi- 
ciently demonstrated, by the decided preference given to French 
and German mining engineers, by the companies formed for work- 
ing the mines of Brazil, and other parts of South America, and 
also in the United States. Knowledge of this kind would often be 
available in our own country, and, indeed, it seems to be absolute- 
ly required at the present time. A collection of ores and useful 
minerals, from our own State, would furnish much information on 
this important branch of knowledge. 
It is not intended, at this time, to present anything more than a 
sketch of what may be practically valuable, leaving theory and 
elementary principles of geology to be sought elsewhere. 
Metals are found in beds and veins. Beds are either limited, or 
follow the direction of the strata lying between them, and these 
may be of considerable extent. The larger, or principal veins, fol- 
low some general direction, which prevails throughout a coun- 
try; thus, the principal veins in England run nearly east and west, 
though many smaller ones cross them at different angles. The 
principal veins of lead in St. Lawrence county, have an easterly 
and westerly direction. Narrow veins are commonly short, while 
