No. 338.] 
9 
day become a source of immense wealth to the people of this State. 
On the Champlain side of this district they have been shown to be 
much more extensive than before supposed. On the St. Lawrence side 
of the district the beds of specular iron ore have been examined and many 
new ones added to the list of those before known. This ore, which 
has been worked in but one or two places and much of it considered 
unfit for working, is now sought for and proves to make the best of iron. 
It is the same as the famous Elba ore. The limits of the formation 
containing lead and iron have been traced, and the general features de- 
scribed ; this will prevent much fiuitless search in positions, where the 
ore cannot be found. Many indications of new mines of iron ore as 
well as of copper have been pointed out. 
Kaolin or porcelain clay has been discovered in great abundance. 
Verde antique marble, a very beautiful variety, has been found in seve- 
ral localities, and will doubtless furnish a material equal to that which 
is imported. In the first as well as in the second district the iron ores, 
the beds of peat, tufa, marl, lead and marble, have been described and 
their value shown, both immediately and by their application to agri- 
culture and the arts: also a great variety of other valuable minerals 
have been discovered. The deposits of iron ore in the county of 
Orange, which are easy of access and have the most complete facili- 
ties for cheap mining, are perfectly inexhaustible ; and the quantity of 
iron to be made in all time to come can only be limited by the supply 
of coal necessary for the reduction of the ores. It is believed that if 
the necessary coal could be procured, that ten millions of dollars might 
be profitably invested in the working of these mines ; which would re- 
quire, perhaps, nearly half as many millions of agricultural capital to 
sustain them. 
In the western part of the State the true position and region of the 
brine springs have been indicated; thus setting at rest forever the 
question of fossil salt, and preventing the expenditure of money in its 
search. The Geologists consider this of vast importance to the State : 
for by this knowledge, when the present springs shall become exhaust- 
ed, we may go to the rock which gives origin to the waters and there 
obtain a new supply. 
The iron ore beds of western New-York have been indicated and 
their extent ascertained which was not before known. The true posi- 
tion of the gypsum and its associated rocks have been shown. The red 
[Assembly, No. 338.] 2 
