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[AsSEaiBLY 
Prof. Briggs observed a sulphur spring on Mr. McNaughton's farm, 
between Lebanon Springs and the Shaker Village. 
Plumbago. 
This material occurs in several places in the granite rocks of the 
south and S. E. parts of Dutchess county, in small quantities. A mine 
of it has been opened in the mountain south of Fishkill Landing, on 
the farm of Mr. Peter Dewint. Some tons of plumbago have been 
extracted and sent to market. Mr. Merrick, who examined the mine, 
reports favorably on its probable extent, and the quality of the material. 
Another mine was ascertained to exist at Fishkill Hook. The plum- 
bago forms a bed of two to four inches wide. Both these mines are 
said to be in gneiss. 
Black lead, or plumbago, is common in the talcose and talco argilla- 
ceous rocks of the Willlamstown mountain range, in Hancock moun- 
tain east of New-Lebanon, and east of Hillsdale. (One place has 
been opened two miles east of Hillsdale.) It. is reported by Profes- 
sor Cassels to be a mixture of talc and plumbago. This has been 
used on the axles of carriages to diminish friction, and it is said to be 
well adapted to this use. It is not improbable that it may be found in 
quantities in this range of rocks, and pure enough for exploration. 
Lead^ Copper and Zinc Ores. 
Galena, or the sulphuret of lead, is extensively distributed over a 
tract extending through Columbia and a part of Dutchess counties. In 
nearly every locality where I have seen it, it is situated in veins, tra- 
versing the strata near the junction of limestone with slate rocks. 
Although numerous localities have been examined, none were seen 
where it is deemed advisable to expend much money in prosecuting 
mining enterprises; still, it is thought highly probable that valuable 
mines of this ore may be discovered. 
The lead mine which has been most extensively wrought, is the An- 
cram, or Livingston mine, in Ancram, Columbia county. Dr. Beck de- 
scribed the mineralogical characters of this mine in the report of last 
year. The mine was filled with water when I saw it, of course I could 
not examine into its minute geological features as accurately as I wish- 
ed. It is situated in a talco-argillaceous and calcareous slate, a little 
west of its junction with a limestone, which is a perfect type of Prof. 
Eaton's sparry limerock. The adit, which has been partly excavated, 
with a view to drainage, penetrates this rock for 60 feet or more. The 
vein, which is of quartz, containing galena, blende, copper, pyrites, &c. 
