186 
[Assembly 
In general the remedy for most of these difficulties is to be sought at or 
near the localities themselves. It is for this reason that known locali- 
ties of the -valuable minerals require very frequently an attentive exami- 
nation. Other reasons than those mentioned might be stated, but these 
are sufficient to show that time and money is not necessarily w^asted by 
a re-examination of the labors and discoveries of others. In Essex 
county I made a few observations on the topography of its w^estern bor- 
der. They are, however, to be considered only as the commencement 
of a series, which must be continued at a future time, and which are 
now too incomplete to be inserted in this report. In conjunction with 
Prof. Hopkins, I have made observations on the magnetic variation in 
this county, some of which will be found in the subsequent part of this 
report. The opinion expressed last year in relation to the elevation of 
the country of the upper Hudson, has been verified this season by mea- 
surement. It is, therefore, proved beyond a doubt, that the most ele- 
vated portion of the State is at the north, a fact which might have been 
inferred from the rise and direction of the great water courses of the 
State. 
In St. Lawrence county the only exploration of consequence into the 
uninhabited sections, was up the Oswegatchie, which was extended as 
far as Cranberry lake. The results of this tour were not so important 
as I had anticipated they would be. I was unfortunate as to the wea- 
ther, it having rained the w^hole time I was out, almost incessantly. 
This forms no trifling obstacle to exploring parties, especially when the 
time is limited to a few days. I was able, however, in this tour, to 
determine the rock formations, and particularly the extent westward of 
that peculiar granite which bears the iron in Essex. 
The above is a summary account of the explorations of the past sea- 
son. I shall now give more in detail the facts and observations which 
have fallen under my notice; more particularly those of practical im- 
portance, though I do not judge it expedient to exclude those facts 
which have reference to science, as has been proposed in former com- 
munications relating to the survey. 
The county of St. Lawrence is 2,717 miles square. It is larger by 
1,000 square miles than any other county in the State. Its shape is 
triangular, having the longest leg of the triangle along the St. Lawrence 
river, which is supposed to be about sixty-five miles in length. There 
are two tier of townships lying parallel to the river, which were intend- 
ed to be ten miles square. The first is beautifully level; the second 
begins to be somewhat billy. The townships in rear of these are deci- 
