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[ASSEMBLT 
rockj its fragments being very numerous, extending not only over the 
surface of its own area, but over the black shale in part likewise. 
The black shale appears from under the rubblestone, and like it extends 
east and west throughout the county. In advancing towards the river, 
its surface of continuity is broken by the uplifts, of which three well 
defined and broad ranges extend over the river. Before the black shale 
readies its northern limits, it meets with similar interruptions, as at 
Frenchman's creek, Claus patent, Ephratah, &c., these are but of small 
extent, and finally disappears by the side of one of the three upper 
rocks of the uplifts, though its more common termination or boundary, 
is the unsettled region of the gneiss, the junction being frequently ob- 
scured by the alluvial of its border. The northern point of the black 
shale, on the east side of the county, is a mile or two beyond May field cor- 
ners; and on East-Canada creek, it terminates about a mile above Little 
Sprite creek; a slight curved line to the south, connects the two points, 
or in other words, forms its northern boundary. Near Mayfield corners, 
where the shale occurs, it was supposed to be plaster, and a mill was 
erected to grind it. 
By decomposition, the black shale produces a dark coloured tenaceous 
soil, highly favorable for grass. It is to this rock that Montgomery 
owes its best soil. 
The Trenton limestone, the birdseye and the calciferous sand rock be- 
ing placed above the gneiss, the surface rock north, and below the black 
shale, the surface rock south, appear in all their different localities, ex- 
cepting, probably, in a few places near the unsettled parts north, as 
rocks of uplift or protrusion through the black shale. Along the Mo- 
hawk there are three great ranges of uplifts within the limits of the 
county that cross the river. One of them, well known by the fancied 
appellation of the Noses, exhibits the whole series, from the gneiss up- 
wards. This is the most extensive as to length, to height and regula- 
rity of these disturbing elevations. The two others commence with the 
calciferous as the basis rock, exhibiting the upper rock likewise. These 
two uplifts occur on opposite sides of the county. The one to the east, 
forming the range upon which Amsterdam is placed; the other to the 
west, extending on both sides of St. Johnsville. Besides these gene- 
ral, there are along the river some minor ones, as Tribes-Hill, where an 
interesting series of low hills are cut through by the rail-road, exposing 
as usual, the calciferous to the east, the birdseye, Trenton and black 
shale to the west, each following in its regular order. Another small 
uplift occurs at the small creek to the east of Fonda; this shows the 
