16 
[Assembly 
13. Lignite, — This substance, which is merely mineralized or altered 
wood J is associated with iron pyrites in a bed of astringent clay near 
Rossville, in Richmond county. Some of the specimens have the ap- 
pearance of wood charred by the action of an acid, as, for example, the 
sulphuric; and it is not improbable that this lignite owes its origin to 
the action of the excess of acid which this clay contains, upon drift 
wood from time to time deposited on this shore of the island. 
14. Peat. — Of this useful, but in the State of New- York, almost en- 
tirely neglected combustible, we have already discovered numerous im- 
portant localities; and many others will undoubtedly be added before 
the completion of the survey. The time cannot be far distant when 
the value of this article will be duly appreciated. In many countries 
it is extensively employed as fuel; and in several manufactures it might 
be used here with great advantage; as, for example, in the burning of 
bricks, of limestone, &c. Specimens from the most extensive peat bogs 
in the State should be analyzed to determine their composition. Some 
varieties of peat contain substances which render them unfit for culinary 
purposes.* 
Uncombined Acids, not gaseous. 
15. Sulphuric acid. — This is the only mineral belonging to this class, 
which has, I believe, been found in New- York. An interesting locality 
of it occurs in Byron, Genesee county, of which I gave a particular 
account in my last report. The occurrence of this substance in such 
quantities is the more worthy of notice, as it is stated by the highest 
authority on this subject, " that sulphuric acid in a free state is found 
only in springs connected with volcanoes, to which it is obviously re- 
ferable."! 
Alkaline Minerals. 
16. Sulphate of soda. — This salt, mixed with various proportions of 
other salts, is found in the form of an efflorescence on the calciferous 
slate of Mr. Eaton, near Rochester, Monroe county. It is also held in 
solution by the waters of some of the mineral springs found in the west- 
ern part of the State. 
* For particulars concerning the mode of collecting and preparing peat, I would refer to 
Dumas, Chimie appliquee aux Arts, I. 587. This article seems to be at present exciting some 
attention as a manure. 
t Dr. Daubeny's Report on Mineral and Thermal Water*. — Transactions of the British AssO' 
nation for the Advancement of Science, for 1836. 
