No. 50.] 
69 
HAMILTON COUNTY. 
Until recently this county has been but little known, and I am not 
prepared at present to give any information concerning its resources. 
Dr. Emmons reports that it contain^ several important localities of 
peat.* It will undoubtedly be found to possess many useful and inte- 
resting minerals. 
HERKIMER COUNTY. 
This county promises at least to be well supplied with iron ore, for 
in addition to the argillaceous oxide, long known and justly esteemed, 
a bed of magnetic iron ore has recently been discovered in the town of 
Salisbury, and which will probably prove to be an important one. 1 
am informed by the Hon. A. Loomis that the vein is from two to eight 
feet wide, and has been traced about three quarters of a mile. Be- 
tween one and two hundred tons of ore have been raised, which is 
highly magnetic, and yields iron of a good quality. I regret that the 
specimens sent by Mr. Tjoomis did not reach me in time for a more 
detailed notice at present. 
Within a few years a considerable quantity of gypsum has been ob- 
tained in the town of Starke, and it is, I believe, the most eastern point 
at which this useful mineral has been found in any abundance It is 
represented by Mr. Vanuxem to be equal to the Nova Scotia, both be- 
fore and after calcination. Crystals of sulphate of strontian are some- 
times associated with the gypsum. 
From the specimens of lead ore which have been found in this coun- 
ty, it was supposed by some that workable beds of it would be disco- 
vered. Thus far, however, these anticipations have not been realized. 
Excavations have been made about two miles from Salisbury corners, 
but they have furnished only cabinet specimens of the sulphurets of 
lead, zinc, iron and copper, with occasional stains of the green carbo- 
nate of copper and bog iron ore ; the former proceeding from the ac- 
tion of the atmosphere upon the pyritous copper, and the latter from 
the decomposition of the iron pyrites. 
The remark just made in regard to lead ore will also apply to the 
anthracite which has been found here in a state of great purity. After 
repeated examinations it has been ascertained that the quantity is quite 
too small to answer any useful purpose. 
• N. Y. Geological Reports, 1839. 
