No. 50.] 
295 
yet it seems to possess its infusibility,* which is the principal property 
that is wanted. 
The colour of this clay is a yellowish white, with a tinge of brown, 
or in some instances a tinge of green. It consists of aluminous mat- 
ter intimately blended with fine sihceous particles, and which imparts 
to it a slightly gritty feel. It is entirely destitute of the argillaceous 
odour. When moistened with water it is readily formed into any shape, 
which it invariably retains. When placed on hot coals it hardens and 
dries without cracking,! even when it is suddenly exposed to a high 
temperature. When a small mass has been exposed for five minutes, 
to a white heat in a blacksmith's forge, it becomes hard like stone, and 
acquires a very thin glazing, but does not otherwise melt or crack. 
From these experiments, it is evident that this substance is quite re- 
markable, and must become extensively useful for many purposes, but 
particularly for brick of every description. This clay is found occupy- 
ing the low swampy ground, through which streams pass from the ad- 
jacent mountains. It is always overlaid with gravel and sand, varying 
in depth according to the exposure. 
The most important bed, is less than half a mile from Mclntyre. It 
occupies a low meadow of about 10 acres, some parts of which are 
marshy. By sounding, its depth could not be ascertained. Another 
locality was found near Lake Henderson. There seems, therefore, to 
be a suflficient quantity in the immediate neighborhood of the establish- 
ment, to meet all the demands for it. 
SECTION XXIX. 
Peculiar advantages of the village of Mclntyre and its vicinity, for 
the extensive Manufucture of Iron. 
On a partial view of this subject, it might appear that a distance of 
40 or 50 miles from water-carriage to the great markets, would be an 
important objection to an establishment which involves in its very na- 
ture the transportation of heavy articles. When we further consider, 
however, that such are the improvements in the construction of rail- 
roads and canals, and that scarcely any part of the country is inacces- 
* I have since found it fusible in the porcelain furnace. 
t From this remarkable property, it is eminently fitted for moulds, masks, statuary^ 
