No. 50.] 
387 
novelty soon subsided, and now the hotels and bathing houses are nearly 
unoccupied. The Nanticoke on a creek of the same name, in Broome 
county, are like those of Pitcher, at which a large hotel has been erect- 
ed, but the medicinal properties of these waters, like those of Pitcher, 
subsided with the novelty of the affair. Near McDonough, Norwich, 
are sulphur springs which are occasionally resorted to ; some of these 
springs are said to be useful in cutaneous eruptions. 
Excavations for Coal^ <^c. — In addition to the salt borings in Tri- 
angle, where upwards of 5,000 dollars have been expended, are seve- 
ral excavations for coal, &:c. On Appalachia creek, near Pennsylvania 
line, excavations have been made in the rock below the Montrose sand- 
stone. The origin of this work may be traced to the divining rod. On 
lot 26, Broome county, on the road from Harpersville to Binghamton, 
excavations have already been made, and high are the expectations of 
those engaged that coal will soon be found in abundance. In several 
other places search has been made, which in most instances have been 
given up on information of their futility being given. In the neighbor- 
hood of Port Crane, several men in indigent circumstances, spent much 
time, money and credit, in digging for lead, without the slightest indi- 
cation of the same, save that of the mineral rod. In all of the cases 
mentioned, the people have been led to search by witnessing the mys- 
terious effects of the mineral rod, which still in many instances, is far 
more potent than reason. 
Materials for construction. — The green portion of the Montrose 
sandstone, from its superior hardness, affords a durable material for 
construction. Several quarries in this rock are opened along the Che- 
nango valley, and many between Green and Oxford. Among the most 
important, may be mentioned that of McNeal's, four miles south of 
Oxford, on the east side of the canal. From this quarry are obtained 
large and beautiful flagging stones, many of which are taken to Bing- 
hamton on the canal for this purpose. 
The grit of Oxford supplies the surrounding country with grind- 
stones and whetstones ; it is also used for mantle pieces, jambs, sinks, 
&c. Although this rock is not arranged in layers, from its softness it is 
readily cut into any desirable form. The principal quarries in this rock 
are those of Simmons, four miles south of Oxford, and Reaches, north 
of the village. 
