No. 50.] 
415 
The fact, that the coal of Blossburgh, Warren, and some other pla- 
ces in Pennsylvania is overlaid by a conglomerate, has excited expecta- 
tions of finding that mineral in Cattaraugus Co. The supposed place 
of the coal is beneath the conglomerate, and the reason alleged, it not 
being seen in the outcrop is, that the rocks deposited previous to the coal 
dip south at a greater angle than the coal beds, that the conglomerate 
resting upon the latter has its northern edge projected beyond the coal 
and resting on the rocks beneath. Were this supposition the fact, we 
should still expect to find the coal in the escarpments on the east 
and west sides of the hills, and it will be recollected that the conglome- 
rate occupies only the summits of the highest hills, and is not continu- 
ous in an east and west direction or line of bearing. Under these cir- 
cumstances, and knowing nothing more of the rocks and their associa- 
tion, it would be unwise to undertake boring through the conglomerate 
in search of coal. 
So far as our examinations have yet progressed, I see no reason to 
suppose the carboniferous strata beneath the conglomerate. On the 
contrary, we believe this rock to be below all the workable coal beds 
at least, and this opinion is founded on the lithological and fossil cha- 
racters of the rocks below it. Thus far, I have not been able to trace 
the immediate connexion of this rock with those beneath, but there can- 
not be more than one hundred feet intervening between it and the rocks 
examined.* 
As this subject had become one of considerable interest to several 
gentlemen in Cattaraugus Co. I was anxious to obtain all the informa- 
tion in my power ; and knowing the formation in question to be more 
extensive in Pennsylvania, I addressed a letter to Prof. Rogers on the 
subject. His views fully confirm what has been stated, that no coal 
can be expected beneath this conglomerate. He considers the con- 
glomerate above the coal as an entirely distinct rock from the one of 
which we have been speaking. 
During the next season, I hope to be able to show the exact connex- 
ion of this rock with the fossiliferous groups of New-York, and also its 
relation to the coal measures of Pennsylvania. For the present it can 
only be regarded as of limited extent, and extremely variable thickness, 
and although in one place a well defined mass, it may be in another 
very inconsiderable. We may perhaps hereafter, be able to identify 
* Mr. Vanuxem in his report of 1836, has described the position of this and other 
masses of conglomerate. 
