426 
[Assembly 
to $3 . 50 per ton. The different beds in this county, furnish about 3,000 
tons annually.* 
The fornaation described, belongs apparantly to the second or middle 
series of gypsum beds ; the upper, like that at Seneca falls and Vien- 
na,! is not seen, neither have I been able to find the lower series ; but 
although similar, in general character it would appear that the white 
gypsum above described, which is half a mile north from the others, 
must be at a different elevation, as well from its position, as from its as- 
sociated rocks. The general direction of the masses is N. W. and S. 
E. ; as appears both'from the beds, and from their re-appearance in the 
western part of Elba. 
The alluvial excavation along the valley of Black and Bigelow 
creeks, has either removed the gypsum or covered it so deeply with 
alluvium, that it is not reached in ordinary excavations ; but unless so 
removed, the whole distance across the country is probably underlaid 
by it, though its depth may be too great for profitable exploration. 
The gypsum is succeded by various colored marls, mostly bluish, 
greenish and drab or ash colored ; some hard and very calcareous ; 
others, soft, crumbling, and forming a tenacious clay. 
Hydraulic limestone. — The drab limestone, hydraulic limestone, is 
the next succeeding mass. The essential characters of this rock have 
already been described ; its thickness is variable, and also the propor- 
tion of sand, clay and carbonate of lime. Its connexion with the Onon- 
daga limestone above, is seen to advantage, at the falls on Allen's 
creek, two miles north of Leroy, and also at Morgansville, where the 
Black creek descends from the limestone terrace to the level of the 
country north. At this place the following section is exposed. 
Feet. Inches. 
7. Onondaga limestone, in several courses, 3 
6. Oriskany sandstone, „ 0 4 
5. Hydraulic limestone in thin courses, 4 
Carried forward, 
* Mr. Hughes informs me, that the plaster dug from one acre, yielded a nett profit 
of $2,000, and the land is in as good condition for cultivation as before, 
t See Geological Report of 1839, pp. 291 and 305. 
