82 
ECONOMICAL MINERALOGY. 
I cannot refrain from again calling the attention of the public to this subject, as one of more 
than ordinary importance. When it is recollected that the durability and strength of many 
of our public works depend upon the water cement employed, it must be a matter of deep 
interest to those who are entrusted with their superintendence. The water lime now used, 
being procured from various localities and manufactured in various ways, cannot possess an 
uniform character. Furnished as it is at different points on the canal route by contract, it 
requires more than ordinary care and skill to ascertain the fitness of the several parcels for 
the works in which they are to be employed. After maturely considering the subject in all 
its bearings, it appears to me that the only way in which the objections to the present mode 
can be obviated, and an article of uniform purity obtained, is by having the quarrying of the 
water limestone, and the process of its conversion into lime, conducted under the direction of 
the agents of the State ; when the different parcels even thus produced should be constantly 
subjected to the severest trials, before being used in any important structures. It is true that 
the expense of the article might be thus somewhat increased, but this would be trifling in 
comparison with the advantages which would be secured. For it should be distinctly ob¬ 
served, that while a good water lime is invaluable in the construction of locks, a poor one is 
worse than useless. The State of New-York is at present, and must be for years to come, 
so deeply interested in this matter, that I cannot hesitate to urge some modification of the 
present plan upon those who are charged with the direction of her public works. 
TABLE 
Showing the composition of various specimens of Hydraulic Limestones and Cements, from 
the State of New-York. 
I. 
II. 
III. 
IV. 
V. 
VI. 
VII. 
VIII. 
IX. 
X. 
XI. 
34-20 
5-00 
25-00 
40-34 
39-33 
38-65 
( & moisi. 
j 10-90 
40-95 
39-60 
41-01 
37-66 
25-50 
37-60 
26-00 
31-75 
25-00 
27-35 
39-50 
29-00 
25-24 
28-79 
26-11 
12-35 
16-05 
14-91 
17-83 
16-70 
22-27 
17-30 
18-80 
17-70 
16-48 
15-37 
22-75 
28-00 
) 
11-76 
8-95 
16-56 
> 
) 
9-13 
13-40 
( & mag. 
( 18-00 
> 11-50 
2-73 
4-90 
l 10-77 
> 11-00 
£ 13-50 
5 12-25 
f 18-45 
2-25 
3-30 
( loss, 
j 1-30 
1-00 
1-50 
1-50 
( moisture 
j 1-50 
1-75 
$ 
1-50 
1-25 
1-20 
| "2- l II. III. IV. V. VI. * VIII. IX. X. XI. 00 
1-70 
0-65 
1-41 
0-25 
1-30 
) 
) 
) 
) 
Carbonic acid, • • • • 
Lime,. 
Magnesia,. 
Silica,. 
Alumina, . 
Peroxide of iron, •• 
Bituminous matter, 
Moistute and loss,. 
No. I. From the vicinity of Rondout, Ulster county. Texture close and compact; colour bluish, with grey and red spots. 
Page 78. 
II. Calcined cement from the preceding locality. Page 78. 
III. From the Helderberg, in Albany county. The analysis by Prof. Eaton. Page 79. 
IV. From the immediate vicinity of Schoharie Court-House. Colour drab, resembling the next. Page 79. 
V. Madison county, particular locality unknown, but probably from the vicinity of Chittenango. Analysis by Mr. H. Sey- 
bert. Page 80. 
VI. From the vicinity of Chittenango, Madison county. Colour drab, with reddish bands ; fracture conchoidal; texture 
earthy. Page 80. 
VII Calcined cement from the preceding locality. Page 80. 
VIII. Calciferous slate of Eaton, from the hill east of the village of Chittenango, Madison county. Page 80. 
IX. From the quarry a mile and a half west of Manlius, Onondaga county. External characters similar to the specimens 
from Chittenango. Page 81. 
X. From Grand Island, Erie county. Colour dark drab ; fracture conchoidal. Page 81. 
XI. From Williamsville, Erie county. Resembles the preceding. Page 81. 
