HERKIMER COUNTY. 
257 
mouth of the creek, under the Trenton limestone. On Stony creek below Middleville, and in 
other points of that section, the limestone also appears. 
Where a black marble is wanted, the Trenton limestone can readily furnish all that may be 
needed : It takes a good polish ; some of it is very fine grained, of colors varying from grey 
to black, the latter often relieved by the white or light-colored fossils which are so profusely 
buried in this rock. Trials of this limestone from Rathbone’s, opposite to Newport, have been 
made, which showed a fine polish, and handsome surface. 
The limestone also appears on East-Canada creek, at the uplift below Brocket’s bridge, and 
at the uplift of Little-Falls on both sides of the river; the south end showing the limestone 
upon the top of the uplift, from whence it may be traced continuously to the west of Parmlee’s 
quarry near the canal, where it disappears under the Utica slate. 
The TJtica slate forms in general the higher elevations of the county south of the Trenton 
limestone, and those north of the river; the exceptions being caused by uplifts, and the appear¬ 
ance of the Frankfort slate which covers Hasenclever hill: the lower part of the mass contains, 
in this county, the thin flag-like layers. The slate lines the south border of the river at the east 
end, extending about two to three miles from the river, and diminishing in width at the west 
end. Along the north side of the river it is concealed by alluvion, which extends along the 
river from Little-Falls to Oneida county. On the south it is not so much covered, being visible 
in many of the small streams which empty into the river. 
The Frankfort slate , with its thin layers of sandstone or rubblestone, rises upon the Utica 
slate, and shows a much greater breadth of surface, and is considerably exposed along the 
side-hill, also through Fulmer valley ; in parts of Steele’s creek ; at Dygerts ; and in Myers’ 
creek, back of Frankfort village especially. No fossils were seen in the rock, except some 
fucoids, probably attached to the sandstone, and a graptolite : these were from Myers’ creek. 
It there shows high cliffs, with a slight dip south, the mass finally disappearing under the 
conglomerate below the furnace. 
Throughout the county, the Oneida conglomerate appears resting immediately upon the 
Frankfort mass. It shows generally about an equal proportion of pebbles and sand. The 
lower part, towards the middle and west, exhibits about ten inches of pyrites, apparently 
cementing the pebbles. The mass is thicker at the west, than at the east end. It shows itself 
in a small terrace to the south of Mohawk village, from which the grey sandstone of the Clinton 
group is seen as a cliff above, forming a greater length of terrace than the conglomerate rock. 
The Clinton group, like all the preceding masses, is well exposed in the many water courses 
which flow north to the river, the succession being well observed in many, and the parts also 
of which it is composed. This group, so important for its red fossiliferous ore beds, extends 
east and west through the county ; its surface in some parts more exposed than in others. It 
is a useful group in this county, containing an immense deposit of light grey sandstone, which 
shows itself at the east end of the county. It first appears at Crill’s, extending thence with 
a constantly increasing thickness towards Myers’ creek. Where thickest, it is about eighty 
feet. It is now used for lining the enlarged canal, being well fitted for walling, having nume¬ 
rous divisions which give the required size for ordinary building. No use is yet made of its 
Geol. 3d Dist. 33 
