258 
GEOLOGY OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 
ore, that of Verona being preferred. The discovery of gypsum, in the purest state in which 
this substance is known to exist in large masses, may prove of importance, and lead also to 
the discovery of other localities in the same position. The gypsum occurs in the upper layers 
of the grey sandstone, the second deposit of the east end of the Onondaga salt group cover¬ 
ing the sandstone ; and the adit by which the gypsum was obtained, is in part excavated in this 
mass. Throughout the county, the group is readily recognized in all the water courses south 
of the river, after passing the conglomerate ; being between that rock and the red shale, 
which latter extends from the west to Crugar’s, formerly Tisdale’s saw-mill. From an un¬ 
known point to the east of the saw-mill, and west of the creek at Wicks’ store, the red shale 
ends, and the next deposit of the Onondaga salt group takes its place, and extends east to 
near the Hudson. 
The Onondaga salt group ranges parallel with the lower group and rocks through the 
county. Its lower mass, the red shale, terminates to the east of Crugar’s saw-mill, although 
its thickness cannot be less at the mill than forty or fifty feet. The mass above, and which 
succeeds to it, consists of yellowish and drab layers by exposure, usually thin, some more or 
less earthy, and others solid. They, with the overlying Water-lime group, and other calca¬ 
reous masses, have given rise to several deposits of tufa, which skirt the Clinton group in 
part. The first mass of tufa to the east, covers the hill-side east and west of C rill’s: it is 
colored yellow by hydrate of iron. The next deposit is more considerable ; it is in greatest 
amount near Mr. Field’s distillery, and extends up to near the top of the hill. It is earthy 
and solid, some of which is in the state of alabaster, but the latter is in no great quantity; 
this deposit extends along the road by the side of the creek, for a mile and more. The third 
deposit of note is in Myers’ creek, on the line of the red shale and the Clinton group; the 
lower part shows thin solid layers, very tough, and is burnt for lime and carried to Utica, 
making a very white lime ; the part above, is the usual irregular deposit. There are other 
depositions along the range, but of small amount. 
South of this group is the Water-lime group, whose range is readily traced from the hill 
to the south of Crill’s; south of Mr. Crugar’s house ; Cedarville village ; and the hill side on 
the farm of Edward S. Brown in Litchfield. This group furnishes good building stone for 
common purposes, and good lime ; and though no water-lime is made in the county, if a de¬ 
mand existed, there is no reason why it should not be made. 
The Pentamerus limestone , the Catskill shaly limestone, the Cauda-galli grit, the Onon¬ 
daga limestone, and the Corniferous limestone, extend through the county; their surface in 
many places is covered with high east and west ridges of alluvion, particularly through the 
towns of Warren and Columbia. All information collected of these rocks were given under 
their respective heads. 
The Marcellas shales underlie the soil of alluvion in the south part of the towns of Warren, 
Columbia, and the greater part of all Winfield. In Columbia, it is frequently met with upon 
the surface. 
