ONONDAGA SALT GROUP. 
129 
distinguished as the Water-lime group in the Third District was a superior mass, and which 
in the Fourth District contains no rock fit for hydraulic cement, the one in question is referred 
to the Onondaga salt group, of which it forms the terminal division. 
From being more enduring than the lower divisions of the group, it is more obvious, and 
can be traced almost uninterruptedly through the district. In Seneca county, it does not appear 
in its usual characters ; the highest rock of the group being a fine-grained, dark-colored, and 
greyish brown mass, which apparently represents the lower part of this division. Between 
this and the succeeding limestone, there is an interval which is probably occupied by this mass, 
but too deeply covered to be visible. It appears on the east side of Cayuga lake, coming 
down to the lake shore. 
Passing into Ontario county, we find this division much better developed, and possessing its 
characteristic drab color. The mass may be traced almost uninterruptedly from near Oakes’ 
Corners in Phelps, to Manchester village. East of Vienna, all the strata of this division are 
highly calcareous, and burned only for common quicklime. The principal quarries and kilns 
are within one and a half miles of the village. It is also used for buildings and enclosures, 
the layers being sufficiently thick. On exposure, it becomes stained with iron, and in almost 
every locality is highly bituminous. 
At East-Vienna, this rock is burned for hydraulic cement, of which it is said to produce a 
very good quality. Two miles farther west, at the quarry of Mr. Maffit, large quantities have 
been used for this purpose. At this place the stone varies little, in external characters, from 
that burned for lime. It consists of three distinct varieties : two only are used for the cement, 
while the lower course is composed of thin layers of tough, argillaceous, bluish limestone, 
which on exposure, breaks into small irregular fragments. This portion, on burning, melts 
into a coarse porous slag, externally glazed and yellowish; and in mineral characters, it is 
precisely the same as the strata which pass through the gypsum beds on the north side of the 
Canandaigua outlet. The second stratum consists of thin courses, externally drab-colored, 
siliceous in texture, and harsh to the touch. This is succeeded by a few layers of unequal 
thickness, lighter in color than those below, and much more calcareous. Of the two last 
mentioned varieties, each at intervals partly takes the place of the other, so that the thickness 
is variable, and the dividing line has an undulating direction. The depth of the two masses 
together is from three to seven feet. If the lower of these is burned alone, the cement will 
not “ set” under water ; and the upper burned alone is found to be too calcareous, and less 
enduring than the more siliceous cements. To obviate the difficulty, both are burned toge¬ 
ther, but without due regard to proportions. From the nature of the materials, it is evident 
that the proportions of siliceous and calcareous matter must be very variable; and too little 
attention has heretofore been given to this circumstance, and to the nature of the ingredients, 
in the manufacture of hydraulic cement. 
West of the last named quarries, the water-lime appears in numerous localities south of the 
outlet, and near the road leading from Vienna to Manchester ; but here it is used mostly for 
enclosures, and at Manchester village for building stone, some of the layers being two or 
three feet thick. It is too soft and argillaceous for hydraulic cement or good lime. 
[Geol. 4th Dist.J 17 
