YATES COUNTY. 
459 
Calcareous tufa occurs in several places along the banks of Crooked lake outlet, and marl 
may be found in the swamps at the northern extremities of the lake. 
Under the head of Salt springs, has been noticed the occurrence of saline matter in the 
springs about the head of Seneca lake ; a similar spring was found near Big-stream point. 
Between Seneca lake and the east branch of Crooked lake, a high ridge or elevated plain 
slopes gradually to both, being divided transversely by the ravines and streams. Another ele¬ 
vated table land, varied by slight undulations, rises between Seneca lake and the valley of Flint 
creek, which extends to the head of the west branch of Crooked lake ; this is interrupted by a 
depression to the northeast of Penn-Yan. Another similar portion, though more irregular, 
rises between the valleys of Flint creek and Canandaigua lake ; and the part of the county 
between the two branches of Crooked lake terminates in a high bluff, called Bluff point.* From 
near the head of the west branch, extending quite across the peninsula, is a valley which ap¬ 
pears once to have connected the two branches, the highest point of which is not now more 
than one hundred feet above the lake. 
LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 
The county of Livingston exhibits a continuation of the rocks of Ontario, beginning with the 
Water-lime or upper part of the Onondaga salt group, followed by the Onondaga and Corni- 
ferous limestone, the Marcellus shale, Hamilton group, Genesee slate and Portage group; 
the latter occupying the high grounds in the southern part of the county. 
The deep depression of the Genesee valley, which extends through the centre of the county, 
from south to north, is among the most important features of the county. 
The thick-bedded hydraulic limestone in the northern part of the county, passes through 
Caledonia and Avon. In the former place it is quarried in several localities. It underlies the 
village of Caledonia, extending thence southeasterly toward the Genesee river, reappearing 
on the other side, and extending northeasterly to Mendon. This rock is chiefly quarried for 
buildings and enclosures. In several instances where it has been burned for cement, it has 
been found unfit for the purpose, either from improper composition or from the mode of 
burning. 
* This point is said to be the locality of native iron, an account of which appeared in the Transactions of the Geological Society 
of Pennsylvania, Vol. I, page 358; and since it has been quoted elsewhere, I may here give the true explanation. The rocks'of 
Bluff point are of the Portage group, which often contain iron pyrites. In quarrying stone at this place, a considerable quantity of 
this ore was found ; and as it was supposed to be valuable, it was shown to Dr. Sartwcll of Penn-Yan, and afterwards to Prof. 
Cutbush of Geneva, both of whom informed the persons of its true nature. Not feeling satisfied with this, however, it was 
placed in a blacksmith’s forge, and by much labor partially reduced ; and in this state a portion of the mass was sent to Mr 
Clemsen of Philadelphia. 
58 ' 
