QUATERNARY DIVISION. 
131 
.this formation like bays, are found in the valleys of all the streams that cross it. The other 
portion of this formation, on the right bank of the Hudson, extends from Pelham in Esopus, 
to the mouth of the Rondout, by Kingston, Saugerties, Catskill, Athens, Coxsackie, to New- 
Baltimore ; thence northwest by Salem in Bethlehem, along the base of the Helderberg moun¬ 
tains in a very irregular line, lapping around the salient points of the hills, and up the valleys, 
as water occupies an irregular coast, to about two miles west of New-Scotland ; thence up 
the valley of the Norman’s kill, to within four miles of Duanesburgh; thence northeastwardly 
to the Mohawk, along which it extends in a narrow belt above on both banks. 
The slate, limestone, and other rocks emerge through the plains of this formation in very 
numerous places like islands ; and in some of the valleys, the connecting parts are so narrow, 
that they might, without close examination, be supposed to be disconnected; such as those 
between Saugerties and Catskill, Catskill and Athens, Athens and Coxsackie,* Coxsackie and 
Coeymans, and Schenectady to Ballston. In many places along the Hudson river where this 
formation is mentioned, it cannot be seen from the river, in consequence of cliffs, hills and 
mountains intervening. Below Albany, on the east side of the river, the main mass of these 
deposits lies back two or three miles from the Hudson, and ranges by Kinderhook, Claverack, 
described in page 82 of this volume) “occur in various other places near the North river, and have been described in the 
American Journal of Science. The diluvial strata at Hyde-Park, are distinguished as forming a level plain of some 
extent, on -which the -village and several gentlemen’s country seats are situated. I believe a plain of similar elevation 
may be traced in many other parts bordering on the Hudson.” 
“ Between Hyde-Park and Rhinebeck, are extensive depositions of clay.” 
“ Albany is built on the clay marl formation, and in this respect resembles London. The ground is traversed by nume¬ 
rous ra-vines. In the -vicinity, the cascades of Arno and Tivoli, and the rapids of Norman’s kill, which every one who 
sees will admire, are caused by the torrents wearing away the higher strata, until they arrive at the solid strata of the 
transition slate.” 
“ At Greenbush, is an extensive formation of the adhesive slate. Dr. T. R. Beck has deposited specimens in the Cabi¬ 
net of the Lyceum of Natural History in Albany.” 
“ At Troy, the clay marl is abundant, and contains fossil wood.t The plain above the city, from whence there is a fine 
view of the falls of the Mohawk, is composed of diluvial debris. The height of this formation is probably the same as 
at Hyde-Park and Marlborough. The strata in this -vicinity have been described by Mr. Eaton, in his Index to the 
Geology of the Northern States.” 
“ At Schenectady, the same formations are visible; they also form the whole tract of country between that city and 
Albany.”t 
-*- The range of the main body of the clay and sand beds in Green and Ulster counties, is from a few miles north of Coxsackie, 
by that village and the landing, up the Coxsackie and down Murderer’s creeks, to Athens, thence to Catskill, and thence down 
the Hudson four or five miles, with a variable breadth, from one hundred yards to two or three miles. It occurs again at Sauger¬ 
ties ; ranges by Glasco, near which it leaves the Hudson, and passing among the limestone and slats hills, which are as islands, 
it ranges by Kingston', Bolton and Eddyville. From Rosendale, it ranges across the northeast point of the Shawangunk moun¬ 
tains, (the grit rock of which disappears beneath it,) south to the Walkill, and a few miles up that stream. 
The clay and loam lands of this formation have long been held in high repute, but it is only within a few years that these light 
and sandy soils have begun to be appreciated. They are easy lands to till, and by means of plastering and clovering, they make 
soils of the best quality. 
■ This fossil -mood -was found in the alluvion at Troy, -whore it is abundant. M. 
t Silliman’s Jouinal, Vol. 10, pp. 227, 229. 
