344 
GEOLOGY OF THE FIRST DISTRIGT. 
(a). The upper subdivision is the same that has been called by Mr. Vanuxem, in the Annual 
Reports, the “ Scutella limestone,” and by Mr. Gebhard the “ Sparry limestone.” The rock is 
a coarsely subcrystalline grey limestone, replete with fossil remains. Encrinal, coralline and 
testaceous remains are extremely abundant, and each stratum has some that are peculiar to it. 
The shallow, almost discoidal pelvis of an encrinite, (the resemblance of which in general form 
to the scutella gave the name to the rock,) is very abundant, and serves to define and limit 
this stratum, as a convenient one for reference. Favosites abound in some parts of this rock. 
A branched encrinite is also very common and characteristic. This rock is well developed 
from the west line of Schoharie county, ranging eastward by Schoharie to the east brow of 
the Helderberg, and thence southeast by Clarksville, to within two or three miles of the 
Hudson ; thence south near Madison to Kingston. It may be seen well characterized on the 
road from Catskill to the Mountain House ; also not far from Madison, Greene county ; also 
on the turnpike from Albany to Rensselaerville, about half to three-quarters of a mile east of 
Clarksville, Albany county; and in many places on the western turnpike, between Carlisle 
and Leesville, Schoharie county. The observer can scarcely cross the belt of rocks of the 
Helderberg division without observing this rock. It is frequently quarried as a building and 
wall stone ; and the stone fences of this rock offer a rich treat to one who examines the rocks, 
to see the remains of ancient animal life. This is also the same limestone as that which has 
been described in the Annual Reports, as the upper limestone of Becraft’s mountain near 
Hudson, where it is also extremely rich in fossils, and is quarried for buildings and stone 
walls, and has been used as a marble.* 
* A fossil was found in this limestone some years ago, 
near Hudson, which was figured, and the subjoined is a 
copy of it. It was supposed to be one of the crinoidea; 
but after seeing the original specimen, the drawing seem¬ 
ed more distinct than the specimen, and some restora¬ 
tions had been made that the original specimen will 
scarcely warrant. 
Fig. 21. 
