METAMORPHIC ROCKS, 487 
1st, the similarity to those of Warwick; 2(1, the similarity of contained minerals ; 3d, the 
similar associated rocks ; and 4th, the evident influence of high temperature. 
Metamorphic Quartz Rock. 
About two miles north of Galway, is a mass of quartz rock dipping at a small angle to the 
south, reposing on gneiss and granitic rocks. It was but slightly examined, but from what 
was seen, and from specimens obtained afterwards by Cadet Seymour, it is presumed to be a 
metamorphic rock. It occupies the position of the Potsdam sandstone. The specimens 
obtained from this mass vary in texture, from the perfectly characterized Potsdam sandstone, 
to perfect greasy and milky quartz, colored in some places reddish by the oxide of iron. 
Steatite in Putnam and Dutchess counties. 
This substance, in an impure form, has already been described as occurring at the locality 
of hydrous anthophyllite in the city of New-York. 
Another locality was seen near Peckville, a little north of the line of Putnam county, and 
within Dutchess county. It is there intermixed with serpentine, and although abundant, and 
quarried in large blocks, it was found difficult to saw it well, in consequence of the different 
degrees of hardness of the steatite and serpentine. It is beautifully spotted and clouded; 
and as steatite indurates by heat, it is possible that it may at some future time be wrought as 
an ornamental stone. Some of the masses of steatite are very pure, soft and easily wrought. 
In some parts of the bed the rock is granular, or scaly talc, either pure, or traversed in every 
direction by crystals of actynolite. 
Another locality was seen in Phillipstown, Putnam county, on a Mr. M‘Cabe’s farm. It is 
near the serpentine rock before described as eight or nine miles north-northeast of Peekskill, 
and half to three-quarters of a mile east of Horton’s pond. The rock here graduates through 
every variety of aspect, from talc through steatite to serpentine. I did not see proper soap¬ 
stone or steatite rock adapted for useful purposes, in place; but was assured that large blocks 
had been dug there, and that there was an abundance of it. I saw slaty steatitic rock in 
place, and small masses of beautiful steatite scattered over the ground. Good quarries of 
this rock are well known to be very valuable. The blocks are worth twenty dollars per ton 
in market. This bed graduates on the east into serpentine rock. 
