ORES OF THE PRIMARY ROCKS. 
565 
(b). Magnetic oxide of iron ore of Rockland and Orange counties. 
Magnetic oxide of iron ore abounds in the mountain region of Rockland and Orange coun¬ 
ties. It is generally found in that species of primitive rock so common in the Highlands, 
and often called granitic gneiss or gneissoid granite. It lies in beds and layers in this rock, 
having its line of bearing and its dip. Where it exists in layers, they are from one inch to 
tiventy feet in thickness, in some places alternating several times with the layers of rock ; 
where it is found in beds, the magnitude of the largest has never been ascertained. In the 
line of bearing, the extent of this ore is not yet well ascertained. Most of the localities of 
this ore are on three or four lines which extend across these counties from northeast to south¬ 
west. Sometimes the lines are not continuous, but are dislocated by lateral heaves. Their 
continuity has not been traced throughout, and much time and minute observation would be 
necessary for a perfect development of the veins. 
One of these veins ranges along the northwest face of the Highlands, and the mines on 
Butter hill, Deer hill, and probably those of the Clove mine, O’Neil mine, and Forshee mine 
may be on this vein. The other ranges from the Forest of Dean mine north-northeast to 
Kronkite’s mine, Meek’s mine, and the ore bed near West-Point. The ore beds on Consti¬ 
tution island are believed to be a continuation of this vein. The same vein is supposed to 
range from the Forest of Dean mine southwestwardly by the Greenwood mine, or else the 
Hassenclever mine, Patterson mine, Mountain mine. Long mine, Crossway mine, Sterling 
mine, and-mine to the New-Jersey line. Another range of ore seems to extend 
from the north side of the Crow’s Nest, where a mine has been opened by Round pond, and 
so on towards New-Jersey. Another still probably ranges from Fort Montgomery by Queens- 
bury mine, and Rich mine, to New-Jersey. 
Local details. 
A bed of magnetic oxide of iron occurs about one or two hundred yards east of the reser¬ 
voir at West-Point. Its quantity is not known, as no explorations have been made. The 
indications there are as promising as at many productive mines. The ore is associated with 
hornblende. It has been traced at short intervals for some distance in a southerly direction 
towards Meek’s mine on the west part of Bear hill, southwest of Buttermilk falls. 
At Meek's mine, the ore is titaniferous. 
Kronkite’s mine, on the farm of Richard Kronkite, esquire, is about half or three-fourths 
of a mile southeast of his house, and four and a half miles southwest of West-Point. There 
are two veins of ore separated by a sheet of rock. Mr. K. has traced it fifty to eighty rods 
to the north-northeast. Eight hundred tons of ore were taken from this mine about thirty-five 
years ago, and it is said to have made iron of a superior quality. The ore is very rich, and 
the veins (separated by rock where they have been opened) vary from a few inches to ten 
feet thick. They range north-northeast, and dip about seventy degrees to the west-northwest. 
This place is three miles from Fort Montgomery. 
