GRANITE. 
23 
Classification of the Prirnosy Rocks, coynpreliending those only tvhich have been observed in 
the Northern District. 
I. PRIMARY. 
I. Unstratified. 
1. Granite ; 
2. Hypersthene Rock; 
3. Primitive Limestone; 
4. Serpentine; 
5. Rensselaerite. 
It is proper to observe, in relation to some of the rocks I have placed in'the above Table, 
that it is not usual to describe them as rocks at all, but rather as minerals; this is the case 
■with rensselaerite, and magnetic and specular oxides of iron. In consideration of their occur- 
ing, however, in extensive masses and beds as well as veins, they appear to be well entitled to 
the appellation of rocks, and I have therefore placed them in the list. Another curious and 
interesting fact will appear from an examination of the preceding list, viz. that mica and tal- 
cose slate rocks, which are so constantly the associates of gneiss and hornblende, are totally 
wanting in this district. In the Primary districts of New-England, they form the principal 
rocks. There are, also, other differences between the two districts, the principal ones are to 
be found in the granites and limestones, and especially in the remarkable developement of the 
mass which I have termed hypersthene rock. Those differences will form subjects of remark 
when the rocks are under consideration. 
II. Stratified. 
1. Gneiss; 
2. Hornblende; 
3. Sienite; 
4. Talc, or Steatite. 
III. SUBORDIN.ATE. 
1. Porphyry; 
2. Trap; 
3. Magnetic, and 
4. Specular Oxide of Iron. 
1. Granite. 
Remarkable as the assertion may appear, still, I believe it to be true, that the granite of the 
Northern District is not only a rock of small extent, but is also one of the least importance; 
for, so far as observation may be relied upon, it is very rarely connected with mineral depo- 
sites, or associated with any degree of regularity with the metallic compounds. 
The granite of the Second District is found in limited patches, forming the surface rock in 
areas which if is impossible to define or bound ; it is quite irregular in its appearance, and is 
so uncertain in its continuance at the surface, that I shall not attempt to define its extent, ex¬ 
cept in a few instances. I propose to give merely the principal localities, inasmuch as the 
area and the extent, so far as it has been traced, can rarely be determined with any degree of 
precision. . . 
I shall commence the topographical account of granite at Fowler, St. Lawrence county; 
giving the most irnportant localities on the St. Lawrence side of the district, when I shall close 
by those upon the Champlain side. Near Halesborough, in the town of Fowler, is one of the 
largest beds of granite in the county ; it extends to Little York ; it is about six miles long, 
and presents nothing worthy of notice, being the usual variety. It contains imperfect crys¬ 
tals of garnet and schorl. At Halesborough, it embraces a mass of coarse white limestone., 
