WARREN COUNTY. 
183 
turbed ; but three miles east, at Baker’s falls, they are more deranged ; while still farther in 
this direction, the derangement has greatly increased, and has so disturbed the slates and 
shales, that in this district it is scarcely possible to learn their true position and relations ; in 
fact, every geologist had misinterpreted these relations, and had fallen into error. It appears 
from these facts that the disturbing cause acted more and more feebly as it proceeded west, 
completely deranging the strata four or five miles east of Glen’s-Falls ; while at this place it 
merely lifted up the strata sufficiently to give them an inclination in two directions, and pro¬ 
ducing merely a slight fracture. 
The Trenton limestone has not as yet furnished layers sufficiently thick for marble ; but 
the general fault with it is, that it is too shaly. It is often black, fine-grained and tough ; and 
were it thick-bedded, it would become an important rock for marble. The grey variety is, 
however, less shaly than the black, and frequently furnishes large blocks sufficiently sound 
for a building stone. It resembles, at a little distance, the grey granite; and it has this 
important advantage, that it works easily: it is equally durable with granite. The great 
abundance of building materials at Glen’s-Falls, together with the peculiar advantages derived 
from the extension of the northern canal to the village, has made it one of the most flou¬ 
rishing villages in the northern counties. The waterfall, too, is one of the most impor¬ 
tant ; and besides being employed in moving machinery for sawing marble, it is extensively 
used for lumber. For years yet to come, the supply of timber for boards will not be 
exhausted, being obtained from the upper branches of the Hudson, in a section of country 
still a wilderness. These materials are rafted down either in the spring or autumn, when the 
rivers are swollen so much as to pass the fords and shallows without grounding. The busi¬ 
ness of the northern canal is greatly increased by this arm of it, which was originally intended 
for a feeder. At this time, so greatly is it increased, that it has become one of the main 
channels of trade and commerce. The canal commissioners have wisely determined to keep 
up and improve this branch, instead of discontinuing it, as at one time was contemplated, in 
order to diminish the expenses in repairs. 
Utica Slate. 
The name of the rock which succeeds the Trenton limestone, has been already anticipated. 
Pursuing the course of the river for a mile or two in either direction, we find this limestone 
supporting a mass of black slate, which has received the designation standing at the head of 
this paragraph. This is well seen in ascending from the river up to the plain upon which the 
village of Sandy-Hill is built, or upon the banks of the river below, particularly at Baker’s 
falls. 
This rock often contains lime in sufficient quantity to effervesce with acids, but rarely suffi¬ 
cient sandy matter to give it a harsh'feel. When recently exposed, it is dark ; but after the 
air, moisture, etc. has acted upon it, it becomes light-colored. It is a rock which is always 
fragile, splits on being moistened, and is never sufficiently firm and indurated to form a roofing 
