348 
GEOLOGY OF THE SECOND DISTRICT. 
This ore is strongly magnetic, and probably is composed of a larger proportion of the 
protoxide than usual. At those places where it has been opened to a depth of five or six feet, 
it appears richer than upon the surface. This is a result which I should expect. 
This mass of ore resembles the Palmer vein in Clinton county, being black, fine grained, 
and strongly magnetic. Of the result of the trial in reducing it, and of the kind of iron it 
made, I have never been informed. It may be regarded very safely as a valuable ore, inas¬ 
much as those substances which usually injure iron are absent; and furthermore, the gangue 
is one which indicates a favorable result in reduction. The mine is in the vicinity of water 
power, wood, etc.; but is far removed from water carriage, and other means for cheap trans¬ 
port. 
There is another vein in this vicinity, discovered by Mr. Dodge of Gouverneur. The ore 
is richer and coarser, even in large cleavage crystals. It is black and strongly magnetic. It is 
probable this will be found strictly a mineral region. The rock is the hypersthene, and hence 
there is a remarkable similarity to Adirondack in Essex. 
On township No. 10, about eight miles from Russel, a vein of this species of ore was dis¬ 
covered three years since. Not having visited the place, I am unable to give an account of 
it farther than to say that the specimens of the ore appeared well, being rich, and free from 
substances which are injurious to iron. 
The hypersthene rock which appears in this section of the country, is probably unconnected 
with the great mass in Essex, and it is probably quite limited in extent. The opportunity 
for the examination of this part of the county was unfavorable for acquiring facts. I would 
therefore be understood as speaking with caution in relation to the surface rock of this whole 
region. 
Of this region I may, however, remark in general, that adjacent to the Oswegatchie, the 
land is rather low and swampy, and the underbrush is thick. In some tracts, the timber is 
wholly or mostly black cherry. In the neighborhood of Cranberry lake, there is considerable 
pine. But, upon the whole, this section of the county is inferior to that upon the St. Law¬ 
rence river. 
Bog Iron Ore. 
Bog ore is found in large quantities in Hermon, on the land of Mr. Kent. The beds are 
five or six, and even ten feet thick ; the ore is found underlying eight or ten acres. 
The peculiarity of this location arises from its connection with the rock which furnishes the 
original materials composing the ore. The rock surrounding this great bed is highly charged 
with sulphuret of iron, which, decomposing gradually, has furnished this large amount of ore ; 
and should any part of it be removed, its place will be supplied in the course of a few years. 
In consequence, therefore, of this source of constant renewal, beds of this description become 
inexhaustible. 
One objection which lies against this ore, is the presence of sulphuret of iron. This ob¬ 
jection may be obviated in two ways : First, by roasting, and secondly by exposure to the air 
