420 
GEOLOGY OF THE SECOND DISTRICT. 
Porcelain clays. Those of Johnsburgh and Athol have been described in another place. 
The clays resulting from the decomposition of labradorite or hypersthene rock, were spoken 
of under the head of Essex county. 
Moulding sand. Much of the sand of the tertiary beds appears adapted for this purpose. 
If so, it is quite abundant along the shores of Lake Champlain, wherever this mass has been 
undisturbed by currents transporting drift. 
Fluxes. It will be found that the transition limestones, when formed of a pure carbonate, 
are much more suitable for a flux in reducing the ores of iron, than the primary limestone. 
Thus the birdseye, which is very easily broken, might well be substituted for every other. 
Calcareous spar, or calcite, as it is now called, is probably the best. A large bed of it exists 
near Port Henry. Clay of the tertiary may undoubtedly be used in some instances as a flux. 
Clay for fire-brick. The only locality of clay for this purpose, which I have examined, is 
at Adirondack. This, however, does not appear to be sufficiently changed to form a perfect 
fire-clay, although it is highly refractory; but it possesses one very remarkable property, 
namely, that of being heated suddenly, and even raised to a high heat, without cracking. 
Ochres and Stone paints. Among the specular oxides, abundance of this material exists, 
and probably of the best quality. A thin vein of limonite in Dekalb furnishes the finest mate¬ 
rial I have seen, but it is doubtful whether it is in a sufficient quantity to be wrought to 
advantage. 
Material for copperas. The dissemination of sulphuret of iron is often so abundant as to 
form a decomposing rock, which may usually be known by its brown color, occasioned by 
the stains of the decomposed sulphuret. Rocks of this description are quite abundant: they 
are generally gneiss. Sometimes the sulphuret is in large distinct masses. A locality which 
appears to furnish the materials suitable for copperas, is in Lewis in Essex county. The 
manufacture is unprofitable at present; and probably a sufficient quantity can, for a long time 
to come, be furnished from the Vermont works. 
Economical materials in the form of simple minerals. 
Mica. Mica for stoves, lanterns, etc., may be obtained in Edwards. It is white, or but 
slightly tinged with yellowish brown. 
Non-conductors for Safes. Asbestus occurs in only limited quantities in the northern dis¬ 
trict. It is in thin seams in the serpentine rocks at Port Henry. It is very fine and soft, but 
I suspect the fibre is too short for the uses to which it is commonly applied. 
Titanium for coloring artificial teeth. Only a small quantity of this substance has been 
discovered as yet in the northern district. At Chester, it is found in slender prisms in lime¬ 
stone, and farther search may bring to light greater quantities. 
Graphite for drawing pencils. This substance is well known at Ticonderoga, where it 
forms a regular vein in gneiss. At numerous other places it is found in smaller quantities. 
