CHARACTER OF THE METALLIFEROUS VETNS. 
151 
oeeded in making from it iron whose qualities were equal to the 
best Swedes iron. Many samples of this iron have been tested at 
different times and by different modes, all of which tended to con¬ 
firm the favorable opinions entertained respecting the value of this 
ore. The late Prof. Johnson’s tests were the most satisfactory 
which were made. The iron could be drawn to an half inch bar un¬ 
der the common trip hammer, and bent when cold without breaking 
the fibres, or producing cracks. The bent bar represented in 
fig. 39 illustrates in the most 
satisfactory manner, the qual¬ 
ity of the iron which may be 
made from this ore, both as 
regards toughness, and dura¬ 
bility. The outer curve of the 
bar is 3*8 inches in length, 
the inner only 2'15 inches. 
The length of this bar before 
it was bent, was 2£ inches; 
the width 1*29, and the thickness 0’59. 
The specular or peroxide of iron takes the place of the mag¬ 
netic, in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, N. Y. The 
associated rocks of the St. Lawrence side of the mountains 
differ somewhat from those of the Champlain side. Gneiss, 
granite and pyrocrystalline limestone belong to both sides, but 
on the Champlain side the former rocks contain the magnetic 
ores, while the latter on the St. Lawrence side contain the 
specular. Serpentine is also a constant associate of the latter. 
There is really no difference in the mode of occurrence of the 
two oxides, both are primarily in veins. The specular oxide, 
however, may appear to be an exception, as a very large pro¬ 
portion of the ore of Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties has 
been obtained from beds in the soil. The ore, however, is derived 
from veins. Its constitution favors its disintegration. The 
associates of the specular ore are crystallized quartz, mostly in 
dodecahedrons, carbonate of lime and magnesia, carbonate of 
iron, sulphate of barytes, sulphuret of iron, cacoxenite, sulphuret 
Fig. 39. 
