p. 726

-633-
[-726-]

1848.

[abundant]. The village is on the slope of a hill with low ground on the west (Sketch No. 35). Wells dug on the high ground show that the hill is composed of limestone strata. The rock is also found in the bed of the creek (Rubicon) and forms the foundation of the sawmill, but here is much more compact and hard than in the hill. Whether there are two layers of limestone with a regular bed or layer of ore between we could not determine by so hasty an examination. The ore appears to extend along the side hill in a line (Sketch) as if it was a vein or the outcrop of a bed, but we could not see the connection with the limestone. Mr. Hurd thinks it only a superficial deposit, but its extent can not be known with out further examination. Among some loose stone at the mill was found a streptoplasma almost perfectly conical. Also a fragment resembling the "blue limestone" not in place.

Fragments of the oolitic ore were found with a lamellar structure, and the flattened granis lie parallel with the laminae and in New York in the rock called the "Clinton Group" the same kind of ore occurs in place and extending many miles, hence we may infer that this ore is probably similarly situated. Unless this is the correct theory of the origin of this ore it is not probable that enough will be found to justify the establishment of very extensive iron works, as the superficial beds would be exhausted in a few years.

The ore found here is precisely like that discovered some time since near Marysville which was afterwards examined.

The yellow limestone contained traces of encrinites. Some of the ore has been sent east to be analyzed but the result is not yet known.

The whole country around these mines is covered with timber so that there would be no lack of fuel for iron works,