Page:Report on the geology of the four counties, Union, Snyder, Mifflin and Juniata (IA reportongeologyo00dinv).pdf/115

Rh means of numerous small blocks of cherty sandstone con- taining the well known Spirifera arenosa fossils. The outcrop of the formation lies just north of and coincides with the Lower Helderberg limestone, and it is largely shaly in character.

The Marcellus and Hamilton divisions of No. VIII oc- cupy the northern portion of the township along Black run; but their exposures are so largely concealed by drift and bowlders of Catskill and Pocono rocks that compara- tively little can be said concerning the character of No. VIII in this township. This drift’ material rises to eleva- tions of 400′ above the river in several distinct terraces.

The Tate Paint Mine has been opened apparently in the Marcellus division of these rocks, just west of the P. & R. R. R. and about 1½ miles north of Allenwood. It is presumably the Marcellus ore bed which had been developed here, although unfortunately the opening was so badly fallen in as to prevent any personal examination. Mr. Tate reports that the main drift had been driven 75 yards west into the hill, with gangways north and south in a flat bed of carbonate ore. The bed is capped with black slate, with thin but regular layers, under which there is 2′ of a black carbonate ore furnishing only 10 per cent. of metallic iron. A stratum of 6” of hematite ore underlies the carbonate, and a ½ inch of yellow ochre on the bottom. Several carloads of the black carbonate ore have been shipped to the Allenwood Paint Mill, where it is dried and ground and is said to make an excellent black paint or polish for iron and wood structures.

The mining of this material is necessarily very cheap as it is said to yield to the pick, although the gangways require a large amount of timbering to preserve the roof of the mine.

The 6″ band of hematite ore, after being roasted, has been treated in the same manner and makes a brown paint somewhat siliceous, which does not command so high a price.

No work has been done at this opening for nearly 3 years, so that the facts are recorded simply as Mr. Tate has kindly