Identifier: geologicalhistor00cozz (find matches)
Title: A geological history of Manhattan or New York island together with a map of the island, and a suite of sections, tables and columns, for the study of geology, particularly adapted for the American student
Year: 1843 (1840s)
Authors: Cozzens, Issachar, 1780-1865
Subjects: Geology
Publisher: New York, W.E. Dean
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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the present time forming and altering its form, onthe south shore of Long Island where the ocean 54 A GEOLOGICAL HISTORY. is rolling in its waves; and at all storms from thesouth and east, lobsters, crabs, shell-fish and otherinhabitants of the deep, are thrown up from thebottom of the ocean. In a tremendous storm,about the first of March, 1839, on the beaches ofthis part of the island, was a wind-row of shells,from ten to twelve feet wide, and from two to threefeet deep, that skirted the line of high-water formiles ; these shells contained the living animals,and thousands of crows (Corvus Americanus) camehere to feed on them—they were the beach clamor skimmer (Mactra gigantea) Natica heros andduplicata, and many other bivalves and univalves,with many species of Crustacea, and one speciesof asterias. These shells, crabs, &c, were thrownin a layer or series, with the sand at their bottomand top, with a dip to the south similar to whatwe see in some members of ancient formations.
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SECTION OF STATEN ISLAND.Plate 4. 1st Granite.—(Plate 4, fig. !.) This is seen atthe south side of the ferry wharf, on the shore,between high and low-water mark at Tompkins-ville, this rock differs from the New York Granite,and is what is called Graphic Granite, it has alarge vein of white translucent quartz runningthrough it; fine specimens may be obtained here. 2nd Serpentine.—(Plate 4, fig. 2.) This formsthe highest hills on the island, it is similar to theSerpentine of Hoboken, but that no Hydrate ofMagnesia has as yet been found, but abundantveins of the Carbonate. This Carbonate wasbrought up, by the sinking of a shaft (which wasdone by some dreamers after riches) in a valley,about four miles from Tompkinsville, on the southside of the turnpike. Crystals of the mineralsince called Marmolite by Mr. Nuttal, were foundimbedded in the Carbonate of Magnesia. It would 56 A GEOLOGICAL HISTORY. seem that the white silvery Talc of this localitytook the place of the Hydrate of Magnesi

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