290 



north-east and soutli-westj across the Counties of Monroe and Wayne, 

 and dipping north-westerly. 



That portion which occupies the more easterly range is a compact 

 rock, of a color varying from light gray to blue, sometimes veined, and 

 occasionally oolitic, and is well characterized by its distinctive fossils. 

 In some portions of it, crystals of sulphate of strontian are abun- 

 dant. 



The highest portion of the limerock formation, seen through the 

 Western part of Monroe County, is somewhat sparry, geodiferous, and 

 bituminous, and characterized by a few fossils of different species. 



Intermediate between those two portions of the formation, in this 

 County, is a very siliceous rock, approaching in some instances al- 

 most to pure sandstone. It is composed of quartzose grains, easily dis- 

 integrating into a beautifully pure and white sand. 



As the limerock of Monroe and "Wayne was fully described in my 

 report "on those Counties, of last year, I shall avoid a repetition of lo- 

 cal details. 



ECONOMICAL CONSIDERATIONS. 



It will be perceived, by reference to the Report alluded to, that this 

 portion of our State affords a very great abundance of limestone for 

 several important practical purposes. 



Quick-lime is extensively made, and supplies the wants of this sec- 

 tion of country. The limestone which occupies the highest range, (and 

 from which lime is made extensively in the Macon Reservation,) has 

 been described as strongly bituminous. This character of stone, owing 

 to a chemical action which takes place in the kiln, rendei-s it very su- 

 perior for the above purpose. When brought to a red heat, the car- 

 bonaceous matter begins to react on the carbonic acid, which is a con- 

 stituent of limestone, and converts it into carbonic oxide, which having 

 no attraction for lime, is driven offj leaving the lime of a pure white, 

 and perfectly caustic, with less consumption of fuel, and in less time 

 than is required by any other limestone. Being porous, it falls into an 

 exceedingly fine powder by water or expo ure; a quahty which renders 

 it particularly valuable to the farmer or builder. 



Water-lime. — By experiments made " in the small way," it appeal's 

 highly probable that some of th^ strata in the hmerock quarried neai- 

 Monroe, (which holds the lowest place in the hmerock series described,) 



