Trans. N. Y. Ac. Set. 1 ' H Jan. 30, 



of decomposition and disintegration on the spot. It is therefore an 

 easy task to find the source of minerals found on the surface. The 

 "frost drift " theory of Prof. Kerr is everywhere proven in this region. 

 He well says that "to a foreign geologist, entering the South Atlantic 

 States for the first time, a hundred miles or more from the coast, the 

 most striking and novel feature of the geology is the great depth of 

 earth that everywhere mantles and conceals the rocks. This is readily 

 discovered to be, for the most part, merely the result of the decomposi- 

 tion Tu situ of the exposed edges of the underlying strata. The verti- 

 cal and highly inclined bedding-lines of strata, are distinctly traceable 

 by the eye, through this stiperficial earth covering, and are seen to pass 

 by i)isensible gradations into the undecayed rock beneath." At this lo- 

 cality, the unaltered rock is found at a depth of twenty-six feet, and is 

 of unusual hardness, especially where it walls the gem-bearing pockets. 

 Thus far the gems have been found in a narrow belt running N. 

 E. and S. W., and scattered over a distance of three miles. In 

 this belt, signs of cross-fissures are very abundant, and it is a very com- 

 mon thing to find crystals of quartz, rutile, tourmaline, etc., etc., per- 

 fectly preserved, scattered over the surface. 



A peculiar feature pertains to most of the emeralds and beryls from 

 this region. They appear as though filed across the prismatic faces. 

 The basal plane is also often pitted with minute depressed hejfagonal 

 pyramids, that lie with their edges parallel to one another, and to the 

 edge of the di-hexagonal prism. Rarely, though, crystals- are found 

 with perfectly smooth and brilliant faces. The emerald color is often 

 focused on the surface, and fades gradually to a colorless central core, 

 which feature is of exceeding interest when the genesis of the mineral 

 is considered. The emeralds have been found of richer color, and less 

 flawed, as the mine gets deeper. [These points were illustrated by a 

 beautiful series of specimens.] 



In regard to the commercial value of the emeralds thus far found, I 

 will frankly state that the majority of the crystals have little value for 

 gem purposes ; but as cabinet specimens they are unprecedented, and as 

 such have a market value ranging from $25 to $1,000 each. 



From the largest crystals, stones of over one carat weight could be 

 cut, that would be marketable as gems ; but as scientific specimens, the 

 crystals in their entirety would have greater value. Certainly no better 

 signs could be wished for than these specimens, to prove the existence 

 at this locality of dark-colored crystals, pure enough for cutting into 

 valuable gems. 



This region has a great future as a gem-producing district. Mining 

 skill and capital are the only essentials needed to insure success. It 

 may be interesting to note that the entire expense of the work at this 



