Kerr.] IJU [ApriU, 



whom it lias been our privilege to associate — a sad loss to vis, and equally 

 so to the community, in. which, and for which, he labored with his vast 

 accumulations of knowledge. Without ambition or vain-glory, he was 

 content to give his whole attention to the somewhat monotonous routine 

 of immediate duties in the city, and to be known in the greater world 

 only to those with whom congenial dispositions, similar pursuits, or the 

 accidents of travel had associated him ; a combination of modesty, in- 

 tellect and conscience rarely to be seen. That those who come after us 

 may find in their time an example of equal merit in these qualities, is the 

 fervent wish of all who mourn his lost friendship. 



TOPOGRAPHY AS AFFECTED BY THE ROTATION OF THE 



EARTH. 



By W. C. Kerr, 

 State Geologist op North Carolina. 



{Read before the American Philosophical Society, April Mi, 1873.) 



The eastern part of North Carolina, which for about 100 miles from 

 the sea has a comparatively level or very slightly undulating surface, 

 whose slope seaward does not exceed an average of one foot to the mile, 

 is occupied geologically by the (sensibly) horizontal strata of the Post 

 Tertiary or Tertiary formations, which consist of uncompacted sands, 

 clays, marls and gravels in various commixture, and is divided by the 

 southeasterly course of four or five large rivers into as many parallel 

 zones or broad flattish swells, which shed their drainage waters northeast 

 and southeast, by a system of small tributaries, into the larger streams. 

 As may be seen by reference to the map the watershed or crest of these 

 zones lies much nearer to their northeastern margin, dividing them into 

 two very unequal slopes or drainage areas. 



In the beginning of my explorations in this region the question was 

 often asked by the more observing and intelligent citizens, why the 

 bluffs and high banks are always found on the south side of the rivers, 

 and swamps and low flats on the north. I did not know, and indeed 

 doubted the fact. But my attention being called to it the observation 

 was soon ascertained to be valid to a very remarkable extent. Another 

 question was also frequently asked which presented a difficulty not 

 obviously connected with the former, viz : why the marl beds (Miocene 

 shell beds) are found only on the south side of these large rivers. This 



