PRODUCTIVE COAL MEASURES. PP. 15 



Tlie Lower Productive Coal Measures. 



This series of strata is limited below by the upper mem- 

 ber of the Conglomerate, and above by the Mahoning 

 Sandstone. This latter, is nsually a thick sandstone, often 

 conglomeratic, and forms a natural base to the next series 

 above, viz : The Lower Barren Measures. 



The Lower Productive Coal Measures, like the group last 

 described, attains its maximum thickness in the southern 

 part of the State, and thins greatly in passing north. It 

 has its greatest development along the Great Kanawha 

 River, in Kanawha, and the adjoining counties, where it is 

 not less than 1200 feet thick. The details of the geology 

 of this portion of the State, are not known. No minute 

 examinations in the interests of pure science, have ever 

 been made here. The investigations which are made, are 

 usually in behalf of land-owners, or purchasers, and have 

 for their object the determination of the number, character, 

 thickness, &c., of the coal, and iron- ore beds. Enough how- 

 ever is known of tlie stratigraphy, to show that the 1200 

 feet of rocks are almost entirely devoid of limestone, but 

 are composed of thick strata of shale, and sandstone, hold- 

 ing numerous, valuable beds of coal. 



Mr. M. F. Maury, M. E., has made a section of the Lower 

 Productive Measures, on Paint Creek, Kanawha Co. at a 

 point where the base of the series is not shown. Yet in 

 this section, 974 feet of strata are shown, holding 14 coal 

 beds, whose united thickness is 51 feet 10 inches, besides 

 7 beds, whose out-crop only, was seen. 



The flora of this portion of the Productive Measures, is 

 entirely unknown. From the accounts given by amateur 

 collectors, it would seem to be abundant and varied. 



In the northern portion of the State, both the strati- 

 graphy, and the character of the flora, are better known, 

 though our knowledge of the latter, is still imperfect. 

 Here the entire thickness of the series is barely 250 feet. 

 We find more limestone, with fewer and thinner beds of 

 coal. There are only 4 important coals, aggregating about 



