24 BULLETIN OF THE LABORATORIES 



The object in mind in the field work was to see if sufficient evi- 

 dence could be found on which to locate these old cols. The task is 

 by no means an easy one on account of the size of the valley and the 

 vast amount of erosion which has taken place through the entire length 

 of the valley. While the data here presented are not of a very exact 

 nature from the fact that the time which it was possible to devote to 

 the field work did not permit of detailed measurements, except in a 

 few cases; yet it is hoped that they may be of value in suggesting 

 fields for future investigation. 



The section of the valley included in this study extends from sev- 

 eral miles above Huntington, West Virginia, to Vanceburg, Kentucky. 

 The points to be considered are principally the width of the valley, 

 measured from the point of intersection of the flood plain or terrace 

 filling with the base of the rock wall on one side to a corresponding 

 point on the opposite side ; The character of the slopes of the rock 

 walls whether steep and precipitous or gently sloping; the stratigraphic 

 relation and character of the rock as to its disintegrating properties ; 

 the elevation of the valley walls above rock floor and present water 

 level ; the presence of elevated rock and gravel terraces ; and the char- 

 acter of tributary valleys. While it may be possible by such char- 

 acters to locate the position of old eroded cols in the valley modifi- 

 cations of small streams to within a few hundred yards. (Article V.) 

 One would be fortunate to locate by detailed study the cols of 

 such a valley as the Ohio within a few miles, unless the charac- 

 ters were very evident. The section of the Ohio from Vanceburg to 

 some miles below Manchester will be considered in an other article, now 

 in preparation, on the Brush Creek drainage. Suffice it here to say 

 that in the vicinity of Vanceburg and for some miles below the valley 

 of the Ohio is relatively narrow. In places it was estimated to be less 

 than a mile wide. The bordering hills are high and precipitous. The 

 rocks are exposed in vertical cliffs with sharp upper angles ; although 

 composed of shales, limestones and sandstones which are not especially 

 resistant to disintegration. 



Passing up the river towards Portsmouth the valley grows wider 

 and the bordering hills while fully as high do not have as abrupt faces 

 towards the river front. Although the slopes are everywhere at high 

 angles. About 4 miles below Portsmouth near Scioto Heights at the 

 mouth of Rock Run there is a rock platform of considerable extent 

 which appears very much as though it might be an old gradation plain, 



