36 JOUENAL OF THE MiTCHELL SoCIETY [OctoheV 



Carolina were formed, and thus obtain a geological history of 

 the mountain section. All the rocks of western JSTorth Carolina 

 are amongst the oldest geologic formations, although there is 

 considerable variation in the time at which the various rocks 

 encountered were formed. The oldest rock formation is known 

 as the Carolina gneiss, which consists of large areas of mica 

 and granite schists; and mica, granite, and cjanite gneisses. 

 The exact origin of this rock has not been definitely determined ; 

 it may have resulted from the metamorphism of a granite rock. 

 Mount Mitchell and the other mountain peaks of the Black 

 Mountains 'are of Carolina gneiss, as are also Grey Beard, The 

 Craggies, Sunset Mountain, Pisgah, Great Hogback (Toxa- 

 way), and Standing Indian (Clay County). 



The next oldest rock formation of western IlTorth Carolina is 

 known as the Eoan gneiss, which is not as extensive as the Car- 

 olina gneiss, but forms much smaller areas and, as a rule, forms 

 long narrow bands cutting the Carolina gneiss. They are also 

 much less altered and are undoubtedly younger. Roan, High 

 Knob, Big Yellow Mountain, Cocks Knob, the eastern slope of 

 Craggy Dome and Bull Head Mountain, ITofat Mountain, and 

 part of Caesar's Head, are all of Roan gneiss. These mountains 

 are, therefore, younger formations than those mountains com- 

 posed of Carolina gneiss. 



Another granite formation has been intruded into the Caro- 

 lina and Roan gneisses, forming rather small areas in the north- 

 western portions of the mountains. These granites, known as 

 the Cranberry and Beech granites, are observed in the vicinity of 

 Blomng Rock, Beech Mountain, Rich Mountain, and part of 

 Pumpkin Patch Mountain. A similar granite, known as the 

 Henderson granite and of approximately the same age, is found 

 over a considerable area of southeastern portion of Transyl- 

 vania and Henderson counties and southwestern portions of 

 Buncombe County. 



All these rocks referred to above are of deep-seated origin 

 and the lapse of time between the formation of the different 

 ones was undoubtedly very great. They formed mountain 

 ranges that were much higher than now observed, but these have 



