THE PHYSIOGRAPHY OF ST. MARY'S COUNTY 



BY 



GEORGE BURBANK SHATTUCK 



Introductory. 



In themain, there are two methods of discussing the physical features 

 of a region. The first and older method is to describe in great detail 

 the various topographic features which the region possesses, without re- 

 gard to their origin, mutual relations, or significance. This method has 

 its place and is still used to-day, but is at best a mere catalogue of 

 geographic facts. The second and modern method of discussing the 

 topography of a region begins where the former leaves ofE. It assumes 

 a knowledge of the leading physical features and seeks to point out the 

 relations which they bear to one another as well as the causes which 

 have brought them into existence. It will be seen that the latter is the 

 more scientific of the two. In discussing the physiography of St. .Mary's 

 County, both methods will be employed. The topographic history of 

 St. Mary's Count}-, although complex and extremely interesting is not as 

 diversified as that of many of the other counties of Maryland. The 

 reason for this is found in the fact that the county lies entirely within 

 the Coastal Plain, while many of the other counties of Maryland lie in 

 more than one physiographic province. It is a matter of regret that the 

 geologic record of St. Mary's County is so imperfect that many of the 

 earlier episodes in its history have been lost entirely or can only be par- 

 tially recovered. Other and later portions of its historical record, however, 

 are so much more complete that they can be read in their leading features 

 as easily as if they had recently occurred. In discussing the physiography 

 of St. Mary's County, the topography of the region will be first described 

 and then the geologic history wliich has brought about the principal sur- 

 face features will be outlined. 



