291 



forming an extensive plain, characterized by a clayey soil, and 

 noted in this section of the State for its greater relative fer- 

 tility. The same tract borders, in a belt a few miles in width, the 

 Delaware river and bay, to Cape May. Throughout the whole 

 of this area, in consequence of the very small elevation of the 

 surface above the tide, the marl stratum is scarcely once in- 

 tersected by ravines or streams; though I entertain but little 

 doubt that it spreads itself in the southwest direction to the De- 

 laware. At Joseph Bassett's, about four miles from Salem, the 

 marl may be seen at a small depth beneath the surface. It re- 

 sembles in all respects that which is generally the lower stratum ; 

 containing the same^ixture of clay, the same shells, and having 

 the same white efflorescence. The principal fossils are gryphea 

 convexa, exogyra costata, ostrea falcata, and several spiral uni- 

 valves in the state of casts, finely preserved, from which we may 

 justly infer that the stratum is not very wet. Teeth and bones 

 also occur. 



Marl from the farm of Josej)h Bassett, north side of Branch. 

 Description. — Colour, dirty-green, unchanged by washing. 

 Composition. — In 100 parts: 



Grcensand, - - - 89-81 

 Clay, - - - - 5-19 



Quartzose sand, - - 5-00 



100.00 

 The proportion of potash in this marl, deduced from that in the 

 greensand, is 10*3 per cent. 



Marl from the farm, of James Smith, Mannington Hilly 



Salem county. 

 Description. — Colour, rather green, of average depth of tint; 

 the washed greensand is of a rich dark green. 

 Composition. — In 100 parts : 



Greensand, - - - 88-80 

 Clay, - - - - 10-20 

 Quartzose sand, - - 100 



10000 



