OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 71 
The spurs of the Blue Ridge that constitute the mountain range of the State, first enter from 
North Carolina, at the comer of Spartanburg and Greenville, and stretch along the State line, to the 
Chatuga, where they subside into a group of rounded hills, covered with mica slate. 
From the main ridge some prominent points extend farther into the State. The first of these 
that attracts attention, in ascending towards Saluda Gap, is Glassy Mountain, which lies at one 
extremity, and in front of Hog-back Mountain, and forms one side of the valley of the N. E. branch 
of the Saluda. 
This mountain, when seen from the road, presents a bald rock towards the summit, which, when 
wet, reflects the sun’s rays, and hence the name. In ascending by the trail, that winds slowly to 
the top of the mountain, numerous opportunities are presented of examining ‘the strata of gneiss 
and hornblende slate that underlie the enormous stratum that caps the summit, which must be at 
least 300 feet in thickness. And if the traveller who turns aside here, be a stranger, as I was, he 
will be surprised to find on the top, not the naked surface of a barren rock, but a good level farm, 
of 600 acres, with orchards of peaches and apples, the finest that I have seen in the State. 
The State Road presents some fine sections where the structure of these mountains may be 
studied. The same alternations of gneiss and hornblende, with occasionally a bed of mica slate, 
is seen till we reach Hodge’s, where the vast bed that caps Glassy is exposed. 'To the right of the 
road one of the tributaries of the Saluda is seen gliding down the naked face of this rock, over an 
escarpment 400 feet in height. After passing the summit level of this bed, we find another series 
of slates and gneiss continued to Poinsett’s Spring. Leaving the road here, if we take the right, 
and gain the top of Walnut Mountain, we shall find ourselves on the summit of one of the loftiest 
peaks of the group known as the Saluda Mountains, and in the midst of a scene of surpassing swb- 
limity. Around, and as far as the eye can reach, mountain after mountain rises from the plain, in 
solemn grandeur, like enormous but motionless billows on the bosom of a vast ocean—filling the 
mind of the beholder with emotions that no one need attempt to describe. 
From the spring to the summit of the gap, the same rocks continue without change. On 
emerging from the gap one is surprised to find that he has not been ascending to the top of a 
ridge, but the inclined edge of a plane, which now stretches out before him apparently level, and 
from which the mountains of North Carolina seem to rise. 
Tracing another line, parallel with this, up the middle fork of Saluda, thick beds of gneiss are 
first seen ata romantic little mill. Here a bright stream is precipitated over the rock, forming a 
eascade of great beauty. The origin of those circular cavities found indenting the water-worn 
surface of the rocks in the beds of streams, may be seen here. The water, as it pours into these 
holes, gives a circular motion to the quartz pebbles which they contain, and which are thus beau- 
ufully polished, This, together with the disintegrating action of the water, produces, in time, 
cavities as large as cauldrons. From this point, and along the turnpike to Cesar’s Head, a good 
section is exposed, consisting of thin beds of gneiss, and occasionally others much thicker, greatly 
contorted, and becoming more and more silicious towards the top of the mountain. Acres in extent 
of the weathered rock are exposed on the sloping surface. The dip is now inverted, and instead of 
corresponding with the slope of the mountain, it has an opposite direction, which is continued to 
the top. Strike N. 30 E. dip N. E. 
