116 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
In describing the gold formation of the State, I have mentioned the gold-bearing rocks on Hard- 
labor Creek, and in the vicinity of Parson’s Mountain. At both of these localities gold has been 
found: at the former in a deposit, and at the latter both in a deposit and vein. Near Lowndesville 
there are numerous veins so much like those of the gold formation that they are well calculated to 
mislead, for they contain not a particle of the precious metal. 
Fragments of magnetic iron ore are found near the village, and brown hematite on McCord’s 
Mountain. Bog iron ore is found near the Saluda, on Gen. Gilham’s land. 
There are some interesting mineral localities in the District. Near the Court House a dyke of 
Eurite furnishes, by its disintegration, kaolin of great purity. There are several beds of soap-stone 
of excellent quality. One locality occurs south-east of the village, and but a short distance from 
it, near a little saw-mill. I observed another bed on Cane-creek, on the road to White Hall.— 
Between Rocky River and the Savannah, fine crystals of amethystine quartz. Beryl, rose quartz, 
schorl, and garnets are also among the minerals of the District. 
Besides the mineral springs now known, there are some others that deserve notice: one near Par- 
son’s Mountain, which is within a short ride of the village. In the north-west corner of the District 
Murray’s spring occurs ; and although not so well charged with mineral ingredients as those in the 
Flat-woods, nevertheless this place has many advantages, as regards locality and health. 
On the Saluda, near Pinson’s Ford, Dr. Jones pointed out to me a spring highly charged with 
salts of lime and iron. This is also a pleasant locality and is situated in a healthy region. 
Laurens DIsTRICT. 
The granite of this District is not extensive. It occurs most abundantly towards the South, on 
the Saluda and Little River; and in the north-east, on a ridge between Duncan’s Creek and the 
FEnoree. 
Several considerable dykes of trap come to the surface, but do not, in general, occupy any great 
space. On the hill, near the limestone locality, on the Saluda, large globular masses of this rock 
strew the surface, and extend down its side into the valley. Between Boyd’s mill and Garlington’s, 
and east and west, it may be seen covering the surface with its hard black fragments, for a breadth 
of fifty feet. These fragments, as they present good forms for building, would make excellent 
fences. In the north-western corner of the District trap rocks may be traced from the Enoree, 
across Durban’s Creek, to Young’s P.O. The dyke that occurs here is not wide, but it is quite 
conspicuous when compared with the grey surface of the gneiss, which is the prevailing rock.— 
The course of the dyke is N. 15° E. 
The gneiss formation of Laurens is well marked, and may be observed along the Enoree, at 
numerous picturesque cascades, formed by the upturned edges of this rock. At Gordon’s mills the 
falls are about 30 or 40 feet in a distance of 200 yards; and a few miles higher, at the Mountain 
Shoals, there is a fall of 70 feet, in about the same distance. At this place the rock is much con- 
torted, and seems to be a continuation of the stratum described as occurring on Long-cane, in Abbe- 
ville. This is an exceedingly beautiful spot. Standing on one of the little islets, at the foot of the 
falls, and looking upwards, the river is seen as if emerging from a noble arcade of green foliage— 
now foaming and sparkling in the sunshine, as it dances over the broken edges of the rock, and 
