OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 119 
Granite and gneiss being essentially composed of the same minerals, it is only where stratification 
can be observed, that they can be distinguished. Gneiss, however, is the prevailing rock of the 
District. 
Granite may be found near the village, and to the South, on the ridge between Tinker’s Creek 
and Fair Forest, much decomposed. On the road to Glenn’s Springs it may also be observed, in 
the deep ravines washed in it by the rains. Granite is also found in the numerous picturesque 
hills that border the valley of the Pacolet. On the North, between Gelkey’s Creek and Thicketty, 
localities of this rock are not uncommon. 
At Meansville a sienitic granite occurs, which deserves notice, as one of the gold-bearing rocks 
of the State. It may be examined on the road, near the top of the hill, between the mill and the 
village. The feldspar of this rock is white, and although it contains hornblende at this and other 
localities, yet it passes into common granite with black mica. I have, in another place, mentioned 
the occurrence of this rock at the mine above Grindal’s Shoals, as well as at the Nott mine, on 
Fair Forest. 
The Trap Rocks of the District occupy the greatest continuous area on Tyger River, about nine 
miles south-west of Union Court House, and above Bobo’s Ford. This tract is known as the 
“ Meadow-woods,” and is three or four miles square. After crossing the river an interesting series of 
porphyritic dykes may be seen on the ascent of the hill, composed of feldspar, with blue crystals 
embedded. ‘The outer edge of this extensive tract presents the usual indications of the presence of 
trap rocks—the dark brown and yellowish soil, together with the rough and rounded black masses 
seattered over the surface, apparently without any connection with the underlying rock. 
The level portions of the land, as usual, are covered with “black-jack,” and are not cultivated. 
On Frenchman’s and Paget’s Creeks dykes of considerable extent occur. 'T'wo miles south of 
the village, and between the latter and Buffalo Creek, several dykes cross the road; and between 
Rocky and Beaverdam Creeks, others are seen, which extend nearly to Grindall Shoals. In the 
vicinity of the village these rocks may be traced for miles in extent—often marking the surface, 
like the ruins of an enormous wall. 
The Gneiss of Union assumes the coarse, feldspathic character of the thick gneissoid rocks of 
the upper Districts of the State, where it becomes porphyritic, having oblong crystals of feldspar 
embedded. 
It seems almost useless to enumerate all the localities examined of this rock, for it can be seen 
at all the shoals and falls on the rivers, and no where to better advantage than on the Pacolet. It 
is often interstratified with hornblende slate, of which there are numerous prominent localities in 
the District. Between Hamilton’s and Greenshaw’s Ford, on Tyger; on the right bank of Sugar 
Creek; on Thicketty Creek, and near Smith’s Ford, the fissile and outcropping edges of this rock 
may be seen. 
Around Meansville, and between it and the gold mines, hornblende slates are sufficiently exten- 
sive to give character to the soil. 
The Mica and Talcose Slates of the District are scarcely separable. Gelkey’s Mountain is the 
most noted locality, and that has been already described. It is in the slates on the flanks of this 
mountain that the most valuable beds of iron in the State are found. South of the mountain these 
slates extend to Smith’s Ford, and on the North, to People’s Creek, where they are associated with 
