OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 129 
characteristic of these slates. I have said that patches of these rocks are often found capping the 
hills in other parts of the District. Paris Mountain is a remarkable example of this sort. For 
some miles arouud the mountain mica slate is the prevailing rock, and the mountain itself 
owes its elevation to the indestructible uature of this rock, which contains beds that are more 
silicious than usual. It is another of those monuments that are scattered over the State, as if to 
mark the progress of denudation. It has the same strike and dip of the rocks with which it is sur- 
rounded, showing that it was elevated at the same time, and by the same force. And it now stands 
above the surrounding surface, because the latter has been wasted and depressed by agencies that 
are still ceaselessly doing their silent work. 
East of the mountain there is a miueral spring, known as Chick’s. It is at a pleasant distance 
from the village, and a place of considerable resort. Salts of lime and magnesia are the predomi- 
nant ingredients in the water. 
Iu the general view of the geology of the State, I have described the structure of the Saluda 
Mountains, and it need not be repeated here. 
Greenville will ever possess attractions in its healthful climate and the beauty of its mountain 
scenery. But those who pass through the gap with post haste, know little of the magnificent 
sceves that they are passing to the right and left. A few of the prominent points are indeed known 
and visited, but in the deep recesses of the mountains there are scenes of surpassing beauty that 
are but seldom seen. 
Oue featute in these mountains cannot fail to strke the traveller, particularly if he has, as is coin- 
mon, associated in his miud rocks and sterility: it is the rich luxuriance of every ‘growth—tree and 
herb. No stunted plants mark his upward progress, but all is full of life and vigor. 
Not only are good crops raised in the valleys, but ou the mountain sides, and even on their very 
summits, where one would expect nothing but a naked rock. 
ANDERSON AND PICKENS. 
Anderson presents little in its geology to distinguish it from the adjoining portion of Greenville: 
Gneiss is the prevailing rock, and gives rise to long, unbroken ridges. Sometimes it is quite fissile, 
and then passes into mica slate. Towards the lower part of the District it is frequently intersected 
by veins of coarse feldspathic crystalline granite. Rocky River preseuts numerous localities where 
this rock may be seen. 
Although gneiss is not very abundant in Pickens, at least below the mountains, there are locali- 
ties enough to show that it exists at no great distauce below the surface. West of Pickeus Couct 
House, on Little River, this rock is seen crossing the stream: it is underlaid by slaty beds, which 
disintegrate, and allow the superincumbent beds to fall down in huge blocks. In the bed of the 
river the surface of the rock is perforated by pot-holes, that are sometimes seven or eight feet in depth. 
The water, at this point, is confined to a narrow bed, aud as the outcrop of the rock extends across 
the entire stream, it forms an excellent mill site. Abouta mile from this, near the muster ground, a 
broad sheet of gneiss occupies the surface. Eight miles south of the Court House, on the Green- 
ville road, a remarkable locality of slaty gneiss is kuown, which furnishes very superior flagging 
33 
