‘ OF SOUTH CAROLINA. ’ 235. 
whether we consider them as marl beds, or indigo vats; where they are found, and contain a suffi- 
cient amount of lime, they are valuable, by whatever name designated. A specimen from an exten- 
sive deposit of this sort on the Combahee was composed of, 
Oypanie; matter, <- 2. = eee tn oe 2100 
Carbonate of lime, jvaiei-5.25. 5. Sa ee Se 6N0 
Bulletis, eee <n nara Ses ot eee 9) 50) 
Alumina and Oxide ofiron,-_.-.- ---- --.---..-.--22%.50 
100.00 
The amount of lime is very variable, as might be expected. In some parts of the bed the lime is 
nearly pure, but in others it amounts to scarcely 5 per cent. 
The other marls, and marl stones, of the State, present every variety, from a pulverulent mass to 
the solid rock. ‘They are generally accessible, and being exposed on the banks of nearly all the 
navigable rivers, could therefore be transported at a trifling expense, to a considerable distance. 
They are rich in calcareous matter beyond example; and in addition to this they contain phosphate 
of lime in a very valuable proportion.* 
This exceedingly interesting ingredient is found most abundantly in the marls of the fish bed of 
the Ashley, where it is derived from the bones of marine and land animals, buried in that deposit. 
The remains of crustaccous animals, found in nearly all the beds, indicate another source of this 
substance. 
Marl from Bee's Ferry. 
Carbonate of lime) 22 =" == eee a8 oe eco 00 
Phosphateot Wnte,= == ===" Senec2 272 oe. £00 
Alumina and” Oxide of irons -= 22 23S 522-5... 9:00 
Silicéous} Matters == Soe ele ee oe 32.00 
100:00 
The Analysis of the Ashley marls by Professor Shepard, will be found in the Appendix, 
The amount of phosphates discovered by these analyses, brmgs these marls up to the best in the 
State, in an agricultural point of view. 
Suill, I apprehend that the carbonate of lime will always prove the constituent of greatest impor- 
tance, valuable as the phosphates are. Mr. Ruffin has studied the agricultural value of these marls, 
with special care and success. His investigations were particularly directed to the determination of 
the carbonate of lime they contained, and I present the result of his experiments, with a full know- 
ledge of their value. 
Table showing the amount of Carbonate of lime in the marls of the Ashley, 
and its tributaries. as determined by Mr. Ruffin. 
om From John S. Brisbane's landing, 9 miles above Charleston, taken 
from the surface on the beach, between high and low tide mark, 
contained of carbonate of lime, per cent..---.---._--.__--__- 64 
From the same, taken from the bottom of the river 26 feet below low 
tidegS =. ts = t._e een Be BBS ee Le _ 75 
Lumps of stony hardness, full of impressions of shells, found in great 
quantity in that neighborhood a few feet above the marl,___---- 6 
eimarl fry WOgNealels landing. 22-2 ones enue eee see Scncn kn 76 
From riger/bank/atDrayton Hall: ...--22252- sec secc ncn n- nn 63 
+ The merit of this discovery belongs to Dr. Smith and Professor Shepard. 
