DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE CON- 

 CERNING THE PHYSICAL FEATURES 

 OF PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, 

 WITH BIBLIOGRAPHY 



BY 



BEl^JAMIlSr L. MILLER 



Introductory. 



Since 1608, when Capt. John Smith ascended the Potomac Eiver 

 to the falls above Georgetown this region has attracted the attention 

 of explorers, travelers and geologists, many of whom have published 

 their observations. The proximity of the national capital has 

 brought many geologists to the region during the past century and 

 consequently the literature is more extensive than that of any other 

 county in the Coastal Plain of Maryland. 



In this review no attempt is made to include all who have written 

 on the geology of the region, but only tliose who have rendered most 

 service in advancing our knowledge of the geology of the area, conse- 

 quently investigators are mentioned rather than collaborators. The 

 bibliography which follows gives the names of both. A brief 

 clironologic resume is followed by a discussion of the development 

 of knowledge of each of the different groups of formations. 



Historical Review. 



1612-1809. All of the early work in Prince George's County was 

 of an exploratory character, and the published descriptions contain 

 such general statements that in most instances it is impossible to tell 

 exactly what regions were visited. The most important publications 

 of this period are those of Capt. John Smitli, which appeared in 1612 

 and 1624. 



