20 



Geology of the Muskingum Valley 



through the bed, as if they had been hihumed in their growing and 

 natural position. From their undisturbed, and perfect condition, I 

 am led to conclude that they lived and vegetated on the spot where 

 they are now found. Had they been transported by currents of wa- 

 ter, the leaves and branches would have been more confused and 

 broken. The grotto is seated on the side of a deep ravine, which 

 the water in running from the hills, has gradually worn in the rocks, 

 at an elevation of one hundred feet above the bed of the river ; of 

 which and the distant hills in Virginia, the tops of the adjoining 

 cliffs afford a beautiful view. 



The prefixed sketch, exhibits the contour of the river hills, as 

 they generally appear on the Ohio river. The following actual sec- 

 tion and description of strata taken at the Grotto of plants, will give 

 a general view of the rock formation near Marietta, and for some 

 distance below. 



^ 



Section of Rock Strata at the Grotto of Plants. 



Order, descending.— Slight dip S. W. 



Fig. 2. 



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