THE / 



AMERICAN 



JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &c. 



Art. I.— Some notices of the Geology* of the Country between Balti- 

 more and the Ohio River, with a section illustrating the superpo- 

 sition of the rocks ; by Dr. William E. A. Aikin, Prof, of Nat. 

 Phil, and Chem. in Mt. St. Mary's College, Md. 



The geology of the Appalachian chain has always appeared suffi- 

 ciently enigmatical to me to merit minute investigation. The struc- 

 ture of its eastern ridges seems inexplicable, without reference to the 

 operation of a cause, that must have been most intensely exerted along 

 a line far to the west of any point, that I had an opportunity of exa- 

 mining previous to the last season. The following observations are 

 the results of that examination, an examination much more cursory 

 and hurried, than I could have wished, but yet one which has furnish- 

 ed some general results, that in the absence of more minute informa- 

 tion may prove interesting. Moreover, it is hoped they will have a 

 tendency to remove the darkness that has hitherto encompassed the 

 subject, by stimulating others to note down their observations, to 

 compare my remarks with the places referred to, and to verify or 

 disprove my assertions. When proceeding westward from Balti- 

 more, the scientific traveler is struck with the apparent confusion 

 and disorder of the rocks in sight. Immense masses of granite and 

 gneiss, with primitive and transition schists, are intermingled in every 



• Mt. St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg, Md., Feb. 5, 1834. 

 Prof. Silliman. — Sir — With a wish to contribute my mite towards an eluci- 

 dation of American Geology, I herewith send you some notices of the character and 

 superposition of the rocks between Baltimore and the Ohio river, along the route of 

 the national road. The accompanying section is intended to render my view* more 

 intelligible than could be done by bare description. 



Most respectfully, your humble and obed't serv't. 



W. E. A. Aikin. 



Vol. XXVL— No. 2. 29 



