232 Geology of the Country, fyc. 



servations, have restricted me to mere general views. Any omis- 

 sions of mine, however, are of less consequence, since the region has 

 been examined by Prof. Ducatel and his associates, who will un- 

 doubtedly, in their forthcoming report to the legislature of this state, 

 bestow upon it the attention it deserves. 



In conclusion, I cannot avoid reverting to the extremely interest- 

 ing character of the line of country, to which the preceding remarks 

 have been applied. To the practical man, it is recommended by its 

 mineral treasures and its agricultural resources. Its quarries of mar- 

 ble, of granite, of freestone, of slate, of soapstone — its mines of cop- 

 per, iron, manganese, chrome and lead, its inexhaustible beds of bi- 

 tuminous coal, the recently discovered deposits of anthracite in the 

 graywacke slate of Virginia, and the unrivalled fertility of its lime- 

 stone vallies, offer tempting rewards to industry and enterprise. To 

 the geologist it is no less interesting, as offering to his research, one 

 of the best fields on our continent, for obtaining a correct knowledge 

 of our transition strata. Here every thing is seen upon an immense 

 scale; deposits that would be appealed to as general strata, if seen in 

 almost any other connexion, are here viewed only as subordinates ; 

 formations considered as distinct, when examined on a more limited 

 scale, are here seen alternating with and passing into each other, in 

 such a manner as to leave no doubt of their identity. It were to be 

 wished that the labor of exploring so fruitful a soil, had devolved 

 upon some one better fitted for the task than the writer of these notes, 

 but until other laborers are found, he will endeavor to collect and 

 collate from time to time, some few of the many interesting facts 

 connected with this interesting region. 



Explanation of the section. — The original section, was drawn on the scale 

 of two miles to an inch, but when that came to be reduced within the present limits, 

 it was found impracticable to preserve all the minutiae. Consequently there may be 

 in the preceding remarks, occasionly an inappropriate reference. The coloring i* 

 also omitted, to prevent confusion, and the different formations distinguished— the 

 limerock by dots, and the other formations by lines, that are intended to show the in- 

 clination of the strata. The line between the primitive strata, and the adjoining 

 graywacke is not defined, because I have not satisfied myself exactly where it should 

 be placed— nor is it important for my purpose, that it should be located. The section 

 is supposed to run a little north of west, and a little south of east, generally at right 

 angles to the direction of the strata, and the spectator is supposed to stand on the 

 south side, looking towards the north. It is intended to convey a pretty correct 

 idea of the relative extent of each formation, viewed transversely ; as the height 

 of the different mountain chains, was not known, their comparative elevation could 

 only be approximated. 



