90.4. ‘Notice of'a-Geological Model, 
kill coal basin, between the coal beds and the red shale, has thin- 
ned out and'at some points appears to be altogether absent. The 
greatest amount of coal which has been proved at this branch, is 
at Blackspring gap, where eight southern and seven northern 
seams have been explored, the aggregate thickness of which is 
“ninety feet. gps! 
Passing over to the northern branch of the main coal-field, a 
fine series of beds occurs, some of them being of considerable 
thickness. The anthracite here is of excellent quality. From 
the Swatara region eastward for several miles, there has been but 
little exploration of the numerous coal seams known to exist there; 
there being no convenient mode of communication, by canal or 
railroad, completed in that quarter. Argillaceous carbonate of 
iron, in beds and detached masses, prevails in this coal region ; to 
what extent, however, we cannot say, as their investigation has 
hitherto been but a secondary object. 
The foregoing notes are, it is conceived, sufficiently explanatory 
of the prevailing characters of the district. Did it possess no other 
peculiarity or attraction than that derived from the remarkable 
arrangement, or rather derangement, of the formations which it 
comprises, it might still claim your attention, as an area of high 
geological interest. Viewing it with reference to its growing im- 
portance as a mineral country, favorably circumstanced, we have 
little cause for apprehension that the labors of the artist have been 
employed on a barren and profitless field. Already have nine or 
ten chartered companies for coal and mining operations located 
themselves here. Already several furnaces and forges have been 
established in its vicinity... The Pennsylvanian, the Wiconisco 
and the Union canals, traverse within its limits. Two or three 
ilroads are already in full communication with its collieries, and 
charters for five or six others have been procured from the legis- 
lature. As relates to the region we have been considering, we 
» are but on the threshold of improvement. The industry of man 
has but recently been put in requisition within its borders. But 
experience has already informed him that the once despised, cha- 
otic, impassable wilderness, teems with treasures more precious 
to him, perhaps, than gold. The labors of the geologist, be they 
local or general ; be they for private or for public objects; for indi- 
viduals, for associations, or for the community at large,—cannot 
. fail to develop new and beneficial results wheresoever directed, in 
‘Such a field. To have had some share in the attaining and the 
