10 On the New Jersey Marls, 



The banks and beds of this class of marl, abound 

 with decomposed marine shells, and other marine depo- 

 sitions ; such as skeletons of crabs and lobsters, the 

 teeth of shark, &c. : Indeed, wherever ferruginous marl 

 has been discovered, the traces of the sea, are every- 

 where observed. This ferruginous marl appears to be 

 nothing more than the result of vegetable and animal 

 matters, blended with sand and clay, in prodigious 

 masses, and formed into its present appearance by time, 

 and the operation of nature. 



Second Class of Ferruginous MarL 



The external appearances of this mineral have given 

 it the name of marl. Its constituent parts, however, 

 are nothing but an oxyd of iron and coarse sand. It has 

 never been observed to possess the properties of a ma- 

 nure. 



Third Class of Ferruginous MarL 



The third class of marl is found in great abundancCe 

 The high banks of Crossvvick creek, for many miles, 

 are entirely composed of it. The stratum in some places 

 is remarkably thick, measuring beyond a hundred fectc 

 It is distinguisiied by a blue colour, a soft and greasy 

 consistence ; an astringent taste, and all the common 

 properties of a pure clay. It is exceedingly weighty 5 

 and so retentive of water as to cause it to be dug from 

 the pit with much difficulty. 



This species of marl is seldom used. The farmers 

 reject it as destructive to vegetation, even in the smallest 

 quantities. But I feel confident, from its component 

 parts, and my own experience, that judiciously managed, 

 it will afford the most satisfactory results. It hastens, 



