HISTORY OF OHIO, 



PART FIRST. 

 NATURAL HISTORY. 



GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 

 PREFATORY REMARKS. 



This state is situated between 38° and 42° north latitude^ 

 and between 3° 30' and 7° 40^ longitude West of Washington 

 city. 



On the surface of the earth, within our limits, is, alffiost 

 every where, a rich vegetable mould, made by the decay and 

 putrefaction of vegetable substances. Along the Ohio river 

 and all its larger tributaries in this state, are wide intervales 

 of rich alluvial soil, on which, when we settled in the country, 

 a thick growth of gigantic forest trees flourished. In the hilly 

 region hereafter to be noticed, there are two kinds of soil-^ 

 the silicious and argilaceous. The former is made by the 

 disintegration of the sandstone, near the surface, the latter 

 by the clay slate which exists there. And where it is quite 

 hilly, as it often is, these two kinds of soils, become intimately 

 blended together. By a wise provision of nature, we see 

 here, the clay for bricks, and the sand in which to Hiould 

 them. The wild scenery, of this region, seventy, or evert 

 fifty years ago, must have been eminently beautiful. If any 

 one, at that time, had ascended any elevated ground, near 

 the Ohio, or of any of its larger rivers, the prospect, of hill 

 and dale, spread out, immense, must have been delightful to 

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