124 



The Marl Indicator. 



Vol. III. 



The IWarl Indicator. 



From the Virginia Farmei-s' Register, edited by Edmund Suffin, Esq. 

 It has been long and generally believed among the marling farmers of King William 

 county, and the adjoining country, that tlie growth of a certain plant, in running water, in- 

 dicates, with absolute certainty, the presence of marl, or beds of fossil shells, some where 

 higher up the stream. The great value of any each indication, to those who are searching 



Fig. 26. 

 for marl is obvious. We were informed of the peculiar rule of location of this plant sev- 

 eral years ago, by our friend and correspondent, Dr. William B. Wcstmore, then a resident 

 of Kinf William, and, at that lime, re([ue&ted yuch particular information as would enatle 



