NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



21 



contain; 2d, the extreme fineness of the intermixed earthy 

 matter. The earthy matter is invisible in consequence of its 

 fineness, and is evenly distributed through the mass. An 

 inspection of it even under a common lens will deceive most 

 persons, and they would be led to infer that it was entirely 

 absent. Unlike other soils it contains no coarse visible par- 

 ticles of sand ; and hence it appears that during the growth 

 of the vegitables which form at least one-half of the soil, it 

 was subjected to frequent overflows of muddy water; or else 

 the area over which these peculiar soils prevail was usually a 

 miry swamp which communicated with streams which brought 

 over it the finest sediment of some distant region. This sedi- 

 ment is frequently a fine grit, and fine enough for hones, and 

 w-hen the vegetable matter is burnt off, it assumes a light 

 drab color. The character of the Hyde county soils has 

 never been understood. The cause of their fertility has never 

 been explained, and many persons who are good judges of 

 land have overated the value of swamp lands in consequence 

 of the close external resemblance they have borne to those 

 of Hyde. Analysis, however, will in every case detect the 

 difference between the common swamp soils, and those of 

 Matamuskeet lake. 



It is unnecessary to dwell farther upon the points I have 

 stated respecting the characteristics of these remarkable soils. 

 It will appear in the sequel that there is a great uniformity 

 in the composition of these soils, both as it regards the amount 

 and condition of the vegetable matter, and the quantity and 

 condition of the fine grit intermixed with it. 



Eegarding as I do these soils as the proper standard for 

 the valuable swamp soils of the eastern section of the State, 

 I have subjected many samples to a rigid chemical analysis. 



The result of these analyses have thrown much light over 

 them, and explains satisfactorily their steady productiveness 

 for long periods. It will appear that their fertility is due not 

 only to their vegetable matter, but also to the composition 

 and condition of the earth in combination with it. 



Hereafter, it appears to me, it will be unnecessary -to sub- 



