22 Sketch of the Geology of Northern Russid, 



and glitter in the sun like drifts of snow, while the purity of their 

 colors, their powdery texture, and furrowed surfaces, channeled and 

 waved, as if by the action of the wind, contribute to deceive the ob- 

 server, and produce the most perfect resemblance." Starry crystal- 

 lizations of selenite are found in die rocks. Red rock marl forms the 

 neighboring district, and alabaster exists in subordinate beds. The 

 red marl found along the Volga, produces the finest corn, grass, and 

 oaks. The black earth makes the finest corn land, but is less favor- 

 able to oaks, being overrun with wormwood, but subdued by culti- 

 vation, yields abundant crops. 



On the bank of the Volga, opposite Tetusky, stand the ruins of 

 Bolgary, the ancient capital of the Tartars. Remains of minarets, 

 baths, arabesque figures, and chair patterns carved in stone, indicate 

 its former magnificence ; while coins, inscribed with the names of 

 Mongol princes, dug up from the gardens and fields, leave no doubt 

 of its origm. These ruins are on a hill, composed of a loose sandy 

 rock, covered with a black soil of extraordinary fertility. The 

 ground is covered with the yellow flowers of the Scabiosa Tatarica 

 — the hop climbs upon the ancient minaret, and the peasant swings his 

 sickle among the most luxuriant harvests, where the Tartar Czar 

 wielded his sceptre. 



The same sand rock extends north east to Cazan, where a greyish 

 yellow hmestone appears, distinctly oolitic, full of organic remains ; 

 containing also concretions of radiated quartz. A ridge of hills opposite 

 Cazan, skirts the whole eastern part of the " High Steppe of Pallas," 

 and the right bank of the Volga. Beds of limestone alternating with 

 red and white marl, are also seen. 



In the central parts of Russia, a black clay containing green sand 

 and pyrites, and full of organic remains, is deposited in patches, and 

 occasional large slabs containing ammonites, beautifully iridescent, 

 are found lying on the surface of the ground. 



The central mining district is in general a poor sandy country be- 

 longing to the red marl formation. Several extensive iron works 

 supply the interior of Russia with that metal. In the gloomy forest 

 of Mouram at the depth of sixty feet, below a sandy surface, are 

 found beds of ironstone of many varieties, of which the pale yellow 

 brown ore is principally worked. In the vicinity are chalybeate and 

 sulphureous springs. This district embraces parts of several govern- 

 ments beginning widi Novogorod and extending west to Calouga. 



