Belmont County. 227 



Geology and Mineralogy. 



On the surface is seen a rich vegetable mould, tnade by the 

 decay and putrefaction of vegetable substances. Along the 

 Ohio, a wide intervale of the richest alluvion is found, which 

 produces as luxuriant a growth of vegetation as any in the 

 world. On the banks of the creeks which pass through this 

 country the alluvial soil is not so wide as that on the river, 

 but equally rich and productive. On the hills (and there are 

 many of them) there are two kinds of soil, the silicious and 

 the argillaceous, the first is formed from the decomposition of 

 the rocks which once covered the surface, the latter from the 

 slate which lay under them. Where these rocks are decom- 

 posed, and the country is hilly, it will readily be believed 

 that the two kinds of soil are frequently blended together. In 

 some places we see the best of clay for bricks ; whilst in other 

 places, and those in the vicinity of the former, we find the 

 best of sand to mould them in when manufactured. Hard 

 limestone of the very best quality is found in detached frag- 

 ments in the sides of hills, and in strata, in abundance, along 

 the beds of streams. 



The ruins of the sandstone formation are here seen scat- 

 tered about in fragments, or decomposed and intimately 

 blended with those of other formations. 



Fossil coal is every where found under the hills, of the very 

 best quality, and in sufficient quantity not only for the fuel of 

 the present, but many future generations, and is so easily ob- 

 tained that the expense of fuel is a mere trifle. The oxide of 

 iron, or iron ore variously combined, is recognized in many 

 places, and water combined with muriate of soda, or common 

 salt, is as common. Salines or licks are found in many places, 

 where animals also, both wild and domesticated, resort in great 

 numbers to drink the waters. These are frequently near some 

 little water-course. Several sulphur and chalybeate springs 

 are known to exist in this county, and some which throw out 

 considerable quantities of petroleum. 



In a country where iron and fossil coal exist, it is no wonder 

 that copperas should be found. There are places where cop- 



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