10 On the Temperature and Saltness of 



is gneiss, with few veins of quartz, but Smoky mountain contains 

 immense masses of quartz rock, and where the quartz does not pre- 

 dominate, the graywacke takes its place. Where the spurs and 

 belts of this mountain have been broken away, veins of quartz run- 

 ning with the talcose slate are observable. Here, as in Georgia, 

 gold has been found in quartz rock out of place, but no vein has 

 been opened. Coco creek is a very rich deposit, but as yet few 

 deposits have been opened or washed. In Washington county near 

 this mountain, an interesting cave produces out of the same bank, 

 iron, lead, zinc and copper, but the mine has not been explored to 

 any considerable depth. That science and enterprise should not 

 have been awakened, to explore this whole region, may well be a 

 matter of some surprise ; mining however, is but just begun, and 

 countries thought to be richer, have called off adventurers. 



Leaving the auriferous regions, we reach the Chitteawee range of 

 mountains; here roofing slate of a superior quality may be traced 

 for fifty miles. Marbles of many and very beautiful varieties are 

 traced parallel to the strata, which, as we observed through our ex- 

 cursions, have never lost their position. We have next the gray- 

 wacke slate, and with it the red sandstone formation ; lead, in a line 

 parallel with the range of mountains, may be traced from Washing- 

 ton county into the Highwassa district. 



Conscious that my sketch must be imperfect, I with diffidence, 

 resign it into the hands of more scientific observers, with the ear- 

 nest hope, that while it awakens curiosity, it may call into the field 

 those who have more time and superior means for investigation. 



Art. II. — On the temperature and Saltness of the Waters of the 

 Ocean at different depths. 



From the Edinburgh Journal of Science for April, 1832. 



M. Lknz, naturalist to the expedition of Kotzebue, made a series 

 of well conducted experiments on the temperature and saltness of 

 the ocean in different latitudes and at various depths. The instru- 

 ment he employed for ascertaining the temperatures was an improve- 

 ment upon that of Hales, being a large cylinder closed at both ends 

 by valves opening inwards, to one of which was attached a thermom- 



