232 Geology of the Country, &c. 
servations, have restricted me to mere general views. Any omis- 
sions of mine, however, are of less consequence, since the region has 
been examined by Prof. Ducatel and his associates, who will un- 
doubtedly, in their forthcoming report to the legislature of this state, 
bestow upon it the attention it deserves. 
In conclusion, I cannot avoid reverting to the extremely interest- 
ing character of the line of country, to which the preceding remarks 
have been applied. To the practical man, it is recommended by its 
mineral treasures and its agricultural] resources. Its quarries of mar- 
ble, of granite, of freestone, of slate, of soapstone—its mines of cop- 
per, iron, manganese, chrome and lead, its inexhaustible beds of bi- 
tuminous coal, the recently discovered deposits of anthracite in the 
graywacke slate of Virginia, and the unrivalled fertility of its lime- 
stone vallies, offer tempting rewards to industry and enterprise. ‘To 
the geologist it is no less interesting, as offering to his research, one 
of the best fields on our continent, for obtaining a correct knowledge 
of our transition strata.’ Here every thing is seen upon an immense 
scale; deposits that would be appealed to as general strata, if seen in 
almost any other connexion, are here viewed only as subordinates ; 
formations considered as distinct, when examined on a more limited 
scale, are here seen alternating with and passing into each other, in 
such a manner as to leave no doubt of their identity. It were to be 
wished that the labor of exploring so fruitful a soil, had devolved 
upon some one better fitted for the task than the writer of these notes, 
but until other laborers are found, he will endeavor to collect and 
collate from time to time, some few of the many interesting facts 
connected with this interesting region. 
EXPLANATION OF THE SECTION.—The original section, was drawn on the scale 
of two miles to an inch, but when that came to be reduced within the present limits, 
it was found impracticable to preserve all the minutiz. Consequently there may be 
in the preceding remarks, occasionly an inappropriate reference. The coloring is 
also omitted, to prevent confusion, and the different formations distinguished—the 
limerock by dots, and the other formations by lines, that are intended to show the in- 
clination of the strata. The line between the primitive strata, and the adjoining 
graywacke is not defined, because I have not satisfied myself exactly where it should 
be placed—nor is it important for my purpose, thatit should be located. The section 
is supposed to run a little north of west, and a little south of east, generally at right 
angles to the direction of the strata, and the spectator is supposed to stand on the 
south side, looking towards the north. Itis intended to convey a pretty correct 
idea of the relative extent of each formation, viewed transversely; as the height 
of the different mountain chains, was not. known, their comparative elevation could 
only be approximated. 
