102 Geology of the Kenawha Valley. 



resting place, after passing the rapids below, and the fisherman seated 

 on the projecting cliffs exerises his skill, and is soon rewarded with 

 a most abundant supply of Perch, Pike, a species of Salmon, &;c., 

 of a magnitude unknown to the eastern rivers. It was a favor- 

 ite haunt of the aborigines, numerous relics of their utensils being 

 found at this spot. In moving the loose stones, at the head of the 

 great rapids, to lay the foundation of a "wing dam" five or six 

 Indians axes were found lodged in the crevices of the rocks. They 

 are of French manufacture, long and narrow, with light poles, weigh- 

 ing from two to three pounds, and are in good preservation. Near the 

 top of the rock, in the falls, I observed a bed of three feet in thickness 

 of a peculiar stratification. It is composed of thin layers of sandstone, 

 containing considerable mica, lying at 

 an angle of 15°, while the strata a- '°' 



bove and below are horizontal — thus. 

 The bed crosses the river, and is seen 

 at the base of the hills by the road side. I also observed the same 

 singular deposit several miles up the Gauly river, at two or three 

 places, gradually rising as it advanced up stream, but preserving the 

 same inclination. The hills, at the falls, are about seven hundred and 

 fifty feet in height, and are composed of sandstone rock of different 

 textures, slaty clay, and deposits of coal. Their tops are crowned 

 with a coarse grained sandstone, with feeble cohesive power, which, 

 as it crumbles away, assumes various fantastic shapes. The relics of 

 one near the falls, have assumed the form of a chimney, by which 

 name it is called. Forest trees clothe the hills to their summits, and 

 at various points on the river, afford many most beautiful and ro- 

 mantic views. 



Geology of the Valley of the Kenawha below the Falls. 



This beautiful valley presents many attractions, not only to the 

 practical geologist, but also to the mere amateur of fine scenery. 

 The hills assume so many diflierent shapes in their outlines and man- 

 ner of grouping as to form endless varieties of scenery for the pain- 

 ter or the poet. The mural cliflfs and bold faces of the hill sides, 

 afford every facility for the study of their formation, and the order 

 of stratification in the upper, or surface strata ; while the numerous 

 borings for salt wells, disclose the hidden order of the strata below ; 

 and, although from these, we learn nothing of their fossil contents, 

 we ascertain their composition, whether argillaceous, calcareous, or 

 silicious. 



