140 . Coal Measures in KeniucJcy. 



excellent quality, is manufactured at this interesting spot. Near 

 the top of the cliff, is a bed of aluminous slate, through which 

 the water filtrates from above, and slowly evaporating below, forms 

 stalactites of alum, impregnated with sulphate of iron. In other 

 parts of this deposit, more sheltered from the weather, and more dry, 

 the sulphate of magnesia is formed, in transparent, acicular crystals, 

 of one or two inches in length. A few miles above, between Hang- 

 ing rock and Burlington, is an extensive bed of very pure clay, af- 

 fording an excellent material for stone ware, and for the manufacture 

 of alum ; large quantities having been shipped to Cincinnati, and 

 used for this purpose. 



I am indebted to the Rev. Dan Young and Rev. Mr. Fisher, for 

 much valuable information on the iron deposits ; Mr. Young, having 

 been engaged for several years in searching for ores and directing 

 the operations of furnaces. 



Extent of the Coal Measures and Muriatiferous Strata, in Ken- 

 tucky, on the N. W. base of the Cumberland Mountains. 



Extensive deposits of coal and saliferous rocks are found stretched 

 along at 'the feet of these mountain ranges, and extending to the dis- 

 tance of one hundred and twenty miles west of them, in the heads 

 of Licking, Kentucky, Green and Cumberland rivers. Throughout 

 this region, embracing the sides and spurs of the Cumberland moun- 

 tains, the prevailing rock is sandstone ; on its western limit, it chan- 

 ges to limestone ; often intermixed with nodules of flint, and contain- 

 ing imbedded, detached masses o^ galena. On the south branch of 

 the Cumberland river, at the salines on Goose creek, large quanti- 

 ties of salt are made. These salines are about twenty five or thirty 

 miles from the foot of the mountains, amidst a hilly region. Salt 

 water is found on all the head branches of the Kentucky river, but is 

 most abundant on the south fork. Coal is sometimes seen on the 

 borders at the limestone rocks, resting on slate, and covered with a 

 calcareous roof. On Green river, coal is found to within fifty miles 

 of its mouth ; salt water is also obtained at the depth of about eighty 

 feet, with an abundance of carburetted hydrogen and petroleum. 

 Salt petre caves are numerous, along the limestone bluffs of this riv- 

 er ; amongst them is " the Mammoth cave," extending for eight or 

 ten miles under the surface, and passing beneath the bed of the 

 stream. Lead ore is also found on this river, and was formerly work- 

 ed by the hunters. In Cumberland County, salt water is reached 



