SteveDson.J Z^/± [Jan. 21, 



No good section of the Clinton was obtained ; the partial one obtained 

 near Big Stone gap and given in the previous memoir contains all the de. 

 tails yet secured. The ores of this group are easily followed along the 

 valley and ridge. Three beds occur not far from Big Stone gap, but only 

 one of them is really important. This, as exposed on the Horton property 

 at say a mile and a half from the gap, shows : 



Hard ore 4' 8" 



Soft ore 2' Q" 



The lower part of the upper layer for, say 30 inches, is a very fair ore, 

 though inferior to that from the lower portion of the bed. This is the 

 middle bed. The upper bed is shown in the bank of Powell river not far 

 from the gap, where it is from 5 to 8 inches thick ; while the lower bed, 

 as shown in Cedar gap, through Poor Valley ridge, contains little soft ore. 

 The same beds are shown in the gap of Powell river through Poor Valley 

 ridge and some of the ore from that locality has been reduced in Mr. Pen- 

 nington's forge, where it proved good. Mr. Pennington has opened three 

 beds of ore near his gap, but of these only tha middle one is good. This 

 shows : 



Soft ore , 4" 



Clay 8" 



Soft ore 35" 



The clay is irregular and is said to disappear, so that the ore is some- 

 times fully 3 feet thick. The upper layer at this exposure is pebbly and 

 the lower layer is equally so for an inch or two at the top ; but Mr. Pen- 

 nington states that this is an abnormal condition and that the pebbles are 

 rarely present. This ore is mined to supply Pennington's forge at which 

 about 300 pounds of excellent iron are made daily. 



Powell Valley. 



Throughout this valley, which embraces the whole space between Poor 

 Valley ridge and Wallen's ridge, one finds only formations II and III. 

 The distinction between the groups was not made out in detail, for the 

 structure is too involved to be worked in a reconnaissance. It is altogether 

 probable that the magnesian beds of the Knox group occupy the northern 

 side of the valley in the wider parts of the area. They lie close to the 

 fault in the Turkey cove, while, nearer Wallen's ridge, the beds of the 

 higher group are well shown and yield great numbers of characteristic 

 fossils. Good localities for collectors were seen along the road crossing 

 Wallen's ridge from Turkey cove, and along the Jonesville and Glades- 

 ville road in the cove. The magnesian limestones on Elk Knob are 

 practically horizontal and weather into detached blocks and pillars, making 

 the long summit of that hill a "rock city." Brown hematite of excellent 

 ^quality is said to exist on Chestnut ridge in this valley ; and some of it 

 ihas been tried with good results at Pennington's forge. 



