THE BLOUNT MOUNTAIN COAL FIELD. 35 



Blackburn Fork of the Warrior extends in that direction. 

 From thence toward the northeast its place is easily recog- 

 nized, though often deeply hidden by debris piled up over 

 its outcrop at the base of the second conglomerate. This 

 base rock, which forms the cap rock of this seam, is gener- 

 ally a coarse sand-rock, seldom carrying pebbles, but always 

 of such coarse grain and light gray color as to be readily 

 recognized as a member of the second conglomerate. 



At Maiden's Gap, in S. W. of S. E. of S. 27, T. 12, K. 3 

 east, it is about a quarter of a mile northeast of the top of 

 the mountain. Between Maiden's and Gilland's Gaps it is 

 on the very top of the mountain. It had here been dug into 

 by Mr. Bynum years ago and some coal exposed, but not 

 fully developed. In the region around Gilland's Gap, in 

 X. E. of S. W. of S. 13, T. 1-2, R. 3 east, its place is about 

 200 feet below (S. E. of) the top of the mountain. A bold 

 chalybeate spring breaks out here, known as the Gilland 

 spring. Some digging had been done here and some coal 

 and blackband ore exposed. The rocks contain many fossil 

 coal plants and the position of the seam here is easily de- 

 termined. 



At Tumbling Gap in southeast of S. 6, T. 12, E. 4 east, its 

 place was found on the southeastern face of the mountain, 

 about 200 feet from the top. The strata here are too much 

 broken up to warrant the successful opening of the seam at 

 this place, though much more favorable places can be found 

 on either side. 



In S. 19, T. 11, E. 5 east, this seam had been opened by 

 Mr. Copeland in two places. The seam is thin here, so far 

 as cut into, only 15 inches thick, though its maximum cer- 

 tainly had not been reached. The coal is of fair quality, 

 and further development may show better results. 



On the breaks of Line Creek in sections 8 and 17, T. 11, 

 E. 4 east, the strata are much broken and contorted, yet 

 plain evidences of this seam were observed at several places. 

 Xear the second railroad bridge, on the north side of the 

 creek, is a mural face of rock believed to be the second con- 



