Iti8 GEOLOGICAL REPORT. | "If 280 



better suited to the shipment of those mineral fertilizers, of which 

 several varieties occur here. The following section will illustrate 

 the condition of things at and below the ferry landing, on the 

 W. bank : 



(Sec. 38.) 

 SECTION OF M A KL STRATA AT BYRAM STATION (COOK'S FERRY). 



The following analysis gives the composition of the marl forming the stratum 

 in the bed of the creek emptying into Pearl River at this point, and also exposed, 

 more or less, in the river bank itself. It is bluish when wet, but grayish white 

 when dry ; quite soft and easily dug, without hard nodules, and containing a 

 large amount both of entire shelR and of their detritus. 



MARL PROM BYRAM STATION. 



Insoluble .Matter (chiefly sand) 12.308 



Potash 0.611 



Soda 0.179 



Lime 43.932 



Magnesia 1.658 



Peroxide of Iron, and Alumina 2 696 



Iron pyrites 1.266 



Phosphoric Acid 0.224 



Carbonic Acid, and Loss 34.720 



Water and Organic Matter 2.396 



100.000 



The amount of Potash in this marl, it will be perceived, is somewhat less than 

 in that from Vicksburg, to which on the whole, it bears a great general resem- 

 blance. It contains, however, a large amount of Phosphoric Acid and of Lime ; 

 the Iron pyrites will render necessary its exposure to the atmosphere before 

 plowing under. 



The middle stratum (No. 2) is of greatly inferior value, although heretofore, 

 it has been taken in preference to the others. No. 3, the uppermost, blue sandy 

 material is similar to the uppermost marl at Vicksburg and Brownsville, and 

 although containing greensand grains also, its large percentage of inert matter 

 would render unprofitable its transportation to any distance; although, near at 

 hand, it might be used with advantage on account of its easy accessibility. It is 

 this stratum which forms the overhanging bank just below the ferry landing. 



Stratum No. 1, which at the mouth of the creek is visible only at low water, 

 is found at a higher level some distance above, near the bend, and is there 9 to 

 12 feet thick. 



The profile occurring about half a mile above the ferry, has been 



