32 Introduction^ 



from beneath the sea, containing sediments of IMesozoic and Cenozoic 

 age. The central is the Piedmont Phiteau consisting largely of ancient, 

 greatly defonned rocks. The western division is known as the Appa- 

 lachian Province and is formed largely of Paleozoic rocks. It is in this 

 division that the Devonian strata are found. The Appalachian Province 

 is divisible into the Appalachian Valley and the Appalachian Plateau. 

 The Appalachian Valley subprovince embraces most of the present Appa- 

 lachian Mountains, extending from the eastern foot of the mountains to 

 the high escarpment of the Alleghany Plateau on the west. The sedi- 

 ments of this subprovince M'ere elevated above the sea at the close of 

 Paleozoic time and folded, producing the ancient Alleghany Mountains 

 which are quite distinct from the present mountains of this region. The 

 ancient mountains were reduced by erosion nearly to the level of the sea, 

 the resulting surface being a plain of great extent — the Schooley pene- 

 plain. This plain was subsequently uplifted by successive stages to form 

 a great dome whose surface was dissected by streams. In this manner 

 deep valleys were cut, separated by high divides, forming the present 

 Alleghany Mountains upon whose level-topped crests are still to be seen 

 traces of the ancient peneplain. The present mountains are thus the 

 result of stream erosion. 



The Appalachian Plateau occupies the western portion of the State and 

 lies at an elevation of nearly 3000 feet above the sea. It is a portion of 

 the same ancient plain which has undergone less extensive dissection 

 owing to the fact that its strata are but slightly folded and its drainage 

 descends by gentle declivities toward the west. The Devonian strata form 

 a large part of the surface of the Appalachian Valley subprovince and 

 occupy a lesser portion of the Appalachian Plateau. Their study presents 

 much difficulty because the strata are involved in the intricate folding of 

 the ancient Appalachian Mountains and are extensively covered by the 

 forests which clothe the slopes of the present ridges. Many admirable 

 sections are, however, exposed in the valleys cut by the existing streams. 



The Appalachian Province presents scenes of great beauty and dignity. 

 To one who climbs the mountain summits the ridges with their even sky- 

 lines, due to the preservation of the ancient peneplain upon their crests, 



