MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 87 



The eastern portion of the plateau is drained by Principio Creek, 

 Stony Run, Northeast and Little Northeast creeks, Little Elk and 

 Big Elk creeks. These streams empty into estuaries which represent 

 their submerged lower courses. At their mouths, which are also the 

 heads of navigation, and at the mouth of the Susquehanna, are situ- 

 ated the only considerable towns, other than Port Deposit and Rising 

 Sun, of this district. 



Elkton on Big Elk Creek, Northeast on Northeast Creek, Principio 

 Furnace on Principio Creek, and Perryville on the Susquehanna, 

 all possess good waterway and railway facilities. 



The more easterly of the streams have a fall within the county of 

 about 200 feet, and the more westerly of nearly 400 feet. They are 

 simple streams, consequent upon the elevation of the plateau, and 

 their volume is not sufficient for rapid erosion. 



The eastern and central portions of the plateau are not deeply dis- 

 sected. Possessing a nearly uniform level, in its featureless aspect, 

 this region presents a strong contrast to the western portion of the 

 county. The soil is a clay loam and the land has no superior in the 

 county for agricultural purposes. Rich fields of grain, prosperous 

 farms, and substantial farm buildings attest the productiveness of 

 the soil and produce a not unattractive landscape. 



There are no considerable towns in this central plateau region. 



Rising Sun, the largest town, does not reach a population of 400 

 (384). It is the center of this agricultural district and possesses 

 good railway facilities. The rock lies deeply buried beneath the 

 clay loam and almost eludes the geologist. The only stone turned 

 up by the plow is vein-quartz or fiint, a material abundant and 

 universal in distribution. This district presents greater difficulties 

 in areal mapping than does the more deeply incised western area. 



Areal Distribution and Character of the Crystalline 



Formations. 1 

 Six groups, with several subordinate types of rocks, are embraced 

 in the belt of crystallines of Cecil county. In general they form 



! For an explanation of the more technical terms used see the glossary at the end 

 of the chapter. 



