' to be regretted that while so little has been done towards a minute 

 exploration of the diversified and complex formations of the region 

 now in question, the writers who have attempted to describe it, and 

 more especially those who have professed to give a scientific exposi- 

 tion of its character, should have observed so little caution in the 

 application of names, and have indulged so much of the spirit of 

 superficial and precipitate generalization. There is no division of 

 the state which presents greater difficulties to the geological inquirer, 

 than the region here referred to, and none which will require for its 

 elucidation more minute and patient investigation. The observa- 

 tions respecting some parts of it, which will be presented in the body 

 of the report, imperfect as they necessarily have been, were directed 

 in part to the determination of some of the difficult problems which this 

 portion of our geology presents — and although insufficient to re- 

 move the difficulties in which the subject is involved, will, it is be- 

 lieved, lead to several interesting and important views of a scientific 

 as well as practical nature, while they overthrow the errors which, 

 cither through ignorance or inadequate investigation, have hitherto 

 existed. So far from regarding the whole area in question as of a 

 primary character, these observations conclusively demonstrate that 

 the extent of the rocks, to which that title may be unequivocally ap- 

 plied, bears but a small proportion to the whole surface of this divi- 

 sion of the state — and while they render it doubtful whether in the 

 Blue Ridge any truly primary rocks occur, they evince the existence 

 in that range, as well as throughout a very extensive district to the 

 east, of sandstones, conglomerates, and other sedimentary deposites, 

 unquestionably referable to a different period of formation. 



The gold region, so remarkable for its extent and richness, and 

 the bituminous coal fields of Chesterfield, Goochland, Powhatan and 

 Prince Edward, constitute important divisions of this region of the 

 state, while the slates and soapstones, iron ores, limestones, and 

 other minerals which it includes, are objects of practical as well as 

 scientific interest. To all of these a proper place will be allotted in 

 the body of the report. 



(3.) — Our third general division, commencing near the western flank 

 of the Blue Ridge, comprises all the region generally called the Valley, 

 extending westward in the counties of Berkeley, Frederick, Shenan- 

 doah and Rockingham, to the base of the several ranges called the Lit- 

 tle North mountain, in Augusta and Rockbridge, nearly to the base 

 of the North mountain, and in the counties further south, occupying 



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