92 



It is curious to remark, that in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, 

 limestone of this description occurs in precisely the same relation to 

 the other rocks as in the region we are now describing; and 

 from its well known and fairly tested value, as employed in those 

 states, we may look with confidence to the early discovery of valu- 

 able beds of it in numerous parts of the corresponding region in Vir- 

 ginia. Fortunately for its use too, the anthracite of the North moun- 

 tain is of that description of coal which has been found by far the 

 most suitable fuel in preparing it for a cement. 



The existence of fossiliferous bands, in some of the limestones 

 of the valley, is an interesting geological fact, of which no notice 

 appears hitherto to have been taken by those who have professed 

 to explore the country with scientific objects. Near Strasburg, on 

 Cedar Creek, and other points around, the rock displays great 

 numbers of impressions, of encrini, &c. and some trilobites. At 

 Mount Meridian mills, in Rockingham, organic limestone likewise 

 occurs, and what is most remarkable as having hitherto escaped at- 

 tention, the limestone of Wcyer's cave and the vicinity occasionally 

 exhibits similar impressions of a very interesting and peculiar 

 character. Farther west, in the neighbourhood of Mossy creek, 

 fossils occur in a more silicious variety of limestone, and I have in 

 my possession a fine specimen of fucus from this locality. Such 

 bands of fossiliferous rock seem to be of more frequent occurrence 

 farther south, and are quite common in Iiotetourt and Montgomery 

 counties. 



The importance of the valley limestones, as furnishing a powerful 

 lime for agricultural and various other uses, cannot be too highly ap- 

 preciated ; indeed, it is rather matter for surprise, that the agriculture 

 of this region has hitherto been suffered to reap so little general 

 benefit from this great source of improvement completely within its 

 reach. As yet the application of lime to the lands in this part of the 

 state is in a great degree restricted to particular neighbourhoods, 

 while (in many extensive districts) through the want of experience, 

 and of knowledge respecting its employment elsewhere, the efficacy 

 of lime as a manure, is regarded with a degree of doubt sometimes 

 amounting to entire disbelief. An impression that the soils of this 

 country are already sufficiently impregnated with calcareous mat- 

 ter, in consequence of the proximity of the limestone rock which oc- 

 casionally rises to the surface in the fields, seems more than any 



