114 



a phalanx to resist its course, is, in reality, through much of its ex- 

 tent, only a series of spurs, sometimes merely elevated table lands, 

 dissimilar in structure and origin amongst each other, and only as- 

 sociated in an imaginary connexion by the accidental circumstance 

 that they form one portion of the water-shed of the east and west- 

 discharging rivers. A more accurate knowledge of the topography 

 of the state, and more judicious principles in the application of terms, 

 will, it is hoped, at some future day, correct this preposterous error 

 in the designation of our mountains, and will substitute on our map 

 such names as the real constitution of ridges of analogous formation 

 throughout, would render natural and appropriate. Thus the 

 western boundary of Patrick and Grayson ought to be called Blue 

 Ridge, and no ridge or mountain east of the Peter's mountain can, 

 with the least propriety, be entitled Alleghany. 



OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN DISTRICT OP THE STATE. 



In exhibiting a few particulars relating to mineral structure and 

 resources of the south-west, we will confine our attention chiefly to 

 the limestone, lead, gypsum, salt and coal, which it possesses. 



Much of this region is overspread with fossiliferous limestone of 

 various kinds, as well as other varieties containing no fossils, and 

 approaching in some places to the character of marble. Semi-bitu- 

 minous coal is found in several localities, as on Strouble's run, &c. 

 in Montgomery, and in other places in the Brushy and Walker's 

 mountain. Iron ore is also abundant in the same districts. 



The lead ores of Wythe, under judicious management in the 

 working, and with favourable means of conveying the resulting 

 metal to the proper market, could not fail to become a large source 

 of profit to the state. In the forms of sulphuret and carbonate, they 

 contain a large per centage of the metal, and require no expensive 

 arrangements for the reduction, the sulphur in the one, and the car- 

 bonic acid in the other, readily escaping under the application of a 

 heat of moderate intensity. Both of these ores are wrought, al- 

 though of late it would appear that the carbonate is preferred, on 

 account, it is said, of its yielding a lead of purer quality. The sul- 

 phuret, as is frequently the case, contains probably antimony or ar- 

 senic, perhaps both, while the carbonate is much more likely to 

 include no other, metallic ingredient but the lead. Until lately, the 



