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layer after layer of the deposited material m directions parallel to 

 the receiving surface, and therefore ohlique to the general horizontal 

 level. Changing intensity or direction in the transporting tide or 

 current, would be accompanied by an alteration in the position or 

 direction of the lamina thus formed — and it is easy to perceive, that 

 an almost endless variety of structure in this respect might thus be 

 readily explained. The fact here noticed, furnishes of itself a strik- 

 ing evidence, were any such wanting, of the submarine origin of the 

 vast region of which we are now treating. But the organic remains 

 which these rocks entomb, at once demonstrate this to have been 

 the fact — the relics of marine animals being the only remains found 

 among the sandstones which are not immediately associated with 

 the coal. 



With the view of illustrating the extent of mineral wealth of which 

 this region is possessed, and at the same time of indicating the vast 

 benefits which it may anticipate from a geological and chemical in- 

 vestigation of these resources, I will briefly refer to some of the 

 more important deposites as yet known, of its coal and iron ore and 

 salt. 



At Wheeling, and for 14 miles down the river, the cliff or bank 

 presents an uninterrupted bed of highly bituminous coal, upwards 

 of 16 feet thick, and of such a quality, as to furnish fuel for all the 

 dwellings and manufactories of that enterprising and prosperous 

 town. Above and separated by other beds, are two thinner layers 

 of this material, but of an inferior value. Associated with these 

 seams of coal, and lying above the two lower ones, is a bed of lime- 

 stone of upwards of twenty feet in thickness. 



At Clarksburg and northward down the valley of the Monon- 

 gahela, there exists one of the richest coal deposites in the state. 

 One of the seams in some places in the neighbourhood of this town, 

 is from 10 to 12 feet in thickness, below which, and separated 

 chiefly by a heavy bed of sandstone, there lies a thinner stratum 

 of a more highly bituminous character. These also arc associated 

 with a layer of limestone. We may form some idea of the vast 

 extent of these coal seams from the fact, that from some distance 

 above Clarksburg, they may be followed with scarcely any inter- 

 ruptions throughout the whole length of the valley of the Mononga- 

 hela down to Pittsburg. Ascending the Tygart's valley river, the 

 coal diminishes in thickness and valuable qualities, while the sand- 



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