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nature, and extent of the various rock formation, and their relation 
to, and connection with, the rocks of the other districts of the 
State, and to ascertain the probability of the occurrence of coal, 
rock salt, and other useful minerals, the discovery of which would 
justly be considered of the highest importance. In accomplishing 
the objects above mentioned, our attention was particularly direc- 
ted to the contained minerals and fossils, inasmuch as they are 
especially important and characteristic, and serve to determine with 
much accuracy the geological age and character of strata. It 
was necessary in ascertaining the extent of our formations, in a 
few instances to extend our researches into other districts of the 
Stale, and, for a short distance, into Canada. 
The most striking feature in the general geological structure of 
our district, is the paucity of superficial rocks of a coarse and 
arenaceous texture, giving origin to meagre, unproductive soils. 
Industry has converted within a few years what was an unbroken 
wilderness into smiling fields of rare fertility. The broad plains 
and gentle slopes yield to judicious culture a rich harvest, which 
has filled the land with an enterprising and energetic population 
and all the external signs of luxury and wealth. For these ad- 
vantages we are indebted to the geological structure of the coun« 
try, which consists in great measure of horizontal limestone rocks 
and shales, readily disintegrating, and forming with vegetable 
mould a soil of great and lasting fertility. Thus wide-spreading 
plains and gentle undulation?, uninterrupted by barren and rugged 
hills of primary rocks, prevail throughout the western portion of 
the district, and afford a range of arable land almost unparalleled 
for fertility and continuous extent. Whatever rocks or minerals 
are here included, owing to the position of the strata, are all at 
points easy of access beneath the surface, although the same cause 
is unfavourable to a great variety of such products. These ad- 
vantages should in a measure, reconcile us to the privation of coal, 
which generally occurs in districts to which Nature has denied the 
fertility and manifold sources of wealth, so liberally bestowed up- 
on a large proportion of the State. 
The Third District may be conveniently divided into four sec- 
tions, each characterized by rocks of a different nature, and there- 
fore modified and varying from each other in soils, natural scenery 
and capability of improvement. 
