86 The American Geologist. February, 1005 
is also necessary in order to make this part properly understood 
that when published, it should be elucidated by representations of 
those which never have been described, and having been disap- 
pointed in my expectations of having them engraved my labours 
are also imperfect in that respect. 
"In describing the accidental minerals occurring in the strata, 
I speak of their metallic deposits. I have been particular in exam- 
ining all places where any traces of them did make their appear- 
ance and have given my opinion as to the probable extent of these 
valuable materials which must eventually form one of the sources 
of our prosperity. 
"Next in consideration comes the nature of the soil, after hav- 
ing pointed out its probable origin, whether produced by an alluvion 
deposited by rivers actually existing, or by an old alluvion, de- 
posited by other causes; or merely by the disintegration of the 
rocks. I investigated its chemical composition, and its fitness for 
various agricultural purposes. I collected therefor all the infor- 
mation I could from our experienced agriculturalists, situated on 
the different soils and ascertained the quality and quantity of their 
various crops. I have in this respect for the present, made only 
a few analyses and collected as yet only a few notes which are not 
yet arranged but will be ready for publication. The knowledge of 
the nature of our soil cannot be otherwise than interesting to the 
immigrating part of our inhabitants, therefore although that part 
does not belong to geology properly speaking, I have thought it of 
too great importance to omit it. 
"My excursions during the spring of this year have been to- 
ward the northeast as far as Abingdon in Virginia. I wanted to 
become acquainted with the formation of that part of the country 
so rich in salt and plaster in order to see whether it extends into 
our state or wheth?r similar formations though not connected 
with that of Virginia obtain in Tennessee; as to the first part of 
these inquiries I am convinced of the negative and the second must 
be ascertained by future investigations. 
"In that excursion I crossed the coal formation of our state in 
another direction than I had done in my former excursions, and I 
am now convinced that it is very extensive. 
"Although I am still ignorant of all the geological details of 
the coal strata, which I will investigate when I shall survey each 
county separately, I am nevertheless prepared to say that the 
coal formation makes its appearance in the southern extremity o^ 
the Cumberland mountains where it crops out near the Tennessee 
river in both ridges which enclose the Sequatchy valley. It runs 
thence in a northern direction to the east of the Crab Orchard 
mountain where it is associated with excellent iron ore. Continu- 
ing in the direction of the mountain towards the east and north, 
or rather following the right bank of Obiers river, it crops out at 
