Tennessee marble, as the metamorphic version of limestone is known, is widely used in public and private buildings. In 1969, the General Assembly had given similar status to agate, a cryptocrystalline quartz. This semiprecious gemstone is found only in a few areas of the state. It received its name from early Christian missionaries to South America, who saw in the flower's various parts symbols of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. While there are several different colors among the iris, the purple iris is commonly accepted as the state flower.
Raccoons eat fish and frogs that they catch in rivers and streams.
They measure from 30 to 38 inches long and weigh from 12 to 25 pounds.