Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-06-22
MISCELLANY.
BIOLOGY OF VIRGINIA.
(NUMBER Iu.)
TER IIJRY 1fIRL REGION

The extensive area comprised under this
division, in external aspect, is comparative
ly but slightly diversified. The strata, though
by their fossil contents, they refer themselves
10 two distinct geological periods, all
prnperly Comprised in the general class of
tertiary formations. Professor Rogers adopts
names recently applied in Europe, to parts
Of ihe tertiary series, and indicates 10y the
term !It0csne, the strata which appear in the
Eastern and greater part of the division, md
EOcene, TO the depos,e of an older date, ex-
isiing beneath aud West of the preceding,
containing different kind of fossils, and
Sarge proportion Of the peculiar mineral cal,
led green sand.
The first oil these secondary divisions, in.
cludes the area iy ing between the seabeard
and u line conceived through Norlhbuiy TN
Vae PamunSry, and Coggins' Point Of the
James River. in direction nearly meridi-
anal; further observation being necessary
10 more pret Use delineatinn.
}he other division the Eocere Mari Re-
gIon, 10 bounded by the above conceived line
and another line passing from the mouth of
Aqua Creek, though Wales, at the junction
al North and South Anna Rivers, and thence
through City Point, aud further South in a
direction moi accurately ascertained.
dfioeena Narl Region.
The General level of the surface Of the
more eastern part oil this division, is lille
elevated above tide The country UNIFORM
Iy fiat, aud in some cases subject to over
hnwings. The rest Of the region has an ele-
walton varying from twenty 10 eighty feet.
Few points correspond 10 either these two
extremes, tue surface generally preserving
height Of forty or fifty feet.
With regard to the lace oi the country Of
this division, Professor Rogers gives The
hIInwinO do. sErrta 90 A.;
more elevated portion, though preserving u
general IeVs! of remarkable uniformity is
deeply channelled by innumcrable ravines
he smaller o! these connect themselves
WIN larger ones, and these, with wider and
deeper excavations, forming the beds Of the
creeks flowing into the neighboring rivers
The system of ravines connected with one
river, ara separated 10y a narrow central tract
from those connected with the next and it,
general view of the district, those systems
present the appearance OF mere creeks or
)nlsts, subordinate 10 the great rivers toy
which this region is broken into peninsUlas.
The number and extent Of the large rivers
and the navigable streams oi this portion of
she State, constitute The most inestimabc Of
all its natural advantages The numerous
creeks indeniing it's peninsulas, furnish The
cheapest and readiest avenues for "A commerce
which comes home to the ab0des even of its
rural inhabitants, while its surface sCooped
snio ravines, and its river cliffs washed by
the tides, disclose the rich materials which
are hereafter 10 beslow the highest rewards
upon its enterprise, by spreading fertility
and wealth to IT'S remOtesl boundaries.
The superficial strata Of the region lust
described, is stated as an argillaceuus and
ierruginous sand of yellow or reddish color,
IN which a5e sometimes !0und at or near the
surface, pebbles and small boulders of sand
stone. The boulders are said 10 Indicate their
origin from the sandstone formation rang
ing the eastern boundary of the primary re-
gion. White silcious sand composes the
principal OF The stratum in some places.
There is sufficient admixlure of GENEROUS
clay occasionally, 10 answer the manufacture
Of brick
Beneath this superficial layer, very argel,
facIons clay beds occasionally occur, OF a
texture suited TO puddling---lhe colour vary.
ing from dark blue or green, TO bright red
or dingy yelow--upper boundary remarks.
bly, even and horizontal hut where resting
on beds OF fossil shells, its lower limits con.
forming To the irregnlsriiy Of such deposies.
SAT Bellfield on York River, seven miles
from Williamsburg, this deposite may be
seen OVERLAPPING stratum containing shells, 10