Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-06-29
MISCELLANY.
From the Richmond Compiler.
GEOLOGY OF VIRGINIA.
NCNIBER W.


Tor Of the Farmers Register, Mr.. RufIin, had
furnished valuable information relative ta
this division OF the subject. His excellent
work on Caicareous Manures," has been OF
Infinite service to old Eastern Virginia
We,shali be as explicit, and as concise, how
ever, in our abstract, as we can. In our
last, the consideration OF the Tertiary region
was arporlinned between two subordinate
divisi"ns-the Niocene and Eacene Districts.
The detail, relative 10 the former OF these
latter, were not completed. The Condition
of the shells in the deposiies," flushed the
last article; and adopting Professor Rs plan,
we come now 10 the
Disposition ofMe Fossils.
One or more species predominste in a Sc
res of beds or strata of The vertical sections
OF deposit last described. Arrangement OF
the shells al distant points are not always n
like, though in some instances there is
resemblance. Ia the neighborhood of VIII
Gsmsburg, the upper layer is composed gen
orally OF chama congregata. In many luCa!i-
lies, also, the large Pectens, mingled with
Osirea Virginica, occupy The highest place.
But the same generally appears as the predo-
nlnant constituent oil one or more OF the sub,
jacen. beds; the diversity OF arrangement
however, makes the absence Of general or
der of succession apparent
uear Williamsburg, has a height from fwen.
ty to forty FIVE feet above the water. "The
strata of shells extend aloug the river with
slight Interruptions, when the cliff sinks
Bsory 10 the level OF the water for distance
oil between two and three miles; and they
are found in similar order of suporposiliun
Tor some distance inland General direction
borizontal-ouiiine ola stratum frequently
irIsgliar-the surface rising end falling with
s steep inclination. This ID particularly re
tnarkable with beds Of Chama.
1}rownish red sand iutermixed with clay
stripes, to The depth OF from four to six feet,
covers the derosit-ihen q shin layer of very
argillaciaus aud ferruginous clay resting on
fe~ inches ot gravel generally water
worn qtArtz rarely larger than pen. Then
succeeds layer of yellow sand Of from one
10 two feet, containing in narrow stripes
much green or chioritic sand. Next, lay
er of came sand containing Chsma and We
nus deiormis from two 10 three feet in thick.
ness. Then stratum exclusively OF Chama,
ssi,h Jew area cenieDaris "a mass If com
parted shells, with q little earthly matter in
tervenmg, such matter containing a large
proportion of cbleriic sand. The following
stratum is composed principally Of large
Pecteos from two 10 three feet in thickness.
Then aaoider dense stratum Of Chama, with
Area centenaria, Peuopea, reneXa, sc. and
rich in the green sand from four 10 six iee,.
Then second layer Of Peciens with Osires
cempressi rostrs. one foot deep. third
stratum predominaiing with Chama from
two 20 three feet thick the base Of the cliff
containing Pectens, Osrea Compassionate,
from four to FIVE feet thick
Ia this cliff, al some pnints fur more than
twenty ieei, il consists principally of shells.
They are used largely as manure OH the eX-
teosive contiguous estates. The first and
second beds Of chatna are preferred. From
appearances at the cliff, Professor Rogers
thinks il probable that continuous stratum
OF biueiSh green clay lies beneath the other
beIs throughout the whole extent observed
"a horizontal bed Of yellow sh clay extends
for some distance along the lower portion OF
the cliff ia which there are no fossils-then
q thin layer Of the iron ore formerly descIib-
ed. AT the foot OF this cliff appears the I'M
der!aying stratum OF clay"
Description Of Cliffs at York Town
Professor Rogers describes these cliffs as
highly interesting TO the Geologist. Their
elevation, abrupt form, and their peculiar
structure, Of the cliffs al this point and for
come distance above and below, reriser them
exposed la e1 examination, and easily accessible
by the dry and ample beach, uninterrupted
by creeks or inletS. The rivers edge is
strewed with interesting specimens fallen
from the cliff.
This cliff exposes the most valuable and
rich strata Of fossil depostes and earthS,
which Professor r. describes infinitely. Ma
ny small shells, and occasionally large Unes,
are found mingled with other constituents
oi the rocks. Frequently shells OF considers
able size are found coated with OF entirely
changed into chrysiaIline carbonate OF lime,
firmly cemented in the mass. The texture
Of the rock is various at some points adj
uniting OF being eadIy excavaed with The
pick aud spade, to form Caves, which have
been occasionally nsed by the inhabitants !;
again Exhibiting hard aud semi cry sialline
structure, and having the compactness Of Sc
condary forms of limestone. A narrow lay
er of iron ore extends along the cliff, with
occasional Interruptions, a small distance a
b0ve the lorsiiferous strata.
The iragmentary rock continues with
slight interruptions for about n mile and halt
above York IN narrow band Extensive
beds Of shells line the shore in the vicinity Of
Bellfeld for about three miles. About six
miles above York a porous rocky mass oc-
ours overlsying stratum OF shells, almost
devoid of any trace Of carbonate OF lime,
though evidently al one time composed Of
portions OF shells. "It appears 10 consist Of
slick, tinged with oxide Of iron, resembling
in its porous character, the Burr Stone OF
France. 4 more compact rock associates
with this, Containing some carbonate Of lime
with much slick, exhibiting casts and i'm
pressions Of shells"
FrsgmentsTy rock continues with some
interruptions to the lower extremity Of the
Peninsula similar 10 those near York. CA