Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-07-06
EoCENE MARI DISTRICT

facts obtained, however, show conclu-
sivelv the continue alton Of the deposit 10
the Southern boundaries of the State. In
Professor Rogers report to the Leeisla-
ture OF 1888 80, he described his exam
inations IS having been minute on the
James and Pamunky Rivers. In his re-
port OF last winter, he described the Eo-
Gene strata of the peninsula, as lying
between line connecting Matthias
point OIL the Potomac, with the mouth
OF Chincoteague creek Oh the Kappa
hammock and another and crooked liue
nearly coinciding with the Eastern boun
dairy of the sandstone formation in Stat,
ford county"
The arrangement Of the beds Of the
Eocene, and the minerals and fossils
contained in them, are found strikingly
alike, and although considerable diver
sites have been observed, the general
order Of strata. aud character Of fossils,
present much uniformity.
OF THE MIocENE WHICH ovERL1Es THE
EoCENE.
The general level of the country in
this district continues gradually to rise
"a country more generally undulating,
and s;rewed with water-worn fragments
OF stone, sometimes of considerable size,
marks our approach 10 the region Of hills
aud rocks, whence these memorials of
the destructive forces of Il former period
have been derived. The superficial stra-
Ia In the western portion of this district.
is generally coarse sand or gravel, Of
/ ten containing large masses OF rounded
onl e Il,
the parent strata are generally TO be
found at no remote distance to the north
west. An inspection ofthese pebbles is
sufficient to slew that in many if not
nearly all cases. they are derived from
the grits and sand stones, with which
the bituminous coal of eastern Virginia
Is associated while from the similar ma
ture Of the sand and gravel in which ,hey
are embedded, we are entitled TO con-
clude that at least in part they also reier
themselves to the same region for their
origin. In the hills below Richmond,
and in many other places, these beds of
gravel have considerable depth, and
present a structure at once curious and
instructive. A series Of strata at these
places. in some Of which the pebbles are
disposed in horizontal lines; in others
in lines oblique. but still generally par
allrl. inclining downwards 10 various
points in the different layers, give strik-
ing evidence Of the agency of those diIu
vial and oceanic currents, of which geolo-
gists have discovered many memorials
in other esions. and may serve, when rui-
nutely studied, to throw much light on
The physica! changes to which this por
ton of the continent must formerly have
been subjected.
Strata of clay occur beneath these beds
Of gravel in many ,places-not certain
whether referrible to The same epoch Of
deposition. Very argillaceons clay beds
frequently occur, suited for the potter
aud brick maker; and occasional layers
oil pure beautiful yellow och-e, may BIZ
placed in this portion Of the series.
Beneath the superficial beds, other
strata OF clay and sand present themselves,
containing evident records. Of their origin
IN the impressions of shells and zoophy-
It's. These casts, from their indeDtity
with the Miocene mari strata, take their
places IN the series of Miocene Tertiary
Deposites. In Hanover, King William,
Henrico and other counties in this range,
beds Of clay are found usually character
lied by a dark greenish, gray. or brown
color, suiphureous odour and astrin-
gent taste. On the Governors Hid, in
this city, in late excavations, stratum
OF the same kind has been exposed, and
the fossil impressions are very distinct.
As with the Miocene, the ciays and
sands of this region contain suiphate Of
iron, Cor copperas, sui phate Of alumina,
(or alum, and sulphur in an uncombined
condition, in such large proportions
sometimes, as 10 render the water obtain
ed from the Strata unfit for use.
The Professor attributes to the exis-
ience Of these materials in the strata, the
disappearance OF the calcareous matter
in the form Of shells once evidently CON
tanned. Either Of these sulpbates exert
ing a rapid decomposirg action on the
catboncte Of lime, Of which shells princi-
pally consist. The Sulphuric acid Of
:he sulpbate combining with the lime
of the carbonate, thus converting it into
gy psum, while the Cal bonic acid would
in great part escape IN the form OF gas. .
The disappearance of the gypsum is the
result OF the solubility oil that substance
in water its preservation being only
possible where heavy coat OF clay ex'
ciuded the percolating liquid.
Professor X. thinks that this clay
might be made most excellent auxiliaty
manure, by mingling it with the more
puiverulentshell mar!s occasionally Ioun6
| in this vicinitv