Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-08-17
From the Richmond Compiler.
Geology OF Virginia.
(NuMBER KID
VALLEY OF VIRGINIA.

Between Harper Ferry and Winchester.
two alterations OF the slate and limestone are
found, the eastern bed composed of slate, din
ping east at an angle OF 80 deg. into the val
ley Oh he Shenanuoah, succeeded by broad
rauge oil Limestone Of dark blue color. vein
ed, dipping IN like manner, pext 90 which is
a bed oil slate, followed 10y one of limestone
dipping as before
Al Inc northern extremity OF Massaautten
Mountain, the limestone is trayersed nv
large veins OF cslcsrious spar. Professor
Rogers says that the Investigation of the u,a>
ter,ais and structure OF the Massanutten
mountain, cannot fail TO prove interesting To
the Geology OF the State. Rumor saws coal
has been discovered in this mountain. The
professor thinks that il there be any, il is an
thrsc'tc, the character Of The rocks not being
adverse 10 that mineral
ln Rockingham, Augusta s. Rock bridge.
Limestone and slafes alternate as before. &C.
casionaiiy bands or beds of marble of GOOD
quality are presented. A bed or beds ofby-
dra1hc limestone runs along the valley not
far from its eastern side Ia an extent not de
tcrmined; and has been found highly valua-
ole as wafer cement. a similar rock ap.
pears on North River not far from Balcony
tats. In Pennsy lvania and New JERSEY
this limestone occurs in the same relation to
other rocks; and Professor r. looks with
confidence 10 the early discovery of numer-
mi
virginia; and alludes In the fortunate occur
renee OF Anthracite coal in The North meun
tam, which is the best fuel for the rrepors
ration Of the cement,
In some n tho lImestones Of the valley
iesslliierons bands exist. Near Strasburu
on Cedar Creek, and adjacent points. the
rocks display numbers of Impressions of en-
crini, &c, and some trilobites Professor
IL. IS The first one 10 note this interesting fac,
in geological view. At Mount Meridi,n
Mills, organic limestone occurs, exhititino
impressiens-they also appear in the Lime.
stone oil Weyer's cave and vicinity. NOT here.
ioiore noticed. Messy Creek also exhibits
such impressions, in more siIicious lime
stone. Such fosseliferons rock are common
10 me southwark and in Montgomery and
botetourt are very frequent
The valley iimestones furnish powerfu,
lane for agricultural and other uses which
cannot be too highly appreciated Professor
IL expresses surprise that the agriculture nj
this region has hitherto reaped SO little bene.
III from SO great source of improvement.
ahd which abounds in such Quantities Pro.
iesso, n ccrrects an erroneous impression
winch has obtained and which has prevent.
ed resort TO Lining in the yalley-v;z
!hat Inc soil in The limestone region is suf.
ncientIy impregnated it'll calcareous mat.
teF. ie says that soil taken from immedi
ale contiguity TO the rocks has been found IN
contain little or none of that matter, and Thai
sucn Is me case with the soils Of the valley
geheraiiy. Ihe limestones OF The valley in
some cases contain 90 per cent. of Carl nj
lime, and average frequently so.
fravertIne or deposte mari. valuab,s
material, exists often in large Quantities in
The valley. In Jefferson and Frederick IL
occurs IL beds OF considerable thickness: 81
IN Rockbridge nearly all the streams which
enter INTO The South river pass over this val
uaoie material. No extensive district eitbe
xshey WIN De found wanting in this depsste.
rom thus substance, Professor Rogers saws
that lime Of much value may be made and
Judging by the value attached in the market
TO The fravertine of Caledonia in New Ysrk
the burning OF the material would he highly
pfohtahie IN some localities Ii being Often
FOUND in iriabie po~dry state, may be an
pileu easily as mari without burning.
iron ore ahounds IN many parts OF the VAL
ley, and ls manufactured into iron in numer
Gus places. Professor r. thinks an evan.
nation into the variety, value, and geologi-
Cal relations OF these ores will be of immense
cement The absence of proper in formation
0I ms Eind, occasioning no doubt the sban.
ohment OF The manufacture. A i,ied by pro.
per information and The con,iguity Of yaIua,
ole Goals for smelling, the manufacture of
10 the valley. f''''
The numerous and extensive cayes occu-.
ring 10 the region afford most cur;ous and
interesting features in the Geology Of yiryi-
MIA. 81
North Mountain and 4Alsghany Region
The numerous ranges of Mountains W bicb
iie beyond the general limits of the vallev
present features OF great practical interest.
Ahe lesser range which first interrupfs the
generai unduiating surface of the yaIlev
known as little North mountain, Cdtawba
mountain, &c. indicate the commencement
~ series OF rock entirely distinct from
Ihose occurring in The valley, copposed nj
sand stones and congIonnersies. and of sh,,a,
subordinate 10 veins Of anthracite and semi,
5IlumIn9us Goals which discover Themselves
there.
The Goals OF the lille North mountain
CataW6a, &c. are amongst The most promi
nsh' minerals IN practical sense, and Pros
iessor Rogers thinks that If reasonable ex-
pectations which have given rise 10 the dis
coVeEy OF these Goals, not Gisappainted.
lney Will have great beneficial influence on
the prosperity of one ol the most extensive
ana important regions Of the State From
the Potomac 10 The south western counties [
Inc minor ranges Of mountains, rising in pe
neral along the western boundary of The val. !
10y, are known TO include beds of this min |
sEal' says the Professor, in The yarious con- |
u''""s oi pure anthracite and A comnound
S'"'"'ning variable, but never large oro,nr
H'S vi oiuHinOus matter, denominated &C.
S i.,"'l'' y, 10 Berkeley county, ON |
tePJ NIsek and elsewhere, openings have
peg" maze, from which anthracite OF The M I
IeF1 quality is obtained. In Frederick [
Shenandoah, Rockingham. Auonsts r.
tourt and Montgomery similar d;scovs,;e.
have been made Prolessor N ~ r, ''''