The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-27


Our Geological CerresPsndsncs.
Camden, Sept. Is, 1850.
Geology of Pen~syiva~ia-De sriptio" Of Strata
Character of the varioSs Fsrmatio~s-Ihe
Rocks-G saual Charsctsristses, &C., &c.
Among those sciences which are calculated to
direct attention to the wonderful works OF the Al
mighty, that Of geology is not the least interesting
The history Of the earth, with it's mountains, hills,
and lakes, has deeply interested the profoundest
seologist and lsPidsry; and yet, with all the re-
searches they have made, but an indefinite idea
can be formed of the marvellous wonders which
the hands of the Creator have nterspersed through
out our earth. N lsu sf
The numerous geological formations which are
obse rvable throughout the State of Pennsylvania,
and which it is our purpose in these letters to de-
scribe, are generally composed OF successive strata
or layers of rock, based one upon another, from
the lowest primary the series, up to the highest
rocks, containing the anthracite and bituminoas
coal. The rocks which contain these stratitica-
lions are the highest IN the regular ascending or
der, found in the Stale. The laxty of the govern
.nent of Pennsylvania, however, IN making appro.
priations for minurr survey of the State has left
much of her mineral wealth undiscovered; and II
rocks OF more ree- a formation than The coal are
very limited character, aud they must, in all pro-
liability, have been deposited since the formation
of that vast system OF lower secondary strata,
which occupies the whole Of our territory. In
travel ling through this State, the attention Of the
most casual observer cannot fail TO be attracted by
the course or range Of the various groups and beds
of rocks which run nearly northeast and south
west direction, III Ia ny places forming curva-
sure of considerable, magnitude, and, at the same
time, corresponding with the mountain ridges
which run through me State. The position OF
these Strata or layers Of rock, not in all
places the same, the nlIixonial inclination veyging
IN every degree ofslO,~ from level 10
The name given q ;ais Inclination by geoIogsts
Is the dip of the rock, ad is Of vast importance IN
ascertaining the ordcs % superposti0n.
The rocks of tn secondary series being sedi-
mentary, they presru; beautiful stratatled APP
,pearance, and Il r,s.-r of course, are composed
of succession of De sites from water, indicating
10 us that iginally they must have lain IN hor-
zontal position. Tn tranquil and still waters de-
posted mud at their bottom, which being hardened
by pressure, and dryug, and assisted, in ali pro-
liability, to great event, by internal heat, has
become TRANSFORMED INTO slate or shale. II these
deposltes were of a caicareous nature, the rocks
formed BY them are limestone. When the waters
have assumed gentle motion, the deposites they
have left have beeG iight sand, which, becoming
cemented, have foliped sandstone of various de-
Rrees Of coarseness, according to the rapidly of
the current; while streams or tides in rapid motion,
washed away most q ne sand, and consequently
left at their bottom 4rger class of pebbles which,
in the course Of time, aad by means of the same
great solidifying process OF nature, have become
coarse congIomerates These processes of deposes
IRON tranquil water currents Of dfferent veloc-
~, varying in endless saccessions through indet-
mite periods at time, are all calculated to produce
the various strata Which compose our whole
system Of sediment rocks. The dyershcation of
color in these rocks caused by attributable to-
different proportions notifications of the various
oxides OF iron ano oili-r minerals. The various
inclinations which observe Ia this strata,
owing to combination OF uplifting actions from
al If he uaff
ci volcanic eruptons, or earthquakes, moving in
northeast and south sest direction, which have
broken up the strata nom their orgiaa horizontal
position, fitting snd ns"viug Them up in the great
mountain ridges, sHd IA the variety of disturbed
POSITIONS 10 which The! afs now found,
LIE different IT,. belonging 10 the stratailed
primary class, Chr, l.y consist Of gneiss, mica,
slate, tale slate, aud thrir subordinate varieties.
There occupy the southeastern portion of Pennsyl-
vgania inoludrns a pan of Chester, Lancaster,
Tyoft MoatpoDiery $40 :, aud Delaware, and the
whole of Fhiladeirha c6inty. There are, how
ever, uns,ratafed rocks II crystalline structure,
composed OF grant, ne, &c., discovered ~
small local and iritTui-i veins, generally IN the
.southernmost portioo ~ tee PRIMARY range. This
range of rocks has been 3 scovered 10 extend from
IRE nton ON the Delns o. downwards TO the very
southern boundary ui nt State. IL also runs west
sgardly 10 the southeasia.n part Of Adams county.
The crystalline limestone OF Chester and Mont
egomery counties, Nhcn sometimes forms tolera-
biy good marble, ad ttifh belongs 10 the prifIia-
1919 49, ,o ~ IT, Iaces north Of This lime
80 ,a,sids,.hi. -, ,..,,,,ss of gosiss with tale
- ,,ics lite hsye T. - discovered.
Aswe coutir,ne 10. x I'd, We come 10 the red
sandstone tofuatlpn si.an stretches across the
STATE frop, Inc D.US fa above Trenton, to the
MARYLAND line Tn. frrnIation extends through
Bueks. D,uphin, 1hs., Montgomery, Berks,
Iaucaefer York, uIH iItAns counties. some
psolooists have cl --.. tI.. group OF rocks with
ihe middle secopo.r. nod lie this, however,
"a IN may. one Tina s ,laiu-it presents a re-
mari abit uniforsn.s rs espect TO its materials
md azoearspce thu, f-. Its whole range. Ii Il
S,omoosed of dark 81. \. b.own argyll tceous sand
Stone soft. crumhtse I'D, -,,d Grown sh lles, with
now and then band t q. l.Dlnrrate or sandstone
IN which SIRE large b -4,l.i,s Of rounded pebbles
Srhe inelina,ion' a, 81. -. strata, il almost IN
yariablv no The moi 81. 49, drscending at an angle
eli froun twelve to III tni. I've degrees The coa
pioneyntcs which M. ,tlu, contains are principal
IL d,scov.rrJ in IN, ma .. ,ats near the south
80 so,v,a,,aa aS ,ba i. ,r ar along ia mort herr
~ ~, - -, -. ho,hS ,he.. ca.sa