Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-11-29
To TIE Hon. ] Y. MASON,
Pycs't J. r. 8. K. Company.

To TIE Hon. ] Y. MASON,
Fycs't j. r. s. K. Company.
Sir ask leave to present report Ga the result o
a geological examination OF part OF the line and o.
the ground to be occupied by the contemplated reser-
yoirs OF the James river and Kanawha canal which
| had the honor OF being commissioned to make.
On reaching the Sweet springs, placed myself, as
| you directed, under the guidance of Ed Lorraine,
| ESQ The engineer in charge Of the surveying party
at that place; and TO his accurate knowle dse OF the 10
| catlss to b. examined, we'll as TO his untns Ell
forts render every necessary assistance requlr-
ed in my explorations, much Of whatever value this
| report may have is due
| shall attempt no geological cancellations in this
brief report but contne myself strictly to the state
nent of the facts observed in relation the mineral
composition and geological structure OF the rocks
forming the Basins to be occupied as reservoirs, and
| of the portions of the line of canal examined; these
being, as conceive. the only considerations bearing
directly upon the problem to be solved, shall also
endeavour to indicate the points where the facts stated
may be observed by any one for the structure of the
region examined IS sufficiently simple when once
worked out.
Mineral Competition Of the Rocts.
The rocks Of this region are, Tor the most part com
posed OF sandstone, Cher quartZoss rocks, clay slate
The aandsiones from being made up of purely sill
cous grains, pass into argIaceous rocks; Ia the lat
case they subject to dlsntegraon from anos-
Rprc agencies, but are oten hard, compact, and In
general much laminaed.
Among the clay states black variety is quite
srcuOus: is IN sch cut IN by cleavage planes the
surfaces OF which are often smooth and glossy, re-
sembiing anthracite, and containing enough oil bitu-
mnous matter to burn, is frequently mista ken tor coal
Where HE surface is protected from rain 1t IS often
covered with a white ehiorescence composed OF cop
peTas, alum, and sometimes gypsum, as may be seen
at the remarkable locally 4miles below Clifton Forge
on the right bank of the river,
Scarcely has any rock impress Itself more sTlh-
ngly on the physical features Of the Allegheny noun
aIns than this Tor while the harder and less desiruc-
bla rocks found capping the most elevated ridges,
ii is almost invariab y iouad III the valleys and on
the sides of the mountains Indeed. the valleys are
generally due to the comparatively soft and yielding
nature of these slaeshey subject 10 cislntesra-
ton and ia that state are easily excavated by running
water. They pass nio ordinary arqilaceous rocks,
may be on the lett side OF the valley OF Amino
y's creek, opposite Bells; and the stiff clay su6soi
OF most Of the valleys Of this region derived from
the disntegraon Of this rock. The great excellence
of many Of the roads among the mountains is due to
the fact, that the road covering is composed OF thls
black slate; Tor although soft, it is, when PuveIlzsd,
so imperyious, that the road bed is kept almost dry,
and hence, where water is not allowed 10 stand,
Wheels make but slight impression upon the road CO.
yeriEg.
The limeatones are more or less impure, being Of
ten filed with sihcious and cherry veins and nodues
hence The rugged appearance presented by the wealth
cred surface Of the rnestoneS OF this region, con
trased vita h OF the Purer ljmestones.
Calcareoas rocks are sublect to 81 luton III water
containing carbonic acid rain water, charged with
this acid and peIc0lang through the assures OF these
racks, enarGes them by the solution ct the lime,
aHa thus caves are, tor the most part, nroduced-
Caves i'll rocks not thus acted upon are OF rare occur
renee.
Ctert. IS name 81 en- to hari Si1clou5 rock, OF
ten found nterminged with limestone, adding great
y othe difficulty aud expense OF eXcayatlng rock
It is often found forming tuck beds From ordinary
siheloas rocks it may re distinguished by having the
peculiar lustle Of flint.
Qaarz sock is distinguished from sandstone hy be-
lag more homogeneous in compost ion and structure
i is composed Of siIiclous matter and occurs both
compact and grauula the latter variety IS often pull
veTient, resembling sandstone Very frequently this
rock appears granular and even luVeruent on the
surface, at the same time that 1t IS exceedingly hard
| and compaG 6elcw. -,-.....
THIS brief descrlrionot t1e principal eharacteris.
tics OF lhe rocks under examination wl be sufficient
for my purpose. therefore proceed to the conslde
ration Of their geological structure, beginning with
that Part Of The line winch passes hfoEsh me crest OF