The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-01-15
Fossil Remains in MARYLAND.

The geological researches of Mr. p, r..
Tyson, State Agricultural Chemist of Mary
land, have recently brought to light some very
interesting fossil remains, which have been
entomteI during perhaps countless ages in the
iron ore hills between Washington and Balt
more. The fossils found are thus classified :.
l. Fossil teeth, which have been fully in.
ves;lSatcd by Dr. Christopher Johnston. of
baltimore, and determined to Lc those of n
lhccodont Sauran. not hitherto desc ibed. ..
At short distance from where the Sau,ian
remains had been buried was found Crac.
mcnt OF what must have been a RIB of laJSe
Gclacean. ). Also, about six feet in length.
and more than two feet in diameter. hctrunk
OF tree completely silicilied, or, in popular
language, " turned into stone" DR.. john
Ston 5 microscopic investigations prove this
to have belonged to the ccnitcrous or nine
family. 4. About one mile distant. on the
Farm of DR.. Theodore Jenkins. vcgetab Bile fos.
sill was found by DR.. J. which belongs to the
cyades, IA tribe oftropical plants, J resembling
the existing Sage palm often seen in our hot
houses. 1t is shaped somewhat like the pine
apple, and is about eighteen inches high and
ilicen inches in diameter, and Is also silcGcd.
The National lntelligencer comments aptlv
and ably upon these discoveries as follows:
These discoveries prove that the claws and
iron ore ringing from Washington, via Balti.
more, to the vicinity of Elm ton, constitute sec
ondary Strata probably older than the crcta.
ceous green sand of New Jcrse7. In fact. the
investigations Of DR.. Johnston Indicate that
the Sanran teeth may have belonged to a
much Older period. The continued Indictment
weather since these fossils were discovered
has arrested further researches for the present,
but we are informed that they will be rcsum-
ca by Mr.. Tyson early in the ensuing spring.
1t is his opinion that the cretaneous green
sand so largely and usefuly applied as mari
IN New jersey, may he expected TO rest upon
the southeastern edge of this iron ore forma.
iron, and be accessible within few niles Of
the Washington and Baltimore railroad.
This must not be conlounded with tho
eoccne green sands or marls of Charles. Prince
Georges Anne Arundel, Cecil and Kent coun-
teS of Maryland and which are more or less
diluted with siliccous sand. The lower beds
OF the Jersey green sand or narl are nearly
tree from si!icc0us sand. 1t contains from
eight TO twelve per cent. Of potash, and is
highly priced as manure. 1t will prove TO
be valuable resource il it shall be found in
Maryland contiguous to a railroad or tidc-wa-
ter. This article is largely exported from
New Jersey, and enters into the composition
OF some of the artificial fertilizers imported
from New York or its vicinity.
What wonderful changes must have taken
place in this part Of the world since Whales
and Sauiians were entombcd upon this (Ihcnv
marshy coast The remains of the Saurian
and Cycas indicate that tropical climate
then prevailed in this latitude. At the same
period also almost the only portion Of what
Eow constitutes the dry land of MARYLAND
and Delaware was north and west of a curved
line drawn from Wilmington, near Elkion
and Baltimore, to Washington All the re-
malndcr, comprising half Of Maryland and
nearly the whole of Delaware, was covered
by the waters Of the ancient ocean.