The Placer herald., 1862-08-16
James River Below Richmond.

River is divided by numerous sands, and it
decends over rocky rapids, about six miles
in extent. These passed, the river gradually
expands and deepens, until it forms itself in,
to All estuary several miles in width, and
flows into the southern extremity Of the
Chesapeake Bay, between Willoughby Point
and Old Poin, Comfort The whole length
of the river is about 45O miles, and the tide
ascends to Richmond, which is about one
third of that distance from the sea. 1t is
navigable for vessels of 1870 tons to tn. port
of Richmond, from which city the Kanawha
and James River Canal will carry them 200
miles further up the country. The James
River flows through a fine and fertile coun-
try, and has several towns upon its tanks.--
From Richmond TO the sea the river is tor
tuous, and the bends are capable of being
fortified. At City Point there are so feet
of water in the channel, and at Jordan's
Point, short distance further down the riv-
er, there are 40 feet. On the point, previous
to the rebellion, there was erected a light
house, as the land juts out rather dangerous
y to those unacquainted with the channel.
For the next 20 miles the depth of tho
channel varies greatly, as follows: The first
soundings, opposite Harrison's Point, being
l 8 feet, the next 20 feet, next 40 feet, and
opposite Chasles City Court House, AZ feet.
Here the river bends abruptly, and few
miles further on the channel has but 80 fee.
of water. After passing the next band
which is very sharp, the channel deepens tc
32 feet, which is the case opposite Fort
Powhatan In less than five miles th,
soundings are recorded as follows: 80, 80
40. 100, etc. A few miles further the
depth is but 20 feet. Here the river widens
considerably, forming lake for over 10
jamestown Island is small piece Of land
about 8 miles in length about 2 miles at
the widest part, narrowing off at each end.
At the upper end of the island there are 40
feet in the principal of the two channels, and
at the south Of the island is Cobham Bay,
with an average depth of about ls feet
The river still continues on at various
Depths interspersed with sand banks and
islands, uutil it reaches the sea by the way
of Newport News, etc. s. +. Bulletin.
The FLORIDA REEFS Fs-prof Agassiz del
ivered lecture in New York upon the age
of the present physical world as derived
from ancient coins and animal remains of
species still exlant especially from coral
reefs. The lecture was devoted mainly to
coral reefs and the conclusions drawn from
them as to the time taken for their forma
ton. He said that the popular notion that
the coral was the work of an insect was en-
tlrey erroneous.-T reefs consist of organ
lied remains OF class of raliates, which
become rigid by the continual deposits of
imy PARTICLES. The coras begin their work
at the depth of twelve fathoms and work
upwards The Florida reefs are the best in
the world for scientific observations. From
observations made upon them by Prof. Ag
assiz, he has found that in fourteen years the
growth of the coral about the coast forts
was almost an nch which wonld make
about seven inches in century. To be
safe, however, he allows one foot century.
With this as basis, the youngest reef on
the coast-the Florida Keys-was found to
be at least 5000 years old. But the Keys
are founded upon similar reef which was
founded before the outer one. This adds
G,0OO years more TO the age of the banks
Then landing upon the main land, third
reef is found precisely similar, adding anoth'
er 5000 to the chronology. But back of
this is a fourth and still older coral reef,
which adds 5000 years more. Here posi-
tive Investigations cease, and Prof. Agassz
claims to establish the fact indisputably that
this portion of the world is at least "a, 900
years old, an age far beyond any record Of
the race now inhabitng it.
EASTERN VIEws-THE ARMY-It is evil
dent that the great plan OF the campaign,
started by General Scott and so successfully
followed up by General Mcclellan in Wa sh.
ington and by General HaIIeck in the West,
with Commodore Foote to help, has been
sadly broken in upon in the last sixty days;
and that now in consequence of Stonewall
Jaokson's raid, and the hegira Of Beauregard