The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-17

renee and difference In the nature Of
the surface features of the TWO pro-
vinces. Tho western limit of the coas.
tai plain is defined by the belt of al
tered crystalline rocks characteristic
or the Piedmont plntsau, which ad-
joins the coastal plain at the fall line
OF the rivers.
II is because of the marked geolo-
Gical differences between the two pro-
rinces that the larger streams. and
many of the smaller ones are marked
BY falls. or rapids. where they leave
thu hard rocks OF tho Piedmont to
traverse the softer materials of the
coastal plain. From this transition
point they always show, too. very
aeoided decrease In the velocity OF
their currents eastward. It Is for this
reason that the name fall line" has
oeen given to this boundady between
the two provinces. Similarly the coas-
tai pain Is known as tho Tidcwater
section for the reason that after leov
ms the Piedmont. the gradients of tho
streams arc low, and In consequence
,neir waters arc moro or less affected
ny the tidal fluctuations OF the ocean
Inc Ildewat3r region of Virginia is
characterized by broad, lovel-to ION
stretches of country OF low relief. II
gradually declines In slope from an
elevation OF 200 to 800 feet on tho
L.
erai deposits consist chiefly OF uncon-
solidated beds of sand. gravel. clay md
mari which may be locally hardened
elther by cement OF iron oxide or
carbonate lof lime. These IndurntsG
or hardened lodges In the vicinity of
Aauin Creek and In places southwark
aiohS the western margin, representing
ths Oldest formation of the Tidewo
Ter series, have afforded sandstone
suitable for building purposes. While
these sandstone beds occur In and form,
part OF the oldest formation of tho
coastal plain, yet they ara millions
OF years younger than the Youngest
OF the various formations occurring IN
'ne iledmont and in the Appalachian
~ "Nlhccs. me Piedmont section OF
the State was dry land and continued
as such for millions of years. while thn
coast OF the ocean was murl,,d h,.
tho line which new separates these two
provinces
Dr. watson has long realized that
while Underwater Virginia contains no
suNh variety % mineral wealth as DC ,
ours In other sections of the Stnto
yet nevertheless Its mineral resources
are important. and. If properly utilized.
Mouiu add largely to tha productivity I
oil the wealth of the state
Discussing the mineral resources of
TINS region in the State survey Offices
NJ the University OF VirSinin vestor- !
DAY, Or. Watson said:
There occur within the coastal main +.
region OF Virginia numerous deposits !
ni very considerable economic v;tlue
some OF these have been. and still be-
ing, utilized, while othars have scarce |
~ commenced TO he developed as vet
Not in single instance. however. Is
me production Of those materials, /
ho.A
Wise commensurate with the possibili- /
Tics The deposits of clay sand and
SraVcl. diatomaceouS Garth lime and .
srcch sand marlS arc very extensive
and are generally of good grade. The
extensive deposits OF the lime or shell
maris and clay. located dir.c,ly on
deep tdewatcr offer large possibili-
.''s IN the location OF plants ;or the |
manuiactudc of Portland cement
lpr. Watson has discussed a, length
the economic possibilities of d.vcloping
me numerous mineral deposits of the
Underwater region in Virginia C;culoui- |
cal Survey Bulletin No 4. This bull /
lciin, entitled The physiography and
Zoology OF the Coastal Plain Province
~. N'rGini". was prepared largely, DR.. |
watson said. by Dr. w. H. Clark, OF |
tne MARYLAND survey assisted by Dr.. ]
Is l." Miller OF Lehish University and
Mt Edward w. Berry. of Johns Hon
kinS University. The chapter on econ /
othic geology was contributed by DR..
Watson.
The bulletin contains an excellent
map OF Tidewater Virginia, showing in /
coiors the different materials Of econ
oihIe Vaiue found there. There ar,
also number of excellent haIf-tona .
Illustrations. a copy may be Rad np
application to the State Gcologis, If lG I.
cents ior postage bc RENTED
~ watson, speaking further on mo
subject said
Ciays have wide distribution ovsr
IN me virginia coastal plain region. |
lhey are usually Of an unconsolidated |
character and almost every formation
~ .he region contains deposit of
cray suitable for tho manufarture ot |
common brick. while others arr ndant- !,
ca 10 making the higher grades OF |
puiluihs brick, drain tile, hollow |
ware and the cheaper grades OF moi. |
cry me amount of clay suitable for
nlakihs common brick throughout the
coastal plain Is almost unlimited and
me distribution OF deposits is such
MAJ orick SUFFICIENT for local cunsump-
,ion can be made In almost every /
ne'shoorhood. 1t Is difficult to nm
uerStand why these clay deposits have
not been more extensively ,uIlIz a
heretofore. 1t is even more surprie-
ihE that practically no attempt has
ncen made NJ any point 10 make use
OF n hiehe. grade cIays.
The sand and gravel deposits are
GM'gmslSe' The sands are used Tor
w.. mo'HinS. Is engine sand. and
ne better grad IS of sand have boon
i"etiiy used IN great quantities for
cutting purposes. Some Of tho sands
N'r PROBABLY pure enough to 10 ,s.d
~ Elass manufacture although none
5"S peen devoted TO ina, purpose so
Buck to First Principles.
"biatomaccous earth also knr,,.
silica, intusoyial Garth. or tripnu H.
j COMPOSED Of minute shells Of micro.
scope plants known. as diatnn,s
hrse Organisms lived II the ocean and
seGr%tsd silica Just as oysters 5 scrnie
calcium carbonate. which is Inc ma.