Geological survey of Ohio

GEOLOGICAL SUKYEY OF OHIO.

PART I.

REPORT OF PROGRESS IN 1869,

By J. S. NEWBERRY,

CHIEF GEOLOGIST.

PART II.

EEPOET OF PROGRESS IN" THE SECOND DISTRICT,

By E. B. ANDREWS,

-ASSIST, GEOLOGIST.

PART III.

REPORT ON GEOLOGY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY,

By EDWAED ORTON,

ASSIST. GEOLOGIST.

COLUMBUS:

KEVINS & MYERS, STATE PRINTERS.

1871.

Columbus, O., March 25 r 1879.
To Mis Excellency Rutherford B. Hayes, Governor ;

In compliance with a resolution passed by the Senate, directing that certain portions
of our Geological Report heretofore submitted should not await the engraving of the
plates, but be published immediately, I have made the selection of the materials Called
for by the resolution, and transmit them herewith. They consist of —

I. A sketch of the progress of the Geological Survey, in 1869, by myself.
II. A Report ou the Straitsville Coal Field, by Prof. E. B. Andrews.
III. A Report on the Geology of Montgomery County, by Prof. Edward Orton.
All of which is respectfully submitted.

Your obedient servant,

J; S. DEWBERRY,

Chief Geologist.

PART I.

REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE GEOLOGICAL
SURVEY OF OHIO IN 1869.

By J. S. NEWBERRY,

CHIEF GEOLOGIST.

HISTOBICAJL SKETCH.

The first information obtained by the citizens of Ohio in regard to the
geological structure and mineral resources of the State, was derived
from the report of a committee appointed under a resolution of the Leg-
islature, passed the 14th day of March, 1836, " To report to the next Leg-
islature the best method of obtaining a complete geological survey of the
State, and an estimate of the probable cost of the same." This commit-
tee consisted of Dr. S. P. Hildreth, chairman, Dr. John Locke, Prof. J.
H. Riddell, and Mr. I. A. Lapham.

In the execution of the task assigned to this committee, geological re-
connoisances were made during the succeeding summer, of the Coal
Measures of South Eastern Ohio, by Dr. Hildreth, and of the western
and northern portions of the State, by Prof. Riddell and Mr. Lapham ;
while chemical analyses of various iron ores and limestones were made
by Dr. Locke. The observations and conclusions of this committee were
embodied in reports from all the members, which reports were submitted
to the Legislature at their succeeding session, and were published by
State authority. At this time the science of geology had nowhere at-
tained anything like its present perfection, and very little was known by
any one in regard to the structure of our own country. The geological
survey of New York was then in progress, but the splendid results ac-
complished by it had not yet been announced. As a consequence, the
gentlemen who formed this committee prosecuted their investigations,,
not only pa. an untried field, but with little that could serve to guid&
them in observations made elsewhere by other geologists. At that time
almost nothing was known in this country of palaeontology. No one-
had learned what are the characteristic fossils of our formations, and,,
consequently, the relative positions of the different strata met with wera
to be painfully worked out by a careful examination of the rare expo-

4 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

sares of their lines of contact. It was not easy nor even possible, in all
instances, to identify any of the formations by their lithological charac-
ters alone, for these are proverbially unreliable, and they are often found
to change completely in going from county to county. It is now well
understood, not only that fossils are safe and convenient guides in study-
ing the relations and distribution of fossiliferous rocks, but that their
assistance is indispensable, and that no conclusions can be regarded as
accurate and trustworthy unless confirmed by their evidence. The well-
read palaeontologist finds in every characteristic fossil an infallible record
of the age of the rock that contains it, so that, when he can read the
language, the fossiliferous rocks are all ticketed to his hand. Nothing
can better illustrate the truth of these statements than the laborious and
^inful efforts of our pioneer geologists to determine, without palseonto-
logical data, the age and relations of our formations. After spending a
summer in the study of the group of limestones which underlie the west-
ern part of the State, Dr. Eiddell, with considerable hesitation and diffi-
dence, announces the opinion that the blue limestone of Cincinnati un-
derlies and is older than the buff limestone of Columbus. Even, two
years afterward, when the Geological Board, subsequently created, had
devoted two seasons of field work to the study of our geology, the exact
geological ages of these formations were still undecided.

Much valuable information was, however, contained in the reports of
the special committee, especially in that of Dr. Hildreth, where the first
glimpse is given to the public of the structure and richness of the south-
em iron district — lying between Marietta and Portsmouth — where the
Coal Measure ores exhibit a development equalled in no other part of our
country, and where the iron industry of Ohio has, till lately, been mainly
centered.

In obedience to their instructions, the committee submitted a plan for
a general geological survey of the State, with an estimate of the neces-
sary expenditure. The Legislature of 1836-37 at once acted on the re-
commendation of the committee, and passed a bill on the 27th of March,
1837, providing for a geological survey, appointing a corps of geologists,
and voting an appropriation of $12,000 for the prosecution of the work
during one year.

The board then organized consisted of the following members :

W. W. Mather, State Geologist.
De. S. P. Hildreth, ")

Dr. John Locke,

Prop. J. P. KiRTLAND, , Assistants

J. W. Foster, J- Assistants.

Charles Whittlesey,
C. Briggs, Jr.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. O

These gentlemen entered upon their duties during the following spring,
and the results of their summer's work were embodied in the " First
Annual lieport on the G-eology of Ohio,"' (8vo. pp. 134), presented to the
Legislature at the ensuing session, and immediately publish^ .

This report includes records of geological reconnoisances by Professor
Mather, Dr. Hildreth and Mr. Briggs, and preliminary reports on zoology,
by Prof. Kirtland, and on topography, by Col. Whittlesey. Prof. Locke,
having spent the summer in Europe, took no part in the geological work
of the corps during the first year, and made no report.

In the succeeding summer, the work of the Geological Survey was con-
tinued under the same organization. The observations made during this
season were presented, and published in a report of 286 8vo. pages, en-
titled " The Second Annual Eeport of the Geological Survey of the State
of Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, 1837." This volume includes reports of W. W.
Mather, pp. 30, Col. Whittlesey, pp. 32, Mr. Poster, pp. 36, Prof. Briggs,
pp. 47, Prof. Kirtland, pp. 46, and Dr. Locke, pp. 86 ; and contains much
valuable information in regard to tbe geological structure and mineral re-
sources of the Stat.e.

In consequence of the financial panic of 1837, and the paralysis of
business that followed, it was considered necessary to diminish, in every
possible way, the public expenditure, and, accordingly, the Legislature of
1838-9 made no appropriation for the continuation of the Geological Sur.
vey, and it was at once suspended. However plausible the arguments in
favor of such a step may have appeared, there are comparatively few of
our citizens who do not now feel that it was dictated by a short-sighted,
policy. The benefit derived by the State from the geological reconnois-
ance — for it was little more — made by the State Board, conclusively
demonstrated that the Geological Survey was a producer and not a con?
sumer ; that it added far more than it took from the public treasury, and
therefore deserved special encouragement and support, as a wealth-pro-
ducing agency, in our darkest financial hour.

By the arrest of the work of the Geological Corps, the development of
our mineral resources was not entirely stopped, but it was greatly retarded
and thrown from public into private hands. During the thirty years that
elapsed before a new Geological Survey was organized, much v&a* done
by private parties in the investigation of the geology and economic value
of certain tracts and districts of the State. Careful surveys of. mining
properties, elaborate analyses of coal, iron, etc., etc., were made at private
cost, and there is very little doubt that for such investigations,, in the
long interval of time I have designated, more money was paid than would
have sufficed to complete the pnblic survey begun in 1837, Ail the infer-

6 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

mation thus gained was, however, monopolized by those who paid for it,
and- instead of enlightening the landholder as to the abundance and
value of the minerals his farm or tracts contained, it oftener served the
purposes of the speculator only, guiding him in his purchases and plac-
ing the farmer quite at his mercy. There are many who think the devel-
opment of the mineral resources of our State should be altogether left
to time and private enterprise ; but no one who has watched with any
care the progress of events during the last twenty -five years, in this and
other States, will have failed to notice that it very rarely happens that
the owner of a farm containing coal, iron, clay, or any other useful min-
eral, will, of his own accord and at] his own expense, have any or all of
his subterranean treasures so far investigated as to learn with accuracy
their value. To do this, he must invoke the aid of the geologist and
chemist, personages with whom he is not only unacquainted — since they
are probably residents of a distant city — but of whose professions he has
in all probability only a dim and shadowy idea. He therefore holds his
land at its agricultural value, and sells it at such valuation to the first
speculator who suspects, tests, and theu discovers its hidden wealth.

The publication of the reports of the First Geological Board did much
to arrest the useless expenditures of money in the search for coal outside
of the coal field, and in other mining enterprises equally fallacious, by
which, through ignorance of the teachings of geology, parties are con-
stantly led to squander their means. From the tendency which all min-
ing schemes have to excite the imagination, it is scarcely less important
to our people to know accurately what we have not, than what we have,
among our mineral resources.

During the last twenty years, efforts have been made by members of
the Legislature who appreciated the importanee of a thorough investiga-
tion of our mineral wealth, to have the geological survey resumed. For
this end recommendations were made in several of the messages of our
Governors, and bills were introduced by Dr. Jewett, Mr. Canfield and
Mr. Scott, and by General Garfield ; but though the value of such inves-
tigations to the credit and industry of the State was generally confessed,
and there was no considerable opposition to either bill originating in
doubt of the intrinsic merit of the measure, yet, at one time because the
State Treasurer had appropriated to his own uses half a million of the
people's money, and subsequently because the treasury was long kept
empty by the expenditures upon the State House, it was thought by the
majority wiser to defer making appropriations for this, as well as various
other confessedly desirable objects, till the finances of the State should be
in a better condition. In all these years, however, the State was suffering

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 7

a positive annual loss, felt in both its industry and credit, for the want of
the knowledge a properly conducted geological survey could not fail to
impart. Every financial agent of the State, located in or visiting the
moneyed centres of our country or the world; agents going abroad to
effect loans with which to construct our lines of railroad, all took pains
to gather information in reference to our geology, and all had to deplore
the fact that this information was so meagre.

Finally, the great rebellion came upon us with all its horrors, and its
waste of life and treasure. For five years all the thoughts and energies
of the people were turned to the arts of war, and the arts of peace were
well-nigh forgotten. When, however, the struggle was over, and the
nation's life, so eagerly sought and strongly imperiled, was saved, our
citizens soldiers laid down their arms to return to plow and workshop,
and once more the processes of creation and conservation succeeded to
those of destruction.

Among the methods suggested for repairing the breaches of war, and
moving faster the retarded wheel of progress, was a geological survey ; a
thorough investigation of the qualitj , quantity and distribution of each
of our mineral staples, with a view to the expansion of all the wealth-
producing industries based upon them.

This measure was recommended to the Legislature of 1869, in the annual
message of Governor Hayes, and was made the subject of a bill introduced
into the House of Eepresentatives by Oapt. Alfred E. Lee, of Delaware
county. This bill was subsequently passed in March, 1869, by a large
majority, irrespective of party, in both branches, and became a law, of
which the following is a copy :

LAW PROVIDING FOR A GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Slate of Ohio, That the governor
is hereby required to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, a chief
geologist, who shall be a person of known integrity and competent practical and scien-
tific knowledge of the sciences of geology and mineralogy ; and tipon consultation with
said chief geologist and the like concurrence of the senate, the governor shall appoint
one or more suitable assistants, not exceeding three in number, one of whom shall be a
skillful analytical and agricultural chemist ; the said chief geologist and assistants to
constitute a geological corps, whose duty it shall be to make a complete and thorough
geological, agricultural and mineralogical survey of each and every county in the Btate.

Sec. 2. The said survey shall have for its objects :

1st. An examination of the geological structure of the state, including the dip, mag-
nitude, number, order and relative position of the several strata, their richness in coals,
clays, ores, mineral waters and manures, building stone and other useful materials, the
value of such materials for economic purposes, and their accessibility for mining or
manufacture.

8 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

2d. An accurate chemical analysis and classification of the various soils of the state,
with the view of discovering the best means of preserving and improving their fertility,
and of pointing out the most beneficial and profitable modes of cultivation. Also a care-
ful analysis of the different ores, rocks, peats, marls, clays, salines and all mineral waters
within the state.

3d. To ascertain by meteorological observations the local causes which produce var-
iations of climate in the different sections of the Btate. Also to determine by strict
barometrical observations the relative elevation and depression of the different parts of
the state.

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of said chief geologist, in the progress of the examinations
hereby directed, to collect such specimens of rocks, ores, soils, fossils, organic remains
and mineral compounds, as will exemplify the geology, mineralogy and agronomy of the
state ; and he shall deposit said specimens, accurately labeled and classified, in a room pro-
vided by the state board of agriculture, to be carefully preserved under the supervision
of said board.

Sec. 4. It shall be duty of the chief geologist, on or before the first Monday in Jan-
uary of each year, during the time occupied in said survey, to make a report to the gov-
ernor of the results and progress of the survey, accompanied by such maps, profiles and
drawings as may be necessary to exemplify the same, which reports the governor shall
lay before the general assembly.

Sec. 5. When the said survey shall be fully completed, the chief geologist shall make
to the governor a final report, including the results of the entire survey, accompanied by
such drawings and topographical maps as may be necessary to illustrate the same, and
by a single geological map showing by colors and other appropriate means the stratifi-
cation of the rooks, the character of the soil, the localities of the beds of mineral deposits,
and the character and extent of the different geological formations.

Sec. 6. The annual appropriations which may be made by the general assembly for
carrying out the provisions of this act, shall be expended under the direction of the gov-
ernor upon the certificate of the chief geologist, approved by the governor, and the war-
rant of the auditor of state, as follows :

For salary of chief geologist, three thousand dollars.

For salaries of assistants, not more than eighteen hundred dollars each.

For chemicals, five hundred dollars.

For contingent expenses of the survey, including actual traveling expenses of the geolo-
gical corps and hire of local assistants, five thousand dollars.

Sec. 7. No money shall be paid for the purposes of said survey, until the chief geolo-
gist and his assistants shall have entered upon the discharge of their duties as prescribed
by this act.

Sec. 8. The survey shall be commenced by the first of June next, or as soon thereafter
as practicable, and shall be completed within three years from and after the time of its
commencement.

Sec. 9. This act shall take effect and be iu force from and after its passage.

In the performance of the duty assigned to him by this act of the
Legislature, the Governor nominated the following persons members of

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 9

the Geological Corps ; and these nominations were comfirmed by the
Senate :

J. S. Newberry, Chief Geologist.

E. B. Andrews, )

Edw. Orton, > Asst. Geologists.

John H. Klippart, )

In addition to those whose names are enumerated above, a number of
persons were employed as local assistants, for whom also provision was
made in the law, namely :

Eev. H. Hertzer, Andrew Sherwood,

M. C. Bead, E. D. Irving,

Frederick Prime, Jr., W. A Hooker,

W. P. Ballantine, W. B. Potter,

G. K Gilbert, Henry Newton,

H. A. Whiting.

Of these, Mr. Hertzer, who had been for many years a diligent student
of Ohio Geology, and had discovered the most interesting series of fossil
remains yet found within our territory, was paid from the salary of the
Chief Geologist; as a compensation to the State for any time devoted by
him to other duties. Mr. Prime, a graduate of the School of Mines of
Freiberg, in Saxony, was engaged for three months, at $50 per month.
Mr. Eead, who had also had considerable geological experience, was paid
$100, and Mr. Ballantine $50 per month, during the season when field
work was practicable. Of the other members of the corps, Messrs. Gil-
bert and Sherwood were geologists who had devoted much time to prac-
tical geology in New York and Pennsylvania, and who, for the purpose
of adding to their experience, volunteered their services for no other
compensation than their traveling expenses. The five remaining names
on the list are those of graduates of the School of Mines of Columbia
College, who brought to our work a thorough preparation in chemistry,
mineralogy and metallurgy, and who also gave their services during the
summer, with no other compensation than their expenses.

The law providing for the Geological Survey requires a careful agricul-
tural survey to be made, and as Mr. Klippart, one of the Assistant Geol-
ogists appointed by the Legislature, had for many years devoted himself
to the study of agriculture, and since 1856 had filled the position of Sec-
retary of the State Board of Agriculture, the agricultural department
was committed to him.

The purely chemical work of the Survey, a most important department,
was committed to Prof. T. G. Wormley, of Columbus, one of the best
chemists in the country.

10 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

The law authorizing the Geological Survey provides that such survey
should begin on the first of June, 1869, " or as .soon thereafter as practi-
cable." In accordance with this provision, the members of the Geological
Corps entered upon their duties at this date.

The first duty required by law of the Geological Corps was the accurate
determination of the geological structure of Ohio. This was a necessary
prerequisite to all the subsequent work of the Survey. During the many
years that had passed since the former Board was disbanded, geological
surveys had been maintained, with more or less thoroughness, in New
York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas,
Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada, and the observations
made by the geologists of those States in different and widely-separated
localities, had presented discrepancies that had given rise to long, earnest,
and sometimes bitter discussions. Before the diverse conclusions of these
various observers could be harmonized, and the succession and distribu-
tion of the rocks represented in our geology be fully made out, it was
necessary that these views should be compared in Ohio ; that observations
made east, west, north and south should here be connected. Ohio thus,
in some sort, formed the key-stone in the geological arch reaching from
the Alleghanies to the Mississippi ; and for many years geologists in our
own country and abroad had been looking forward with great interest to
the time when the geological survey in Ohio should supply this key-stone,
and render our whole geological system complete and symmetrical. It
was also necessary that our work should be, first of all, blocked out in its
generalities ; that we should learn precisely what formations were repre-
sented in the State, their order of superposition, their mineral character
and contents, their thickness and the geographical areas occupied by
their outcrops.

To accomplish this work, our field was divided into four districts, con-
sisting of the north-east, the south east, the south-west and the north-
west quarters of the State, all cornering at Columbus. The immediate
supervision of the work in the north-eastern seetion was assumed by my-
self; that of the south-eastern quarter by Prof. Andrews; of the south-
western by Prof. Orton; of the north-western by Mr. Hertzer and Mr. .
Gilbert. To Prof. Andrews were assigned Messrs. Ballantiue and Irving
as assistants; to Prof. Orton, Messrs. Newton and Whiting. Messrs.
Bead, Sherwood, Hooker and Potter were occupied in the northern half
of the State, and Mr. Prime devoted himself to the duty for which he
was especially qualified — the investigation of our mines, and manufac-
tures based upon mineral staples.

Fortunately for the success of our efforts in this portion of our duty,
an excellent topographical map of Ohio had recently been made by my

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 11

friend, Prof. Walling, and published by H. S. Stebbins, of New York. Of
this map numerous copies, obtained in the sheets were placed in the hands
of the members of the corps. To economize time, and secure the benefit
of a division of labor, the different formations were assigned to different
observers. The younger members were made each familiar with a stratum
or formation, and then, with map in hand, they followed it wherever it
led, carefully tracing its line of outcrop. They were also instructed to
make observations and take notes on all the subjects we were required to
investigate, with the injunction to so thoroughly perform their work along
each line of observation that it might never be necessary to go over the
ground a second time. The scope of the observation made by our corps
will be best comprehended from the following schedule of instructions
placed in the hands of all :

DIRECTIONS FOB OBSERVING AND COLLECTING.

1. Topography. — Note a. — Altitudes of important points, by barometer, or by refer-
ence to railroad or canal levels.

6. — Topographical features and cause of ditto.

c. — Get railroad or canal profiles wherever possible.

2. Soil. — Note character (sand, clay, loam, muck, wet, dry, etc.), depth, origin, rela-
tions to underlying rock.

3. Vegetation. — Note nature of vegetation and its relation to soil and geological
structure.

4. Surface Geology. — Note a. — Superficial materials (clay, sand, gravel, etc.), of lo-
cal or foreign origin 1 stratified 1 thickness ? fossils ?

6. — Glacial surface — planed ? scratched ? furrowed ? direction of furrows ?

c. — Terraces and lake ridges— Composition, extent, altitude.

A. — Peat bogs and marl beds ; under former or present marshes. To be sought by bor-
ing. Fossils are elephant, mastodon, etc.

e. — Depth of rock-bottoms of valleys and stream-beds. Often 100 to 200 feet below
present streams.

5. Geological Structure. — Note lithological character, thickness, subdivisions,
faults, dip, strike and fossils of each stratum. Trace geology on map. Take sections
and sketches.

6. Economic Geology. — Note — Iron Ore — Coal — Clay— Peat — Marl — Manganese —
Phosphate of Iron — Infusorial Earth — Glass Sand— Building Stones — Stone for flagging,
paving, furnace-hearths — Limestones — Hydraulic Limeston es — Gypsum — Petroleum
(Wells, Springs, Sections of Wells) — Mineral Springs — Salt Springs, Licks, Wells — Gas
Springs — Mineral Paint Calcareous Tufa. — Water Supply, Springs, Wells, (Sections of
Wells) — Note quality, quantity and accessibility of all of the above economic minerals
met with. If mined or manufactured, the quantity and quality of the mined or manu-
factured article.

7. Indian Relics. — Note mounds, earthworks, inscriptions — Excavate and survey —
Collect arrow-heads, axes, spears, pottery, etc.

8. Manufactures (of Mineral Staples). — Note source, quality and cost of material —
Quantity, quality and price of product — Construction of works— Statistics of 1868, 1869.
Get suits of raw and manufaotu red materials.

12 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

10. Mines. — Note geographical position and accessibility — kind, quantity and quality
of product — plan of mines and works.

11. Collecting Specimens. — Of rocks of each formation and important stratum —
■with and without fossils — collect ten sets 3x4x1 inch. Coal, iron ore, clay, etc., 3x4x1
inch. Fossils, as many good ones as possible.

Label or number each specimen in the field ; wrap in soft paper; pack in boxes, if
possible, of not over two cubic feet capacity, flat specimens on edge. Fill the box. Tack
on addressed card, with district, locality, and number of box, and name of collector.
Ship by express or freight, taking receipt.

SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF OHIO.

The general results of our summer's work upon the geological structure
of the State, are given in the map and section now published. In the
section are represented all the formations yet recognized in the State,
with the relative position of each; some such a section, in fact, as would
be made by sinking a shaft about 4,000 feet in depth, on the eastern mar-
gin of the State, where the highest members of our series form the sur-
face rocks. To make this map and section intelligible, I will briefly re-
view the different formations represented on them.

THE SILUEIAN SYSTEM.

Commencing at the bottom of the section, it will be seen that the first
step in our geological staircase is formed by what is called the Cincinnati
group, the Blue Limestone series of the former Geological Corps, and the
equivalent of the Trenton and Hudson groups of New York. These lie
near the base of the series of unchanged fossiliferous rocks found on our
continent, and belong to the Silurian system. Below all these lies the
great mass of crystalline rocks — once stratified sedimentary beds, but
now upheaved and metamorphosed — which form the Eozoic system, com-
posed of two groups, the Laurentian and Huronian. These rocks are
exposed in a broad belt, extending from Labrador to Lake Superior, and
thence north to the Arctic Sea; a portion of our continent not only com-
posed of the oldest rocks of which we have any knowledge, but the oldest
portion of the earth's surface known to us; one that has never been sub-
merged beneath the ocean since a period anterior to the formation of our
oldest palaeozoic strata.

We have evidence that at one time a broad continental area filled a
large part of the space now occupied by our North America, and was com-
posed of the same rocks that now constitute the Canadian highlands. In
process of time this continent began to sink, and the sea gradually en-
croached upon its surface, ultimately covering all except the belt I have
described. From this sea, in its various advances and retrocessions, our

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 13

different geological formations have been deposited. These consist of
sandstones, shales and limestones, or some commingliug of these different
rocks. The mode in which these strata have accumulated may be described
in a few words. All continental surfaces are constantly suffering erosion
by the influence of rain, rivers and shore waves, and the material com-
minuted by these agencies is carried into the ocean basin and deposited
along the shore, frequently in distinct belts. The shore itself is com-
posed of rocks undergoing processes of comminution, gravel or sand. In
deeper water accumulates the finer material washed from the shore itself
or contributed by rivers. This settles in a belt parallel with the first, and
when examined is found composed of fine sand or clay. Outside of, this
second belt, and beyond the point where the wash from the land reaches,
there is constantly accumulating a stratum derived from the decomposi-
tion of the various structures belonging to the animate forms inhabiting
the ocean. Most of these organisms are provided with calcareous shells,
and so their debris forms a calcareous mud — that which is known to
sailors as ooze, and such as is brought up on the lead in all deep sea
so .Hidings. Now it will be evident that when the sea invades the land,
each of these belts will be extended inljand; the sheet of sand and gravel
reaching continuously as far as the submergence progresses, the finer
mechanical sediments nearly, but not quite, as far and overlapping the
first; the organic sediments being deposited above the others and only in
the open sea, or where it receives but little wash from the land. These
strata, which we have thus seen forming, when consolidated by pressure,
heat, and the deposit of soluble silica or carbonate of lime, are conglom-
erate from gravel, sandstones from sand, shale from clay, and limestone
from ooze. In just this way all the sedimentary rocks have been formed.

In the State of Ohio, the first of the series of strata deposited on the old
sunken continent, is not visible — as it is covered and concealed by those
which overlie it — but going northward to the Canadian highlands, or the
Adirondacks of New York, we reach portions of the old continental sur-
face which, as I have said, have never been submerged. Here the series
is complete ; the lowest, and that resting on the crystalline rocks, being a
sandstone named the Potsdam sandstone. Above this occurs the forma-
tion, composed for the most part of a mixture of lime, sand and clay, called
from this fact the Calciferous sandrock. Over this again lies the great
group of limestones, of which the Trenton limestone is the most conspi-
cuous, which includes the Blue limestone, the lowest stratum exposed in the
State of Ohio.

From what has been said it will be apparent that these three groups of
Lower Silurian strata are the products of the first invasion by the sea of
the old continent. Each of them forms a sheet underlying the entire

14 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

valley of the Mississippi. Of this we have evidence, not only in what we
see in the Ozarksand Alleghanies — that have been upheaved in such a way
as to bring up and expose the older rocks — but also in borings made at
St. Louis, Louisville and Columbus. In all these wells the older Silurian
rocks have been reached. Our Ohio well was sunk to a depth of 2,775
feet 4 inches. I am thus accurate, because I was once called upon to
report upon the probability of getting from the well the hoped for artesian
flow of water. The boring was discontinued, perhaps at my suggestion*
as it seemed to me that the structure of this portion of our State was not
favorable to a flow of water to the surface, and as proved by the observa-
tion of Dr. Wormley, the temperature of the well at the bottom was 91
degrees — that of our hottest summer weather. The water was also salt.
Hence had a water-bearing crevice been struck at a greater depth, the
flow from it of hot and salt water could hardly have been suited to the
purpose it was intended to serve — the supply of the. State House and
Capitol grounds.

However unsuccessful as regards the purpose for which it was bored,
this well gave us interesting evidence of the nature of the strata under-
lying those which are exposed to sight in our State. These were plainly
the Calciferous sand rock (here containing much more lime and magnesia
and less silica than in New York) and the Potsdam sandstone, which had
not been passed through when the work was arrested.

THE CINCINNATI aKOUP.

The Cincinnati or blue limestone group is exposed in the southwestern
corner of the State (that surrounding the city of Cincinnati), and extends
southward into what is called the blue-grass region of Kentucky. The
reason why over this area the Lower Silurian rocks are exposed, while all
the country about them is occupied by more recent formations, is that it
lies on the line of a great arch or fold of the strata, which runs parallel
with the folds of the Alleghany mountains, and was doubtless produced
by" the same cause. Subsequently to the elevation of this arch, the rocks
forming its summit were extensively removed by surface erosion, and
thus the lower strata were exposed to view.

The thickness of the Cincinnati group is about 1,000 feet. It is inter-
esting both from the number and variety of the fossils which it contains
(mollusks, corals, crinoids and Crustacea), and also for the fertility of the
soil it has furnished. By reference to the map it will be seen that the
margin of the blue limestone area is extremely ragged and irregular.
This is an accurate representation of nature, however, for Prof. Orton has
traced this line with the greatest care. Its sinuosities are due to the ex-

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 15

cavation and removal of the overlying rocks by all the tributaries of the
Little Miami ; thus the valley of each stream forms a narrow or wide pro-
longation of the blue limestone surface, while the divides are composed of
more recent rocks.

THE CLINTON AND NIAGARA GROUPS.

These are parts of the Upper Silurian system, and are mostly limestones,
the Clinton from 10 to 50 feet thick, according to the locality where it is
observed, the Niagara about 200. The lines of outcrop of these rocks are
nearly parallel with each other and to the margin of the Blue limestone,
and along this line the Clinton makes its only appearance in the State,
but the over -lying Magara, concealed in the central portion of the State
by over-lying strata, presently to be mentioned, reappears on the lake
shore, and forms the crown of the arch to which I have referred, down
nearly as far as Bellefontaine. The Clinton group will be remembered by
many when I say that it forms the cliffs bordering the Genesee below the
falls at Rochester ; the Magara, that it composes the shelf over which
the water pours in the great cascade from which it is named.

The Magara limestone has considerable economic value, inasmuch as
it furnishes much of the lime used in building in various portions of the
State, and is the rock so highly esteemed in southwestern Ohio, known
as the DaytoD stone.

THE SALINA AND LOWER HELDERBERG FORMATIONS.

The Magara is succeeded in the ascending scale by the Salina and
Water-lime groups which form the summit of the Silurian system. These
strata are so named, because the first and lowest contains the salt and
gypsum of central New York ; while the upper, as its name implies, is
characterized by the presence of hydraulic lime, and is the formation
which furnished the hydraulic cement manufactured in Western New
York and Louisville, Kentucky. These two limestone beds, with two
others and a bed of sandstone which overlie them, and the Clinton and
Magara below, were united under the name of the Cliff limestone, in the
reports of the former Geological Board. One of the results of our past
summer's work has been to resolve this Cliff limestone into its compo-
nent parts, and to show that it includes seven distinct formations, be-
longing to two great geological systems. Up to the time of the organiza-
tion of the present survey, it may be said that only one of the formations
composing the "Cliff" had been distincly recognized — the Corniferous
limestone, that of which the State House is constructed. Evidence of
the presence of the Magara had been obtained, but nothing definite was

16 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

known with regard to its geographical position, thickness, or relations
to the associated rocks.

The manner in which the Water-lime group was identified will serve to
illustrate the way .in which the different members of our geological series
have been investigated and their ages determined. It is now a well
recognized truth, that paleontology is an indispensable aid to the study
of our sedimentary rocks. Each formation is characterized by a greater
or less number of fossils, which are found only in them.

In the identification of the Water-lime group, I was guided entirely by
its fossils. The most easterly of the islands in Lake Erie, Kelley's
Island, was, I knew, composed of the Corniferious limestone, as it is full
of fossils characteristic of that formation ; but the more westerly islands^
Put-in-Bay, North and Middle Bass, &c, are wrought out of a hard gray
limestone, generally without fossils, and apparently quite different from
any portion of the " Cliff," as seen in the southern part of the State.
In this rock, after much search, I discovered a little bivalve crustacean,
having the form and size of a bean. This was at once recognized as
Leperditia alta, a fossil of the Water-lime portion of the Upper Silurian
of New York. With the Leperditia at the East are associated two or
three other fossils, found only in the Water-lime, and, for confirmation of
the indication one of the group had afforded, the others were diligently
sought, and at length were all found. Three of these are small shells,
the fourth a very peculiar crustacean, (Uurypterus remipes) having some-
what the form of a scorpion, but from 6 to 12 inches in length. In these
fossils we have irrefragible evidence of the identity of the rock forming
the islands I have named with the Water-lime of New York. Just
beneath this stratum lies the Salina group, which contains the Onondaga
gypsum and that of Sandusky. We subsequently found the water-lime
to form the surface rock over a large area in the interior of the State;
In several places it embraces strata that have hydraulic properties, and
by an examination of its outcrops we shall hereafter doubtless find, if
that has not already been done, an abundant supply of this useful min-
eral, for which we now pav more than $100,000 annually to our neighbors.

The Salina contains gypsum at Sandusky, and doubtless at other locali-
ties ; though this formation is so generally covered by the Water-lime
that the gypsum is less frequently accessible than could be desired. This
is also a great salt-bearing stratum, and evidence has already been gath-
ered which indicates that where not penetrated by surface water it will
furnish brine of the requisite strength, and probably in sufficient quan-
tity to make it an important item in our mineral resources.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 17

THE DEVONIAN SYSTEM.

The great group of rocks represented in the geology of Ohio, is that
called the Devonian system, — so named from its development ih Devon-
shire, England, — and a group well known to most intelligent persons at
the present day, through the glowing descriptions written by Hugh
Miller, of one portion of it — the Old Eed Sandstone — and the wonderful
fossil fishes it contains. In England fishes are first met with in the
Upper Silurian — the equivalent of the Niagara lime-stone — but in this
country no traces of vertebrates are found till we ascend to the Devonian.
Here, however, they occur in large numbers, and the rocks of Ohio have
furnished some of the largest and most remarkable of all these strange
forms of ancient life.

THE ORISKANY SANDSTONE.

In New York, the lowest member of the Devonian System is the Oris-
kany sandstone, a formation until the last year not recognized in Ohio,
but one which we have now identified in a number of localities, princi-
pally in the north-western quarter of the State. It is here represented
by a white saccharoidal sandstone, not more than ten feet thick, gener-
ally destitute of fossils, but furnishing a pure quartzose sand that is des-
tined to be largely employed in the arts for the manufacture of glass, &c.
Some of the characteristic fossils of the Oriskany, Spirifer arenosus, &c,
have been found in Indiana, near the Ohio line.

THE COENIFEEOTJS LIMESTONE.

Above the Oriskany comes a stratum of buff limestone, fifty feet or more
in thickness, generally crowded with fossils, corals, shells, crinoids, &c, and
in some localities altogether made up of masses and branches of coral,
representing, in fact, the coral reefs of the Devonian seas. Such is its
character on the islands of Lake Erie, and at the falls of the Ohio. This
formation is known to geologists as the Corniferous limestone, a name
given to it in New York, from the nodules of flint or hornstone which it
contains.- The Corniferous limestone forms two lines of outcrop in Ohio,
one on each side of the great anticlinal axis to which I have before re-
ferred. Of these outcrops, the most easterly includes Kelley's Island,
Marble Head and the country about Sandusky ; thence running nearly
southerly to the Ohio River, but in the central portion of the State ex
tending toward the west so as to include the region around BeMbntaine.
In the southern part of the State the Corniferous outcrop is, gradually
2 — Geological.

18 GEOLOGICAL, SURVEY OF OHIO.

narrowed ; the formation diminishing in thickness as it approaches the
Ohio, where it disappears altogether.

On the other side of the anticlinal axis the corniferous belt crosses the
State line at Sylvania, thence sweeps round to Port Defiance, and passes
into Indiana at Antwerp. This is the rock upon which Columbus stands,
and of which the State House is built. Its economic value is very great,
as is the interest attached to its fossil remains. It is perhaps the most
extensively employed for the manufacture of lime of all the rocks of the
State, and in certain localities it furnishes a building stone not inferior
in beauty and value to any other. The quarries of Mr. Clemens, on Mar-
ble Head, and those of Mr. Clark, of Delphos, Paulding county, may be
referred to as the source from which building stones are procured of spe-
cial beauty and excellence.*

The fossils contained in the Corniferous limestone are so varied and
numerous that I can only mention a few of the most interesting, the fishes,
to which I have already referred. These fishes form several genera and
species, one of which, Macropetalichthys Sullivanti, was first obtained
from the quarries of Mr. Joseph Sullivant, near Columbus, and was
named in his honor. This was a large buckler-headed fish, of which the
cranium, composed of articulated plates, was sometimes fifteen inches in
length, and closely resembled that of the sturgeon. Another still more
remarkable fish of the Corniferous limestone, is one of the many interest-
ing discoveries made by Mr. Hertzer. . This I have called Onychodus, from
the claw-like form of its teeth. The most striking feature in this great
fish was presented by the under jaws, which were as broad as one's arm,
and from twelve to eighteen inches in length, thickly set with teeth ;
while enclosed between their anterior extremities — in what anatomists
call the symphysis of the jaw — was a single crest of seven large conical
hooked teeth, so set as to act like the prow of a ram. Like most of these
ancient fishes it had a tessellated cranium, composed of plates covered
with a beautiful tuberculated and enameled surface. The Corniferous
limestone also containes some interesting fossil plants, among which are
two remarkable tree ferns, the oldest land plants yet found on this con-
tinent.

THE HAMILTON OHROUP.

In New York the Corniferous limestone is overlaid by the Marcellus
shale, and a compound mass of limestones and shales of very consider-
able thickness, to which the name of the Hamilton group has been given.

*These and otter important building stones of the State are represented in the
collections made by the Geological Corps daring the last summer, in blocks eight inches
square and four inches thick.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 19

This formation is quite largely developed in Michigan, but has never been
heretofore known to exist in Ohio. During the past summer, however,
we have discovered its representative in a band of bluish, marly lime-
stone, never exceeding twenty feet in thickness, resting upon the Cornif-
erous limestone where that is overlaid by more recent rocks. From this
marly limestone we have obtained many of the characteristic fossils of
the Hamilton group, such as Spirifer mucronatus, Strophodonta demism^
Phacops bufo, etc.

THE HURON SHALE.

Above the Hamilton beds comes the great mass of black, bituminous
shale, disignated by the former Geological Board as the " Black Slate."
This is a very remarkable formation, not only from its wide distribution,
but from its peculiar lithological character. Its outcrop forms a belt
from ten to twenty miles in width, reaching from the Lake shore at the
mouth of the Huron Biver, almost directly south to the mouth of the
Scioto. It is every where a black rock, and by its resemblance to coal
has given rise to innumerable mining schemes ; all of which, however,
have ended in disappointment, as, though useful for the production of oil
by distillation, it can never be successfully employed as fuel. The Huron
shale is on an average 350 feet thick, and containing at least 10 per cent,
of combustible matter, its carbon is equivalent to that of a coal seam
forty feet in thickness ; a greater aggregate of combustible material than
is contained in all the coal-bearing strata of the State. Doubtless the
time will come when this great store of power will be in some way made
available, but for the present its utilization seems for the most part be-
yond our reach. By reference to the geological map, it will be seen that
all the north-western corner of the State is colored with a dark tint, to
correspond with that of the Black shale belt between the Lake and the
Ohio. This is so colored, because we have lately learned that the Huron
shale forms the surface rock in this region over an area of several coun-
ties. In all geological maps made previous to the one now published, the
Huron shale is represented as forming the Lake shore from near Sandusky
to Conneaut, and it has generally been supposed to be the equivalent of
the Hamilton group of New York. During the progress of the explora-
tions of the last summer, however, we discovered that east of Avon
Point, this black shale nowhere makes its appearance in the State, but
that the shore of the Lake on the Reserve is composed of another and
more recent group of shales. We have also obtained, in various localities,
fossils which prove that this formation represents, in part at least, the
Portage group of If ew York, and that . it is all more recent than the
Hamilton.

20 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

Much of the doubt which has hung around the age of the Huron shale
has been due to the fact that it has been confounded with the Cleveland
shale, which lies several hundred feet above it, and that the fossils (with-
out which, as we have said, it is generally impossible to accurately deter-
mine the age of any of the sedimentary rocks) had not been found. Yet,
with diligent search, we have now discovered not only fossils sufficient to
identify this formation with the Portage of New York, but the acute eye
of Mr. Hertzer has detected, in certain calcareous concretions which
occur near the base, at Delaware, Monroeville, etc., fossils of great scien-
tific interest. These concretions are often spherical, are sometimes twelve
feet in diameter, and very frequently contain organic nuclei around which
they have formed. These nuclei are either portions of the trunks of large
coniferous trees allied to our pines, replaced particle by particle by silica,
so that their structure can be studied almost as well as that of the recent
wood, or large bones. With the exception of some trunks of tree-ferns
which we have found in the Corniferous limestone of Delaware and San-
dusky, these masses of silicified wood are the oldest remains of a land
vegetation yet found in the State. The Silurian rocks everywhere abound
with impressions of sea-weeds, but not until now had we found proof that
there were, in the Devonian age, continental surfaces covered with forests
of trees similar in character to, and rivaling in magnitude, the pines of
the present day.*

The bones contained in these concretions are those of gigantic fishes,
larger, more powerful, and more singular in their organization than any
of those immortalized by Hugh Miller. These fishes we owe to the in-
dustry and acuteness of Mr. Hertzer, and in recognition of that fact I
have named the most remarkable one Binichfhys Hertzeri, or Hertzer's
terrible fish. This name will not seem ill-chosen when I say that the fish
that now bears it had a head three feet long by two feet broad, and that
his under jaws were more than two feet in length and five inches deep.
They are composed of dense bony tissue, and are turned up anteriorly
like sled-runners, the extremities of both jaws meeting to form one great
.triangular tooth, which interlocked with two in the upper jaw seven
inches in length and more than three inches wide. It is apparent from
the structure of these jaws that they could easily embrace in their grasp
the body of a man — perhaps of a horse — and as they were doubtless
moved by muscles of corresponding power, they could crush such a body
as we would crack an egg-shell.

* Prof. J. W. Dawson, of Montreal, has made known a very rich and interesting florae—
similar to that of the coal period — found in the upper Deyonian rocks of New Bruns-
wick ; and has described many other land plants, from New York and Canada, obtained
from strata, some of which are of Hamilton age.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 21

THE BRIE SHALE.

The mass of shale to which I have referred as forming the Lake shore,
is on the eastern border of the State, several hundred feet in thickness,
but, like most of our rocks composed of mechanical sediment, it thins
out toward the west, and in central Ohio has entirely disappeared. This
formation also for many years formed debatable ground to geologists, but
during the past summer we have been able to gather from it numerous
fossils (Spirifer Verneuilii, Leiorliynchus mesacostalis, etc.) of species which
prove the beds containing them to be the equivalent of the Chemung
group of the New York geologists. The Erie shales are bluish or greenish
in color, but, though in some places four hundred feet thick, they include
less of interest or value than perhaps any other formation in our series,
and therefore need not detain us. They form, as we now know, the sum-
mit of the Devonian formation, and immediately underlie the most in ter
esting and valuable division of our geology.

THE CARBONIFEROUS SYSTEM.

As is known to most persons, the Carboniferous formation is so named
from the beds of coal it contains in Europe and America, where our geo-
logical nomenclature originated. Researches in other countries, made
within a few years past, have, however, proved that more recent groups
of rocks — as the Triassie in China, and the Cretaceous and Tertiary in
our western Territories — include an equal amount of combustible matter,
and perhaps as well deserve the name Carboniferous.

In Europe, the Carboniferous formation is divided into three great
groups ; the Lower Carboniferous or Mountain Limestone, the Carbonif-
erous Conglomerate or Millstone Grit, and the Coal Measures, or the
strata containing the workable seams of coal. In many parts of our
country this is precisely the structure of the Carboniferous series, but in
Ohio the Lower Carboniferous rocks consist mostly of mechanical sedi-
ments — sandstone, shale, etc. — and the Mountain Limestone is almost
entirely wanting.

The lowest member which we possess of the Carboniferous group is
that well known to most persons under the name of the " Waverly sand-
stone," a name derived from the town of Waverly, in Pike county, where
famous quarries are located upon it. By referring to the map, it will be
seen that the south-eastern third of the State is colored of a uniform
dark brown tint. This represents the Coal Measures. Parallel with the
margin of this dark area is a narrow belt of red, which represents the

22 GEOLOGICAL SUBVEY OF OHIO.

Carboniferous Conglomerate. Outside of this a still broader belt of
yellow occupies the position of the outcrop of the Waverly group — that
which we are now considering. In southern Ohio this formation, accord-
ing to Prof. Andrews, is 640 feet in thickness, composed mostly of sandy
shales and ochery sandstone. Aside from the band of building stone to
which I have referred, called the City Ledge, some five feet in thickness,
and a stratum of highly bituminous shale just below it, sixteen feet thick
(distilled for oil, and rich in interesting fossils}, the group here possesses
few elements of economic value. In the northern part of the State,
it is much less homogeneous, and is composed of the following elements :

1'eet.
Cuyahoga Shale (dove colored shale and fine blue sandstone) - 130

Berea Grit (drab sandstone) 50

Bedford Shale (red and blue clay shale) 60

Cleveland Shale (black bituminous shale) 20-60

Of these the, Berea Grit is one of the most valuable elements in our
geological series, inasmuch as, quarried at Amherst, Berea, Independ-
ence, etc., it is a source from which we derive, in the form of grindstones,
building stone, etc., at least a million of dollars annually. The value of
this stone for the purposes I have enumerated is too well known to re-
quire amplification. It is not only largely employed within our State,
but exported both east and west, and is being used for the most beautiful
and expensive public and private buildings in all our great cities.

This Waverly group is a vast s'torehouse of fossils, many of which,
especially the fishes, are of great interest. These have beea collected in
considerable numbers during the past season, and the study given to
them has enabled me to decide the long-mooted question of the age of
the formation containing, them. By most geologists, this has been con-
sidered as a portion of the Devonian formation, and the equivalent ot
the Chemung and Portage of New York ; but, as I have shown, these
groups are represented by the Brie and Huron shales, which underlie the
"Waverly ; and the fossils to which I have referred prove beyond all
doubt that the latter group is a portion of the Carboniferous system.

These fossils are Paloeonisms 2 species, Ctenaeanthus 3, Gyracanfhus 2,
Orodws 2, JSelodus 2, Polyrhizodm 1, Cladodus 3 / all Carboniferous forms,
with great numbers of mollusks and crinoids, of which many species
have been found elsewhere in the Lower Carboniferous, and some in the
Coal measures. Among the latter I may cite Spirifer cameratus, Produe-
tns semi-retimlatm, Streptorhynchtts umbraculum, and others.*

* Prof. Winchell, State Geologist of Michigan, who has studied the mollusks of the
Michigan equivalent of the Waverly, has for some years asserted that it was. of Carbon-
iferous age.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 23

We have also discovered that the species found in this formation,
claimed by some geologists to be indentical with those characteristic of
the Devonian of other States, have all been wrongly named, and that so
far as now known, no Devonian species occur in the Waverly.

THE CARBONIFEROUS CONGLOMERATE.

This rests upon the Waverly and forms the floor of the Coal measures ; its
line of outcrop forming a narrow belt, encircling all the coal area. It is
generally a coarse sandstone interstratifled with beds of greater or less
thickness, composed mostly of rolled quartz pebbles, and constituting a
typical pudding stone. The average thickness of the Conglomerate is
perhaps one hundred feet, and it contains large numbers of fossil plants,
generally similar to those found in the Coal measures. In some localities
it also furnishes very beautiful building stone ; perhaps the most beauti-
ful in our country. The places where it exhibits its best phases, are
Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, in Summit county^ and Mansfield, Eichland
county. The rock quarried at the first-named place, is of a deep pur-
plish red, and has been used in the construction of some of the finest
residences in the State.

THE COAL MEASURES.

The Coal measures consist of a series of sandstones, shales, limestones,
fire clays and beds of coal, of which the latter are the most important
and interesting. The geographical area occupied by the coal rocks, as
has been stated, comprises the south-eastern third of the State. As the
general dip of all our rocks east of the great anticlinal, is towards the
east, the Coal measures, which form the highest member of our series,
grow thicker in that direction. In the vicinity of Wheeling, near the
centre of the Alleghany coal basin — of which our coal area forms a part
— the Coal measures have a thickness of about 1,500 feet, and include,
perhaps, ten workable seams of coal, under each of which is a stratum of
fire clay. These latter also contribute their quota to the great ecomical
value of this part of our geology. Many of the sandstones of the Coal
measures furnish excellent building materal; the limestones are useful
for quicklime, and in the localities where they contain an unusual per-
centage of clay, they can be used for the manufacture of hydraulic;
cement.

The coal rocks are full of the remains of animal and vegetable life..
In the many years which I have devoted to the study of the geology of
the Coal formation in Ohio, I have collected several hundred species of
these fossils, of which a large number are new to science. Some of the

24 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

more interesting species are represented in the drawings which have
been submitted with the other materials forming our first report.

With the plants, which constitute the most characteristic fossils of the
Coal measures, we have found many shells, fishes and amphibians, and
it is apparent that in this group of rocks we have a store of material
which in its richness is pretty certain to exceed our means of illustration.

The economical value of the mineral staples contained in this portion
of our geological series, is such as to demand somewhat fuller exposition
than I have given of the other subjects touched upon in the preceding
hasty sketch of the geology of our State. I shall therefore venture to
devote several pages each in the chapter on Economic Geology, to topics
so important as Coal and Iron ; since they constitute the Jcraft und
stoff, the force and matter of modern material progress.

THE DRIFT.

The materials known as the Drift deposits, are beds of sand, gravel
and boulders, which form the surface of a large part of our State, and
which have received the name of Drift, because they are generally foreign
to the localities where they are found, and have beentransported (drifted)
sometimes hundreds of miles from their places of origin.

In Ohio, we have no geological formations intervening between the
Coal measure and the Drift, and therefore have no representatives of the
Permian, Triassic, Cretaceous or Tertiary. The reason of this is simply
that about the close of the Carboniferous period the Alleghany Mount-
ains were raised, carrying up all the area lying between the Mississippi
and the Atlantic. Since that time no considerable portion of this region
has been submerged, and therefore no deposits were made upon it during
the ages I have enumerated. West of the Mississippi, the land has been
long and often below the ocean level since the Carboniferous period, and
there all the newer formations are well represented.

The phenomena presented by the Drift are very varied and interesting,
and it is evident that the Drift period formed one of the strangest and
most' important chapters in all our geological history. Like most of the
formations enumerated in the preceding pages, the Drift deposits have
been discussed at considerable length ; and while it is true of the other
groups, that a few words may suffice to convey a clear idea of them, or
at least of the new things we have learned about them, the Drift phe-
nomena are too complicated, too little known and too interesting to be
so summarily dismissed. Hence, I am compelledto quote considerably
at length from my report in order to impart any definite conception of
the subject,

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 25

The most important facts which the study of the Drift has brought to
light, are briefly as follows :

1st. Over the northern half of North America, and down as low as
Dayton, in Ohio, we find, not everywhere, but in most localities where the
nature of the underlying rocks is such as to retain inscriptions made upon
them, the upper surface of these rocks planed, furrowed or excavated in a
peculiar and striking manner, evidently by the action of one great denuding
agent. None who has seen glaciers and noticed the effect they produce
on the rocks over which they move, upon examining good examples of the
markings to which I have referred, will fail to pronounce them the tracks
of glaciers.

Though having a general north-south direction, locally the glacial fur-
rows have very different bearings, conforming in a rude way to the
present topography, and following the direction of the great lines of
drainage.

2d. Beneath the Drift deposits the rock surfaces are, in many localities,
excavated to form a system of basins and channels, often cut several hundred
feet below the lakes and rivers that now occupy them.

These channels frequently exhibit traces of ice action, and we may say
that they have generally been modified, if not produced by ice, and date
from the Ice period, or an earlier epoch.

These valleys form a connected system of drainage at a lower level
than the present river system — lower, in many places, than the surface
of the ocean — and hence lower than could be produced without a conti-
nental elevation of several hundred feet. A few examples will suffice to
show on what evidence these statements are based.

Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Brie and Lake Ontario, are basins
excavated in undisturbed sedimentary rocks. Of these, Lake Michigan
is 600 feet deep, with a surface level of 578 feet above tides ; Lake Huron
is 500 feet deep, with a surface level of 574 feet ; Lake Erie is 204 feet
deep, with a surface level of 565 feet ; Lake Ontario is 450 feet deep, with
a surface level of 234 feet above the sea.

An old, excavated, nonfilled channel connects Lake Erie and Lake
Huron. At Detroit the rock surface is 130 feet below the city. In the
oil regions of Bothwell and Enniskillen from 50 to 200 feet of clay over-
lies the rock. What the greatest depth of this channel is, is not known.
At Toledo, the rock surface is 140 feet below the lake. An excavated
trough runs southward from Lake Michigan to the north line of Iroquois
county, Illinois ; thence south-west through Champaign county, beyond
which point it has not been traced. Its western margin is very sharply
marked at Ohatsworth, Livingston county, where it has a depth of 200

26 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

feet, and reaches to the Cincinnati group. Farther north its bounding
walls are composed of Niagara limestone, which forms buried shoulders
on the Calumet and Kankakee rivers. At Bloomington this trough ac-
quires a depth of 230 feet, and it there contains one or more strata of
carbonaceous earth, with trunks of trees supposed to represent ancient
soils. Where penetrated in other localities the depth of this channel is
from 75 to 200 feet, and it is filled with clay, sand, gravel, etc., (Prof. J.
F. Bradley.)

The rock bottoms of the troughs of the Mississippi and Missouri, near
their junction or below, have never been reached, but they are many feet,
perhaps some hundreds, beneath the present stream beds.

The borings for oil in the vallies of the western rivers have enabled me
not only to demonstrate the existence of deeply buried channels of exca-
vation, but, in some instances, to map them out. Oil Creek flows from
75 to 100 feet above its old channel, and that channel had sometimes
vertical and even overhanging cliffs. The Beaver, at the junction of the
Mahoning and Shenango, runs 150 feet above the bottom of its old trough.
The Ohio, throughout its entire course, runs in a valley which has been
cut nowhere less than 150 feet below the present river.

The Cuyahoga enters Lake Erie at Cleveland more than 100 feet above
the rock bottom of its excavated trough. The Chagrin, Vermillion, and
other streams running into Lake Erie, exhibit the same phenomena, and
prove that the surface level of the lake must once have been at least 100
feet lower than now.

At New Philadelphia the Tuscarawas is running 175 feet above its
ancient bed. At Cincinnati the gravel and sand have been found to reach
over 100 feet below low water mark, and the bottom of the trough has
not been reached. At the junction of the Anderson with the Ohio in
Indiana, a well was sunk 94 feet below the level of the Ohio before rock
was found, (Hamilton Smith.) At Steubenville the railroad bride across
the Ohio is built on cribs, the rock bottom of the channel not being
reached. One of the piers of the St. Louis bridge was sunk in sand and
gravel nearly 100 feet below the bottom of the Mississippi.

The falls of the Ohio, formed by a rocky barrier across the stream,
though at first sight seeming to disprove the theory of a deep, continuous
channel in our western rivers, really afford no argument against it ; for
here, as in many other instances, the present river does not follow accu-
rately the line of the old channel, but runs along one side of it. At the
Louisville falls, the Ohio runs across a rocky point which projects from
the north side into the old valley, while the deep channel passes on the
south side, under the low lands, on which fie city of Louisville is built.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 27

The importance of a knowledge of these old channels in the improve-
ment of the navigation of onr larger rivers and lakes, is obvious ; and it
is possible that it would have led to the adoption of other means than a
rock cutting for passing the Louisville falls, had it been possessed by
those concerned in this enterprise.

If it is true that our great lakes can be connected with each other, and
with the ocean, both by the Hudson and Mississippi, by ship canals — in
making which no elevated summits nor rock barriers need be cut through
— the future commerce created by the great population and immense re-
sources of the basin of the great lakes may require their construction.

3d. Upon the glacial surf ace we find a series of unconsolidated materials,
generally stratified, called the " Drift Deposits."

Of these, the first and lowest are blue or red clays (the Brie clays of Sir
William Logan), generally regularly stratified in thin layers, and con-
taining no fossils but drifted coniferous wood and leaves. Over the
southern and eastern part of the lake basin these clays contain almost no
boulders, but towards the north and west they include scattered stones,
often of large size, while in places beds of boulders and gravel are found
resting directly upon the glacial surface.

In Ohio, the Erie clays are blue, nearly 200 feet thick, and reach up the
hill-sides more than 200 feet above the present surface of Lake Brie. On
the shores of Lake Michigan these clays are, in part, derived from different
rocks, and they there include great numbers of stones.

On the peninsula between Lake Erie and Lake Huron, the Erie clays
fill the old channel which formerly connected these lakes, having a thick-
ness of over 200 feet, and containing a few scattered stones.

Above the Erie clays are sands of variable thickness and less widely
spread than the underlying clays. These sands contain beds of gravel,
and near the surface teeth of elephants have been fouud, sometimes
water-worn and rounded.

Upon the stratified clays, sands and -gravel of the drift deposits, are
scattered boulders and blocks of all sizes, of granite, greenstone (diorite
and dolerite), siliceous and mica slates, generally traceable to some
locality in the Eozoic area north of the lakes. Among these boulders
have been found many masses of native copper, which could have come
from nowhere else than the copper district of Lake Superior.

Most of these transported stones are rounded by attrition, but the large
blocks of Corniferous limestone scattered over the southern margin of the
lake basin in Ohio, show little marks of wear. Some of these masses — 10
to 20 feet in diameter — have been transported from 100 to 200 miles south-

28 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

eastward from their place of origin, and deposited 300 feet above the
position they once occupied.

Above all these drift deposits, and more recent than any of them, are
the "lake ridges" — embankments of sand, gravel, sticks, leavs, etc.,
which run imperfectly parallel with the present outlines of the lake mar-
gins. Of these the lowest on the south shore of Lake Erie is a little less
than 100 feet above the present level of the lake ; the highest some 250
feet. In New York, Canada, Michigan, and on Lake Superior, a similar
series of ridges has been discovered, and they have everywhere been
accepted as evidence that the waters of the lakes once reached the points
they mark ; that they are nothing else than ancient lake beaches I shall
hope to prove further on.

In the southern half of the Mississippi Valley, the evidences of glacial
action are entirely wanting, and there is nothing corresponding to the
wide spread drift deposits of the north. We there find, however, proofs
of erosion on a stupendous scale — such as the valley of Bast Tennessee —
which has been formed by the washing out of all the broken strata
between the ridges of the Alleghanies and the massive tables of the
Cumberland Mountains — the canons of the Tennessee 1600 feet deep, etc.
Here, also, as in the lake basin, the channels of excavation pass below
the deep and quiet waters of the lower rivers, proving by their depth that
they must have been cut when the fall of these rivers was much greater
than now.

The history which I derive from the facts cited above is briefly this :

1st. At a period probably synchronous with the glacial epoch of Europe
— at least corresponding to it in the sequence of events — the northern
half of the continent of North America had a climate comparable with
that of Greenland ; so cold, that wherever there was a copious precipita-
tion of moisture from oceanic evaporation, that moisture was congealed,
and formed glaciers which flowed by various routes toward the sea.

2d. That the courses of these ancient glaciers corresponded in a general
way with the present channels of drainage. The direction of the glacial
furrows proves that one of these ice rivers flowed from Lake Huron
along the channel now filled with drift, and known to be at least 150 feet
deep, into Lake Erie, which was then not a lake, but an excavated valley,
into which the streams of Northern Ohio flowed, 100 feet or more below
the present lake level. Following the line of the major axis of Lake
Erie to near its eastern extermity, here turning north-east this glacier
passed through some channel on the Canadian side — now filled up — into
Lake Ontario, and thence found its way to the sea, either by the St.
Lawrence or by the Mohawk and Hudson.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 29

Another glacier occupied the bed of Lake Michigan, having an outlet
southward through a channel now concealed by the heavy beds of drift
which occupy the surface about the south end of the lake, passing near
Bloomington, Illinois, and by some route yet unknown reaching the
trough of the Mississippi, which was then much deeper than at present.

3d. At this period the continent must have been several hundred feet
higher than now, as is proved by the deeply excavated channels of the
Hudson, Mississippi, Columbia, Golden Gate, etc., which could never
have been cut by the streams that now occupy them, unless when flowing
with greater rapidity and at a lower level than they now do. Similar
submarine troughs lead out from the mouths of the Chesapeake and
Delaware Bays, showing that the Susquehanna, Potomac, York and James
rivers were once branches of a single stream, which like the Schuylkill,
had its mouth far to the east of the present coast line.

The depth of the trough of the Hudson is not known, but it is plainly
a channel of erosion, now submerged and become an arm of the sea.
This channel is marked on the sea bottom ^for along distance from the
coast, and far beyond a point where the present river could exert any
erosive action, and hence it is a record of a period when the Atlantic
coast was -several hudred feet higher than now. (J. D. Dana.)

The lower Mississippi gives unmistakable evidence of being — if one
may be permitted the paradox — a half-drowned river ; that is, its old
channel is deeply submerged and silted up, so that the " Father of Wa-
ters," lifted above the walls that formerly restrained him, now wanders
lawless and ungovernable, whither he will, in the broad valley.

4th. The Ice period — a period of continental elevation and of active
erosion — was followed by a water period, when the continent was de-
pressed live hundred feet or more below its present level ; when the cli-
mate was much warmer than before, when the glaciers retreated north-
ward and were gradually replaced, in tiie basin of the great lakes, by an
inland sea of fresh water. In this period were deposited the fine, lami-
nated clays (Erie clays) which cover so much of the glacial surface in
the interior of the continent, and the " Champlain clays," that hold the
same relative position on the Atlantic slope. The Champlain clays con-
tain abundant marine, arctic shells, but the Erie clays are not certainly
known to contain any fossils except floated trunks, branches and leaves
of coniferous trees — pines and spruces — now growing on the northern
part of the continent.

5th. After the deposition of the Erie clays, sand, gravel and boulders
in large quaniti.es were transported from the region north of the lakes,
and spread over a wide area south of them. That these materials were
not carried by currents of water or glaciers is certain ; as either of these

30 GEOLOGICAL SUBVET OF OHIO.

transporting agents would have torn up the Erie clays, which now form
an unbroken sheet beneath them. We are therefore forced to the con-
clusion that they were floated to their resting places, and that by ice-
bergs. Icebergs are always formed by the rupture of the end of a gla-
cier protruded into the sea ; and they always carry boulders, gravel and
sand from their places of origin, and deposit them when they melt.
When our lake-basin glaciers had retreated to the highlands north of
the lakes, icebergs were detached from them, and floated southward,
sowing sand, gravel and boulders broadcast over the southern shallows,
just as they are now doing over the banks of Newfoundland and the
bottom of the Antarctic ocean.

6th. During the water period, the old, deeply excavated channels of
our river system were silted up — in many cases entirely obliterated — and
up to a certain level all the asperities of the surface smoothed over by the
Drift deposits, just as minor inequalities are effaced by a fall of snow.

7th. Following the water period, ensued an era of continental eleva-
tion, which progressed until the present level was reached, and the
Champlain clays and the other Drift deposits were raised several hun-
dred feet above the ocean level. By this elevation of the continent most
of the old lines of drainage were re-established, and the rivers began
the work of clearing out their old channels. In most cases this work is
not yet half done, and in many — as the Genesee, at Portage, New York
Eocky Eiver, in Cuyahoga county, O., and others too numerous to men
tion — the line of lowest levels taken by the new streams did not follow
their old routes, and new channels were formed. Some of these have
been cut down one hundred feet or more in the solid rock, so that this,
the last phase in the Drift phenomena, has consumed ages of time.

8th. The last emergence of the continent took place slowly, as we
know, and its progress was marked by periods of repose. In these in-
tervals of rest our terraces, old shore-cliffs and lake ridges were formed,
and this may be properly designated as the Terrace epoch. Local and
minor terraces are formed by constantly deepening streams swinging
from side to side in their valleys, but all the great and general terraces
were formed by the arrest in dead water of the materials transported by
flowing water. Old shore-cliffs are beautifully shown in many places
along the lines of outcrop of the Conglomerate and Berea Grit in Lorain,
Medina, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, etc. The lake-ridges mark old shore
lines, on a sloping surface composed of drift materials. Just such are
now being formed around the south end of Lake Michigan, between
Cedar Point and Huron, on Lake Erie, and in a thousand plaees along
the Atlantic cost, especially in Virginia and the Carolinas. In the

GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY OP OHIO. 31

north-western portion of Ohio the lake-ridges form a series of curves,
imperfectly parallel with each other and the present lake shore. From
the nature of the material composing them, and their elevation above
the surrounding surface, they are always well drained, so that the roads
of that section are often located on them. The "ridge roads" are well
known, and they mark the lines of the principal ridges.

The formation of these ridges was the last act in the drama of the
Drift. When the upper ones were formed, the whole lake basin and
much of the country bordering the upper Mississippi was submerged by
one great inland sea. Even when the ridge which ran through the city
of Cleveland was formed, the water of Lake Erie stood one hundred feet
higher than now, and all our great lakes formed a single sheet of water,
broken only by a few scattered islands. The depression of the water
level was apparently caused by the cutting down of the 'outlets. , That
process is perhaps going on as rapidly now as ever. The last hundred
feet of depression of the water surface, we know, has been effected by
the cutting down of the Niagara barrier, and every day now must wit-
ness something removed from it by the torrent that rushes over it.
Larger lakes than those on which we now pride ourselves have been
emptied, in the western part of our country, by the cutting down of
the gorges of the Columbia, Klamath and Sacramento; and it is evident
that, if present causes continue to operate, at no very remote period,
geologically speaking, all our lake basins will be converted into vallies
traversed by rivers.

9th. In the retreat of the shore line from the contraction of the water
surface to its present area, every part of the slope between the present
and highest ancient lake levels — i. e., all within a vertical height of three
hundred feet — must have been submitted to the action of the shore
waves, rain and rivers, by which these loose materials were rolled,
ground, sorted and shifted until little was left of the original bedding.
The fine materials — clay and sand — must have been washed out and car-
ried farther and still farther into the lake basin, to form, in short, the
upper sandy layers of the Drift.

In this " modified Drift," especially in the old river deltas, the remains
of elephant and mastodon are frequently found; never, so far as yet
known, in the older, true Drift.

I have said that the erratic blocks, of northern origin, which stud the
surface over so large a space south of the lakes, were the last of the
Drift deposits. That the lake ridges are of later date is proven by the
fact that; while the ridges often traverse surfac.es strewed with boulders,
none of these are ever found on them.

32 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

In all the changes of elevation and climate which the valley of the
Mississippi experienced during the Drift period, its general structure
and main topographical features remained the same ; yet the character
of its surface suffered very important modifications, and such as deeply
affected its fitness for human occupation. Going back to the later Ter-
tiary ages for a starting point, we find the following sequence of events
recorded :

a. In the Miocene and Pliocene epochs: The continent several hun-
dred feet lower than now ; the ocean reaching to Louisville and Iowa ;
great lakes in the country bordering the Upper Missouri ; a sub-tropical
climate prevailing over the lake region ; the climate of Greenland and
Alaska as warm as that of southern Ohio now, (palms growing as far
north as Lake Superior) ; herds of gigantic mammals, elephant, masto-
don, rhinoceros, &c, with great cats and other carnivorous animals cor-
responding in size and numbers to their prey, the herbivorous, all now
extinct, ranging over a fertile and beautiful surface.

b. A pre-glacial epoch of gradual continental elevation, in which the
erosion of our lake basins and river valleys, began long before, was
continued with Increasing energy as the elevation of the surface became
greater, giving greater fall to the streams, and supplying, by greater
breadth of surface and better condensers, an increased flow of drainage.
Accompanying this elevation and in part dependent upon it, but mainly
due to astronomical causes, was a depression of temperature which cul-
minated in the " Glacial Epoch," when the continent was many hundred
feet higher than now, the climate of Ohio was similiar to that of Green-
land at present, and glaciers covered a large part of the surface down to
the parallel of 40 degrees. These glaciers planed down much of the
more level surface, but along the drainage lines widened the valleys of
the water- courses, and excavated the basins of our great lakes. By the
cold of the " Glacial Epoch," the Arctic flora and fauna were brought
down to our latitude ; the tertiary flora and fauna driven southward and
to a great degree destroyed.

c. The ice period was followed by another interval of continental sub-
sidence, characterized by a warmer climate, by melting glaciers, by an
inland sea of fresh water filling all the lake basins, and by the deposit
of the clays, sands and boulders of the Drift (Erie clays, Ohamplain
clays, &c.,)

d. Another epoch of elevation, probably still progressing, in which
the water surface has been much diminished, the silted-up valleys of the
streams partly cleared, the terraces and lake ridges formed, and a wide
territory, covered with the drift deposits, opened to human occupation.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 33

Much of the topographical monotony which characterizes the north-
western part of the State, is due to the spread of the drift clays over all
the irregularity of the underlying rocks. The system of agriculture
pursued in all this region has followed as a necessity the deposition of
these clays ; so that they have not only determined the occupation of a
large portion of our people, but have affected all their modes of thought
and action, and they may almost be said to underlie the manners and
morals,' as they do the farms and towns, of all the dairy districts.

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.

COAL.

Coal is entitled to be considered as the mainspring of our civilization.
By the power developed in its combustion, all the wheels of industry are
kept in motion, commerce is carried with rapidity and certainty over all
portions of the earth's surface, the useful metals are brought from the
deep caves in which they have hidden themselves, and are purified and
wrought to serve the purposes of man. By coal, night is in one sense
converted into day, winter into summer, and the life of man, measured
by its fruits, greatly prolonged. Wealth, with all the comforts, the
luxuries and the triumphs it brings, is its gift. Though black, sooty and
often repulsive in its aspects, it is the embodiment of a power more
potent than that attributed to the genii in oriental tales. Its possession
is, therefore, the highest material boon that can be craved by a community
or nation. Coal is also not ' without its poetry. It has been formed
under the stimulus of the sunshine of long past ages, and the light and
power it holds are nothing else than such sunshine stored in this black
casket, to wait the coming and serve the purposes of man. In the pro-
cess of formation it composed the tissues of those strange trees that
lifted their sealed trunks and waved their feathery foliage over the
marshy shores of the carboniferous continent, where not only no man
was, but gigantic salamanders and mail-clad fishes were the monarchs of
the animated world.

On this picture, however, we have no time to dwell ; our present pur-
pose is to consider coal in its utilitarian aspect, and to show what it is
and for what it can be used.

That the assertions I have made in regard to the economic value of
coal are not exaggerations, will be apparent by a glance at the present
material condition of the civilized,, world.

Of all the nations of Europe, England is the most powerful, because
she is the richest. Though occupying a group of islands insignificant in
3 — Geological.

34 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

area, she has spread her power over the entire globe, and it is her boast
that the sun never sets on her possessions. It is well known to the
political economist that the source of England's wealth has been her
manufacturing industry; and the main-spring of her industry has been
her stores of coal. In this respect , she enjoys a great pre-eminence over
all the nations of Europe. The United Kingdoms have a coal area that
has been reckoned at 10,000 square miles, while in round numbers
Belgium has 500, France 2,000, Spain 4,000, and the other nations* of
Europe still less. The annual coal production of Great Britain is now
more than 100,000,000 tons, and a very short calculation will suffice to
show what an important contribution this makes to her national' wealth.
The power developed in the combustion of a pound of coal, is reckoned
by engineers as equal to 1,500,000 foot-pounds. The power exerted by a
man of ordinary strength during a day of labor is about the same ; so
that a pound of coal may be regarded as equivalent to a day's labor of a
man. Hence three hundred pounds will represent the labor of a man
for a year. It has been estimated that 20,000,000 tons of the an-
nual coal product of Great Britain is devoted to the development of
motive power, and that this is equivalent to the labor of 133,000,000 of
men. These men, in this calculation, are considered as exerting. merely
" brute force ; " but since they may all be regarded as producers only,
and not consumers — the profit on the balance of her coal product fully
covering all expenses — we are safe in estimating the contribution made
to the wealth of Great Britain, by her annual coal product, as equal to
that of 133,000,000 of skilled operatives laboring for her enrichment.

Such being the value to a nation or community of this combustible,
let us see how our nation and our State have shared in nature's gifts. ~-

The area of the coal field of Carboniferous age, laying within the
limits of the United States, has been estimated at 150,000 square miles.
The productive coal area of Ohio is not less than 10,000 square miles, or
quite equal to that possessed by Great Britain, and far in excess of that
of any other European nation.

I have said that the annual coal production of Great Britain is over
100,000,000 tons — a rate of expenditure of capital which is seriously
alarming British economists. In Ohio the annual coal production is now
about 3,000,000 tons. So it will be seen that we not only have an almost
inexhaustible source of wealth in our coal fields, but that as yet we have
scarcely begun to draw from this treasury. Hence I was justified in
saying, as I did, that this promised to be by far the most important
source of our power and material progress ; and one of the most import-
ant duties pressing upon our legislators, and on us as geologists, is, by

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 35

all means in our power, to promote the rapid and intelligent development
of all the industries that are to spring from this source.

In order that we may more clearly apprehend the nature and capabili-
ties of the material which has such potency, and with which we are so
richly endowed, I will briefly describe some of the varieties which it
exhibits, and the uses to which they are adapted.

Coal is now considered by all chemists and geologists of any standing,
as of organic origin, and it may be easily demonstrated that It has been
derived from the decomposition of vegetable tissue. As we find it in
the earth, it forms one of a series of carbonaceous minerals which repre.
sent but different stages in a progressive change from vegetable tissue
as found in the living plant. In peat and lignite, we witness the first
step in the formation of coal. Peat is bitumenized vegetation, generally
mosses and other herbaceous plants, which under favorable circumstances
accumulates in marshes, hence called peat-bogs. Lignite is the product
of a similar change effected in woody tissue ; and because it retains, to a
greater or less degree, the form and structure of wood, it has received
the name it bears. Peat is the product of the present period, and lig-
nites are found in deposits of recent geological age. In the older forma-
tions, these carbonaceous accumulations, still further changed, are oitvr
minous coal. Where special and local causes have operated to carry
the change still farther, as where the beds of coal have been involved in the
upheaval of mountains, and heat has acted upon it, it is converted into
anthracite. Where this metamorphosis has been carried still farther, the
result is graphite, or black lead.

Most of the mineral fuels employed by the civilized nations of the
world belong to the class of bituminous coals, but in our own country,
up to the present time, by far the largest quantity of coal produced and
consumed has been anthracite, because our beds of -coal which lie nearest
the sea-board and have been longest worked, are of this character.
These are, however, of the same age with our Ohio coal beds, and the
peculiar phase which the coals of eastern Pennsylvania exhibit, is due to
the fact that a portion of the great Alleghany coal-field was involved in
the upheaval of the Alleghany mountains, and the coal, in common with
the associated rocks, was greatly metamorphosed; its gaseous matter
being nearly all driven off by the great heat which attended the eleva-
tion of the mountains.

The changes which vegetable tissue has suffered in passing through
the various stages I have enumerated, are not only physical but chemi-
cal. They have been carefully studied by several eminent chemists, and
have been so fully explained, that they may be comprehended by any
intelligent person. The rationale of this process may be seen at a glance

36

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

by reference to the following formulae, taken from BischofiPs Chemical
Geology :

Wood. Loss. Feat.

Carbon 49.1 — 21.50 = 27.6

Hydrogen 6.3 — 3.50 ' = 2.8

Oxygen 44.6 — 29.10 = 15.5

Wood. Loss. Lignite.

Carbon 49.1 — 18.65 = 30.45

Hydrogen 6.3 — 3.25 = 3.05

Oxygen.: 44.6 — 84.40 = 20.20

Lignite. Loss. Bituminous Coal.

Carbon 30.45 — 12.35 = 18.10

Hydrogen 3.05 — 1.85 = 1.20

Oxygen 20.20 — 18.13 = 2.07

Bituminous Coal. Loss. Anthracite.

Carbon 18.10 — 3.57 = 14.53

Hydrogen 1.20 — 0.93 = 0.27

Oxygen 2.07 — 1.32 0.65

Anthracite. Loss. Graphite.

Carbon 14.53 — 1.42 = 13.11

Hydrogen 0.27 — 0.14 = 0.13

Oxygen 0.65 — 0.65 = 0.0

From this table it will be seen that the change from wood-tissue to
peat or lignite, and from these to bituminous, thence to anthracite coal
and plumbago, consists in the evolution of a portion of the carbon, hy-
drogen and oxygen, leaving a constantly increasing percentage of carbon
behind, until ultimately the resulting mineral consists of a portion of the
original carbon of the plant with all its earthy matter. That portion of
the original substance which is lost in the" progressive change, escapes
in the form of some hydrocarbon, as water, carburetted hydrogen, car-
bonic acid, petroleum, &c. The escape of these volatile compounds we
see in the gases bubbling up from marshes where vegetable matter is
undergoing decomposition ; in the gases generated in our coal mines,
and, in my judgement, in our oil-springs, which always flow from strata
charged with bituminous matter. By the application of heat, and with
proper management, we can manufacture any of these mineral fuels from
vegetable fibre at will. This has been done repeatedly, and although we
eannot accurately reproduce the conditions under which these changes
are effected in nature's laboratory, we can so closely imitate them as to
demonstrate their character.

We find also that, under peculiar circumstances, nature has departed

GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY OP OHIO. 37

from her usual routine, and has locally effected all the changes I haye
enumerated, in a short space of time ; as at Santa ~Fe, New Mexico,
where a trap dyke has cut through Cretaceous strata in which are beds
of soft and nearly valueless lignite, and where over a large area this out-
flow of melted rock has converted this lignite into a compact and valu-
able anthracite. So at Los Bronces, in Sonora, Triassic coals are con-
verted into anthracite by an eruption of porphyritic rock. On Queen
Charlotte's Island, south of Alaska, is a Tertiary (?) lignite changed by a
similar cause into the most beautiful and brilliant anthracite I have ever
seen.

All the coals of Ohio belong to the group known as bituminous coals,
but these exhibit very considerable diversity in their chemical and physi-
cal characters, and the different varieties are adpated to very different
uses.

Following an enconomic classification, our coals may be described as,
first, dry, open-burning or furnace coal ; second, cementing or coMng coals ;
third, cannel coals.

The first of these includes those that do not coke and adhere in the
furnace, and are such as may be used in the raw state for the manufac-
ture of iron.

The second group, to a greater or less degree, melt and agglutinate by
heat, forming what blacksmiths term a "hollow fire." This property
causes them to choke up the furnace and arrest the equal diffusion of
the blast through the charge. Hence they cannot be used in the raw
state for the manufacture of iron, but must be "coked." This process
of coking consists in burning off the bituminous or gaseous portion;
which leaves them in the condition of anthracite, except that, as this
change is effected without pressure, the resulting material is cellular and
spongy. Coals of this character, when free from sulphur — their great
contaminating impurity — are used for the manufacture of gas ; the vola-
tile portion, driven off in the retorts, serving the purpose of illumina-
tion, while that which remains is coke, and may be used as fuel.

The cannel coals have usually a more distinctly stratified structure,
are more compact and homogenous in texture, and contain a larger per-
centage of volatile matter than the others; also the gas they furnish has
higher illuminating power. Hence they would be used, to the exclusion
of all others, for the manufacture of gas, only that the coke which they
furnish is of inferior quality. They are, therefore, for the most part,
employed as household fuels — for which they are specially adapted — and,
in small portions, for enriching the gas produced from cokiug varieties.
The marked differences exhibited bv the kinds of coal I have enumer-

38 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

ated, are doubtless due, principally, to the circumstances of their forma-
tion. The furnace coals have generally a distinctly laminated structure,
and are composed of bituminous layers separated by thin partitions of a
material allied to cannel, which does not coke. Hence the bitumen in
them is held in cells, and cannot flow together, and give the mass a pasty,
coherent character.

The cementing coals have few such partitions, but show, upon fracture,
bread, brilliant surfaces of pitch like bitumen. Both these varieties are
supposed to have been formed in marshes, where they were saturated,
but not constantly covered by water. The cannel coals were deposited
in lagoons of open water in the coal marshes, where the finely macerated
vegetable tissue accumulated as carbonaceous mud. Hence they have a
large percentage of hydrogen, and their gas has high illuminating power.
Hence, also, the remains of shells, fishes, amphibians and Crustacea — all
aquatic animals — so generally found in them.

In Ohio, it chances that the lowest stratum in the series is generally a
furnace coal. Along its northern line of outcrop this is known as the
w Briar Hill coal." This coal enjoys a deserved celebrity for its adapta-
tion to the manufacture of iron, and now furnishes the fuel by which half
the iron produced in the State is made. In consequence of the structure
of our coal basin, this coal stratum, underlying all the others, and dip-
ping towards the south and east, is, for the most part, covered by the
overlying rocks. As a consequence, up to the present time it has been
worked only along its line of outcrop, and the great area it occupies below
drainage is almost untouched. It is plain, therefore, that the time is not
far distant when our people will be driven to reach and work it. by shaft-
ing. In Ohio, we have as yet sunk but very few shafts, to reach seams
of coal, and these to no great depth ; while nearly all the co'al mined in
Great Britain is obtained by shafting ; sometimes to the depth of 2,000
feet. By carefully studying the dip of the rocks (which is not uniform,
but is frequently counteracted by folds that elevate or depress the coal
seams from their normal planes,) we shall be able to do much- to guide
the efforts soon to be put forth to reach it. Some localities are already
known to me where this Briar Hill seam, far from its outcrop, rises much
nearer the surface than it was supposed to be. Other like localities will
doubtless be discovered, upon careful search.

Another seam of coal which has this open-burning character is that
known as the " Hocking Valley coal," found fifty or sixty miles south-
east of Columbus, and over an area — estimated by Prof. Andrews, who
has carefully studied that district — of not less th#n six hundred square
miles, maintaining a thickness of from 6 to 11 feet, with a remarkable

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 39

uniformity and purity of composition. Should this coal be capable of
use in the raw state as a furnace fuel, it is destined to assume an impor-
tance second to no other in the State, and to form a basis upon which a
manufacturing industry will be established in its vicinity, by which not
only that section but the entire State will be enriched.

By far the greater portion of our coals are, however, of the coking
variety ; and while these, up to the present time, have been little used as
furnace fuels, it is certain that the general estimate of their value in this
connection is a mistaken one, and that by proper management they can
be so used as to accomplish all the purposes of the furnace coals, so
called. In the Old World, three-fourths of the iron produced is manu-
factured with coking coals; and it is only necessary that the processes
followed there should be adopted here to insure an equally good result,
except so far as affected by the difference in the price of labor. To inves-
tigate the peculiarities of the different seams of coal included in this class,
and prescribe the best method to be pursued in their use, is a great and
important duty to be performed by this or some other Geological Board,
and one that will add millions annually to the revenues of our people.
In order to show how important this work is, I will only refer to the
manufacture of iron in our south-eastern counties, until recently the most
important centre of iron industry in the State. Here, there is an abun-
dence of excellent ore, and forty furnaces that have been for years using
charcoal for its reduction. But the supply of fuel afforded by the forest
growth of a country is comparatively small, and it has there been already,
to a large extent, exhausted. Now, this region abounds in coal, though
mostly of the coking variety ; and it is evident that its prosperity and
progress will hinge upon the intelligent adaptation of the coals found
there to the purposes heretofore served by charcoal. If the mineral fuel
of this portion of the State can be successfully employed in the reduction
of its ores, the iron manufacture may be expanded to an indefinite extent;
without this, it must not only cease to advance, but diminish.

Already an exhaustive investigation into the properties and adapta-
tions of the different Ohio coals, has been begun by the Geological Corps.
This should be continned until every owner of coal lands, in every county
in the coal area, shall know with accuracy how much and what kind of
aoal he possesses, for what it is fit, how much it is worth, how it can be
worked, and where it is to be marketed. It is not too much to expect,
that, when this investigation shall have been completed, the industries
of the State will be sensibly affected and very much expanded by it.

dO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFvOHIO

IEON.

While it is true that coal is, as we have called it, the main-spring of
modern civilization, it is also true that much of its value depends upon
its association with iron. In the few words I have devoted to our coal
deposits, I have done nothing like justice to their richness and value ;
and while Ohio cannot boast of an equal endowment in iron, it may at
least be said that she has fully her share of this element of wealth. In
most countries, certain varieties of iron ore are found associated with
coal — blackband, clay-iron-stone, &c. — and in these ores Ohio is richer
than any of those States that share with her our great Alleghany coal
basin. Again, our coal field is so situated, and the coal it furnishes is
of such quality, that a large part of the richer crystalline ores found in
other States must inevitably be brought to our territory to be smelted
and manufactured.

In order that the conditions under which the production of iron is now,
and is hereafter to be carried on in Ohio^ may be better understood, I
will devote a few words to a description of the different varieties of iron
ore found in our country, and their relation to the fuel with which they
are to be smelted.

The richest of all the ores of iron is the " Magnetic oxide," which con-
tains, when pure, 72.4 per cent, metallic iron, and 27.6 oxygen. It con-
sists of the protoxide and sesquioxide combined, and may be recognized
by its black powder and its magnetic property. This variety of ore is
found in great abundance in the crystalline rocks of the Alleghany belt,
in the Aduondacks, and in Canada. It is the ore brought to us under
the name of Champlain ore — from the fact of its occurrence on the
shores of Lake Champlain — and is that mined so extensively in southern
New York, New Jersey, and further south along the same line. Prom
its abundance in the localities I have cited, and its proximity to the an-
thracite coal of Pennsylvania, this ore has formed the basis of a very
large manufacture in the Eastern States, and has furnished more of the
iron produced in this country than any other single variety.

As found in Canada, and along the Alleghanies, the magnetic ores are
extremly prone to contain certain impurities, which injuriously afl'ect the
metal produced from them. These are principally phosphorus in phos-
phate of lime, and sulphur in the form of sulphide, or iron pyrites. Of
these, the phosphorus renders the iron " cold short," or brittle when cold ;
and the sulphur " red short," or tender at a red heat. Many of these ores
contain also a large percentage of titanium, by which they are rendered
refractory, and the iron made brittle. These defects in the eastern mag

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 41

netic ores almost preclude their use for the finer qualities of iron and
steel, and yet they are destined to form an important element in the man-
ufacture of iron in Ohio. Iron making is, in one aspect, much like oil
painting, for, as the painter gets his finest effects by skillfully blending
many tints, so the ironmaker can only obtain his best results by using
in the furnace several varieties of ore. The iron ores of Eastern New
York and Canada, may, by the cheapness of return freights, be delivered
within our territory at a price so low that they will continue to be used
as they now are, in considerable quantities, by our iron smelters. Some
of the Canadian ores can be. furnished on the Lake shore, at a very low
figure, but these ores are so largely contaminated by sulphur or titanium
that they are, at present, but little used. When, however, we shall have
introduced the Swedish roasting furnace, which will remove, at little
cost, three, and even four per cent, of sulphur, we may expect these
ores to be much more largely imported than they now are.

The ore next in point of richness to the magnetic, is that called " Spec-
ular iron," which consists, when pure, entirely of peroxide. This is a
crystalline ore, generally having a metallic appearance, and takes its
name from the speculum-like reflections from its polished surfaces.
When free from foreign matter, this ore contains 70 per cent, of iron,
and 30 of oxygen. Most of the Lake Superior ores are of this character,
as are also those of the Iron Mountains of Missouri. To us the Lake
Superior ores are of immense importance, as will be seen from the fact
that at least two-thirds of all the ore mined in the Marquette district are
brought to our State ; and this ore constitutes the main dependence of all
that great group of furnaces which have been constructed in the north-
ern part of the State within the last twenty years. The product of the
Lake Superior iron mines for 1868, was 507,813 tons, for 1869, 643,283
tons, and of this, at least one-third is supposed to have been smelted
with Ohio coal. The Lake Superior ores. are almost entirely free from
phosphorus, sulphur, arsenic and titanium, the ingredients which so in-
juriously affect iron ores elsewhere ; and the magnetic ores of Michigan,
of which the supply is now known to be large, are the purest 'of which I
have any knowledge. From these facts, it is evident that the Lake Super-
ior iron ores are peculiarly adapted to the production of all the finer grades
of iron and steel ; and indeed it is the opinion of our most accomplished
metallurgists that the manufacture of steel in future years, so far as this
country is concerned, will be based almost exclusively upon these ores.

As I have before stated, the coals of the Alleghany coal field are supe-
rior to those of the West ; and it is certain that nowhere can an abundant
supply of mineral fuel suitable for smelting the Lake Superior ores be so
cheaply obtained as in Ohio. Some portion of these ores are now, and

42 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

will continue to be, smelted with charcoal on the upper peninsula of
Michigan, but the supply of this fuel is so limited that it will play but
an insignificant part in the iron manufacture of the future.

I hare already referred to the iron ores of Missouri. These have be-
come famous through the descriptions published of the magnificent de-
posits of Iron Mountain, Pilot Knob, Sheppard Mountain, &c. These
are specular ores of excellent quality, and are of importance to us, since
.they are now used to a considerable extent in the southern part of the
State, and still larger quantities are destined to be brought to our coals
which outcrop on the banks of the Ohio.

The ores which I have enumerated, constitute with our native ores, the
main source of supply to our furnaces. I should add, however, to this
list one other variety ; that which is known as the " fossil ore," a strati-
fied red hematite, found in the Clinton group, and which forms a belt of
out-crop extending, with more or less intermission, from .Dodge county,
Wisconsin, across a portion of Canada, entering New York at Sodus Bay,
passing through Oneida county, where it has received the name of the
" Clinton ore," thence running . down, through central Pennsylvania, Vir-
ginia and East Tennessee, into Georgia and Alabama. In this latter
region it is known as the " Dyestone ore," from the fact that it has been
employed by the inhabitants for imparting a reddish-brown tint to cloth.
This Clinton ore is an anhydrous peroxide, containing from 40 to 50 per
cent, of metallic iron, and generally a notable percentage of phosphorus.
Its use in Ohio has depended . upon this latter quality, from the fact that
it imparts a " cold-shortness" to iron made from it, and is supposed to
correct the red-shortness of sulphurous iron.

Within our own territory, we have all the varieties of iron that are ever
associated with coal, viz : blackband, kidney ore, stratified ore — or, as it
is called, block ore — and, in less abundance, brown hematite, the hydrated
peroxide of iron. Of these, the blackband is a bitumous shale, largely
impregnated with iron, taking its name from its stratificationand black
color. In its natural condition, it contains from 20 to 33 per cent, of iron,
but, by burning off the carbon, it becomes much richer. This ore is found
and largely used in Mahoning and Tuscarawas counties, and is known to
exist in Columbiana. Sought for by those who know it, it will undoubt-
edly be discovered in many parts of the State. It smelts with great
facilitj , making very fusible iron, and such as is especially adapted to
foundry purposes. The kidney ore — an earthy carbonate of iron — gen-
erally forms balls or concretions, lying in the shales of the coal forma-
tion. Where these shales have been extensively eroded, the* ore is cheaply
mined by "stripping;" and was the main dependence of most of our
furnaces previous to the introduction of the crystalline ores. The yield

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 43

of the kidney ore in the furnance will average about 33 per cent., or three
tons of ore make one of iron. This ore is found, in greater or less abun-
dance, in every country included with the coal area. The " block" ores
of the coal measures vary much in purity and adundanee in different
localities. They are generally strata of limestone charged with iron. In
the southern portion of the State, ore of this character forms a large
number of distinct beds, from two to six feet in thickness, and constitutes
the principal source of supply of some forty furnaces now in blast in that
district.

In certain localities, some of these stratified iron ores near their out-
crops are changed from their original condition, have lost their carbonic
acid and have been converted into brown hematite. The average rich-
ness of the stratified ores may be said to be about the same as that of
the kidney ores — namely, 35 per cent, of metallic iron. The iron fur-
nished by some of them is of very superior quality, as is proved by the
reputation of the celebrated Hanging Rock iron made from these ores.
Probably nowhere in the world are the ores of the coal measures so abun-
dant and so rich and excellent as in the iron district of southern Ohio
to which I have alluded.

THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON.

We have now considered, briefly, the principal elements — the coal and
the ores — that are to form the basis of the great iron industry, which, in
future years, is destined to be developed within our State. It is known
to most persons that, with the fuel and ore, limestone is used in large
quantity in the smelting furnaces; but, as this material is readily attain-
able in all localities, it need not now occupy our time. I may say, how-
ever, in passing, that a large amount of work needs to be done in our
State in the investigation of the composition of our fluxes, and their
adaptation to the ores we most use. In this part of the iron manufacture,
our furnace men are working very much in the dark, and it is certain that
they can receive important aid.

The ordinary process of reduction of the ore in the blast furnace is so
well known that I need not dwell on it in detail. All varieties of iron
ore consists of a combination — sometimes exclusively, always mainly — of
oxygen and iron. This oxygen, when brought in contact with earbon at
a high temperature, unites with it, and passes off as carbonic acid or car-
bonic oxide, leaving, as a result of this smelting process, cast iron. This
is, however, not yet metallic iron, for it contains 4 to 5 per cent, of car-
bon, and is a carburet of iron ; a hard, brittle substance, applicable to a
thousand uses in the aits, but not yet malleable. The manufacture of

44 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

bar iron consists mainly in the removal of this carbon. This change is
effected by the agency of the " puddling process " as is it is called. In this
proccess the cast iron, or what is termed " pig," is placed in a reverbera-
tory furnace, and there exposed, at a high temperature, to the action of
an oxidizing flame. This burns out the carbon and leaves the iron pure,
except as it contains a small portion of silicon, sulphur, phosphorus, etc.
As the iron in the puddling furnace approaches the malleable condition,
it becomes adhesive and pasty, and is worked into balls ; these are taken
out and passed through the squeezers and rolling-mill, where they become
what is called " muck bar." Muck bar ordinarily requires still further
refining, so it is cut into convenient lengths, piled, re-heated, re- rolled,
and then comes out as " merchant bar." Thus we have cast iron and bar
iron ; the two forms in which iron is mostly largely used by civilized man.
This peculiar and protean metal is capable, however, of assuming still
another condition, in which it supplies certain of our wants much more
perfectly than do either of the forms before mentioned. This We call
steel ; and steel differs from malleable iron only in containing from one-
half to one and a half — say on an average one — per cent, of carbon.
This carbon, though so minute in quantity, imparts to it peculiar pro-
perties, rendering it capable of being cast like pig iron, without the loss
of its malleability, and also communicates to it the all-important property
of temper, by which its hardness is immensely increased, and it is fitted
for many uses that no other material known to us can serve.

The facts which I have detailed are known to most men at all educated
in the iron manufacture. Hence, it may seem that this branch of indus-
try is so simple and has been carried to such perfection that science can
throw no new light upon it. And yet, as a matter of fact, there is scarce
any art practiced by our people so eminently progressive, and so far
from having reached perfection as this one. Indeed, our most intelligent
furnace men have said to me, that there is no department of its work in
which the Geological Survey is capable of being more useful to the peo-
ple of Ohio, than by the assistance it can render to our iron manufac-
turers in improving their process.

To show the rapid changes that are taking place in the manufacture of
iron, I will allude to one or two of the more important improvements
that have been made in it within the last few years.

Nearly all the iron used in the world, at the present time, is manufac-
tured with mineral fuel, and yet if reference be made to the first report
published by the former Geological Board — a little more than thirty
years ago — it will be seen that the use of raw coal as a furnace fuel was
then announced as a new and wonderful discovery ; and the first employ-

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 45

ment of mineral fuel in Ohio dates from a period considerably subsequent
to that. The old charcoal furnaces were thought to do well when they gave
a yield of from thirty to fifty tons per week. Now there are several fur-
naces in Ohio, each of which produces three hundred tons of pig in the
same time, and some of the English furnaces are producing six hundred
tons per week.

Much of the improvement in our furnaces has been made within the
last five or six years, and has consisted in increasing their dimensions,
viz : the diameter, from ten to sixteen feet, and the hight, from forty to
sixty feet, by adding to the force and temperature of the blast, by close
top, &c. These improvements, so potent in their influence on the pro-
ductiveness of the furnaces, are, however, not yet introduced by half of
the furnace men in our State. By most of them, therefore, these steps
of progress are to be made.

Even our best furnaces are still behind the age, as in their productive-
ness and economy they come far short of what is accomplished elsewhere,
and what is attainable here. For example : the average consumption of
our Briar Hill coal is two and a holf tons to one of iron. At Massillon, three
and a half to four tons of coal are used to make a ton of iron. In con-
trast with these figures, in the Cleveland district, in England, where
coke is used, no better than some of our own, the furnace staeks are car-
ried to a height of one hundred, and in some instances one hundred and
two feet, and in them less than one ton of coke makes a ton of iron.
With the resources at our command, and the ingenuity for which our
people are celebrated, I think we may be sure that we shall not long re-
main satisfied while such comparisons can be made. It is very certain
that we have not yet reached perfection in the combination of our ores, in
the choice of our fluxes, in the adaptation of our fuels, nor in the dimen-
sions and models of our furnaces. The advantages which the foreign
manufacturer possesses consists of improved processes, cheaper labor,
and greater capital. To balance these advantages, we have better and
more varied materials, three thousand miles less transportation, and a
high tariff. By the aid of these, our furnace men, with little capital,
dear labor, and wasteful methods, are able to maintain themselves in the
competition, and are prospering. The time is not distant, however,
when the protection to our industry afforded by our present tariff will be
removed. I don't say it should be, for I don't believe it should, but sim-
ply that it will. For this impending storm our iron men must trim their
sails. All the light of foreign experience must be thrown on our pro-
cesses, while the problems presented by the ores, fuels and fluxes of each
locality are to be carefully worked out, and capital concentrated so that
our furnaces may consist of several stacks, carried on by one set of ma-

46 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

chinery, and one set of officials instead of several, thus simplifying and
cheapening all branches of the art. When this shall be done, whatever
political wind may blow, our iron industry will be always prosperous,
ever expanding, and our greatest source of wealth.

THE ELLEKSHATTSEN PROCESS.

In the manufacture of bar-iron and steel, the evidence of progress is
still greater than in the art of reducing the ore, and it is not impossible
that our present methods of manufacture, in five years from this time,
will be entirely revolutionized. In the manufacture of bar-iron, the most
striking invention that has been introduced of late years > is that of the
Ellershausen Process. This is due to a man by the name of Ellershausen;
who was a lumber merchant in Canada. When he had nearly stripped
his timber lands, and had acquired a fortune in so doing, his attention
was attracted to the ledges of iron ore which his property contained, and
abandoning the lumber trade, he went into the manufacture of iron.
The ore he used, like so much of the Canadian ore, proved to be impure,
and the enterprise was unfortunate and entailed the sacrifice of the for-
tune he had acquired. In his efforts to surmount the difficulties he en-
countered, Ellershausen thought and read widely on the subject of iron-
making, and ultimately he devised a method by which, as he thought,
the ordinary process would be greatly shortened. Going to New York
with his plan, he there met with little encouragement, and thence turned
his steps to Pittsburgh, the greatest centre of iron industry in the
country. Here he fell in with my friend, T. S. Blair, of the firm of J. H.
Shcenberger & Blair, one of the most intelligent and thoroughly-educated
of our iron men. By him Ellershausen was given the opportunity to
test his method, and the ultimate success he attained is due, in no small
part, to the suggestions he received from Mr. Blair.

The Ellershausen process may be explained in very few words. We
have seen that pig-iron consists of metallic iron, with four to five
per cent, of carbon,' while the richer iron ores consist mainly of iron and
oxygen. Ellershausen's theory was that iron ore could be mingled with
cast iron in such a way that the oxygen of the ore would unite with the
carbon of the pig metal, and, passing off as carbonic oxide, leave the
iron of both elements in the combination in the metallic state. The ex-
periment was first tried by drawing a ladle of molten iron frqm the fur-
nace, and stirring into it a quantity of iron ore. The change anticipated
began at once, and the iron assumed a pasty condition, which rendered
it impossible to stir it with a bar. Substituting a wooden rod, the mate-
rials were mingled and were made to form a ball similar to that collected

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 47

in the puddling furnace by the rabble. This ball heated, squeezed and
rolled, was found to furnish a fair article of bar-iron. Subsequently
there was substituted for the ladle a wheel, eighteen feet in diameter,
bearing on its margin a series of boxes. This wheel was made to revolve
beneath a stream of molten iron and pulverized ore that crossed each
other at right angles. By the rotation of the wheel, the boxes were
gradually filled with layers of iron mixed with ore. When each con-
tained a sufficient quantity the sides were removed and the blooms tran-
ferred to the puddling furnaces, these reheated until the slag they con-
tain was " sweated " out, then squeezed and rolled into bars. These
bars, without piling or re-rolling, are found to exhibit all the properties
of first class iron. The Ellershausen process has now been in operation '
for a year in the establishments of J. H. Shcenberger& Co., and Lyon,
Shorb & Co., in Pittsburgh, where it may be witnessed by any who have
a desire to investigate it.

Many other methods besides that of Ellershausen, have been devised
for cheapening the cost of bar-iron ; consisting for the most part in
efforts to reduce the time and expense of the laborious and costly pro-
cess of puddling, as now practiced. Several of these methods promise
well and deserve investigation, but I will only refer to a single one, the
"Mechanical rabble," a device for performing the ordinary work of a
puddler by machinery. This is now practiced in several foreign estab-
lishments, and if it could be made generally successful, would be much
more valuable in America than in Europe, as labor is so much dearer
here than there. After all, it seems to me we should look for the great-
est improvement in the manufacture of bar -iron, in a complete change of
the process followed. All these to which I have alluded have been based
upon a supposed necessity of first reducing the ore to the form of pig-
iron, and then, by a second manipulation, obtaining malleable iron from
this by eliminating the four or five per cent, of carbon which cast iron
contains. But it is posssible to produce malleable iron direct from the
ore. This is called, by metallurgists, the " direct process," because it
follows a direct line and avoids the roundabout through the blast furnace.
This is the method practiced in what is called the Catalan Forge; and
many thousand tons of iron are annually manufactured by this forge in
America and elsewhere, but by no plan yet devised, has iron been made
more cheaply by this direct way than by the other. It is, however, by
no means certain that the limit of possibility in this direction has been
reached ; but, on the contrary, it is confidentlybelieved, by some metal-
lurgists, that not many years will elapse till all our bar-iron is manufac-
tured by some direct process. The ground of this confidence is the pe-

48 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

culiar property that carbonic oxide has of reducing the oxide of iron at
a comparatively low temperature. If we put a few grains of pulverized
iron ore with some carbonaceous substance, in a test tube, and heat this
over a spirit lamp to a red heat — 1000° or 1200° — the ore is immediately
decomposed, its oxygen uniting with the carbon, and grains of metallic
iron become visible. This is the theory of the Eenton process, the
process of Dr. Smith, and what is known as Ohenot's process, but up to
the present time all these methods have been practically unsuccessful,
from a difficulty in regulating the temperature ; for it is a remarkable
fact that when the temperature is raised above 1400° fusion begins,
silicates are formed, and the mass is agglutinated together in such a way
as to be unmanageable, while the access of the gas to the ore is pre-
vented. Several eminent metallurgists are, however, at work on this
problem, and it seems to me that their efforts must ultimately be crowned
with success. I need not dwell upon the benefits that would accrue to
society and civilization by a diminution of say one-half in the cost of
production of bar-iron. So great would be this benefit that there is
hardly a family in any civilized community who would not sensibly feel
it. As we have seen, the great improvements that have taken place
within the last twenty years in the manufacture of cast iron have cheap-
ened this material to half its former cost. On the other hand, the
Bessemer proccess has reduced the price of steel in an equal degree, and
now the cheapening of bar-iron has become the great metallurgie desid-
eratum. It would be very strange if when the inventive faculty of our
people, combined with the experience of the world, are brought fully to
bear upon the problem that its successful solution should not be reached.

THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL.

THE BESSEMER PROCESS.

Perhaps the best illustration of the progressive character of the iron
manufacture is furnished by recent improvements in the manufacture of
steel. It will be rembered, that steel is iron with one per cent, of car-
bon, or cast iron from which three-fourths of the carbon have been
removed. Fifteen years ago all our steel was made by what is called the
" cementation process," so well known that I need not describe it. About
this time Mr. Bessemer, an English iron-master, conceived the plan of
forcing common air into melted pig-iron, and thus, by bringing its oxy-
gen in contact with the carbon, to induce the formation of carbonic acid,
eliminate the carbon and produce malleable iron ; or, by arresting the
process at a certain point, to leave the fluid metal in the condition of

GEOLOGICAL SUBVBT OF OHIO. 49

cast steel. Upon trial the injection of even cold air into molten iron,
instead of chilling it, as many predicted, produced active ignition and
intense heat. This was the germ of the famous Bessemer process for the
manufacture of steel, a process by which fully one-half of the steel now
made is produced, and by which, as has been stated, the cost of steel has
been reduced at least one-half. Many years elapsed before Mr. Bessemer
succeeded in overcoming all the mechanical difficulties which stood in his
way, and in silencing the opposition which the conservatism of the iron
manufacture offered. Now the process may be said to be not only a suc-
cess, but a triumph; and its author deserves to be regarded as one of the
greatest benefactors of the human race. For the production of steel,
Mr. Bessemer first proposed to arrest the combustion of the carbon in
the iron so as to leave about one per cent, unconsumed. This point was
found difficult to hit, and he ultimately adopted the method of adding,
after the process was complete, the requisite quantity of carbon in the
form of spiegeleisen, a highly carbonized cast iron. This is the course
now generally adopted ; and steel is being thus made in large quantities,
not only in Europe, but in our own country and our own State. A very
complete establishment for the manufacture of Bessemer steel has been
erected by Messrs. Stone, Chisholm & Jones of Cleveland, and there this
interesting and important process may be at any time seen in successful
operation.

The objection has been made to the Bessemer process that it contained
too many elements of uncertainty ; that it failed to give constant and
uniform results. This objection has, however, been removed by a very
simple method — suggested by my friend, Dr. Schmidt, and now con-
stantly practiced at the Troy Steel Works — of dipping out and testing a
sample from each five ton charge, then adding carbon or oxygen as
necessary.

THE SIEMENS-MAETIN PROCESS.

This process, invented and largely employed in Prance, has lately been
introduced into this country by Messrs. Cooper & Hewitt, at Trenton
3f. J., and has proved here., as abroad, an entire success. It consists in
melting down, in a Siemen's furnace, a quantity of pig iron, then adding
to this sufficient malleable iron to dilute the carbon in the mass to any
desired percentage, and thus produce any required grade of steel. The
point aimed at is reached invariably, by testing, from time to time, the
quality of the metal, and adding pig iron or bar iron as required. This
is a simple and perfectly manageable method of producing steel, but it is

4 — Geological.

50 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

doubtful if it can rival in simplicity and cheapness the process of Mr.
Bessemer.

The two modes of steel making which I have briefly described are
capable of producing, at a price scarcely greater than that of bar iron,
steel adapted to all the coarser purposes for which steel is used ; and it
is by one or the other, or, what is better still, both combined (one using
up the other's scrap) that all the steel rails, now so largely substituted
for iron, are made. But for all the finer grades of steel — that used for
cutlery, &c. — we are still compelled to depend upon the old and expen-
sive process of cementation. There seems to me, however, to be a strong
probability that improved and cheaper processes will also soon supply
us with our finer steels.

THE BAEBON PEOCESS.

This is a new method, and one perhaps not yet beyond the conditon of
an experiment, but it has at least sufficed for the production of stegl of
as fine a quality as has ever been made by any other means. The whole
process consists in exposing malleable iron to the action of gaseous
hydro-carbons at a temperature just below that of fusion. Under these
circumstances the iron rapidly and regularly absorbs the carbon of the
gas, and becomes steel. By the Barron process, shapes of iron are con-
verted into steel without change of form, and this is the most satisfac-
tory application of it I have seen. For example : tools or implements of
any kind may be moulded and cast, these shapes made malleable by the
ordinary process, and then, by impregnation, converted into steel, com-
iug out as scissors, knives, axes, or other implements, of the very best
quality, with no forging whatever.. Whether this method is capable of
effecting cheaply the conversion of large masses of iron, is not yet de-
monstrated, though it is claimed ; but from the fact that a piece of iron
may by this means be covered with a sheet of enamel, or coated with a
layer of any desired thickness of steel, while yet retaining all the tough-
ness of its iron core, and that by a coating of clay the absorption of
carbon may be limited to any portion of the surface acted upon, it is evi-
dent that this method is destined to have extensive application in the
arts.

The quality of steel made by this process is such as leaves nothing to
be desired. With tailors' shears, cast in form, made malleable, and then
converted by the Barron process, I have cut Florence silk so nicely as to
prove the edge perfect ; then with these same shears have cut up sheets
of tin and untempered steel; returning to the silk have found the edge
wholly unimpaired, and this after a repetition, of the trial more than
twenty times.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 51

There are various other methods of manufacturing steel, which, if I
had unlimited space, it might be well to allude to; but I have already
said enough on this subject to show what activity and progress there
is in the improvement of the methods of manufacturing iron ; and I have
been led to dwell upon the subject, perhaps even now longer than was in
good taste, carried away by my sense of the immense importance this
industry is to assume in our State, when our resources are properly in-
vestigated and brought into use.

There are many other mineral staples found in our State, to which, did
time permit, I should be glad to call attention, citing the proofs we have
gained of their existence, their promise as regards quality and quantity,
and the investigations proposed for determining their abundance and
value. But I have already passed the limits I had assigned myself.
Within a few months a fuller report of our work will be published, and
in that report will be given the details of such matters as are referred to
now, as well as much information of interest in regard to some subjects
not here alluded to. I have, in the preceding pages, attempted nothing
more than an outline sketch of the duties assigned to the Geological
Corps, and what has been done toward its performance. In order that
this may be more clearly understood, I will very briefly recapitulate the
work accomplished by the survey during the last summer and fall, and
state what is our plan of operations for the future.

In many instances it has happened that the first season's work of a
Geological Survey has been mainly consumed in organization, and prepa-
ration for the future. I think I have shown that we have accomplished
something more than this. In addition to our organization, we have
made a general, and, for the most part, thorough investigation of the
geological structure of the State; have studied each of the formations
found in our geological series, and have determined the relative position,
age, thickness and lithological characters of each ; have settled the
doubts that have long hung over some of them ; have added to the list
several not before known to exist here, and have marked the areas occu-
pied by the surface exposures of each on a geological map. This map
has been made altogether from new and original observations, and may
be accepted as far more minute and accurate than any geological map of
Ohio before published.

More careful studies have been made of certain districts : as that of
the Straitsville coal-field, by Prof. Andrews ; of Greene and Montomery
counties, by Prof. Orton; of Cuyahoga and Erie counties, by myself;

52 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

thus beginning the detail work of the survey, which it is proposed to
carry through all the counties and townships of the State. We have
also idade a good beginning on our Economic Geology. Prof. Wormley,
our chemist, has made a large number of very carefully conducted
analyses of our coals, iron ores and limestones, earning many times over
the small sum that we were able to appropriate to his department. I
have also had made, at my own cost, a still larger number of analyses,
and have had a dozen different varieties of hydraulic limestones not only
analyzed but practically tested by special apparatus, which Gen. Gilmore
was kind enough to loan me for the purpose. These investigations have
been carried far enough to enable us to compare nearly all the varieties
of lime used in the State, and to deduce from this comparison some con-
clusions which will have a practical value to all our architects and build-
ers. Most of our building stones have also been examined, the compo-
sition and strength of some of them determined, and nicely dressed
blocks of each placed in the State collection. Many of our clays have
been collected, and investigations begun for the determination of their
composition and their adaptation to the manufacture of pottery, fire-
brick, common brick, &c. Already a great industry is based upon this
material in our State — one that is capable of indefinite expansion, and
one that especially needs the aid which applied science can afford it. In
the article of fire brick alone, an immense gain would be secured to our
furnace men by supplying them (as they may readily be supplied) with a
good article of home manufacture at half the cost of the imported. The
Amboy brick cost us $80 a thousand, and Mr. Alexander, of Akron, has
demonstrated that an equally refractory brick can be made and sold here
for $45. The imported Dinas brick cost in this country $100 a thousand ;
we can make in Ohio an equally good brick for less than $50.

The conditions of the iron manufacture in northern Ohio have been
investigated with considerable care. All the furnaces in that region
have been visited, and, in most instances, plans of the works, statistics
of production, and suits of raw and manufactured materials have been
obtained. I have already alluded to the evidence furnished by these
investigations, of the necessity and possibility of improving this branch
of industry. In another year it is proposed to carry this line of inquiries
still further, and to extend the investigation to other parts of the State,
where there is a still more important work for us to do.

A State Cabinet has been not only begun, but has grown until it has
filled the room assigned to it in the State House. Over fifty boxes of
rocks, fossils, ores, coals, clays, oils, building stones, &c, have been un-

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 53

packed there, and in the series of specimens are duplicates for onr col-
leges.

In our examination of the geology of the State, large numbers of fos-
sils have been found, many of which are new, and some are of unusual
scientific interest. Of these, with others in my possession before, draw-
ings have been made sufficient to form fifty plates ; these have been made
without expense to the State, and are included in the material already
submitted as our first report.

And now a word in regard to our future, and I shall have done.
Should the Geological Survey be continued under its present manage-
ment, the investigations now begun will be extended until they shall
have covered all our area, and have embraced the agricultural capabili-
ties, the geological structure in all its details, and all the mineral staples ;
determining their quality, quantity, distribution and adaptation. It is
also hoped that, without any considerable expense to the State, experts
in these departments shall give us fuller information than is now, pos-
sessed by our people in regard to our plants and animals. My judgment
is that all this information should be made as concise and practical as
possible ; should be published in volumes of modest dimensions and
moderate cost, so as to be brought within the reach of all those who can
make intelligent use of them ; that they should be made of such a char-
acter as to be of real utility to our people, and of greater value to those
who pay for them than to residents in other countries. My idea of a
geological report is, that it should be an embodiment of all the local
facts in natural or applied science that immediately concern the inhabit-
ants of the area it covers, so that it may be a book of constant reference
to the manufacturer, the mechanic, the architect, the farmer, the teacher
the parent; one that may always be at hand to answer any question
that may be asked in regard to geological structure, economic ■ minerals,
fossils, plants or animals. The investigations necessary to prepare such
a report will require time and money ; but most of the nations of the Old
World, and many of our sister States, have expended sums for such pur-
poses which, if well directed, would more than serve our purpose. I can
hardly think that Ohio, third in the Union, as she is, in wealth and
population, and so rich in undeveloped resources, will rest satisfied with
anything short of a full and through exposition of her gifts; such an
one, in fact, as her pride and interest alike dictate.

CHART OF GEOLOGICAL HISTORY.

PREPARED BY

J. S. NEWBERRY, M. D., LL. D.
1870.

ERAS.

ERA OF
MIND.

CENOZOIC.

MESOZOIC.

8?

•a

®
M

<1

to

<1

3

(D

AGES.

AGE OF MAN.

AGE OF MAMMALS.

AGE OF REPTILES.

CARBONIFEROUS,

OR AGE OF

COAL PLANTS

AND
AMPHIBIANS.

PALEOZOIC.

CD
<

EOZOIC

DEVONIAN,

OR

AGE OF FISHES.

PERIODS.

Human.

Quaternary.

Tertiary.

Cretaceous.

Jurassic.

Triassic.

Permian.

Carboniferous.

Sub-carboniferous.

Catskill.

Chemung.

SILURIAN,

OR

AGE OF MOLLUSKS,

EOZOIC.

Hamilton.

Corniferous.

Oriskany.

Heldkrberg.

EPOCHS.

STRATA.

Historical.

Terrace.

Champlain.

Glacial.

Pliocene.
Miocene.
Eocene.

Upper Cretaceous.
Middle Cretaceous.
Lower Cretaceous.
Wealden.

Oolitic.
Llassic.

Keuper.

Musohelkalk,

Bunter-Sandstein.

Permian.

Upper Coal Measures.
Lower Coal Measures.
Carb. Conglomerate.

Upper Sub-carboniferous
Lower Bab-oarboniferous

(W. America.)

Cave Deposits.
Feat. Alluvium,

Terraces. Alluvium
Saxicava Sand.
Champlain Clay.
Glacial Drift.

Sumter Beds.

Torktown Beds.
( Vicksburg Beds.
< Jackson Beds.
I Claiborne Beds.

Fox Hill Group.
Pierre Group.

Benton Group.
Dakota Group.

(Wanting f)
(Wanting?)

Jurassic Strata,
Nebraska, Colorado,
Utah, Nevada,
California, Sonora.

Triassic Sandstones,
Marl, Coal, &c,
Atlantic Coast, New Mexico,
Arizona, California,
Sonora, Ac.

Permian Dolomites,
Kansas and Nebraska.

U. Coal Measures.
L. Coal Measures.
Carb. Conglomerate.

Catskill.

Chemung.
Portage.

Genesee.

Hamilton.

Marcellus.

Corniferous.

Schoharie.

Cauda-Galli.

Oriskany.

Salina.

Niagara.

Hudsois.

£ Trenton.

to

g, Calciferous.

Primordial.

Eozoic.

Helderberg.

Saliferous.

Niagara.

Clinton.

Medina.

Hudson.
Utica.

Trenton.
Chazy.

Calciferous

Potsdam.

Huronian.
Laurentian

Sub-carb. Limestone
Sub-carb. ■!

Shales and
Sandstones.

Catskill.

Chemung Group.
Portage Group.

Genesee Shale.

/ Tully Limestone.

J Moscow Shale,

J Encrlnal Limestone.

I Ludlowville Sbale.

Marcellus Shale.

(Ohio.)

Peat. Alluvium.

Terraces, Beaches. AIL
Iceberg Drift.
ForeBt Bed.
Erie Clays.
Glacial Drift.

Wanting.

Wanting.

-Wanting.

Wanting.

Wanting.

CT. Coal Measures.
L. Coal Measures.
Carb. Conglomerate.

Sub-carb. Limestone.
Waverly Group.

Wanting.

Erie Shales.
Huron Shale.

Hamilton Group.

j Corniferous Limestone.
J Onondaga Limestone
Schoharie Urit.

Cauda-Galli Grit.

CorniferousUmestone,

Oriskany Sandstone.

Upper Pentamerns Limestone.
Encrlnal Limestone.
Delthyris Shaly Limestone.
Lower Pentamerus Limestone.
Water-Lime Group.

Onondaga Salt Group.

I Leclaire, Guelph and
< Niagara Limestones.

( Niagara Shale.
Clinton Group.
Medina Sandstone.
Oneida Conglomerate.

Oriskany Sandstone.

Water Lime Group.

Onondaga Salt Group.

Guelph Group.
Niagara Limestone.

Clinton Group.

Hudson Eiver Shales.
Utica Shales.

[ Trenton Limestone.
-< Black River Limestone.
( Birdseye Limestone.

Chazy Limestone.

Cincinnati Group.

Quebec Group.
Calciferous Sandrock.

Potsdam Sandstone.
St. John's Group.

Huronian System.
Laurentian System.

Not exposed.

Not exposed.

Not exposed.

(JEwrope.)

Lake and dove Peposite.
Peat. Alluvium.

Old Cave Deposit*.
Peat.

Marine Otayt.
Glacial Drift.

Crag.

Molaeee, falunt,
Oaleaire Grottier.
London, Clay, Ac.

Maettricht Beit.
White dhatk.

O halt Marl.

Upper Greeneand.

Gault \Bepoo-

Lower Oreeneand. f mian.

Wealden, Freeh Water Bed*.

tt™,.- I Purbeck Bede.
ri£££ 1 Portland Stent,
voute, | xinmeridge Clay.
Middle I Coral Baa.
Oolite. \ Oxford Clay,
Lower J Great Oolite.
OoUte. 1 1nferior Oolite.
Upper Mae.
Middle IAae.
Lower Liae.

Keuper.

Musohelkalk.

Bunter-SmdHtto.

Zeehstem.

Bathe- Todt-Uegende.

XT. Coal Measure).
L. Coal Measure*.
Millstone Qrit.

Mountain Limestone.
Lower Limestone Shales.

Upper

Old Bed

Sandstone.

Devon & Eifel Limestones.

Tilestone.
U. Ludlow Bed.
Aymestry Limestone.
L. Ludlow Limestone.

> Wenlock Limestone.

U. Llandovery.
U. Caradoe Sandstone.
Conieton Grit.
Lower Llandovery.

L. Caradoe Sandstone,
and Bala Beds.

UandeSo Flags.
Tremadoo Cfrottp.
Lingula Flags.

Cambrian Syetem t
" Fundamental Gneiee.'

"Sff

PART II.

REPORT OF PROGRESS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT.

By Peop. E. B. ANDEEWS,

ASSIST. GEOLOGIST.

REPORT OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

SECOND DISTRICT,

To Prof John S. Newberry, Chief Geologist of Ohio :

Sir : In the organization of the Survey, the Second District was assigned
to me. This District has for its northern boundary the line of the Central
Ohio Eailroad ; for its eastern and southern, the Ohio river ; for its west-
ern, the western limits of the Great Black Slate, extending from Colum-
bus to a point on the Ohio river a few miles above Eome, in Adams county
Nearly twenty-three counties are included within these limits.

I entered at once upon my work. I have had for assistants William G.
Ballantine, A. B., a graduate of Marietta College; Boland D. Irving, of
New Brighton, Staten Island, N. T., a gradute of the School of Mines
Columbia College, New York City, and Wm. Ward, of Marietta. Each
rendered valuable service. Mr. Ward continued with me about two months,
and rendered me much aid. Mr. Irving remained with me until about the
1st of September. His labors were of great service, especially in work-
ing out the sections of the Black Slate and Waverly sand-stone, along the
Ohio river, in Adams and Scioto counties. These labors, and those of
Mr. Ward, were none the less efficient, nor less cheerfully given, for being
entirely gratuitous, the State only paying their necessary traveling ex-
penses. Mr. Ballantine received a small remuneration. He remained
with me until after the middle of November. A large numbef of the sec-
tions taken in Perry county and portions of other adjacent counties, were
the product of his indefatigable and skillful labor.

GENERAL FEATURES OF THE SECOND DISTRICT.

The surface is generally hilly. The only exception to this is in the
northwestern part of the District, where, in Franklin and Pickaway, and
portions of Fairfield and Licking counties, most of the surface is com-
paratively level and smooth.

The whole district slopes to the south and southeast, and consequently
the drainage is to the Ohio river.

The Ohio river flows in a long, trough-like depression, made, doubtless
at the time of the uplifting of the Alleghany mountains. This was sub.

58 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

sequent to the formation of the coal-measures rocks, as these are lifted up
and form the summit of the mountains in portions of Pennsylvania and
West Virginia. The Ohio basin does not show a uniform slope towards
its centre downward in the direction of its major axis. Its is undulating,
and often exhibits areas of considerable extent, with a northern slope
and drainage. In West Virginia, the Monongahela flows northward to
meet ^he Alleghany at Pittsburgh. Jn the Second District, I find small
areas with a similar slope and drainage. Several of the smaller tributa-
ries of the Muskingum river flow in a northerly direction. The principal
rivers in the District are the Muskingum, Scioto and Hocking, all flow-
ing into the Ohio river. Between the Scioto and the Hocking are several
smaller streams, the Little Scioto, Pine creek, Symmes' creek, Indian
G-uyandotte creek, Raccoon creek, Leading creek, and Shade river, all
emptying into the Ohio. Between the Hocking and Muskingum is the
Little Hocking. Above the Muskingum, the principal tributaries of the
Ohio are Duck creek, Little Muskingum river, Sunfish and Captina
creeks. The Little Muskingum river flows, during its entire course, in a
basin parallel to the Ohio river, and only eight or ten miles from it. The
Indian Guyandotte creek, flows in a basin similarly parallel to the Ohio.

In the northern part of the district there is a pretty large area, with a
northwestern slope. This area is drained by Wills' creek, which flows
northward through Noble and Guernsey counties, and then westward and
empties into the Muskingum river above Dresden, near the north line of
Muskingum county.

The south fork of the the Moxahala creek drains a considerable valley,
which slopes to the north. This fork rises in the high lands between
Oakfield and Bristol, in the southern part of Perry county, and flows
northward for twenty miles. The Moxahala empties into the Muskingum
two or three miles below Zanesville. The south fork of the Licking
river flows to the northeast. Wolf creek, which rises in the northern
part of Morgan county, flows in a valley which shows a remarkable
parallelism with that of the Muskingum. It maintains an average
distance of five or six miles from the Muskingum for twenty miles, and
then, as the Muskingum turns and flows northward, in Windsor township,
Morgan county, it also bends to the north and northeast in Wesley and
Palmer townships, Washington county, and enters the former near Bev^
erly, in Waterford township, in the same county. The south fork of Wolf
creek rises within two or three miles of the Ohio river, in Warren town-
ship, Washington county, and flows to the northward. Nearly all of the
western part of Washington county is drained by that creek, and conse-
quently slopes to the north. These facts are of great significance as

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 59

showing original undulations of the surface, before the present work of
drainage began. How far the underlying strata show corresponding
undulations will hereafter be determined as the different parts of the
District are studied in detail. Very limited observations made in the
valley of the Moxahala appear to indicate that in portions of the val-
ley, at least, the dip of the rocks is conformable to the original north-
ern slope of the surface.

It is an interesting fact that the Muskingum river, which drains no
inconsiderable part of Eastern Ohio, has its bed during its whole course
above the level of Lake Erie. The height of the surface of Lake Erie,
at Cleveland, above tide water, as given by Col. Charles Whittlesey,
is 564 feet, while the elevation of the mouth of the Muskingum is
571 feet, as given by Col. Charles Ellet, Jr., in his contributions to the
Physical Geography of the Mississippi Valley, published by the Smith-
sonian Institution. This makes the mouth of the river 7 feet above
the average level of Lake Erie. This is probably 4 or 5 feet too great.

The mouth of the Scioto is 90 feet below the level of the Lake, while
the Ohio river, at Wheeling, W. Va., at low water, is 56 feet above.
Thus it will be seen that the plane of the surface of Lake Erie, if
continued, will pass below the surface of nearly the whole area included
in the Second District.

Col. Ellet gives the fall of the Scioto, from Columbus to Portsmouth,
to be 302 feet. This river would therefore pass below the level of the
surface of the Lake at a point 27.8 miles above Portsmouth. This
supposes, however, that the fall of the river is uniform throughout
its course. The Muskingum river, according to Col. Ellet, falls between
Zanesville and its mouth, at Marietta, 104 feet. This makes that river,
at Zanesville, about 111 feet above the level of the Lake. The Scioto, at
Columbus, is 212 feet above the level of the Lake, or 101 feet above
the Muskingum, at Zanesville.

, The valleys of all the principal streams in the District are generally
deep and well defined, and the work of aqueous erosion has been im-
mense. The immediate valley of the Scioto is the broadest, as it is
the most fertile ; and nest to this, in width and fertility, is that of the
Muskingum. All the streams have innumerable small tributaries, which
have cut for themselves deep channels. A correct topographical map of
Southeastern Ohio would present the peculiar and beautiful dendritic
aspect belonging to all regions where the valleys are eroded and the
drainage rapid. The erosion has been entirely produced by the flow
of waters which have fallen upon the surface of the State, the only
exception to this in the Second District being in the more level region in

60 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

the northwestern part, where doubtless there have been at work, in the
remote past, erosive agencies which have acted on a vast horizontal
scale. As, in the course of ages, the Ohio deepened its bed, the largest
affluents felt the effects of the increased declivity, and increased the
depth of their channels, and with this came the gradual deepening of
all their smaller tributaries. Hence, with ample time given for the
work, we should expect to find, what we now see, the whole District
completely eroded into a vast and wonderful system of ramifying val-
leys. The hills and ridges are simply the remnants of what were once
continuous rock strata. In many sections, the ever-toiling water, in
rain drops, and streamlets and rivers, has sculptured the hills in rounded
and graceful forms, while in others, the streams have cut for themselves
channels with almost perpendicular sides, giving to the scenery, a bold
mural character. The latter characteristics are more often seen where
the streams flow over the heavy sand-rock strata. Between Lancaster
and Logan, the Hocking river flows in a valley, bordered by high cliffs.
Some of the tributaries have eroded channels so deep and narrow that
they may be properly termed canons. The Licking river has excavated
a similar channel in the vicinity of Black Hand. In many places we
find a cliff on one side, and rounded hills on the other. This is well seen
on the Marietta and Cincinnati railroad, in the vicinity of the Cincinnati
Furnace, in Vinton county.

In many sections we find the hills beautifully terraced. This is due to
the different degrees of hardness in the strata. Shales are more easily
disintegrated and removed than harder rocks, and the latter conse-
quently show a more perpendicular front. Sometimes a highly soluble
limestone dissolves away, leaving harder rocks in bolder front above.
These terraces are often of great assistance to the geologist in enabling
him to see at a glance the range of certain strata along the sides of
distant hills.

DRIFT.

After the valleys were eroded as they now exist, many of them were
filled with what -is geologically termed " drift ". materials, which are
chiefly waterworn pebbles and bowlders, sand, and sometimes clays. The
principal outspread of the drift is in the northwestern part of the dis-
trict, in the Scioto Valley, and near the sources of the Hocking and
Licking rivers. In this region, tfie surface of the earth is almost wholly
covered with superficial deposits brought from the north. Some of the
materials are not found in place within the State, but come from beyond
the lakes. Limestone bowlders and gravel show, from their contained
fossils and lithological character, that they originally came from the

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 61

Corniferous limestone, a formation well developed in the northern part of
the State. All the streams which have their sources within the great
drift region of the central and northern portion of the State, have carried
down more or less of the drift, materials, and deposited them in vast
sandbars and sandy flats. These now constitute the well known terraces
of the Scioto, Hocking and Muskingum rivers. The Ohio river is also
bordered by these terraces, the materials having been largely brought to
it by its northern affluents. The tributaries to the Ohio from the south,
as the Little and Great Kanawhas, have no such terraces. The same is
true of all the smaller Ohio tributaries, such as Eaccoon, Little Mus-
kingum and Duck creek, which do not have their heads in the central
drift region.

In the terraced drift we find two classes of materials, the hard and
the comparatively soft. The former is composed of diorytes and
granitoid forms, quartzites and other metamorphic rocks, and the cherty
portions of limestones. The latter is% made up of softer sandstones,
slates and bituminous coals. I have found small bowlders of fine grained
Waverly sandstones, which for fineness of texture, and softness under
the chisel, and perfection of color, I have never seen surpassed. Their
original home was in the Waverly formation, and not very far to the
north, for such is the softness of the material, that they could not long
have survived the friction of rolling in currents of water, surrounded by
harder bowlders, much less the more wasting friction of propulsion by
glaciers, under enormous ice-pressure. "We sometimes find similar soft
material only very slighty eroded.

In the large terrace formed at the confluence of the Muskingum and
Ohio rivers, on which the town of Marietta is built, we often find large
quantities of pebbles of bituminous coal. Bushels could sometimes be
taken from a single spot, of all sizes, from four inches in diameter down-
ward. Bituminous coal being soft and easily eroded, the coal of these
pebbles must have been torn from its native seam at some point in our
Ohio coal measures, but a short distance up the Muskingum, probably
not above Zanesville. It has been estimated that lumps of coal of
medium size, dropped into the Ohio river from steamboats and barges,
are worn away to nothing in rolling on the bottom, a distance of from
fifty to one hundred miles. Pebbles and bowlders of Ohio coal measure
sandstone, are also often found in the drift terraces on the Muskingum.
It will be remembered that this river holds its course chiefly within the
limits of the coal formation.

No careful instrumental surveys of the altitude of the terraces above
the streams has as yet been made, but they probably range from 4=0 to 80
feet above the present average level of the waters. The terraced drift

62 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OIJIO.

is never found far up any of the tributaries of the streams which have
carried down the materials. It is sometimes crowded a short distance
into the mouths of tributaries. We sometimes, however, find the drift
some distance from the present channels of the rivers, and back of the
immediate river hills ; but in all the cases of the kind I have examined;
the drift is in old channels, or in new ones formed at the time by very
high water. An example of this may be seen in the so called " plains"
between Saliiia and At'iens, in Athens county. Here an old channel,
west of the Hocking river hills, was entirely choked up by the drift.
Another and less marked exhibition of this is at Newport, Washington
county, on the Ohio river. While the materials of the drift terraces are
more often gravels and sand, we find sometimes layers of fine clay. A
layer of fine blue elay is found in the terrace at Marietta. This was a
fine sedimentary deposit from quiet water. From the location of this
clay, it might have been dropped from the still water of an eddy made
by the meeting of the two rivers. In the same terrace I have seen a
large rounded bowlder of coal measures^ sandstone, twenty inches in
diameter, imbedded in a fine yellow clayey sand. It was as much isola-
ted, so far as other adjacent coarse material is concerned, as a granite
bowlder on a western prairie.

The drift in the northwestern part of the District, constitutes an almost
continuous sheet, covering the whole surface, and in this unbroken con-
dition extends itself for some distance down the valleys of the Scioto
and Hocking rivers ; but as the valleys become more narrow, the con-
tinuity is broken, and the drift is found only in isolated sandbars and
drift plains. At no point in these valleys, nor in that of the Muskingum,
do I find any striation of the underlying rocks, such as, in the more
northern portions of the State, is attributed to the action of glaciers.

The highest elevation on which I have found drift bowlders is on the
summit of Flint Eidge, in Licking county, which is 170 feet above the
adjacent valley. To this add 50 feet as the estimated elevation of the
base of the ridge above Newark, and we have bowlders 220 feet above
Newark, and 374 above Zanesville, and 490 above Marietta, and 729
above Cincinnati. On the hills in Kentucky, in the neighborhood of
Ashland, Greenup county, more than one hundred miles south of Flint
Eidge, I saw drift bowlders 200 feet above the Ohio river, and, in one of
the deep valleys of Scioto, Brush creek, in Adams county, Ohio, I have
seen bowlders of Lake Superior rocks, which had evidently been brought
over the high ground to the north. This high ground cannot be much
less than 700 feet above the Ohio river, at Cincinnati. There will doubt-
less be many similar examples of this kind brought to light during the
progress of the survey. How came these bowlders to be thus left upon

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Or OHIO. 63

these high hills f If glaciers had reached such elevations, we should
expect to find, large accumulations of glacier-worn materials, whereas,
we find, in fact, only a very few isolated bowlders. More probably they
were transported by floating ice, but we are yet to find corroborative
proof of the existence of so vast a body of water, filling the Ohio Valley
at Cincinnati, to the depth of at least 730 feet. Such a body of water
must have constituted an arm of a gulf, filling the Valley of the Missis-
sippi. It could have had little current, and contained little sedimentary
matter brought in from rivers, since we find neither trace of current
action, nor deposited sediments. The explanation of our river terraces
requires the movement of strong currents along our valleys by which
the gravel and sand were accumulated in vast sand-bars and flats.
Water in the streams from 80 to 100 feet higher than at present would
make the terraces. If we should accept the glacier theory to explain the
spread of the drift over the central and northern part of the State, then
the final melting of a vast body of ice would fill, with torrents, all the
streams down the slope to the Ohio Eiver, and these sweeping currents
would carry down the materials in the drift terraces. It would appear
then, that it is possible to refer the origin of the drift terraces, and the
deposit of occasional bowlders on high hills, to different and very distinct
causes.

-The terraces in the olden time presented great attraction to the mound-
builder race. We everywhere find on them earthworks, in the form of
mounds, elevated squares, walls and ditches. Being dry and sandy, the
surface could be easily removed and accumulated in their various struc-
tures. To the profound questions of the ethnologist, who the mound-
builders were, whence they came, and whither they went, we can only
reply that they once lived here, here cultivated the soil, here worshiped,
perhaps with the solemn rites of human sacrifice, here planned and exe-
cuted mighty works of organized labor, and then passed away. We find
their temples, and fortresses, and tombs.

The character of the soil of the river terraces and plains depends upon
the nature of the materials composing it. In the Scioto valley much of
the gravel is of limestone origin, and hence the remarkable fertility of
the Pickaway plains and the other terraced benches in that valley. The
Hocking valley, below Lancaster, is generally narrow, but the soil of the
terrace often contains much of the drift limestone. The Muskingum river
terraces contain less limestone gravel, but the soil is generally fertile,
and is much esteemed for ease of working and the earliness of its crops.

The coarse gravel of the terraces is much prized 1 as a material for the
making of railroads. The Marietta and Cincinnati Eailroad Company

64 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

finds on its line, in Warren township, Washington county, on the Ohio
river, a fine body of terrace gravel, which has been largely nsed as a
ballast for the road-bed. After leaving the Ohio river, no more coarse
gravel is found until the road enters the valley of the Hocking. Passing
this valley, no more gravel is reached until the road enters the valley of
the Scioto. Eailroads located longitudinally within these terraced val-
leys have rare facilities for making a most perfect road-bed. The Hock-
ing Valley Eailroad is thus located, and, although a new road, is one of
the smoothest in the State.

OUTLINES OP THE GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS.

The rocks formed in the 2d District are in ascending order, the Great
Black Slate, the Waverly Sandstones, the Conglomerate, and the produc-
tive Coal-Measures. This is also the order in which they appear in the
district, as we pass from the western line eastward. Each of these forma-
tions dip to the east and south-east, and they consequently overlie each
other as shingles upon a roof.

The general outlines of these several formations have been studied and
mapped. In the hilly region in the southern part of the State, it is most
difficult to determine the outlines with entire exactness, without much
longer time for the work than has yet been at my disposal. The general
outlines, however, are given, and more minute details will be added here-
after, as the several counties through which these lines pass are sepa-
rately studied. As the Ohio river crosses the different formations, careful
determinations have been made of the points where most of the forma-
tions show themselves on its banks, and dip beneath its bed.

The Conglomerate in my district is very uncertain. It is not often
found in its true place, and instead of constituting a uniform and wide-
spread floor, on which the coal measures rest, it is found only locally.
In the provisional map of the outlines of the formations I have given a
more continuous Conglomerate than the facts will probably warrant,
rather out of a sort of geological courtesy and reverence for the "tra-
ditions of the elders," than any other reason.

THE OHIO BLACK SLATE.

The " Ohio Black Slate" is the lowest formation in the geological series
found in the 2d District. It is finely exposed in Ohio river hills in the
neighborhood of Eockville, Adams county, and in nearly all the hills
which range to the north. The upper part of it is well seen in the hills
at Chillicothe, underlying the Waverly Sandstone group. It spreads
itself across the Scioto valley in its upper part, and is found resting upon
the Corniferous limestone in the immediate vicinity of Columbus.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 65

Thickness. — -It was carefully measured by the barometer, in the Ohio
river hills, near the mouth of Big Sulphur creek, Green township, Adams
county, and found to be 320 feet in thickness. Here its limits were dis-
tinctly seen, as it rested upon the limestone, the "Cliff Limestone" of
Dr. Locke,* and upon it reposed the Waverly sandstone. This formation
is probably less thick in its northern extension from the Ohio river,
although no measurements have been made. Prof. Orton, pf the 3d Dis-
trict, who has observed the Black Slate on the waters of Paint creek,
west of Chillicothe, thinks the formation considerably thinner in that
region than on the Ohio river. Although only half as thick as the
Waverly, it often covers as much horizontal surface as the latter, some-
times more. This is because the hills west of the Scioto project it west,
and the valley throws it east.

Bitumen. — The black color of this slate is derived from the large^
amount of bitumen it contains. Prof. Wormley, Chemist of the Geo-
logical Survey, reports the volatile matter (bitumen chiefly) as 8.40 to 10 JO
per cent. This is nearly one-fourth as much as, we And in some bituminous
coals. We have, therefore, in the 320 feet of Black Slate, bituminous
matter enough to furnish, with the requisite bitumen, a seam of coal
nearly 80 feet thick.

The conditions under which this formation was deposited, involved
comparatively quiet waters, charged with a constant supply of fine sedi-
ment, with which there was at all times commingled organic matter,
which alone could have furnished the bitumen. The even distribution
of the bitumen throughout the entire mass of the sediments, would imply
that the water abounded with the minute forms, of vegetable or animal
life. Thus far, search for their forms has been unrewarded. After a
failure by myself, I placed samples of the slate in the' hands of Prof.
Wormley, whose skill in microscopic researches is well known, and whose
instruments are of the most perfect kind. Thus far his search for distinct
organisms has been unsuccessful. It is reasonable to suppose that the
organisms contained no silica or lime, and that in their decomposition
and bituminization all organic structure was destroyed.

Petroleum. — The Black Slate is an evident source of rock oil or petro-
leum. It affords oil readily by artificial distillation, but we find abundant
evidence that it is distilled naturally. At numerous points we find springs
of oil at the top of the slate. Generally they are in the lowest layers of
the overlying Waverly sandstone, as if the ascending oil (for oil being,
lighter than water is upward in its tendency), had been intercepted by
the sandstone and had flowed out between its more open layers. Such

* Note.— Prof. Orton identifies this as the Niagara limestone.

5 — Geological.

66 GEOLOGICAL STTRVEY OF OHIO.

oil springs abound in the western part of Scioto and eastern part of
Adams counties. On Churn creek, a branch of Scioto Brush creek, is an
oil spring affording a thick, heavy oil, from which more or less oil has
been gathered in the summer time and used by the citizens for medicinal
purposes. This is in the Waverly sandstone, only a few feet above the
Black Slate.

On the Eocky fork of Scioto Brush creek is a cluster of oil springs.
The largest is called the Hazelbaker Spring, on a little tributary called
Oil run. From this spring oil is constantly flowing. It is thick like
most spring oil, the more volatile portion having been evaporated through
surface exposure. This oil flows out from between layers of the Waverly
sandstone only a few feet above the black slate. Around the points of
the hills near this spring I found several places where the oil has once
flowed out from crevices in the sandrock and become inspissated. The
places of outflow had exactly the same stratigraphical position just above
the Black Slate. On Bear creek, a tributary of the Scioto river, "in Scioto
county, we found similar oil springs. Oil springs are found on the Kin-
nickinnick creek, in Kentucky, in the same geological position. No one,
after an examination of the various localities, can doubt that the oil
originated in the Black Slate. Other interesting facts tending to verify
this conclusion will be given in conection with the description of another
black slate desposit found interstratifled with the Waverly sandstone.

There are occasionally found interstratifled with the layers of slate

thin layers of asphaltum. They have a highly resinous lustre. They are,

however, very limited in extent, and appear to have spread themselves,

as if at one time they had been pressed out of the slate in a viscid condi-
tion.

In the Black Slate are often found septaria, or large concretionary
forms, which are generally hollow and contain crystalized calcite and often
shining globules of asphaltum. Similar concretions in the Black Slate,
near Delaware, contain the remains of fishes of the most remarkable size
and form. No search has yet been made for these strange fishes in the
Second District, but scales of small ganoid fishes are abundant in the
slates, especially in the upper part.

Lingula sub-spatulata, M. and W. : Discina, capax? White, are also
found, the Lingula in great abundance. Careful search has been made
for other molluSca, but thus far in vain.

Fire Clay. — Near Latham, on Sunflsh creek, Pike county,, was found a
stratum of very hard fire clay, 1 ft. 2 in. thick, situated fifty feet above
the base of the black slate, this is the only break in the continuity of
the slate any where observed. It may be only local, but it indicates that

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 67

for a short time the waters in that region were free from the usual or-
ganic matter, while at the same time they dropped an exceedingly fine clay
sediment.*

Uses of the Black Slate. — Oil is easily distilled from it, but the yield is
not large, and such distillation will be unprofitable while the earth yields
petroleum so bountifully.

The slate, when burnt and pulverized, is said to answer an excellent pur-
pose for roofing when mixed with coal-tar. Capt. James Patterson, of
Eockville, has prepared the material, and it is said to be useful and dura-
ble. The slate is first de-bituminized by heat and afterwards grbund into
powder to be mixed with the tar. The process of baking the slate has
hitherto been done in retorts. Should the slate be found capable of be-
ing burnt in open heaps, a great expense would be saved. There is no
limit to the supply of slate in the hills.

The slate is also used for covering walks in place of gravel. It rapidly
crumbles and covers the walk so compactly as to prevent the growth of
grasses. The sulphate of iron from the decomposed sulphuret also tends
to kill vegetation. The slate is largely used for this purpose in the ceme-
tery at Chillicothe. In time it will disintegrate and form blue clay.

Vertical Joints. — In the bed of Blue creek, Adams county, vertical
joints in the layers of the black slate were well exhibited over a space
some 60 yards in length. They were generally parallel and the small
pocket compass showed their direction to be TS. 32° B. Two miles above
Blue creek, another observation gave the same direction, viz : N. 32° E.
In a stratum of the slate a little higher, the direction was H. 10° W.

WAVERLY SANDSTONE.

A group of sandstones and shales, measuring on the Ohio river, 640
feet in thickness (from the Black Slate to the base of the Sub. Carbon-
iferous Limestone in the Kentucky hills), rests conformably upon the
Black slate. It takes its name from the town of Waverly, in Pike coun-
ty, where the stone has been extensively quarried. It extends from the
Ohio river in a somewhat northeasterly direction through the 2d District.
Its lithological character changes greatly in its northern extension, it
being much coarser to the north, A careful section was made of it on
(he Ohio river, especially of those portions which are of the most econo-
mic value. The best exposures are. in the river hills at Eockville, Adams
county, and between that point and Portsmouth. For a section of the
whole group, see map.

"Note. — The existence of fire clay in the Black Slate is reported by Capt. Wykoff, as
found on his land a few miles below Eockville. It may be the equivalent of the clay at
Latham.

6*8 GEOLOGICAL SUBVBT OF OHIO.

SECTION OP THE WAVEKLY SANDSTONE GROUP.

The lower part of the section was taken at the cut of the inclined rail-
way at the quarry of the Hon. W. J. Flagg, on Lower Twin creek,
Scioto county. At this place the fifty feet directly above the Black Slate
were not seen, but were found exposed at other points, although no mi-
nute measurements were made. The shale partings are of a light bluish
color, and are often quite arenaceous. There is a remarkable exception
to the general character of the Waverly group, in a stratum of highly
bituminous black slate, which is found about 137 feet above the base.
It is 16 feet thick, and remarkably persistent in the Waverly, and is said
by my associates to be found in the northern part of the State. It is not
easily distinguished in appearance from the great Black Slate below. It
is found to be richer in bitumen. Professor Wormley reports it to
contain 21.40 per cent, of volatile matter.

It contains the same mollusca, genera and species, as the Black Slate,
viz: Lingula sub-spatulata, M. and W., and Discina capax. ? White. It
also contains similar scales of small ganoid fishes. Besides these fishes
there are remains of larger fishes. A collection of these larger fish remains
was made from this slate, at Fairview, Ky., by Capt. Jas. Patterson, of
Eockville, who takes an intelligent interest in all such matters. Through
the generosity of Capt. P., I obtained some fine specimens this summer
at Eockville. They are yet to be studied and described. This black
slate in the Waverly is said to be a fish-bed throughout its entire extent
through the State.

The conditions under which this slate was formed must have been very
similar to those existing when the great Black Slate was deposited, viz :
quiet water and a commingling with the sediments of a vast amount of
minute organic matter. Wo trace of bitumen is elsewhere seen in any
other part of this great formation.

This Waverly Black Slate is evidently a very wide-spread stratum. It
is not only found extending through the Waverly formation to the north,
but it evidently accompanies the Waverly rocks in their dip under the
coal measures. I have little doubt that the deep oil wells in the West
Virginia uplift pass through it. While this uplift is located in tlje
center of the great coal basin, it brings to the surface the strata of the
lowest part of the productive coal measures. No true conglomerate is
found, but the sandstone and shales of the Waverly are considerably
thickened, as we should expect in going from Ohio eastward. All the
wells, so far as I can learn, which are sunk to the requisite depth, pass
through from 15 to 20 feet of " black slate," which I cannot doubt is the-

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

69

black slate of the Waverly. I give a section of a well bored at Burning
Spring, by A. B. MeParland, Esq., an intelligent citizen of Parkersburg.
(See Fig. 1.)

.Lowest coal

\=~S Sandy shale*
8a nd rock

=S Bluish shalf.%

;•' Sand roek.Close grained
•t very Hard

■ White mntlnick
^Ji'nok xlats-
g Hard &iul-h Hand/, s^ale

Pig. 1.

Over tbe black slate we find, on the Ohio river, 1 ft. 7 in. of compact
blue clay, upon which rest 3 ft. 9 in. of blue and drab shales imperfectly
laminated. Then conies the famous stratum of sandstone called the
il city ledge." It was first quarried nearly forty years ago by the late
John Loughery, Esq., and the same stratum is still very largely quarried
by Messrs. W. L. Oaden & Bro., Mueller, Adams, Flagg, and others, in
vicinity of Bockville and Buena Vista, on the Ohio river. Mear Bock-
ville the stratum is 3 ft. 5 in. thick. The same " city ledge," on W. J.
Flagg's land, is 4 ft. 6 in., and at another place 3 ft. 11 in. At the latter
place there is an under layer, 2, feet thick, separated by 3J inches of blue
sandy shale. Here the lower layer is quarried. On Upper Twin creek
the same stratum is found, although it is not here wrought. One-fourth
of a mile east of Stony Bun, 3| miles below Portsmouth, the equivalent

70 GEOLOGICAL STTRVEY OF OHIO.

of the city ledge is quarried. Here are three layers, measuring 1 ft. 9 in.
1 ft. 9 in., and 2 ft. 10 in., separated by thin layers of shale 3 inches thick.
It is a fortunate fact that everywhere the rock over the city ledge is a
comparatively soft shale. This greatly facilitates the work of stripping
off the superincumbent material. These overlying clay shales afford a
fine material for brick, and excellent pottery, it is said, can be made from
^he finer parts of them. A section of the " city ledge" and the shales, is
here given. (See Fig. 2.)

: Thin layers ferruginous sandstone

Fig. 2.

The stone quarried at Buena Vista and neighborhood is remarkable for
its durability and resistance under pressure, the ease with which it is
wrought for all architectural purposes, and for its uniform and beautiful
color— a delicate bluish drab, sometimes called " French drab." The
stone in the quarry is remarkably even-bedded, and is split oat in blocks
of a very uniform size, averaging about 45 cubic feet each. These blocks
are sawed into slabs and pillars most economically. This stone is used
in Cincinnati for all the finer architecture, and it has no superior in the
eountry.

The following table of results of tests of building stone, is taken from
statement of W. Shippen, Assistant Commissioner for testing building
materials for TJ. S. Capitol extension. These tests were made under the
direction of the Smithsonian Institution •.

GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY OF OHIO. 71

Pounds.
Sandstone, of which the Old Capitol is built, sustains pressure to square

inch 16,220

Red Freestone, of which the Smithsonian Institution is built, sustains

pressure to square inch 10,248

Yellow Dolomite, of which the House of Parliament, London, is built,

sustains pressure to square inch 8,569

Brown stone of Connecticut, much used in New York, sustains pressure

to square inch 8,259

White crystalline marble, of which the Washington National Monument

is built, sustains pressure to square inch 6,970

West Stockbridge marble (Mass.) sustains pressure to square inch 10,382

Baltimore marble, medium crystals, " " " 9,625

Baltimore marble, large crystals, " " " 8,057

Egremont marble, (Mass.) " " " 9,544

Lenox " " " " " 7,153

Montgomery county marble, (Pa.) " " " 8,950

Bnena Vista freestone, (9cioto county, O.) " " 10,420

The resistance under pressure was also tried by the Knap Fort Pitt
Foundry Company, Pittsburg. Mr. T. L. Knap certifies to the following
result : " Specimen 2£ in. by 2f in. by 5 in. ; force applied on the 2 J in.
side; crushed with a pressure of 101,000 lbs." Mr. Knap reports the
power of resistance greater than that of any stone ever tested by the
K. F. P, F. Co.

The following chemical analysis of the Buena Yista freestone was
made by O. Wuth, a chemist of Pittsburg, Pa. :

Silicic acid 90.22

Alumina 6.25

Peroxide and protoxide iron 2.37

Lime 0.87

Magnesia 0.26

Alkalies 0.03

Total 1 100.00

The top of the "city ledge" layer is covered with Spirophyton cauda
galli, and other species, and with innumerable stems and stalks of marine
plants. Occasionally the leaf of a Spirophyton extends down into the
stone, to the injury of its compactness and strength. These plants show-
no carbonaceous structure. There is not even a black stain upon leaf or
stalk, so completely have the carbon and hydrogen of the ancient plants,
escaped. This escape was doubtless due to the fact that the plants were,
only imperfectly submerged. The opinion has been expressed that petro*.
lenm originated from marine vegetation. In the Waverly we have thft

72 GEOLOGICAL SUBVEY OF. OHIO.

proof of a vast marine flora, but in no case do we find any oil traceable
to this source, nor the slightest tendency to bituminization in any of these
plants. What might have been the case had the fucoids been covered
by clays or other impervious material, it is impossible to say. These
Waverly plants are accumulated in comparatively shallow water, probably
very near the surface, since we find on the under side of some of the
sandstone layers casts of well-marked striae, such as might be made by the
movement of shore ice along a muddy bottom. So far as could be ascer-
tained, the casts of ripple marks run at right angles to the direction of
the striae. This seemingly corroborates the supposition that ice causes
the striae. Mr. John Miller, superintendent of Mr. Mueller's quarries at
Buena Vista, thinks the striae lie in the direction of IsT. E. and S. W.,
while the ripple marks are from K W. to S. E. These striae are remark-
ably uniform and parallel. The mud was often planed down quite
smooth, and yet the tool-marks are ever discernable. Upon the mud
thus prepared the sandy layers were deposited. If the different layers
of the sandstone should generally be found to contain upon their under
surfaces these casts, we might perhaps infer from this the periodicity of
the winter ice, and the sueceeding deposits of the sandy sediment brought
down periodically from the continent of that period. This would make
the accumulation of the Waverly rocks a rapid one, yet there could not
have been a very strong current to move the materials of the formation,
as it is developed near the Ohio River, for they are too fine and too much
mingled with clay. To the north, in Fairfield county, and in that region,
the Waverly sandstone is very coarse, and required much stronger cur-
rents for the accumulation of the materials.

About 47 feet above the " city ledge " is a group of layers, lying so
horizontally and so evenly bedded as to arrest attention. This group
was named by Dr. Locke in the old reports, the " Beautiful Quarry."
The position of these layers is indicated in the general section. They
have never been quarried to any considerable extent, but doubtless the
choicer layers will be wrought at some future day. The same group is
well exposed on the road to the residence of Hon. Wm. J. Flagg, on the
high hill between Upper and Lower Twin creeks. Although no other

Note. — W. L. Caden &. Bro. quarry and sell annually 150,000 cubic feet of this stone
taken from the city ledge stratum. Much of this is prepared for use in their large steam
saw -mill. Mr. Mueller quarries about 200,000 feet, all, or nearly all, taken from the city
ledge seam. Mr. J. W. Adams also quarries the city ledge stone largely. In addition to
his own quarries, he rents those of Hon. W. J. Flagg, on Lower Twin creek, together
with his railroad. It should be added, that Mr. Mueller has a fine railway to his quar-
irfes, on which he uses locomotives.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 73

layer of sandstone than the " city ledge" is now wrought, to any extent,
in the neighborhood of Buena Vista,.it is not because there is not a vast
amount of excellent stone besides. The " city ledge " has a great repu-
tation, and as it is easily wrought for all architectural purposes, it is in
great demand. Such has been the competition among the owners of
quarries, that they feel compelled to supply their patrons with the " city
ledge " stone. Could the stone from other layers be once fairly intro-
duced, I hare no doubt of its value and popularity.

The stone of the '< city ledge" is sometimes contaminated with petro-
leum, but this is in exceptional localities. Many of the large blocks of
the stone used in the supension bridge over the Ohio river at Cincinnati,
show the tarry oil, as the sun's heat has caused it to exude and run down.
These were blocks not deemed worthy, I suppose, to be used in the finer
stone works in the city. A limestone quarried in the suburbs of Chicago
is charged, in a similar way, with petroleum. A Presbyterian church on
Wabash avenue in that city, built of this stone, presents the appearance
of having been covered *with dripping tar. The oil in the " city ledge '»
stratum has evidently originated in the highly bituminous slate which im-
mediately underlies it. In comfirmation of this supposition, the lowest
sandstone layers of the Waverly group and which rest directly upon the
Great Black Slate, contain oil and constitute a horizon of oil springs.

The upper Waverly sandstone are nowhere extensively quarried along
the Ohio river, so far as I could learn, except on Carey's run, between
Stoney run and Portsmouth, where there is a pretty extensive quarry of
Waverly layers, situated above the horizon of the " city ledge." No
measured sections of the rocks were here made. The stone is now being
quarried for the piers of the railroad bridge between Cincinnati and Cov-
ington, Ky. Generally the upper Waverly layers are not sufficiently firm
and durable for building purposes, and yet, upon more careful examina-
tion, there will doubtless be found portions of the formation of excellent
quality.

A careful examination of the quarries in the Waverly group in Pike
county has not yet been made. Stone from the town of Waverly and
vicinity is extensively used for building purposes in all the cities and
towns on the Ohio Canal, at Chillicothe, Columbus, &c. A fine grained
stone from Pike county, of a very rich, dark yellow drab, has recently
been introduced into Columbus. The block of stores of Peter Hayden,
Esq., on Broad Street, has its front of this stone. For large buildings?
and especially for churches, this stone is admirably fitted to gratify the
tastes of those who prefer rich dark hues in ecclesiastical architecture. A
stone from the Waverly group, quarried at Newark, of a lighter yellow and

74 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

much coarser in texture, is also prized ior building purposes. The new
Eoman Catholic Cathedral at Columbus is being built of it.

Quarries are opened in the Waverly rocks in the Hocking valley. The
stratigraphical position of some of these quarries will be given hereafter.

The upper Waverly sandstones on the Ohio river section contain less
interstratifled shales than the lower portion. The whole rock is generally
softer and of a more yellow color, due to the presence of iron. At many
points, the iron ore, a hematite, forms a coating on the sandstone two
or three inches thick. We have here the dawn of the coming iron ore
period of the lower coal measures. The ore was nowhere seen of suita-
ble thickness for practical use.

Direction of Vertical Joints. — In the bed of Stony run, four miles be-
low Portsmouth, vertical planes appear With unusual distinctness, divid-
ing the horizontal strata into rhomboidal blocks* Directions of joints,
N. 30 deg. B., and S. 82 deg. E.

In the Waverly, in the bed of Pond creek, one mile from the Ohio
Canal, vertical joints are very distinct, cutting the horizonal strata into
triangular, trapezoidal and rhomboidal blocks. Directions, E". 38 deg. W.,
K 6 deg. W., X. 50 deg. B., N. 52 deg. B., and K 70 deg. W.

In the Waverly just below the " 16 feet " or " Waverly black slate," on
Eocky Fork of Camp creek, Camp Creek township, Pike county, the
direction of joints is N. 32 deg. B. and K 68 deg. W.

In the " Waverly black slate " at Patterson's quarry, below Eockville,
the direction is N. 50 deg. W. In the " Logan sandstone," (upper Waverly)
at Scott's Creek Falls, Hocking county, the direction of joints is N. 82
deg. E. Also, in the same, below the bridge, in the bed of Hocking
river, N. 86 deg. B.

Vertical joints in the upper Waverly, top of Springville hill, Ky., op-
posite Portsmouth, K. 84 deg. E.

The vertical joints in the fire clay at Taylor's quarry, three miles above
Portmouth, K 50 deg. E. This clay rests upon the top of the Waverly.

The hills along the Ohio river, in the Waverly formation, are very
high and steep. The following altitudes were taken by the barometer :
Butterworth's hill, four miles north of Eome, Adams county, 543 feet
above the bed of Stout's run. On the Loughery hill, east of the mouth
of Eock run, at Eockville, Adams county, the stratam of foBsiliferoue
sand rock is 440 feet above the bed of the run, and there are probably
50 or 60 feet of the hill above that stratum, making the hill at least 500
feet high. The altitude of the picturesque dwelling of Hon. W. J. Flagg,
on the hill between the two Twin creeks, Scioto county, is 505 feet above
the lower Twin creek bridge. This corresponds very nearly with an
instrumental survey made by Mr. Flagg for the location of a road.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 75

Raven Rock hill, about three miles below Portsmouth, was found to be
508 feet high. On the top is a cairn of stones. The highest point in the
range of the high and picturesque hills in Kentucky, directly opposite
Portsmouth, is 527 feet above the alluvial bottom as the base.

The height of the first Ohio river hill on the Ohio side above Ports-
mouth, is 402 feet. This is not high enough to take the coarse coal
measure sandstone. On the top are the remains of an Indian or mound-
builder lookout. On the next hill to the east, the coarse coal-measure
sand rock shows at an elevation of 416 feet, where it is 15 feet ta'uJk.
Forty-five (45) feet below the sand rock is a stratum of blue fire clay,
from three to four feet thick. This is doubtless the equivalent of the
seam of fire clay worked by Mr. Taylor, one mile further east. Mr. Tay-
lor's hill is 388 feet above the alluvial bottom. His clay is one foot seven
inches thick, and lies 22 feet below the top of the hill. This clay is
doubtless the same in geological position with that extensively quarried
on the hills near Sciotoville. The finer grained upper Waverly rocks
show themselves 10 feet below Mr. Taylor's fire clay.

The height of the hill back of Josiah Merrill's landing, in Kentucky,
10 miles above Portsmouth, is 330 feet. The sub-carboniferous limestone
is extensively deposited in the hill, and measures 46 feet thick. It is 215
feet above the base of the hill.

FOSSILS OF THE WAVEBLY.

The Waverly group contains impressions of marine plants throughout
its whole vertical range. They are the Spirophyta of Hall, in several
species, and stems of numerous fucoidal plants. The Spirophyta abound
in the productive coal measures, as will be shown hereafter. A small
fragment of a Dictophyton Hall, was found at Buena Vista, in the " city
ledge" sandstone. The upper Waverly contains several forms of marine
plants as yet undescribed. The lower Waverly, on the Ohio river, is
found to be very barren of animal fossils. Not a single one of any kind
was found in the 137 feet ot sandstones and blue sandy shales lying below
the Waverly black slate. The black slate contains, as has already been
stated, two forms of brachiopoda, Lingula sub-spatulata and Discina
capax, and fish remains. There are also great numbers of a minute fossil
form, resembling the dental arrangements of gasteropoda. In the " city
ledge" layer, a single indistinct form of a cyathophylloid coral was ob-
tained. In the clay shale directly above the "city ledge," a fragment of
a very indistinct form of goniatites was found. As this is probably the
horizon from which Dr. Hildreth's specimens came, which were described
by Dr. Morton, I searched the shales carefully, but found nothing except a

76 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

mere fragment. Dr. Hildreth's goniatites came from a shaft, at Munn's
run, above Portsmouth, sunk to the Waverly black slate, in expectation
of finding it coal. Oue hundred and twenty-seven feet above the "city
ledge" is a sandstone rich in fossils. About 114 feet above this is an-
other stratum of sand rock covered with iron ore, also rich in fossils.
This stratum was not found in place, but the fragments were found near
the top of Mr. Plagg's hill, near Buena Vista, and the place of the
stratum proximately estimated. Fossils were found in large iron-stone
concretions in a sandstone near the mouth of the Little Scioto, at Scioto-
ville, above Portsmouth. The collections of the Survey have not yet
been studied. In a private collection made by myself some years since
at Eockville (in the first fossiliferous sand rock stratum above the " city
ledge"), and at Scioto ville, Prof. A. Winchell, of Michigan, has identified
the following forms :

SochnUe. — Fenestrella, sp ? ; Producta semi-reticulata, Flem. ; P. arcuata, Hall ; Cho-
netes genicnlata? White; C. Minoisensis, Worthen; Hemipronites umbraculum, Sofa.;
Orthis Michellini, Lev. ; Spirifera carteri, Hall ; S. biplieata ? Hall ; Spiriferina solidi-
rostris, White ; Pleurotomaria vadosa, Hall ; Nantilus trisulcatus, M. and W. ; Phillipsia
Doris, Hall, sp. ; Cythere crassi-marginata, Win.

Sciotoville — Zaphrentis ida? Win.; Trematopora? vesiculosa, Win.; Trematopora ?
Sciotoensis, n. s., Win. ; Crinoid stems, 2 species ; Fenestrella sp ? ; Producta semi-reticu-
lata, Flem.; P. morbilliana, Win.; P. Cooperensis? Swallow; P. concentrica, Hall; P.
gracilis, Win.; Hemipronites umbraculum, Sch.; Orthis sub-eliptiea ? M. and W. ; Spi-
rifera Carteri, Hall ; S. Marionensis, Shumard ; S. subrotundata, Hall ; Spiriferina solidi-
rostris, White; Syringothyris typa, Win; Spirigera Hanmbalensis, Swallow; S. Ohioensis,
Win.; Khynconella Sageriana, Win. ; E. Missouriensis, Shumard ; Centronella ? flora, n. s.,
Win.; Aviculapecten caroli, Win.; Perno pecten lineatus? Win.; Sanguinolites Mar-
shallensis, Win. ; Sanguinolaria, sp ? ; Pleurotomaria vadosa, Hall ; Murchisonia prolixa,
M. and W.; M. quadricincta, Win.; Conularia Newberryi, Win.; Orthoceras Indianense, Hall.

SOIL OP THE WAVERLY HILLS NEAR THE OHIO RIVER.

Hon. W. J. Plagg, who owns a large estate in these Waverly bills, and
who has devoted much time and thought to fruit culture, as well as to
the development of the building stone, has sent the following interesting
and valuable statement relative to the region :

Concerning the economic value of the hills of J dams and Seioto counties, in the neighborhood
of the village of Freestone, which is on the Ohio river, near the point whsre the line dividing
those counties touches it.

These hills being steep and rough are hardly cultivated at all, except for fruit. The
peaches from the orchards of Mr. Loughery, overlooking the villages, have a high reputa-
tion in market, and what little wine has been prodaced from a few vineyards near by,
has been of uncommon delicacy of flavor and richness. Without any analysis of the soil
to inform us, we know that it abounds in silex, is deficient in lime, has some clay, and a
good deal of iron, as well as potash. Comparing it with the soil of one of the best vine-
yards in one of the chief wine districts of Europe, Lafitte in Medoc, we find the latter to
contain —

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 77

Silicions pebbles 629 parts.

Fine sand 283 "

Pure silex 63 "

Humus 13 "

Alumina 7 "

Lime 40 "

Iron - - 86 "

In the limestone soil of the Burgundy wine district, the proportion of iron is from ten
to thirteen per cent., and of silica about thirty per cent. These show that for the pro-
duction of wines of fine, quality, lime in large quantity is not an essential constituent,
and that in two, at least, of the great French vine districts, the soil, like that of the hills
of Adams and Scioto, abounds in silica and iron.

The timber is chiefly white oak, poplar, chestnut, beech, hickory, surgar tree and locust,
of remarkable strength and durability, as compared with the growth of the plains and
valleys.

Ginseng, sarsaparilla and other medicinal plants of marketable value, are found in the
woods, and are gathered and disposed of in considerable quantities.

Mineral springs of real or supposed virtue in healing disease, issue in many places from
the bases of the hills. One of these, in Adams county, has already become an established
resort for invalids.

The upper parts of the hills are formed of a very even and compact stratification of
what are known as the Waverly sandstone, interlaid with clayey shales. Though cap-
able of yielding an inexhaustible supply of very good building material, and though
formerly quarried for that purpose, to some extent, these sandstones are now abandoned
in favor of the harder and more beautiful ledge lying below them.

Immediately beneath the Waverly ledges comes a very thick bed of fine bluish grey
clay, excellent for brick, tile and potters' ware. An English potter finds in this clay the
very material that has made Staffordshire what it is, the pottery of the world. It is
not of such clay that the fine white ware and porcelain we get from Staffordshire are
made, but those wares must be enclosed when baked, by a kind of matrix, to supply
which so large a bulk of common clay is needed that the finer substances of which the
ware itself is formed, and of which not a tenth as much is needed, can better be transported
to it than it to them. Hence potteries are always established near the clay beds. The
clay in question is quite pure and free of grit.

Next below is the " city ledge," so called, a stratum of close-grained greyish-drab
sandstone, from three feet to four feet thick, from which the fine building stone now
generally used in Cincinnati and other cities of the valley is obtained. Usually no
other is quarried, but lately a ledge, two feet thick, lying immediately under it, and of
the same color and general composition, has been introduced to the market and been re-
ceived with favor.

The price of these stones at Cincinnati is fifty cents per cubic foot, less than one-third
that of the brown stone so much used in New York and other eastern cities, but which is,
nevertheless, no stronger, nor more durable, nor any easier worked, nor, in common es-
timation, more beautiful than what is here so cheaply and abundantly afforded. Accord-
ingly, in all buildings 6onstructed in Cincinnati, during the last fifteen years, where any-
thing like elegance is attempted, whether public or private, for residence or business,
the " Buena Vista Free Stone," so called, is the material used. And owing to its cheap-
ness it is put up in more massive blocks, and forming thicker walls than is common in
the East.

Close below the city ledge comes a bed of black bituminous slate or shale, fifteen feet
thick.

78 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

This in turn rests upon a series of layers, in all about 125 feet thick, of fine cream col-
ored sandstone, separated by thin deposits of clayey shale. One or two of these layers
near the bottom of the series are of beautiful appearance, quarry and work well, and
seem well adapted to the finest building purposes, but as they are locked down by so
heavy a mass of what has at present no merchantable value, they are not worked.
Ultimately however, the whole must come into use to build up the great and beautiful
cities, that are, and are to be, in the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi.

Next we come to a second bed of black bituminous slate of the thickness of from three
hundred to three hundred and fifty feet, and known in geology as the Hamilton Shale.
Like the upper bed, this slate is highly bituminous. Numerous issues of petroleum from
its surface and above it, caused oil seekers to bore several wells in the neighborhood
in question, during the years 1865 and 1866, but without valuable result. It is also
rich in sulphur, and is said to contain, besides considerable lime, phosphorus and potash.

In other countries much thinner and poorer beds of bituminous matter than these,
have, for many years, been worked and distilled for the production of oil. And though
at present all the distilleries that have been put up for that purpose in the vicinity of
Freestone, are lying idle, or being dismantled, yet if ever the time shall come when a
short supply or extended consumption of petroleum skall raise its price to double or
treble what it now is, resort must be had to some such basis of supply as we find at the
foot of the hills of Adams and Scioto counties, in that immense bituminous deposit.

Many fruit growers and especially grape growers of the eastern shores of Lake Erie,
and others on the borders of Crooked lake, New York, attribute their remarkable success
to the presence in the soil of their orchards and vineyards of this same slate. To it they
have lately been led to trace not merely the large and regular crops they have obtained —
so abundant and so certain as to have run up the price of land to speculative rates — but
also their very great immunity from the vine disease. They find in the slate an abun-
dance of sulphur, which is the well known remedy for that disease. It is stated that
vine growers in the north of France, who use as a manure a black earth highly charged
with sulphur, also escape the ravages of the malady, and attribute their escape to the
sulphur. Experiments are furthermore being made on an entensive scale to test the
value of the slate when ground to a fine flour and applied in the same way as a substi-
tute for ground plaster.

The same flour mixed with coal-tar as a kind of mastic and applied on a sheathing of
woolen paper, has of late been considerably employed for roofing. When well put on it
makes a good roof, capable, possibly, of almost indefinite renewal of painting with a fresh
coat of the mixture.

Other elements of value are supposed to lie within the rich body of slate, among them
the elements of sulphuric acid and alum.

All which brings us down to the limestone at low water mark. Eicher hills there are,
but where can any be found so thoroughly valuable from top to bottom as these ?

W. J. FLAGG.

The Waverly hills in Southern Ohio are heavily timbered, and the day
is not far distant when all the accessible forests will be needed aud used
as fuel for the production of iron. For many purposes, charcoal iron is a
necessity, and it will always command an extra price. The number of
charcoal furnaces is rapidly diminishing, while that of stonecoal fur-
naces is increasing. Charcoal iron will, therefore, be relatively more val-
uable in the future than now. There are, however, few districts in the

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 79

State where woodlands can be obtained sufficiently cheap for furnace
uses. This is not the case in the Waverly hills below Portsmouth, for
lands are much cheaper here than in any other part of the State. Iron
ores from Missouri are already largely used by furnaces higher up the
river, and also limestone for flax is carried up the river from the Silurian
limestone formation in the vicinity of Manchester, Adams county. Ores
for mixture, or to be used independently, could be obtained on the line of
the Portsmouth Branch of the Marietta and Cincinnati Eailroad.

I have not been able to study the Waverly rocks carefully at points
north of the immediate valley of the Ohio river, and nowhere have I
made a complete section.

On the Marietta and Cincinnati Eailroad, we pass, in going west, the
base of the productive coal measures in the vicinity of the Cincinnati
Furnace, five or six miles west of Hamden, in Vinton county. Here are
ledges of coarse sandrock of great thickness, giving a picturesque mural
character to the part of the " Hungry Hollow " valley. At the base of
the coarse sandrock, I find in the railroad cuts to the westward, alternate
layers of conglomerate and fine grained sandstone, the latter, however,
greatly exceeding the former in thickness. Under these, the rocks become
uniformly fine grained, and both in texture and color resemble the layers
of the middle and lower Waverly strata, at Buena Vista, on the Ohio
river. In the fine grained blue Waverly sandstone at the base of the
conglomerate group, I find Producta semireticulata, Orthis Michelini
Bhynehonella Sageriana, a Myalina, and several other undetermined
species of fossils.

In passing from the coal measures in Hocking county down to the
Waverly, we find a group of comparatively fine grained buff colored sand-
stones, one hundred and thirty-three and a half feet thick. These rocks
contain marine plants, Syirophyton cauda-galli, &c.j Producta, 3 species;
Ehynehonella, Orthis, &c. Below this group, which I have called, for
convenience of designation, the Logan Sandstone, are eighty-five feet of
alternate fine grained Waverly-like seams and conglomerate. The fine
grained sandstone is often blue and rich in fucoids after the manner of
the Ohio river Waverly. Beside the marine plants are Producta ; Chon-
etes; Syringothyris, typa; Orthis, &c. Below this conglomerate group
we find the coarse sandstone and conglomerate which form the chief
Waverly in the hills in the Hocking Valley. The Waverly is found to be
entirely changed in its lithological character. It is always coarse with
the single exception of twelve feet of fine grained rock seen at the base
of the hills near Sugar Grove, Fairfield county. Often it contains pebbles
of the size of a hickory nut. At Mount Pleasant, a bold hill near Lancas-

80

GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY OE OHIO.

ter, some two hundred feet high (by estimate), there is a bluff exposure
on the southwestern side. The rock here varies in no respect from a
common coal measure conglomerate. It ranges all the way from a hard
compact sandstone to a coarse conglomerate filled with quartz pebbles.
In color it ranges from white through various shades of yellow, to dark
ochre and even to lively brick red. Generally, however, it is a coarse yellow
loose grained sandrock. There is much false bedding, and an exact sec-
tion would be impossible. In many places the face of the cliff presents a
curiously honey-combed appearance from unequal disintegration by weath-
ering. The typical Waverly look was nowhere seen. If a layer of fine
grained Waverly -like stone, seen between Sugar Grove and the mouth of
Clear creek, continues to the north-west, its place would be in this hill.
The Lancaster stone is quarried for building purposes, and the new court
house now in process of erection at Lancaster, is being built of it.

Four miles below Lancaster, in Berne township, the Waverly sandrock
is quarried by Messrs. Sharpe and Carlisle. The quarry is something
over a hundred feet above the Hocking canal, and is opened in a hard
compact but coarse grained sandrock about twenty feet in thickness and
of excellent quality. Above this were exposed about fifteen feet of loose
laminated sandrock.

Just below the village of Sugar Grove, on the east side of the canal, is
the quarry of Eobert L. Sharpe, Esq., in the same geological range as the
quarry last mentioned. Fossils are rare. I saw only an indistinct spiri-
fer. The section is as follows. (See Pig. 3.)

, t^SS^ Soil

f^*- 7 Loosely laminaled a. atone
My.'-:7iT Sand stone not used

->;■;/■ Sand 8 tone Quarried

Finely laminated sandstone

■> >/*
r J_ Coarse sandrocK

/ / Wot seen

*%mz

Fia. 3.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

81

The stone from the two quarries last named has been principally used
for locks and bridge piers, and is said to give good satisfaction. On the
Ohio and Erie canal this stone was used in rebuilding locks at Lockbourn©
and at Lockville, making about twenty-five locks in all. It was also used
In the acqueduct and locks at Circleville. It has been also used at va-
ious points on the Hocking canal. The stone has been thus used for some
thirty years, and on the Ohio canal for fifteen years, and is reported i»
stand the test admirably.*

The following is a seetion showing the alternation of conglomerate and
fine grained blue sandstone as we ascend in the Waverly series. Being
taken in a deep railroad cut where no measurement could be made of the
perpendicular sides, the figures are only estimates. The seetion was taken
on the farm of James Francisco, Marion township, Hocking county. (See
Pig. 4.)

Sandstone, laminated

'/: •'•'■/. Sandstone

' ,,.'■,;■ -■ ; Buff eol'd sandstone

,.>'=•*£. Skndstone interstralified xoith conglomerate
9 " \i~^^

tt-. .' Blue sandstone

Sandstone
Conglomerate
Sandstone
Clay
Sandstone
Clap

Sandstone
c Blue clay

Sandstone

Fig. 4.

These layers, though generally fine grained blue sandrock, and much'
resembling, lithologically, the typical Waverly of the Ohio river, show at
nearly all the seams a tendency to the coarseness of conglomerate. There
is the evidence that at times the water currents swept along with suffi-
cient force to carry very coarse gravel, while, at other times, the waters
were more quiet, and deposited fine sand intimately mixed with clay. It
is in the finer material that the marine plants (fucoids) are found,

*N©TiK-Mr. Sharps reports the gross Bale» : from the lower quarry last year at $12,006.
The^preeent year will probably show $15,000 from the two quarries.

6 — Geological.

82 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

while the animal fossils, such as the Syringothyris, typa; are often
found in the coarser deposits. Beautiful impressions of flexible stalks of
fucoids are here seen. One species shows a peculiar system of transverse
ridges much resembling those seen in the stems of the Eusophycus of
the Clinton rocks.

There are several distinct species of these curious flexible stems to be
found in the conglomerate and Logan Sandstone groups. The same are
found in the upper Waverly, in the one hundred and fifty feet of fine-
grained sandstone lying next below the Sub- carboniferous limestone in
the Kentucky hills, opposite Wheelersburg, Scioto county.

Above the group of the last section come in the heavier beds of eon-
glomerate, well exposed at the Falls of the Hocking, one mile above
Logan. Here deep pot-holes have been worn in the conglomerate. There
are probably twenty feet of the conglomerate at this place, although the
bottom was nowhere seen. A mile below, at the mouth of Scott's creek,
a higher layer of coarse conglomerate is well exposed, and above this
several thin layers of conglomerate, alternating wit'i fine grained sand-
stone. The following section shows these rocks. See Fig. 5.

■?z -%■ Logan sandstone

gj^T Conglovterule
. .zc±- Mne' grained sandstone
'^ytr° : Conglomerate
\^~ Fine grained S.S. Cauda gnUi &u
.. y, ._Hgfc * Conglomerate

/Jyz~ -Fins grained S.S. Cauda gatti &e.

'' Conglomerate
Not teen

■ JHlr''' : "'<J" ? uV' Conglomerate with pot holes

Fig. 5.
At Black Hand, near the east line of Licking county, the conglomerate
is probably fifty or sixty feet thick, and over it lie, as we follow the dip

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 83

to the south-east toward Zanesville, the Logan Sandstone group. The
Logan Sandstone, with its characteristic fossils, is found to extend to a
point between Pleasant Valley and Dillon's Falls, on the Baltimore
and Ohio Bailroad, 0. O. Division. Many of the fossils of this group
are identical with those of the upper Knobstone formation, proximate
to' the sub-carboniferous limestone of Kentucky. This upper fine-grained
sandstone was carefully measured near Logan, Hocking county, and
found to be one hundred and thirty-three feet from the conglomerate
below to the horizon of the Maxville limestone, which will be more fully
noticed hereafter, and which everywhere rests upon the fine-grained
sandstone of the upper Waverly.

At the top of the Logan group of sandstones, not far from Logan,
Hocking county, a seam of fire-clay is reported by S. Baird, Esq., a well-
known iron manufacturer, who formerly had charge of the Logan Fur-
nace. This fire-clay has the same geological position as the fire-clay at
the top of the Waverly in the Ohio river hills above Portsmouth. It
has been tested, and pronounced excellent in quality, and such it appears
in the samples shown me. Over the fire-clay is a seam of siderite ore in
nodules, imbedded in clay, as reported by Mr. Baird.

MAXVILLE LIMESTONE.

There is above the Logan Sandstone group a limestone horizon, al-
though the limestone is not everywhere persistent. It often gives place
to sandstone of the usual coal measure grit. It was evidently formed on
local basins occupied by quiet waters and cut off from the reach of the
strong sand-moving currents. But as these limestones group themselves
upon one geological horizon, and always rest upon the top of the Logan
sandstone group, I have no doubt that they have the same geological
age, and were formed at the same time. I have called it the Maxville
limestone, from the village of that name in Monday creek township, in
Perry county, eight or ten miles north-east of Logan, where it has been
extensively burned into quicklime.

The following is a section of this limestone, as seen in the land of
James Tonnihill, Section 28, Green township, Hocking county. (See
Fig. 6.)

Mr. GL W. Smith is engaged in quarrying and burning this limestone
at this place. He sells annually from 2,000 to 3,000 bushels of lime.
The stone is also used as a flux at the Union Furnace. Mr. Smith knows
nothing of the limestone west, nor, indeed, in any direction except to the
north. It appears continuously northward for half a mile, and then is
said not to be seen until within two miles of Maxville. It is probable

84 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

^ sr; Yellow tkole

~ ^^»<5 ^ A * n '<W S "vdulei oftron em

4? l" 4itfi^£Mx£±i3 limestone in thick nodulei

JfpfliJl-

Bttff limestone

= — Caicareous clay

«- mm

Green attietons mutter
mired wtfA upper toners

EHi2i£^

UJJ T^ flnrd eempadt limeitone

Fig. 6.

that a careful search for i t, at its proper geological horizon, would be re-
warded in finding it at points nearer Union Furnace and on the Hocking
river hills convenient to the canal and railroad. South and west of the
Hocking river, it has not been noticed ; but from recollections of explo-
rations made by me several years since, between Jackson and the Ohio
river, I am led to think that, in a few places, I saw small developments
of this limestone in its true geological horizon. The same horizon, con-
tinued across the Ohio river, would strike the Sub-carboniferous limestone of
Kentucky. I shall be able, next season, to settle this important point.*
Like the Kentucky limestone, the Maxville seam generally carries a
stratum of iron ore.

The following section, taken on the farm of David Hardy, near Max-
ville, shows the position of the Maxville limestone. (See Fig. 7.)

The Logan sandstone below shows the usual lithologieal texture and
the usual fossils — fucoids (Spirophyton, cauda galli), etc., Productua, etc.
A collection of fossils was made from the limestone. They are generally
indistinct, as if the shells had been acted on by some solvent before the
limestone became solidified around them.

Note. — The calcareous clay in above section is8 inches thick, not 8 feet, as given.

* Note. — This has subsequently been verified, and the Maxville limestone will probably.,
prove to be the equivalent of the Cheater limestone of the Illinois reports.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

85

Soil

«£%£&*** MM sandstone

""^fctohw,

* £ fiiTTT^ ^"'WWWm&A

emit limestone

£°!Mn,anclstonc
~ with usual fostilt

Fig. 7.

The limestone here, as in Green township, Hocking county, appears to
be of limited extent. In going south toward Logan, it is last seen in the
road on Augustus Culver's land, some two miles from Maxville. Mr.
Eobert Ashbaugh reports that, so far as he knows, it occurs not further
than a fourth of a mile west, one mile north, and not at all east of Max-
ville. As seen on Mr. Hardy's land, the lower five and a half feet are a
bluish-gray stone, very hard and pure, breaking with a sharp, conchoidal
fracture, and bedded in layers of eighteen inches and under. The upper
three feet and two inches contain a little iron, which causes the rock to
weather buff color. In many places the buff layers are beautifully mot-
tled with large spots of different shades of blue and green. The lower
portions are preferred for the lime-kiln, and the lime is said to be of su-
perior quality. The stone has also been quarried, and used in the Logan
Furnace as a flux, for which it serves an admirable purpose. Formerly
this limestone was quite extensively burned into quicklime at Maxville,
but the expense of transportation by wagon renders it difficult to com-
pete with the product of other establishments more favorably located.

At other exposures in the vicinity of Maxville, a black shale takes the
place of the sandstone over the limestone, and also on the limestone
there is often found a deposit of iron ore.

86 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

Following the horizon of the Maxville limestone north through Perry-
county, we find the stone finely exhibited in section 16, Madison township,
Perry county, on the land of Edward Danison. Here the waters of Jona-
than creek have excavated a deep channel, and the limestone, with per-
haps fifty feet of the Logan sandstone, is exposed to view. The upper
layers of the Logan sandstone are of soft sandy shales, but contain the
usual fossils of the Logan or upper Waverly group. The following sec-
tion shows the position of the limestone and the associated strata. The
limestone is from this point often seen in the valley, and is well exposed
at Newtonville, Newton township, Muskingum county, where it lies in the
bed of the stream. At Newtonville, and in the vicinity, a fine collection
of fossils was made from the limestones, all indicating the sub-carbonif-
erous character of the rocks. Above Newtonville, on the stream on the
land of J. H. Eoberts, the lower part of the limestone is buff colored.
Prof. Wormley gives, of this, the following analysis :

Silica 15.20

Iron and alumina, chiefly iron 4.40

Carbonate of lime 49.80

Carbonate of magnesia 30.65

Total 100.05

This may prove a valuable material for a cement lime.
Sec. Edward Damson's land, section 16, Madison township, Perry
county. (See Fig. 8.)

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

87

Soil

S j =s Sandy shales with indistinct coal plants

28 6

'« » ;

Coal
j^rgggg ^" - Blue clay shales

Not seen

3 ff / cr>.<~— •> ^cZron ore, sideline

15'

Not seen

Iron ore, siderite

Blue or btacfc shale

Iron ore, siderite

Maxville limestone

Sandy shales

: ^ r ^pz __ Nodules siderite ore in clap

Logan sandstone
with usual fossils

Fig. 8.

In this section there are four layers of iron ore, all believed to be of
the siderite group. The most promising is probably the one lying

88

GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY OP OHIO.

directly above the limestone. Of this, Prof. Wormley has made an
analysis. This analysis will be found in tables on a subsequent page.

On Mr. Danison's land, 58 feet ) above the top of the Maxville lime-
atone, is a seam of coal three feet three inches thick, which has been
mined to a limited extent. In the sandy shales over this coal are indis-
tinct leaves and stems of coal plants. On the slope of the hill above
the coal seam are fragments of flint in considerable number.

On the farm of Joseph Eambo, section 14, Newton township, Mus-
kingum county, a good section of the strata above the Maxville or Kew-
tonville limestone was obtained, which is here given. (See Pig. 9.)

Soil

' .Putnam Hill limestone, 78 ft. above Maxville limestone

■''JwfSSfeS -Black sandy bituminous shale, full of fossil shells

4" IBBMB Coal
1'6" /=^==fr »zn/>fc clay shale

I'^jf^S^ White clay

89 6

Sandy and slaty shale and thin layer*
o/ sandstone

Iron ore, sideriie
Light coVd clay shale
Iron ore, siderite

3' /jg Shales black at bottom, light at top

' • >~ -> — ^Dark blue limestone, fossiliferous
Black sandy shales
Coal
Light coVd sandy shales

S' %■• Y?~j^r Black bituminous slate, finely laminated and tough
Light blue clay shale
Light colored sandy shale

Very dark bluish shale with
thin layers of sandstone

Iron ore, sidertte

Newtonville or Maxville limestone

Fig.. 9.

Here we have all the strata in detailed measurement up to a limestone
which is generally persistent. It is 78£ feet above the great Maxville
limestone. It is fossiliferous, and the sandy bituminous shales directly
under it are also rich in fossils of the lower coal measure types. Although
we have not traced it continuously to Putnam, opposite Zanesville, yet
we are confident that it is the same as the Putman Hill limestone, and as
such it was named by Mr. Ballantine, my assistant.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

S9

In a section of the strata at Flint Ridge, made by Prof. Lesquereux
and Dr. H. I. Salisbury, and quoted by Lesquereux in the Kentucky Re-
ports, Vol. IV., we find a seam of coal 80 feet below the blue Flint Ridge
limestone, which is supposed to be the equivalent of the Putnam Hill
limestone. It rests directly upon the conglomerate, according to Mr-
Lesquereux. It appears to be the general fact that along the base of the
productive coal measures, wherever we find the Maxville hmestone, we
find underneath the finer grained sandrock of the Logan group. The
sandstones were accumulated in basins of comparatively quiet water, and
in the same basins there was often deposited, on the top of the sandstones,
the Maxville limestone. I have nowhere found the Maxville limestone
resting upon conglomerate.

The rocks at the base of the coal measures, near Newark, are given
in the accompanying section. (See Fig. 10.)

SS?Blue limestone, equivalent of Putnam Hill limestone

Not seen

Coal l f 8* reported once worked
\q' Not seen

Iron ore, sidemle, formerly used

±o''. ^ ot seen

t Coarse sandstone with conglomerate
10 to 15

78 Upper Waverly or Logan sandstone

4 '..Brown sandy shales

^~££p~ 15 Coarse sandstone

f I Brown sandy shales

40 Waverly
( Quarries)
p2S8 to 4 Conglomerate

70 Waverly sandstone
(Quarry)

\H-S40 seen Slue arenaeeow shale

Fig. 10.

90 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

With the exception of the small deposits of conglomerate over the
Waverly or Logan sandstone, at Newark, there is little true coal measure
conglomerate in that part of the second geological district, extending
from the Hocking river, near Logan, to Newark. The conglomerate is
found chiefly in the Waverly group.

The following is a section of the rocks in Kentucky, lying south of my
district, as given by Sidney E. Lyon, Esq., in Vol. II. of the Kentucky
Geological Eeports :

100 ft. Soft beds at the base of the coal measures in Carter county. This member
varies in thickness in different localities.

75 ft. Seventy five to 100 ft. Millstone grit. This member, as well as the Sub-carbonifer-
ous limestone,thms out toward the Ohio river, near the mouth of Tygert's creek, where
this member forms a mass fourteen feet thick, and the Sub-carboniferous limestone is
only twelve feet thick.

100 ft. Calcareous muddy shale, with a few thin beds of limestone.

350 ft. Sub-carboniferous limestone, thinning rapidly toward the Ohio river.
20 ft. Twenty to seventy-five feet grindstone grit (upper part of Knob formation ?).

725 ft. Knobstone (Waverly sandstone of Ohio).

120 ft. Black (Devonian) slate, 100 to 150 feet.

700 ft. Buff porous limestone of Lewis, Fleming and Bath counties.
75 ft. Limestone producing red earth by disintegration.

100 ft. Slaty mudstone, thin bedded.

150 ft. Lower Silurian or Blue Limestone, forming the base of the Owingsville hill.

In this section we find the Millstone grit, or conglomerate, in its true
place above the sub-carboniferous limestone, separated only by calcare-
ous shales and limestones, which may perhaps be properly included
with the sub-carboniferous limestone group. But under the great lime-
stone there are 20 to 75 feet of grindstone grit, which Mr. Lyon is in doubt
about, whether or not to call it a part of the upper portion of the Knob
or Waverly formation.

The question at once arises whether the grindstone grit, which is prob-
ably only in local developments, as I have never chanced to see it in my
examination of the Knobstone formation of Kentucky, may not corre-
spond with the conglomerate in my district, sometimes conglomerate in
texture and sometimes a grindstone grit, and located statigraphically at
different levels in the Waverly series ? Should the conglomerate and
coarse sandstones, which I And so scattered in their vertical range through
several hundred feet below the horizon of the Maxville limestone, prove
to be no true and normal conglomerate of the coal measures, whatever,
but simply coarse materials, whose location is due to the accidents of cur-
rents, in other words, mere Waverly conglomerate, we shall be relieved
from the embarrassment of finding the Waverly fauna and flora above the
conglomerate.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 91

The following is a list of fossils found in the Waverly at Newark
which have been identified by Prof. A. Winchell, of Michigan. A small
part of these were sent by myself — but the larger part by Mr. Herzer :

Froducta seinireticulata, Flem. ; Chonotes pulchella, Win. ; Hemipronites umbraculum,
Sch. ; H. inequalis ? Hall ; Spirifera extenuata, Hall ; Spirifera Waverlyensis n. sp., Win. ;
Spiriferina solidirostris, White ; Syringothyris typa, Win. , Conocardium pnlcheUum, M.
& W. ; Pleurodictyum problematioum, Goldfuss ; Eliynohonella Sageriana, Win.; Avicula-
pecten occidentalis, Win.; A Caroli, Win. ; A. Newarkensis, n. sp., Win., Pemo-pecten lim-
atus ? Win. ; P. Cooperensis, Shumard; Sanguinolites n aiadiformis, Win. ; S. securis, n.
sp., Win. ; Orthoeeras Indianense, Hall ; Phillipsia Missouriensis, Shum. ; Goniatites Mar-
shallensis, Win. ; G. Shumardianus, Win. ; G. Ohiensis n. s., Win. ; G. Andrewsi n. sp.,
Win. ; Platyceras Herzeri n. sp., Win. ; P haliotoidee, M. & W. ; Cypricardia rigida., M.
& W. ; Sedgwickia Hannibalensis, Shum.

In the sandstone layers, interstratified with the shales below the "Put-
nam Hill Limestone," were found on the land of Mr. Rambo, of which a
section has already been given, fine impressions of Fucoids of the Spi-
rophyton cauda-galli and allied species.

This and similar facts noticed elsewhere, show a wide stratigraphical
range to this group of marine plants. In New York, they are found in
the Hamilton rockg. In Ohio, they are found in the lower Waverly in
great abundance.

At Gladstone's Mill, near Newtonville, Newton township, Muskingum
county, we find a limestone in the bed of the North Pork of Jonathan's
creek, which is believed to be the same as the Maxville limestone. The
bottom of the stone was not seen, but a well dug in the village passed
through 15 feet of limestone. The upper layer show a chocolate tint. It
is reported that this limestone is seen for five miles in Jonathan's creek,
above Newtonville, and disappears one mile below. On Kent's run, which
joins the North Fork of Jonathan's creek at Newtonville, it is said to be
seen for nine miles.

About 50 feet above the limestone at Gladstone's Mill, was found a
stratum of sandstone 15 inches thick, on which are very fine impressions
of marine plants, Spirophyton caudi-galli, &c, &c, and mingled with
these were well-defined stigmariae of the coal-measures plants. They had
all been drifted together and embedded in sand.

The upper limestone (" Putnam Hill") was also seen in its proper place,
higher up the hill, with the usual coaly matter under it.

This upper limestone has a pretty extensive range. It was seen in the
Monday creek valley, on the farm of Henry Hazelton, Salt Lick town-

92

GEOLOGICAL. SURVEY OP OHIO.

ship, Perry county, where was obtained the following section. (See Fig.
11.)

8 seen

ShaUs

§S Blue limestone, Putnam Hill, (fossiliferous)
Black sandy bituminous shale
Coal

■ IAght blue clay shale
with nodules of iron ore

Black shale
Coal

Fire clay
Coal
Fire clay

Blue clay shale

Coaly streak
Blue clay
Coal

L-^z— White compact sandy shale

==~ Blue slate

Iron ore in shale

b^j Iron ore in layers, the lower flinty

Sandy bituminous shale
Coal

Fire clay

Fig. 11.

Here the " Putnam Hill " limestone, although thin, preserves its usual
characteristics in stone and fossils. There are several thin seams of coal
revealed in this section. They are all too thin for profitable mining,
especially^ as the great Kelsonville or Straitsville seam is well developed
in all the surrounding hills. This coal will be noticed hereafter. The
iron ore given in the section has been analyzed by Prof. Wormley, and
the result will be found in the table on a subsequent page.

There are, apparently, five different ore horizons between the top of the
Logan sandstone group and the blue Putnam Hill limestone. Four of
these are seen in the section on Edward Danison's land, given on page 87.
Above them is a range of ore exhibited in the section on Henry Hazel-
ton's land, already given. The latter is found at many points as shown
by the large map of grouped sections. It is generally accompanied by
limestone and often by a flint seam. At Haydensville, the group is seen
in the hill directly oehind the old Hocking Furnace. Here the ore is ap-
parently of excellent quality, but it adheres so firmly to the top of the

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

93

limestone rock as to make the separation difficult. On the land of Samuel
Thomson, near Maxville, Monday Creek township, Perry county our,
measurement gave sixteen inches, to this ore, composed of three distinct
layers. Here it rests upon an earthy blue limestone. Nearly three feet
below the ore is a seam of coal twenty-two inches thick. By accident,
no samples of this ore were obtained for analysis. Should the quality
equal that of most of the ores of the lower coal measures in this region,
the ore may prove very valuable. We did not see the stratum overlying
the ore at this place. Should it prove of soft material, easily mined, this
ore could be obtained by the usual method of mining.

Between this ore horizon and the horizon of the Putnam Hill limestone
is a seam of coal generally thin ; but on the land of Edward Danison,
Section 16, Madison township, Perry county, it measured 3 ft. 3 in. It
has been mined only to a limited extent.

In addition to this seam of coal, there is another directly under the
Putnam Hill limestone. It is generally very thin, but in the townships of
Hopewell, of Muskingum, and Hopewell, of Licking counties, it reaches
a good workable thickness, My assistant, W. GL Ballantine, spent much
time in tracing the range of the limestone, and is confident that the
cannel coal of Flint Eidge, and the coal of Joseph Porter, on 100 acre
lot, No. 16, of Hopewell township, Muskingum county, are located directly
below the equivalent of the Putnam Hill limestone. The following is a
section of the coal on the property of Messrs. Bradford, Pollock & Co.,
Hopewell township, Licking county. (See Fig. 12.)

13 to 24

i ^~ '*7 T nark blue fossiWerous limestone, Putnntm B8li
very rich in fossUs

Coal, reported cannel by Dr. Salisbury
Blue clay shale

Cannel coal

Slate reported

Coal not seen, reported cannel by Dr. Salisbury

Fig. 12.

94 GEOLOGICAL SUBVBY OF OHIO.

The cannel coal has been quite extensively wrought in former years for
distillation into oil. The bank is now rented to Mr. Anderson, who sends
a limited quantity to Newark, where it is used for the parlor grate. Prof.
Wormley gives the following analysis of this coal :

Specific gravity 1.298

Ash 19.95

Volatile matter 36.80

Fixed carbon 43.25

Total 100.00

Sulphur 1.31

Ash, dull white ; coke, pulverulent.

At this point the cannel coal measures 3 ft. 9 in. Cannel coal is gen-
erally only a local modification of bituminous coal. The Flint Eidge
cannel appears to be no exception to the general rule. The following
facts were reported, viz. : Six hundred yards east of the present mine
the cannel was only 2 ft. 9 in. One-half a mile farther east, there are
2 ft. of cannel, and a half mile still further, the coal is bituminous 2 ft.
thick, while two and a half miles beyond the last point it is cannel again,
L} ft. thick. There were, apparently, depressions or basins in which the
cannel coal was formed. These basins were filled with water, as is proved
by the abundance of the marine shell, Lingula. I obtained a specimen of
Stigmaria, made up of coal itself, and still retaining its cylindrical form.
The Lingula and Stigmaria are, however, most abundant in the lower
part of the coal.

The limestone at Flint Eidge is separated from the coal by 4 ft. of blue
clay shale, 4 in. of bituminous coal, and 5 in. of bituminous slate. At
the mine, the limestone is from 12 to 14 ft. thick. It is dark blue, almost
black, thin-bedded, and contains some iron. The whole seam is highly
fo&siliferous, and a handsome collection of fossils was made.

The following is another section, showing the same limestone, with a
similar general grouping of strata. It was taken on the land of Joseph
Porter, 100 acre lot, No. 16, Hopewell township, Muskingum county. (See
Fig. 13.)

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

95

jjfeg L Coal, 3 ft. Tf ■ported, t ■nine formerly worked

£%• * | Not seen, 43 ft. between com. and limestone

t
r

J-^izjJL.'.'" - Tlie Flint fficlgr, Putnam Hill limestone

Flint Ridge

/ - Pizi^.-jz^EX jjwe rather a blue calcaremts slate

seen. r^T?"":"^^ 'Lower part hard, nam e fossils as at Fl

65'

part
Blue xhale
Slaty coal

Coal
Pyrites
.* CoaJ
.Fire clay

Not well seen, but much sandrock

A rough level makes it 65 ft. below other coal

1' lo" VHHIF^^ Coal, reported 32 in. formerly wrought by stripping

Fig. 13.

The limestone here partakes more of the nature of a highly calcareous
shale than toward the extremity of Flint Eidge, ten miles west, where
the last section was made. The lower part is more compact than the
upper. It is very rich in fossils, of the same species of mollusca seen in
the Flint Eidge limestone over the cannel coal. The seam of coal under
the limestone is 4 ft. 11 in. thick, including a parting 20 inches from the
bottom, composed chiefly of pyrites. This parting varies from 2 to 8
inches. The upper seam of coal, in the above section, which was reported
to be 3 feet thick, was formerly mined. Mr. Porter reports the coal busi-
ness of Hopewell township at 120,000 bushels per annum.

The following is Prof. Wormley's analysis of Mr. Porter's coal :

Specific gravity ._ 1.294

Ash 7.70

Volatile matter 38.60

Fixed carbon 53.70

Total 100.00

Sulphur 2.74

Ash, chocolate color. Coke, compact and of metallic lustre.

A section of the rocks, taken near Cusac's Mill, on Jonathan's creek,
Newton township, Muskingum county, showed an unusually bluish and

96 GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY OF OHIO.

fine-grained sandstone about 30 feet below the limestone, believed to be
the Putnam Hill limestone. It has been much quarried and used, al-
though it has not always weathered well. As a general thing, the shales
largely prevailed, and it is in consequence of this fact that we so often
find that where the streams have, in their work of erosion, succeeded in
cutting down through the Putnam Hill limestone, they have, in all cases
where the fall makes it possible, scored their way through the shales to
the top of the Maxville or Newtonville limestone. This is very well seen
in the neighborhood of Newtonville.

By reference to the map of grouped sections, it will be possible to see
at a glance the lower division of the productive coal measures of this
part of Ohio, extending from the top of the Logan sandstone group to
the Putnam Hill limestone.

For the most part, the strata tell a story of comparatively quiet waters.
At first we have a limestone-making period, during which, in limited, se-
cluded basins, limestone gradually accumulated, while at the same time,
in other places, the stronger currents carried sandy materials, which are
now found reposing at the same level of the limestone. > ucceeding
these, we have similar scenes of quiet, and also of moving waters, the
former depositing fine shales and clay sediments, and the latter sand-
stones and sandv shales.

At a few points there were small basins in which thin layers of lime-
stone were accumulated. There were also insular places on which the
vegetation of the coal grew, which produced thin seams of coal. There
was, doubtless, much vegetable matter carried into the waters, from
which was evolved carbonic acid, which, uniting with the iron oxides' dif-
fused in the waters and sediments, caused the formation of the common
proto-carbonate or siderite ore of iron. Some of the ores constitute reg-
ular layers, implying a regular deposition like other sedimentary strata,
but for the most part the ores are in nodular form, often in large flattened
discs, in which the well known laws of segregation came into play.

The iron ores, so far as they have been examined, are of the siderite
(proto-carbonate of iron) class, the exterior surfaces, which have been
exposed to atmospheric agencies, only being changed to the sesqui-oxide
of iron.

The carbonic acid might, in some cases, have originated in marine veg-
etation, which, in the form of Fucoids of the type of Spirophyton cauda
galli, was very abundant at certain periods during the formation of the
strata of this lower coal measures group.

There was a tendency to the formation of flint in connection with the
layers of iron ore found about 30 feet below the Putnam Hill limestone.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 97

This stratum is far below the flint or buhr of Flint Eidge. The flint of
this lower stratum was used by the aboriginal inhabitants for their
weapons, and pits whence the flint was dug are not uncommon.

There is a thin seam of cannel coal a few miles south of Wolfe Station,
in Perry county, on the Zanesville and Cincinnati Eailroad, which was
formerly mined for distillation into oil. No measurements were made,
the old workings having fallen in. It belongs to the lowest part of the
coal measures, but its exact stratigraphical position is not known, but
will be ascertained hereafter.

Having thus given sections of the rocks of the lowest division of the
productive coal-measures iu the north-western portion of my District,
the way is prepared to consider the strata above the level of the Put-
nam Hill limestone. It will be found that we have a second division
with its upper member a seam of coal which is found very persistent
over all the district examined. This coal is the " Nelsonville coal," the
" Straitsville coal," tiye " Sunday creek coal," the " Upper New Lexing-
ton coal," for by all these local names is the seam designated.

The range of this coal is readily seen on the map of grouped sections.
It is generally about 80 feet above the Putnam Hill limestone. In
some sections, measured by the barometer, the distance was a little
greater, but the instrument sometimes gave results too great.

Another seam of coal will also be seen on the map, from 20 to 30 feet
below the one last mentioned. Both of these seams have great economic
value, and will hereafter be fully considered.

Between the top of the Putnam Hill limestone and the lower of these
two seams of coal, we have from 50 to 60 feet of sandstones and shales.
At only a very few points could we find exposures where minute and ac-
curate sections could be made. A few feet above the limestone, we find
a tendency to the formation of iron ore. The largest development of ore
on this horizon was seen on the branch railroad, leading from the Zanes-
ville and Cincinnati Eailroad to the Miami Company's mines, about half
a mile from the mines. These mines are in Newton township, Musking-
um county. Here, 5 feet over the hard blue limestone, believed to be
the Putnam Hill, were some large and very fine nodules of iron ore,
doubtless of the siderite class.

There are indications of coal at a few points, but nowhere was it found
to be of practical value. At one place, a thin layer of limestone was
seen, but sandstones and shales everywhere strongly predominate.

At an elevation of from 50 to 60 feet above the Putnam Hill limestone,
it appears that the bed of the shallow ocean was made comparatively,

7 — Geological.

98 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

even and level, and was then brought up from below the water. On the
higher and probably better drained areas, coal vegetation took root, and
grew, and we have, as the result, a seam of coal. This seam is not
always persistent, for the conditions of accumulations did not every-
where exist. This seam is seen at many places in the region of Nelson-
ville. At the mines of the Hocking Valley Coal, Iron, Coke and
Mining Company, on the land of J. W. Scott, York township, Athens
county, this seam is found at a distance of 27£ feet below the main Nel-
sonville seam. It was not measured, but is there popularly called the
" three feet vein."

Near John Fluhart's mill, Green township, Hocking county, it was
seen about 25 feet below the main coal vein, but here it was much cut
away by the sand rock over it.

It was also seen near Horace Hazelton's, Salt Lick township, Perry
county, about 30 feet below the main seam, which is here 9 feet 4 inches
thick. But at this point, also, the lower coal is much cut away by the
overlying sand rock, and presents a very singular appearance. One of
the best exposures of the lower seam, in the south part of Perry county,
was on the land of Thomas Barnes, on Lost run, Lick township. In the
immediate vicinity of Straitsville, we found no exposure showing the
lower seams.

In the neighborhood of New Lexington, the lower seam is quite per-
sistent, and has been considerably mined. At the mines of the Miami
Company, on the branch of the Zanesville and Cincinnati Bailroad, the
lower seam is 3 feet 10 inches thick, and is largely mined. It is 22 feet
below the upper coal, which is here 4 feet thick, including an inch of
clay, parting near the middle.

Near the McLuney Station, Harrison township, Perry county, the upper
seam, four feet eight inches thick, is mined in many places.

On John Lyle's land, section 14, Newton township, Muskingum county,
the lower seam, three feet ten inches thick, is extensively mined. By
reference to the map of grouped sections, the general range of this coal,
and its relation to the Putman Hill limestone below, and the coal seam
above, will be readily seen. It is doubtless true that in places the seam
is wanting, the conditions not having been favorable to its formation.

Between this coal and the one above it, we find in places valuable clay
shales. Of these much pottery is made at Roseville and vicinity. There
is also, a few feet below the upper coal, a layer of nodular iron ore, which
will be noticed hereafter. The ore is imbedded in fine clay shales, which
are everwhere found below the ,upper coal. These were fine sediments,
which, in their deposition, evened up the bed or floor on which the coal
was to be accumulated.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

99

NELSONVILLE OR STRAITSVUXE COAL.

We now reach, in our upward progress, a seam of coal which will
doubtless prove to be the finest in the State. The limits of its horizontal
range I have not yet found, either in Muskingum county to the north, or
in Athens county to the south. It is everywhere of good working thick-
ness, and, over a large area, it measures from six to eleven feet. It is
thinner on the north, but on Sunday and Monday creeks, in Perry
county, it is eleven feet, and on the Hocking, in the vicinity of Nelson -
ville, it is seldom less, than six feet. There is no doubt that it is one
continuous seam, as it not only holds uniform relations to the lowei
rocks, from the Logan sandstone up, but it has, moreover, been traced
from hill to hill, throughout nearly the whole distance. A glance at the
large map will be more convincing than any detailed description of this
point.

I have yet to trace the seam south of the Hocking hills, between them
and the Marietta and Cincinnati Eailroad, but I know it to extend a con-
siderable distance south of Nelsonville. It dips below the Hocking river
not far from the mouth of Monday creek, but is reached by shafts at
various points as far down the Hocking as Salina and Ohauncey. The
description of its southern extension will be reserved until after more
detailed examinations.

THICKNESS OP THE SEAM.

At Nelsonville and vicinity, the coal measures from six feet to six feet
four inches. The following are measured sections of the coal at the well
known mines of W. B. Brooks, Esq., and of Peter Hayden, Esq. Sec. A
is that of Mr. Brooks, and See. B that of Mr. Hayden. (See Pig. 14.)

V'to 9

Coal

Fin day

(Sec. B.)

100

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

The partings are essentially the same, and the coals show the same
physical structure. The partings seen in the foregoing sections are gen-
erally found to characterize the seam over a wide area.

On the land of S. B. Westenhaver, Green township, Hocking county,
near the north-western outcrop of the seam, the coal was a trifle thinner,
measuring in total thickness five feet seven inches. Here the seam
shows its usual subdivisions. The seam, in its northern and north-east-
ern extension, grows thicker.

At Straitsville, Salt Lick township, Perry county, the seam measures
"eleven feet, and shows the following subdivisions, as seen at the Mc-
Ginnis bank. (See Fig. 15.)

e'10

thiclmess U

The mine of Daniel Moore, near Straitsville, was not minutely exam-
ined, but was thought to be a facsimile of the McGinnis bank, in quan-
tity and quality of coal.

In the same township we found the following measurements: On
Thomas Barnes' land, nine feet ten inches (see section, Fig. 16); John
Larue's, eight feet four inches ; at Mr. Turner's drift, nine feet four inches;
Horace Hazelton's, nine feet four inches; Henry Hazelton's (not veil
exposed), but seven feet or more. On the lands of J. Gordon and Henry
Welch, the coal is very heavy, but the mines were so fallen in at the
openings that no measurements could be made.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

101

9 10 i^ Nelsonville coal

20 ft J

Fire clay

Light colored, shale
=^>~~. n'ith nodules of iron ore

Thin codl

White fire clay

Bituminous shale

Compact ferruginous black clay

Black ferruginous shale

Coal, thin

Wivite fire, elay

Fig. 16.

South of Straitsville, on tie Snow Fork of Monday creek and its trib-
utaries, the coal is everywhere largely developed, indeed, throughout
the whole of "Ward township, Hocking county, the coal is to be found.
It is unnecessary to designate locations; every farmer who owns hill land
possesses the coal. In the valley of the Snow Fork it dips below drain-
age not far from the south-east corner of Ward township. The measure-
ments on the lower part of Snow Fork showed six feet of coal. This was
at James Hawkins', Sec. 3, Ward township. Higher up the stream the
seam is said to increase in thickness, which I readily believe, although
there were no good exposures for measurements. Near the head of the
east branch, on the land of Alexander Marshall, in Sec. 35, Salt Lick
township, Perry county, the " big seam" was seen largely developed.
The opening was full of water, and no measurement taken. It was
claimed to be eleven feet thick. From this point, crossing the high ridge
to the north-east, we came down into the west branch of Sunday creel',
where we found the coal in the low valley. Here it ranges from six to
eleven feet in thickness. At Gaver's mill, and on the adjacent land of L. M.
McDonald, Esq,, near the Coal Dale P. O., Salt Lick township, the seam

102

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

measures six feet two inches. The following is a section taken at the mill.
(See Fig. 17.)

»'/SV:T : '

30>to40 /.Vv;.-.'> Heavy m*«£

Slaty cool
Slaty with pyritei

i'lOk

Black clay
Black clay

■ Total 6 9

Fig. 17.

Here there is a good slate roof, very rich in coal plants. At the Lyons
bank, half a mile above, the coal is 7 ft. thick, and of very excellent quality.
Lower down the stream the upper slate is gone, and the sandstone has cut
away the coal. At one place the coal was only 3 feet 8 inches thick, and
at other places it was entirely gone. In that neighborhood, over a limited
area, the waters, in the coal measure era, took strange liberties with the
coal after it had been deposited. This will be noticed more fully here-
after.

On the farm of Benjamin Saunders, Monroe township, Perry county,
on the west branch of Sunday creek, the coal measures eleven feet. Here
there are two slaty partings. See (Fig. 18.)

Shales with coal plants

Hft<

Clay parting

Coal
Fire day

Fig. 18.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 103

The exposure shows a magnificent body of very superior coal. The
coal shows Itself at other points on this branch, but no other measure-
ments were taken. The coal in this valley generally lies low, but in
mining it to the north and north-west, every advantage can be taken
of the dip for easy mining and drainage.

In all the tributaries of Sunday creek which have the requisite erosion,
we find .the coal. In the branch which runs through the southeast sec-
tion of Pleasant township, Perry county, we find the coal in full thick-
ness, measuring at the bank of Joshua Sands, 11 feet 2 inches, with
several clay partings. At the bank of William Bennett, a little above,
it is probably as thick ; the water preventing, at the time of our visit, a
full measurement In this neighborhood the coal lies too low for easy
drainage, but the difficulty can be obviated. A vast body of coal in the
hills to the north, can be mined up the dip from this valley. There is,
scarcely, any limit to the coal, which is rendered accessible by the various
branches of Sunday creek, in Pleasant, Monroe and Salt Lick townships.
The great body of high lands which constitute the divide between the
waters flowing south and those flowing north, through Jonathan's creek,
into the Moxahala and Muskingum, and west through Eush creek, into
the upper Hocking, is doubtless underlaid with this coal. The coal seam
constitutes a vast sheet, of 11 feet in maximum thickness on the south,
but gradually growing thinner, to 4 and 5 feet, in its northern out-crop
along the Zanesville & Cincinnati Eailroad. The value of the upper
Sunday creek valley as a coal field, cannot be over-estimated.

North of Straitsville, the higher grounds take the coal. Two and a
half miles east ot Maxville, on the land of Jared Danison, Monday creek
township, Perry county, the coal measured to the roof of the entry, 7
feet 8 inches. No opportunity presented itself for seeing whether there
was more coal above. Here were seen the usual partings exhibited at
Straitsville and Nelsonville. To the northeast, the coal extends through
the hills, and was seen on the land of Levi Barick, not far from Bristol,
in Pike township. Here the thickness was 4 feet 2 inches, and the seam
showed the usual partings. The coal above the upper parting is not
esteemed. About 18 feet below is another thinner seam, reported to be
2J feet thick. If this is the usual lower seam, it is nearer the upper than
is common.

On James Clark's land, one half a mile north, the coal gives the s i m
measurement. The seam is reported as worked all Ihe way down Mon
day creek for some miles. From Mr. Clark's the seam was traced all the
way to New Lexington, where it is the upper seam in that neighorhood.

In Jackson township, north of Monday Creek township, the same seam

104 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

was seen on the lands of Eli Bell and Leonard Bell, in sections 34 and
35. Here the measurements were 3 feet 9 inches, exclusive of a* stratum
of bituminous slate, in the top, from 7 to 9 inches thick. On Emanuel
France's land, Sec. 16, Pike township, the coal measured 4 feet 3 inches,
with the usual partings. The upper part is held in less esteem than the
middle and lower parts. Thomas McClelland's bank showed the same
' thickness. North of New Lexington, the mines of Judge B. E. Hnston
were opened in this seam chiefly, but he has mined, somewhat, the lower
seam 23 feet below. No measurement could be made. Judge Huston
reports the upper seam to be 4 feet, and the lower 3£ feet thick Here
the lower seam was found to be about 60 feet above the level of the rail-
road. The railroad, with its ascending grade, gradually rises above the
two seams of coal, and at the tunnel through the ridge which divides the
waters of Bush creek from those of the south fork of Jonathan's creek,
it has reached an elevation of from twenty to twenty -five feet above the
upper coal. The upper seam is here 4 feet 8 inches, and was formerly
mined quite extensively.

On the land of Henry Jones, a little southwest of McLuney Station, the
seam gives a total thickness of 4 feet 8 inches. The upper part, of 13 in.,
reported as not worked. Here, formerly, the coal was extensively mined.

At the mines of the Miami Company, in Newton township, Muskingum
county, both seams are now largely mined, and the coal shipped by the
Zanesville and Cincinnati Bailroad. The upper seam measures 4 feet,
and the other, which is 22 feet below, measures 3 feet 10 inches. Sam-
ples of the coals of this enterprising company failed to reach our Chem-
ist. The coal is largely used for domestic purposes, and for the genera-
tion of steam, and is well spoken of.

Near Boseville, Clay township, Muskingum county, an old coal-working
was found to be 80 feet above the Putnam Hill limestone. This is
the proper place for the Nelsonville or upper New Lexington coal. No
opportunity presented itself for measurement. The citizens of Boseville
believe that the lower seam is wanting in that neighborhood. It is pos-
sible that the soft shales which generally overlie it, have become disinte-
grated, and slipped down over the out-crop and concealed it, but it may
be wanting altogether, as the seam is not always persistent.

In the high ridge in Licking county, which is called Flint Bidge, we
find near the top, and under the buhr or flint seam, a very thin ,coal
seam, only 6 inches thick, which is, from its stratigraphical position, the
equivalent of the Nelsonville coal. This gives us also the position of
the buhr stratum.

The flint or buhr stratum, on Flint Bidge, is not found to correspond in

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO 105

stratigraphical position with the other layers of flint found in the district
especially examined. The flint in the valley of Bush creek, near New Lex-
ington, Perry county, lies lower in the series, and the calcareo-silicious rock
of Dr. Hildreth, in the old Geological Eeport, found high on the hills in
Section 14, Clay township, Muskingum county, lies higher in the series,
as shown on the map of grouped sections. It was found difficult to
determine the exact stratigraphical position of the Flint Eidge buhr,
as it lies upon the top of the ridge, more like a blanket than like a rigid
stratum. It conforms more or less to the undulating surface of the
general top of the ridge, and is at some points many feet higher than at
others. The buhr is porous and often cracked, and water passing through
may have carried away the soft shale below, and thus lowered the stratum
along its border.

According to a measured section at Flint Eidge, made by Leo Lesque-
reux, Esq., and taken from the Kentucky report, there is a thin seam
of coal (6 in.) with fire clay (2 ft.) beneath, lying directly under the flint
or buhr. This coal has the stratigraphical position of the Nelsonville
or Straitsville coal, being 77£ feet above the " Putnam Hill " limestone,
which is found in unusual thickness above the cannel coal. This would
make the place of the buhr just over the Nelson ville coai.

The buhr is of variable thickness, its maximum being perhaps 8 feet.
Formerly, millstones were made from the rock, but the quarries have
been of late years abandoned. It is claimed that the purer portions of
the flint, when crushed, will serve a valuable purpose for glass making.

To the aboriginal inhabitants of the country, the layers of flint, inter-
stratified with our coal-measures rocks, were of the highest economic
importance, and much of the surface of Flint Eidge has been dug over
by them in order to obtain flint of the requisite quality.

These pits present a subject of great interest to all especially interested
in the study of the Mound-builders. The same energetic industry which
mark the building of the ancient earthworks of this mysterious race,
characterize their labors on Flint Eidge.

It will be seen that the Kelsonville seam of coal, which has been
traced into Muskingum county, has a very extensive range. It has
been already traced over a belt of country forty miles long, and aver-
aging twelve miles wide. To the northwest, the coal rises in the hills,
and disappears. To the east and southeast it dips below all the valleys.
The deeper the valley the greater the southeastern extension of the
coal. Before a perfect outline of this remarkable belt of coal can be
made, it will be necessary to have a careful topographical map of the
region prepared. Then a geologist could fill out the outlines of this

106 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

and other seams of coal, iron ores, limestones, &c., so that every land
owner might, by inspection, determine the probable mineral value of his
property.

A proximately accurate outline of the northwestern limit of the great
Kelsonville seam in Perry county, will be made by drawing a line
through sections 27, Madison ; 19, Clayton ■; 25, Eeading ; 35, Reading ;
26, Eeading, and 13, Jackson townships. Thence the line is probably a
little west of south, in Monday creek township, on to the Straitsville
region. There must be, of course, out-liers of the coal in high hills,
west and northwest of this line. Where there are no guides to be found,
such as the Maxville or Putnam Hill limestones, the altitude of the hills
or ridges must determine whether they take the coal.

The geographical situation, as proximate to a vast coalless district,
extending west and nothwest of it for hundreds of miles, its accessibility,
its enormous quantity and superior quality, and the rare advantages for
mining and draining, make this great seam of coal worthy the attention
of the people of the State and of capitalists everywhere:

QUALITY OF THE COAL.

The eoal is properly classed among the dry-burning coals. The ten-
dency to melt and cake is slight, and the free circulation of air secures
the best possible combustion. Although not as highly bituminous as
some other varieties of coal, yet the flame is considerable, and the coal
makes a very cheerful parlor fire.

This coal, mined in the vicinity of Eelsonville, has been in use for a
long time, and everywhere has the reputation of being a very superior
coal for all the uses to which it has been applied. For household use it
is very popular. The small percentage of ash, the unusually complete
combustion, giving a fine blaze and little smoke, the large percent-
age of fixed carbon giving great heating power, and the small amount of
sulphur to create in combustion unpleasant sulphurous fumes, all com-
bine to render the coal of this great seam one of the very best known
coals for all household use. For the generation of steam it is highly
esteemed. It has been used in rolling-mills at Columbus and Marietta
with strong approval. Its value for smelting iron will be considered
hereafter.

The following tables of analyses by Prof T. G-. Wormley, Chemist of
the Survey, will reveal in minute detail the qualities and peculiarities of
the coal.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

107

Analyses of Coal from Welsonville and Haydenville.

No. 1.

No. 2.

No. 3.

No. 4.

: a*:

No. 5. No. 6.

No. 7.

Specific gravity

1,259

1.285

1.272

1.284

1.271

6.45
32.74
58.56

2.25

1.258

1.340

6.80
33.27
57.46

2.47

6.20
31.30
59.80

2.70

6.65
33.05
58.40

1.90

5.00
32.80
53.15

9.05

5.30
30.12
63.49

1.09

5.45

Volatile matter

29.88
55.31

Ash

9.36

Total

100.00

0.74
Dull

white.

Pulver-
ulent.

100.00

0.97
Gray.

Com-
pact.

3.56

100.00

0.41
Yellow.

Com-
pact.

3.24

100.00

0.94
Gray.

Com-
pact.

4.95

100.00

1.19
Fawn.

Semi-
compact

100.00

0.64
Fawn

Pulver-
ulent.

100.00

1.63

Gray.

Pulver-
ulent.

Nature of coke

Cubic feet permanent

No. 1, sample of coal from mines of W. B. Brooks, Nelsonville.

No. 2, "

No. 3, " "

No. 4, " "

No. 5, " "

No. 6. " "

No. 7, " "

il ' 11

bottom layer of seam

it tt

middle

tt

il tt

top

a

Peter Hayden

bottom

u

middle

tt

a

top

it

Analyses of the same Seam at Straitsville, Perry County.

No. 8.

No. 9.

No. 10.

No. 11.

No. 12.

No. 13.

No. 14.

Specific gravity

1.291

1.239

1.307

1.247

1.248

1.244

1.241

Water

Volatile matter

7.90
84.63
54.29

3.18

7.20
32.29
59.44

1.07

7.60
29.65
52.77

9.98

6.00
32.15
59.41

2.44

5.35
30.48
57.21

6.96

7.55
35.61
54.90

1.94

8.15
27.46,
61.73

Ash

2.66

Total

100.00

0.98

Dull

white.

Compact

100.00

0.73
Reddish.

Pulver-
ulent.

100.00

0.68
White.

Pulver-
ulent.

100.00

0.50
Yellow-
ish gray-
Pulver-
ulent.

100.00

1.22
Grayish.

Pulver-
ulent.

100.00

1.05
White.

100.00

Sulphur .

0.78

Reddish.

No. 8, coal from bottom layer, Straitsville, Perry county.

No 9.
No. 10,
No. 11,
No. 12,
No. 13,
No. 14,

middle

bottom of top layer, Straitsville, Perry county,
middle " " "

upper part " " "

second sample of middle layer, Straitsville, Perry county.
" bottom " " "

108

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHli.

Analyses of same Seam, on Sunday Creek, Perry County.

No. 15.

No. 16.

No. 17.

No. 18.

No. 19.

No. 20.

No. 21.

No. 22.

Specific gravity..

1.300

1.272

1.318

1.274

1.287

1.311

1.348

1.288

Water

5.60
29.92

6.65
36.22

5.65
30.01

6.10
33.43

6.85
35.21

6.00
39.10

6.55
29.72

8.15

Volatile matter. . .

33.43

Fixed carbon

02.45

53.30

57.27

55.54

53.62

51.98

52.47

54.98

Ash

2.03

3.83

7.07

4.93

5.32

2.92

11.26

3.44

Total

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

Sulphur

0.76

2.00

0.67

1.46

0.51

0.51

0.47

0.64

Color of ash

Dull

white.

Purple.

White.

Gray.

Fawn.

Fawn.

White.

White.

Character of coke

Com-

Com-

Com-

Gora.

Pulver-

Com-

pact

pact.

pact.

pact.

ulent.

pact.

metal'c.

No. 15, from Benjamin Sa

anders' bank.

No. 16, " Mr. Sands' ha

nk : No. 1 from be

ttom.

No. 17, " "

" 2 "

No. 18, " "

" 3 "

No. 19, " "

" 4 »

No. 20, " "

" 5 "

No. 21, " "

" 6 "

No. 22, "

it

tt

7 "

Analyses of the same Seam on Lost run, Ward township, Rooking County.

No. 23.

No. 24.

No. 25.

No. 26.

No. 27.

No. 28.

1.278

1.290

1.257

1.284

1.287

1.274

Water

7.15
35.28
55.16

2.41

6.80
36.16
54.99

2.05

5.85
37.10
55.12

1.93

6.15
33.22
55.75

4.88

5.80
35.42
51.15

7.63

3.05

Volatile matter

38.39

Fixed carbon

47.51

Ash

11.05 •

Total

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

108 00

Sulphur

1.35

Light
fawn

0.81

1.31

0.77

0.878
Compact.

1.07

Light
fawn

0.79

1.30
0.57

0.650
Compact.

1.42

Light
fawn.

0.51

0.85
0.38

0.433

Quite

compact.

1.88
Gray.

1.00

1.56
1.42

1.620
Compact.

1.01
Cream.

0.50

0.81
0.09

0.102

Very

compact.

4.04

Color of ash

Gray

2.02
3.35

Sulphur in the coke of
given weight of coal. . .

Percentage of sulphur in
coke

2.11

Percentage of sulphur the-
oretically required by
the iron

' 2.408

Character of coke

Very
compact.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 109

The samples of coal analyzed in the last of the above tables came from the
same seam on Lost run, in Ward township, Hocking county. They were taken
from two dfferent openings, but represent the seam from roof to floor.

I have thus given twenty-eight different analyses, made with great
care and scientific accuracy, all representing portions of the great Nel-
sonville seam of coal. They are of the highest scientific interest, and of
the utmost practical importance.

(1.) Let it be first remarked, that they represent the seam of coal in
locations of its best development, viz : at Nelsonville, Athens county,
where it measures 6 feet 4 inches ; at Haydenville, Hocking county, near
Nelsonville, where it measures the same ; at Straits ville, Perry county,
where it measures 11 feet ; at two points on Sunday creek, where it also
measures 11 feet ; and on Lost run, in Ward township, Hocking county,
where it measures 10 feet 6 inches. The coal here represented is found
in six different townships and in three different counties. The locations
are all accessible, and they are either already reached, or soon will be, by
railroads. Nelsonville and Haydenville mines already have the advan-
tage of railroad and canal.

(2.) Again, it is obvious that the coal in the seam is not homogeneous
in quality from roof to floor. In the mine of Mr. Wm B. Brooks, near
Nelsonville, the upper part of the seam is more earthy, giving by analysis
9.05 per cent, of ash, while the average of the two analyses of the mid-
dle and lower parts of the seam is only 2.30 per cent.

In the mine of Mr. Peter Hayden, near Haydenville, the top coal gives
9.36 per cent, of ash, while the ash of the middle and lower portions of
the seam average only 1.67 per cent.

The most earthy part of the coal in the Sands bank, on Sunday creek,
• as shown by analysis, is that taken 2 feet 2 inches from the top, which
yields 11.26 per cent, of ash, while a sample taken a little above, or 14
inches from the top, gave only 3.44 per cent., and a sample taken 18
inches below gave only 2.92 per cent. A sample 2 feet 6 inches from the
bottom gave 7.07 per cent, of ash.

Of the six samples obtained to represent the same seam of coal on Lost
run, Ward township, Hocking county, that from the top contained 11.05
per cent, of ash, and the one next below 7.63 per cent. ; while the average
amount of the four remaining lower ones, representing about 8 feet of
coal, is only 3.57 per cent.

The Straitsville coal is divided into three layers ; and it is found that
the largest percentage of ash is found near the top and bottom of the
upper layer. This upper layer is 6 feet 10 inches thick in the McGinnis
bank. Kear the bottom of it the ash was found to be 9.98 per cent., and

110 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

on the very top the ash was found to be 9.35 per cent. The latter result
is not given in the table, but conies from the analyses of a single inde-
pendent specimen, sent to the laboratory by Mr. S. M. Baird. The sam-
ple of the top coal, of the series given in the table for the Straitsville
coal, afforded less ash, viz : 6.96 per cent. The average ash of all other
samples taken elsewhere in the seam, is only 2.26 per cent.

Thus it will be seen that this great seam of coal is not uniform in re-
gard to the ash of its several parts. There are generally two sources
from which the ash of our coal is derived ; first, from the inorganic mat-
ter which belongs to all vegetation, and shows itself, for example, in the
ash of our firewood ; second, from fine sedimentary matter brought by
water and distributed through the coal marsh when the vegetation of the
coal was growing. In regard to the first, it is difficult to ascertain the
exact amount of inorganic matter properly belonging to the coal vege-
tation. Different plants and trees yield different amounts of ashes, and
different parts of the same plant or tree yield different quantities.

The least ash thus far found in any coal in my district was from a coal
in Jackson county, which gave 0.85 per cent. Whether in this we have
more than the original vegetation of the coal would supply, it would be
difficult to decide. When the Jackson county coals are hereafter studied
some light may be thrown on this interesting problem.

In regard to the second source of ash, viz : sediments intermixed with
the vegetation, it is unnecessary to state, that we find no two seams of
coal alike in the quantity of their earthy matter, and, indeed, no two por-
tions of the same seam. Sometimes the sediments amounted to a de-
posit of mud thick enough to make a clay or slate parting in the coal,
but more often, a few inches of the coal are principally affected, and we
simply find, on analysis, the coal to show an excess, of ash or earthy mat-
ter. The great Nelsonville seam of coal illustrates both of these state-
ments, for in it we find well-defined and continuous slate partings and
also portions of the coal showing far more ash or earthy matter than
other portions.

(3.) Again, much of the coal of this great seam contains a small per-
centage of sulphur. Nothing is so injurious as an excess of sulphur in
coal. It unfits the coal for smelting iron, and for gas making. It attacks
the iron grate bars when used for the generation of steam, and for all
domestic uses a highly sulphurous coal is extremely disagreeable.

By reference to Prof. Wormley's analyses, it will be seen that in the
Nelsonville mines and at Haydenville, the most sulphur is found in the
top of the seam, and next, in the bottom, while that in the middle layer
of the seam has comparatively little. At Straitsville the most sulphur is

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. Ill

found in the upper part of the seam. On the other hand, the most sul-
phur in the seam, at the Sands bank on Sunday creek, is near the bottom,
and next to this, in the third sample from the bottom, as given in No. 18,
in the table of analyses. The other five samples, which represented the
larger part of this great seam, revealed a comparatively small percentage
of sulphur.

On Lost run the analyses revealed more sulphur. As, however, there
was very little visible sulphur in the usual form of bi-sulphide of iron
in the samples analyzed, I was led to request Prof. Wormley to under-
take some additional analyses, to see if there was in the coal as much
iron as the revealed sulphur would require to form the bi-sulphide. Prof.
Wormley undertook the careful examination of this question, and his
results, which are altogether new to science, not only reflect upon him
the highest credit, but promise to be of great economic value.

All the authorities on the subject of coal have hitherto supposed the
sulphur to be chemically combined with iron in the form of a bi-sulphide
of iron (Fe S 3 .) Prof. Dana, in his recent great work on Minerology,
expresses a doubt in regard to this in the following paragraph, page 756 :

" Sulphur is present in nearly all coals. It is supposed to be usually combined with
iron, and when the coal affords a red ash on burning, there is reason for believing this
true. But Percy mentions a coal from New Zealand, which gave a peculiarly white ash,
although containing from 2 to 3 p. c. of sulphur, a fact showing that it is present, not as a
sulphide of iron, but as a constituent of an organic compound. The discovery by Church
of the resin containing sulphur (see Tasmanite, p. 746), gives reasons for inferring that
it may exist in this coal in that state, although its presence as a constituent of other or-
ganic compounds is quite possible."

By an examination of Prof. Wormley's table of analyses of the Lost
run coal, it will be seen, that in no case is there iron enough in the coal
to take up in combination all the sulphur. In No. 27, the sulphur is L01
per. cent. Adopting for the combination of the bisulphide of iron, the
proportion given by Prof. Dana, viz. iron 46.7, and sulphur 53.3, in 100
parts, the sulphur in No. 27 would require 0.884 per cent, of iron, whereas
Pro. Wormley finds only 0.09 per cent. This 0.09 per cent, of iron would
only require 0.102 per cent, of sulphur to make the usual iron pyrites,
and there are consequently 0.908 per cent, of sulphur elsewhere in the
coal than in combination with iron. This excess of sulphur must be
both in the volatile matter and in the coke. The coke retains 0.50 per
cent, of sulphur. This shows that part of the sulphur is in permanent
combination with the fixed carbon of the coal.

The average loss of sulphur in reducing all the coals from Lost run to
coke is 56 per cent.

112 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

Another marked illustration of the disproportion of sulphur to the iron
in a bituminous coal is found in the analysis of a coal from Washington
county. The coal is a white ash coal, and the sample analyzed had been in
the cabinet of Marietta college for fourteen years, and showed none of the
usual tendency to disintegrate from a change of the bi- sulphide to the
sulphate of iron, a salt which, in crystallizing, breaks the coal by its ex-
pansion.

The sample was found by Prof. Wormley to contain only 0.390 per
cent, of iron, but 3.330 per cent, of sulphur. There should have been
but 0.445 per cent, of sulphur, if the sulphur were limited to a bisulphide
of iron. The coke retained 1.82 per cent, of sulphur.

The analyses are of the highest practical importance. In coals for gas-
making it is not enough to know the percentage of sulphur in the coal,
but rather how much of sulphur passes into the gas. In the analysis,
'So. 25, there is in the coal 1.42 per cent, of sulphur, while the coke re-
tains but 0.51 per cent., nearly two-thirds of the sulphur having passed
off in the volatile matter. In No. 24, of the 1.07 per cent, of sulphur,
0.79 per cent, remains in the coke, or about three-quarters of the whole.

In coals for smelting iron, it is most important that the coke be as free
from sulphur as possible. The sulphur in the coke comes in contact with
the melting iron in the lower portion of the furnace, and contaminates it,
but the sulphur, which passes off while the coal is undergoing the process
of coking in the upper part of the stack, dojes comparatively little harm.
Hence, for the purpose of iron-making, the exact percentage of sulphur
remaining in the coke should be carefully ascertained. It is, furthermore,
evident that the popular method of determining the quality of a coal by
the color of its ash will often prove fallacious. A white-ash coal may
have an excessive amount of sulphur, and yet contain so little iron that its
oxidation in the fire will not redden the ash. This will most certainly be
the case where the amount of ash is large and the percentage of iron small.

(4.) Again, the analyses of the great Nelsonville seam of coal, show a
large percentage of fixed carbon, and consequent heating power. The aver-
age fixed carbon for all the analyses of the seam at Nelsonville, and at
Haydenville, is 56.59 per cent. The average of the seam, at Straitsville
is 56-96 per cent. The average of seam on Sunday creek is 55.20 per cent.
The average of seam on Lost run, excluding the very top coal, which will
not be mined on account of impurities, is 54.43 per cent. The average
of all in fixed carbon, is 55.79 per cent.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

113

For the purpose of comparison, I give, from. Prof. Wormley's records,
the analyses ot several of onr best iron-making coals :

No. 29.

No. 30.

No. 31.

No. 32.

No. 33.

No. 34.

1.282

1.336

1.284

1.247

1.364

1 173

7.75
31.27
58.95

2.03

7.60
30.96
57.65

3.79

3.60
32.58
62.66

1.16

6.95
32.38
57.49

3.18

6.65
34.54
54.28

4.53

5.45

38 76

53 99

1.80

Total

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

180 00

0.53
Reddish.

0.49
White.

0.85
Red.

0.88
Grayish.

1.07
* Fawn.

75

Grayish.

Character of coke

Pulver-
"ulent.

Pulver-
ulent.

Pulver-
ulent.

Very com-
pact.

Quite
compact.

Compact.

No. 29. Jackson shaft coal Jackson, Jackson Co..

20. Hillcoal " "

31. Briar Hill coal Chestnut Ridge.

32. Blue Chippewa coal Massillon.

33. Cealton or Ashland coal Boyd Co:, Kentucky..

34. Brazil " " Clay Co., Indiana.

The average of fixed carbon in the above coals, is 57.43 per cent. It will
be noticed that the Briar Hill coal, from Chestnut Ridge, contains less
than the average quantity of water, and this fact increases the percentage
of the fixed carbon and other constituents. The Blue Chippewa coal,
from Massillon, contains 6.95 per cent, of water,, and the quantity of fixed
carbon is 57.49 per cent, which is a little less than that of the two Jack-
son coals.

The Ashland, or Coalton coal, (No. 33) is a very successful furnace coal,
from Boyd county, Ky. Its percentage of fixed carbon is 54.28, while the
average of the great Nelsonville seam, from all the localities' is 55.79.
The proportion of fixed carbon in the Brazil coal, of Indiana, is less than
that of the Ashland coal, being 53.99 per cent.

In the light of all these facts, the very great excellence of the Nelson-
ville seam of coal must be conceded.

For the purpose of additional comparison, I give the results of the
analyses of a large number of British coals, used in the manufacture of
iron, taken from the Report of the British Association for the Advance-
ment of Science, for the year 1863. They are taken from a very elabo-
rate paper on the " Manufacture of Iron in connexion with the Northum-

*The sulphur in table doubtless too high for the average of the coal.— E. B. A.

8 — Geological.

u

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

berland and Durham Coal-fields," by Isaac Lowthian Bell, Mayor of
Newcastle :

Samples.

Locality.

>>

5

M)

d

i

d
o

■a

d

bfl

O

43

1

d

4

3 o
3 o

as

02

o

w

fc

te

O -

<i

Ph

^

18

Newcastle...

1.256

82.15

5.31

1.35

1.24

5.69

3.77

60.67

56.90

36

1.315

83.78

4.79

0.98

143

4.15

4.91

72.62

67.71

8

Scotland

1.259

78.53

5.61

1.00

1.11

9.69

4.03

54.22

50.19

7

Derbyshire- .

1.192

79.68

4.94

1.41

1.01

10.28

2.65

59.32

56.67

In the above analyses we have all the different elements given sepa-
rately. It will be noticed that the sulphur in the coals runs from 1.01 to
1.43. This is in excess of our better Ohio coals, as will be seen by refer-
ring to the analyses of Prof. Wormley. As the English iron manufac-
turers generally coke the coal, used, in the blast furnaces, they expel, in
coking, about one half of the sulphur. In,regard to the coke used in the
celebrated Cleveland Iron District, England, Mr. Bell, from whom I have
first quoted, writes : — " To form an idea of the extent to which ash and
sulphur exist in the coke of the South Durham coal-field, the following
analyses are extracted from the Clarence Laboratory journal :

Ash, per cent. Sulphur, per cent.

5.86 0.58

5.79 0.68

7.54 0.77

9.00 0.44

8.33 0.50

"As a rule," he adds, "6 per cent, of ash and about 0.60 of sulphur
may be considered as the average analytical results of the best coke of
the district, just quoted."

A more recent authority, Prof. H. Bauerman, of the Royal School of
Mines, in a work on Metallurgy, published in London, 1868, says that
" The Cleveland district is remarkable for the large size and height of its
Jurnaces (from 70 to 102 feet high), which are entirely worked with hard
eoke from the south of Durham, containing on an average from 0.60 to
0.80 per cent, of sulphur, and from 4J to 8 per cent, of ash."

In the examination of the analyses of coals made by Prof. Wormley,
and the comparison of his results with most other analyses, it must be

* I have added the fixed carbon, as ascertained by substracting the ash from the coke.
The Welsh coals are partly anthracite, hence the large percentage of fixed carbon.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 115

remembered that the Professor makes a careful determination of the
combined water. The samples analyzed are, of course, dry^ in the ordi-
nary sense, to begin with. But if the temperature be kept at 212 deg.
the coal continues to lose weight for a considerable time, after which, if
the heat is continued, the weight begins to increase, doubtless from the
oxidation of one or more of the constituents of the coal. After the loss
of weight, if the coal be allowed to cool and remain for a time, it regains
from the atmosphere moisture enough to restore its original gravity.
The water thus lost is given by Prof. Wormley in the tables. It is not
generally given in other analyses of coals, but clearly should be, not only
because it is a constant constituent in Western coals, generally increasing
in quantity the farther west we obtain the coal, but because it is a source
of loss to the consumer, who not only buys water, but must use a part of
the heating power of his coal to expel it.

One of the most important of the practical questions connected with
this coal, is its adaptation to the smelting of iron. It has been already
seen that the percentage of sulphur is relatively small, that the ash is
small, and that the amount of fixed carbon is large. It is also a dry-
burning coal, and could be used in furnaces in the raw state. Where the
seam is thickest, six or seven feet oft the coal can be obtained, which, in
all the qualifications named, would be remarkably adapted to iron-mak-
ing. Can there, then, be any reasonable doubt on this point ? I think
not, unless it may lurk in the yet undetermined physical properties of
the coke. Will the coke be firm and strong enough to resist, without
crushing, the great burden which must necessarily come upon it in the
furnace? Although a dry coal, and not needing to be coked beforehand,
yet it will necessarily be changed to coke in passing from the top of the
furnace down to the melting zone in the lower part of the stack. Should
the coke, thus formed, be crushed by the imposed burden, the draft of the
furnace will be choked, and the working of the furnace seriously hin-
dered.

Some of the analyses show the coke to be firm and compact, while
others indicate a pulverulent character. This question can best be solved
by actual experiment. Should such a tendency to brittleness be found
to exist, the difficulty can be obviated. While in the Cleveland iron dis-
trict, in England, the coke used is so compact and firm that it supports
an enormous pressure in furnaces (sometimes more than one hunered feet
in height), yet elsewhere, as in Staffordshire, where the coke is friable,
and the ore also, and in South Wales, where the anthracite used decrepi-
tates to such an extent as to produce the same difficulty in the furnace,
the furnaces are low, and the superincumbent weight of the "charges''

116 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

is distributed over a broader base. To secure combustion in such fur-
naces, a larger number of twyers is used, and, that the blast may reach
the center, the base is often made elliptical instead of round. The diffi-
culty of soft coke being a physical one, it may be overcome by such me-
chanical arrangements as suggest themselves to intelligent metallurgists.

It might be found desirable to mix with the coal of the great Eelson-
ville seam a portion of hard coke obtained from some other coal, although
such necessity appears to me improbable.

There are in places two seams of coal above the horizon of the Nelson-
ville seam of workable thickness, the coke of which may answer such a
purpose. The coal of one of the seams is reported by Prof. Wormley to
make a very compact coke.

That the time is not far distant when the coal of this greatest of Ohio coal
seams will be largely used in the manufacture of iron, there can be little doubt.

The coal is already shipped from Nelsonville and vicinity to Chicago,
and to other points on the Northern Lakes, from which the rich Lake Su-
perior ores could be brought back as return freight. Limited quantities
of lower coal measure ores are to be found in the neighborhood of the
coal, especially in the strata lying between the horizon of the Nelson-
ville coal and the base of the coal measures, which could be used to great
advantage as a mixture with the richer northern ores. Should these na-
tive ores prove like those used in Jackson, Lawrence and other counties
in our furnace district of southern Ohio, the mixture would tend to coun-
teract the red short quality of the Superior ores.

A large blast furnace is now in process of erection in Columbus, by S.
Baird, Esq., and others, to use the coal from the great seam. * Lake Supe-
erior ores are to be mixed with such native ores as can be the most conve-
niently obtained from our lower coal measures.. Limestone for flux can
be obtained in ample supply from the great quarries in the immediate
neighborhood of Columbus.

Should furnaces be erected in the immediate vicinity of the coal, lime-
stone could be obtained from the "Maxville limestone" stratum at vari-
ous accessible points. At Maxville, in Perry county, the limestone is
well developed. It is also found near Logan. In the Sunday creek val-
ley a white limestone of excellent quality is found on the highest hills,
213 feet above the level of the great coal seam. Another limestone, more
earthy in character, but which would doubtless answer for a flux, is found
147 feet above the great seam. For furnaces located at Nelsonville, Hay-

*Kote.— -The entire success of the Straitsville coal has been satisfactorily demonstra-
ted by this furnace . E. B. A.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

117

denville, Logan, Straitsville, and other points on the Columbus & Hocking-
Valley Railroad and its branches, limestone from the Corniferous beds at
Columbus could be used.

STRATA ABOVE THE NELSONVILLE SEAM OP COAL.

Having thus considered the Nelsonville seam of coal in its geo-
graphical range, its geological relations, its quantity, its quality, and
its adaptations, the way is prepared to notice in detail the rocks which lie
above it, so far as yet observed.

At Nelsonville, in the hill back of t'te village, we found the section as
follows. (See Fig. 19/

o to 7 seen l^rr

'^iiJjSaruirock irregularly bedded
Coal very irregular

Blue clay shale
Bituminous shale

Nelsonville coal
Upper part seen

Fig. 19.

As a general rule, there are slates or shales immediately above the coal.
Sometimes the sandrock, which is very heavy, lies directly upon the coal,
although this, so far as we saw, was uncommon. In many places the
sandstone is itself gone, and its place taken by yellow shales, in which we
find coal seams. The changes from the sandrock to shales and back again,
are so sudden and unexpected, that it is not strange that much confusion
has arisen. Generally along the Hocking river we find the heavy sand-
rock separated from the coal by a few feet of clay shales. This clay
sometimes comes down into the coal, filling cavities. The following dia-
gram exhibits two of these "clay veins." (See Fig. 20.)

I Coal

Fig. 20.

118

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

On the west branch of Sunday creek, in Monroe township, I saw two or
three places where the coal was entirely gone, and the vacant space filled
with a yellow shale. At one point it is cut squarely off where it is 10 or
11 feet thick. The sandy shales appear to have been shoved into the de-
pression, and not to have accumulated by slow sedimentary increments,
as there was little appearance of lamination. At another place, the coal
seam grows smaller, and ends in a ball of coal, as seen in the accompany-
ing figure. (See Fig. 21.)

Yelloiv- Shales'

SandrocL

Coal

Clay'

Fig. 21.

It is evident, from the study of the strata immediately over the Nelson-
ville seam, that there were most remarkable changes in the conditions of
deposition invery limited areas. While the strong currents brought in
and distributed sands in many places, at the same time there were near
by, comparatively still waters, where the finer sediments, which now con-
stitute the yellow shales, were deposited. At times these shales were
brought above the surface, and the growth of vegetation afforded seams
of coal. At a subsequent time, there were current ways cut down through
these yellow shales and coals, removing even the great seam below. This
is seen on the farm of Benjamin Saunders, Monroe township, Perry county.
Fortunately these breaks in the continuity of the Nelsonville seam are
rare and of very limited extent. It should also be remembered as a part
of the history, that in some places the currents which brought in the sand
of the sandrock removed the top of the coal, sometimes the whole seam,
and left sandstone in the place of it. Hence, while below the seam the
strata are fine, quiet-water sediments, and are distributed with remark-
able uniformity and evenness, above it we find evidence of just the oppo-
site conditions of deposition. We should expect, therefore, that the seam
of coal associated with the shales, above the main seam, would be limited
in extent, and the work of grouping them into a system a difficult one.

One of the best exhibitions of the- coal seams, above the great seam, is
on the farm of Bayliss Glenn, on Snow Fork, Sec. 6, Ward township
Hocking county. (See Section No. 8 on map of grouped sections.) Most

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. Il9

of the section was made on Bear run, where the two upper seams of coal
were seen. The lower, 3 ft. thick, is apparently poor in the upper half
and good below. Twenty-nine feet above this seam are two or three feet
of limestone, the lower part white and good, and the upper 10 inches
apparently flinty and covered on the top with a little iron ore. On the
limestone rests 5 ft. of shales, upon which is a seam of coal 4 ft. thick, the
lower six inches of which is cannel. I had no opportunity to examine the
quality of the coal, as no mine is opened. The cannel is rather heavy,
with earthy matter. It contains fish remains. There is also in the hills
bordering Snow Fork a seam of coal, reported to have been mined, situated
a little higher than the seam last mentioned.

Near the head of the East branch, Snow Fork, near Alexander Mar-
shall's, Sec. 35, Salt Lick township, Perry county, there are seen in the
shales above the Nelson ville seam, the two coals found on the farm of Mr.
Glenn, farther down the ran. The coal over the limestone was reported
2£ ft. thick. Near the top of the high hill separating Snow Fork from
the west branch of Sunday creek, is another coal seam. Its exact height
above the Nelsonville seani was not ascertained.

On the farm of Benj. Saunders, on the west branch of Sunday creek,
there are two seams of coal above the great seam. These seams are seen
in Sec. 22 on Map of grouped sections. The thickness of the first one
above the great seam was not ascertained. To the northwest it probably
runs out, and its place is taken by heavy sandstone. Near Millerstown,
on the land of Mr. Morris, it has an unusual development of 6 feet. On
the Grigsby farm it measures 4 feet.

The following are Prof. Wormley's analyses of two samples of the

Grigsby coal :

No. l. No. 2.

Water 3.80 3.80

Asli - 4.60 6.30

Vol. matter 38.80 37.00

Fixed carbon 52.80 52.90

Total 100.00 100.00

Sulphur 3.59 4.89

Cubic ft. gas per lb 3.03 3.08

The upper seam, called the Stallsmith seam, is more persistent, as it was
found over a considerable area. It measures 4 feet, and, in quality, is
highly esteemed in the neighborhood. Mr. Saunders obtains this coal (by
stripping) for family use, preferring it to that of the great seam, which is
11 ft. thick on his farm.

Mr. George Stallsmith, in the same neighborhood, has taken out con

120 GEOLOGICAL SUKVBY OP OHIO.

siderable of this coal, for family and neighborhood use. Prof. Wormley
has analyzed this coal, with the following results:

Stallsmith's Upper Coal.
Specific gravity 1.254

Combined water 3.80

Ash 4.14

Volatile matter 40.21

Fixed carbon 51.85

Total 100.00

Sulphur 2.62

Permanent gas per lb. coal in cubic feet 4.69

Color of ash Gray.

Character of coke Compact.

This coal is rich in gas. It makes also a very compact and durable
coke. The amount of sulphur is considerable, and may interfere with the
usefulness of the coal for gas and iron making. Should, on coking, a
considerable portion of the sulphur be eliminated, the coke might, from
its hardness, serve an important purpose for a mixture with the coal of
the great seam for iron making.

On the land of James Fowler, Pleasant township, Perry county, there
are two seams of coal, as given on the Map of grouped sections, in Sec.
No. 28. The lower seam was traced by Hon. Alvah Jones and my assist-
ant, Mr. Ballantine, from Eoseville, where it is the upper Lexington seam,
(the equivalent of the great or Nelsonville seam). The upper, 28£ feet
above the lower, measures 4 ft. 10 in. The top 10 inches are not worked
in the mine. No partings were seen. Mr. P. Yakey reported having
mined the lower seam and found it 4£ feet thick, with a parting. On the
land of Ebenezer Pyle, in the same township, there is a seam, 4 ft. 1 in.
thick, which is believed to be the same as the upper one on Jas. Fowler's
land. Mr. Pyle reports a seam below (probably the upper Lexington
seam) and another above.

Doubtless there will be found at other points seams of coal lying above
the great Eelsonville seam, and more careful investigations will hereafter
be made as we carry our sections upward, above the horizon of the great
seam. It is however already evident that, in Hocking and Perry counties,
the conditions of deposition were such that we can expect little uniformity
in the strata for the 60 or 80 feet above the great Nelsonville coal.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 121

IRON ORES.

It is almost impossible to make a section of the lower strata of the
Productive Coal Measures, at any place, in the field included in this
report, without disclosing more or less iron ore. There are a few distinct
and well-defined horizons in which the ore is almost always seen. This
is rendered evident by an examination of the map of grouped sections.

Beginning at the base of the coal measures, we find ore at a few points
below the Maxville limestone. The best development was seen in Sec-
tion 16, Madison township, Perry county, on the land of Edward Dani-
son. Here upon the top of the Logan sandstone group, were seen nodules
of siderite ore in clay, measuring from 4 to 8 inches thick, and overlaid
by sandy shale. Mr. S. Baird, formerly in charge of the furnace at
Logan, reports a layer of ore over a seam of fire-clay resting on the Lo-
gan sandstone. This is not far from Logan, and is in the same geological
horizon with the last mentioned.

On the top of the Maxville limestone, iron ore was seen at several
points. On the farm of Mr. Danison, previouslj alluded to, this ore
was found from 4 to 8 inches thick. A sample of this ore was analyzed
by Prof. Wormley, and the result given in No. 5 of the appended table
of analyses. This ore is interesting, as containing 4.30 per cent, of man-
ganese. No alumina was found, which is remarkable for a coal-measures
ore, and one overlaid by a shale containing much clay. Of sulphur and
phosphorus it contains only a trace. The percentage of metallic iron,
38.87, added to the unusual purity, would make this a desirable ore for
making iron, if it can be obtained in sufficient quantity.

On Section 14, Newton township, Muskingum county, on the farm of
Joseph Bambo, nodules of similar ore were found resting upon the great
Maxville or Newtonville limestone. No analysis was made of this, but
probably it is an excellent ore.

In Section 28, Green township, Hocking county, on James Tannahill's
land, is a very thin layer of nodules of iron ore, containing quartz pebbles
resting upon the Maxville limestone. This ore is here the only represen-
tative of the true coal-measures conglomerate. The place of the conglom-
erate is above the Maxville limestone. Dr. Briggs, in the old Reports,
observes the conglomeratic character of this ore.

On Edward Danison's land, already referred to, there is a thin layer of
siderite ore 13J feet above the limestone ore, and still another layer
3 inches thick, 15 feet higher.

In a section made by Dr. Hildreth, given in the old Geological Reports,
and copied as c ec. 35 in my map of grouped sections, on Joseph Baird's

122 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

land, Sec. 11, Hopewell township, Licking county, a layer of ore 1 foot 4
inches thick, rests upon the Maxville limestone. This is thicker than I
found it at any point. Ten feet higher up, Dr. H. reports a seam 8 inches
thick.

At nearly the same geological horizon on the land of Joseph Bambo,
Sec. 14, Newton township, Muskingum county, are two small layers of
siderite ore, separated by 1 foot 7 inches of light blue clay-shale, the lower
2 inches and the upper 3 to 4 inches thick.

Near John Fluhart's mill, Green township, Hocking county, there were
found nodules and thin layers of iron ore, in shales, the upper part black,
and the middle white clay, and the lower bluish. There were nodules of
ore in all these shales, but probably none were thick enough to work.
Some of the ore was flinty.

At Maxville, Perry county, a layer of siderite ore, 3 inches thick, was
seen about 20 feet above the top of the Maxville limestone.

These lower ores are found sweeping through the northern half of
Perry county, but there was great difficulty in finding such exposures of
the rocks as would enable us to determine their exact stratigraphical
position. Near Wolfe Station, on the Zanesville and Cincinnati Bail-
road, one of these layers of ore is somewhat largely mined and sent to a
furnace at Zanesville. Mr. Baird, who first used this ore, thinks it is
elsewhere represented by the ore resting upon the Maxville limestone.
North of this,' in the Somerset region, excellent ores are found. Should a
railroad be built through that part of the county, these ores could be
profitably mined and sent to furnaces.

Between 40 and 50 feet above the level of the Maxville limestone is a
very well-marked horizon of ore. The ore is seen directly behind the old
Hocking furnace at Haydenville, Green township, Hocking county, where
the quality is good, but it adheres firmly to the sandstone below it.
Where it could be removed from the stone it has been used in the fur-
nace. Below the sandstone, which is 12 inches thick, is a stratum of
earthy limestone 1 foot 6 inches thick. Both limestone and sandstone
are highly fossiliferous.

On the bank of Monday creek, opposite Henry Hazelton's, Salt Lick
township, Perry county, this ore is well seen. Here there are three or
four layers. The upper is in nodular masses imbedded in blue shale.
The next below is an ore of good quality, and lies in one and sometimes*
two layers. The lowest is rather a ferriferous flint. In all, there may be
15 inches of ore. Three samples were analyzed by Prof. Wormley, and
the results are given in table of analyses of ores. No. 1 was from the
top, or nodular layer ; No. 2 the next below, and No. 3 the flinty ore.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 123

No. 1 is a rich ore, yielding 41.37 per cent, of metallic iron. It is chiefly
a carbonate of iron (siderite), but a portion has been changed under at-
mospheric agencies to limonite or the hydrated sesquioxide. It contains
0.48 per cent, of sulphuric acid and 0.18 of phosphoric acid. No. 2 is
also rich in iron, containing 37.59 per cent. The sulphuric acid is 0.75
per cent., but there was no trace of phosphorus. No. 3 is poor, contain-
ing only 17.99 per cent, of metallic iron. To what extent these ores
could be obtained by " stripping," it is impossible to state without a
special investigation. Mining by drifting would be very expensive.

On the land of Samuel Thomson, near Maxville, Monday creek town-
ship, Perry county, we find a compact iron ore in thin layers, the whole
measuring sixteen inches. It rests on an earthy blue limestone six inches
thick, which is separated from another seam of blue limestone, eight
inches thick, by five inches of blue clay. Under the limestone are four-
teen inches of black sandy bituminous shale, below which are twenty-
two inches of coal, this with its under clay resting upon a sandrock. A
section of this ore and associated strata is the Sec. No. 11 in the Map of
grouped sections. No samples of this ore were brought away, but from
the unusual thickness of the stratum it is worthy of investigation.

A seam of ore six inches thick was seen near Cusac's mill, on Jona-
than's creek, Newton township, Muskingum county. Sec. 30, on the Map
of grouped sections, represents the position of this ore.

On the land of John Lyle, Sec. 14, Newton township, a layer of no-
dules of iron ore three inches thick was found, resting upon a stratum of
calcareous ferriferous flint, which, in turn, rests upon, or rather, is
cemented to a seam, fifteen inches thick, of blue limestone, under which
are three inches of coal. The surface of the flint stratum is covered
with impressions of the marine plant Spirophyton, cauda-galli, or allied
species. Fifteen feet above is a thin layer of sandstone, with the same
vegetable impressions upon it. A section of this group of strata is on
the Map of grouped sections No. 33.

Between this horizon of ore and the Putman Hill limestone above, no
other range of ore was observed.

Above the Putnam Hill limestone we find the first ore from five to
eight feet over the limestone. It is seen on the Map of sections as Sec.
36. Here the nodules of ore are often quite large, and the location is
worthy of investigation. I have no doubt the ore is of good quality. In
Section 40, on the same Map, is seen a layer of nodules of ore four inches
thick, belonging to the same geological horizon. It is eight feet four
inches above the Putnam Hill limestone, resting upon blue calcareous
shales which are highly fossiliferous.

124 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

At Flint Eidge, a layer of ore is reported resting upon the top of the
Putnam Hill limestone, which here includes the calcareous shale seen at
the last locality. The shales and limestone have the same fossils.

Higher in the series, ore in considerable quantity was found on the
land of Henry Welch, Salt Lick township, Perry county. No measured
section was made, but its place, by estimate, is about 30 feet below the
great Nelsonville seam of coal. It lies in layers of nodules in blue clay
shale. One of the nodules was taken for analysis. Prof. Wormley re-
ports, in No. 6. of the table, the metallic iron to be 27.04. The details of
the analysis are not given. Should this ore be found well situated for
easy stripping, it would doubtless serve a good purpose for mixture
with other richer ores.

Nowhere have we found so persistent a horizon of ore as that found
a few feet below the great coal seam. Attention to this ore was called
by Dr. Briggs, in the old Geological Reports. Scarcely anywhere was a
section made of this part of the vertical range of strata without the dis-
covery of this ore. It is in nodules, often small, but sometimes very
large and heavy. Unfortunately, the nodules are generally too much
scattered to make mining profitable, yet there are doubtless many places
where this ore might be obtained by stripping, in sufficient quantity to
serve a valuable purpose for mixture. A sample obtained on the land
of James Hawkins, on Snow Fork of Monday creek, in Ward township,
Hocking county, was analyzed by Prof. Wormley. The result is given in
Nor 4 of the table. The ore is siderite or carbonate of iron, and yields
31.50 per cent, metallic iron. It is often filled with beautiful impressions
of coal plants, a collection of which was made for the State cabinet.

On the farm of Benjamin Saunders, on the west branch of Monday
creek, the stream has cut its way below the great seam of coal, and
revealed the same range of nodular ores, found below the coal on Snow
Fork and elsewhere. The ore is rich in iron, but the nodules are too
much scattered to make mining profitable. Generally, in the upper
Sunday creek valley, this ore would be several feet below the beds of
the streams.

IRON ORE ABOVE THE NELSONVILLE COAX,.

The strata of rocks lying above the horizon of the great Nelsonville
seam of coal are apparently less promising in iron ore than those below it.

On the old Marietta road, one mile north-east from Nelsonville, two
ranges of nodular ore were seen, and their places proximately given in
No. 1 of the Map of grouped sections.

A sandy ore (probably of little value) was seen on the hill near the
village of Straitsville, Perry county.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 125

On the headwaters of Sunday creek there were seen at one place, where
the shales are not cut away by the heavy sandrock, two lines of small
blue kidneys of blue carbonate or siderite, one three and the other four
inches thick. The lower line is fifteen feet above the great seam of coal,
and the other six feet higher. At one place, near Millerstown, a deposit
of five inches of blue carbonate of iron, four, feet below the middle or
Norris coal, was seen. Whether this will ■ prove a continuous layer or
only a local deposit, I had no means of ascertaining. Fifteen feet above
the middle, or Norris coal, is a quite persistent deposit of ore of the limo-
nite class. This seam can be traced through all the hills to New Lexing-
ton, where it is found in its proper place above the upper New Lexington
coal, which is the equivalent of the great seam of Sunday creek. It
measures in one place thirteen inches in thickness. A few kidneys from
three to four inches thick were dug out of this layer, which were rich in
iron. One of them was analyzed by Prof. Wormley, and found to contain
43.06 per cent, of metallic iron. If uncontaminated by phosphorus or
sulphur, for which, as yet, no examinations have been made, this ore, if
found in adequate quantity, will serve an admirable purpose for a mixture
with the Lake Superior ores.

Forty feet above this ore, or about fourteen feet above the upper or
" Stallsmith " seam of coal, is a deposit, apparently in very large nodules,
of an earthy blue carbonate of iron or siderite. On the Latta farm,
near Millerstown (Perry county), the thickest nodule measured two feet
in thickness. Here there was an evident slip, as the ore was imbedded
in earth and not in stratified clays. At this place two or three smaller
nodules of siderite, of a different lithological texture were seen, but
their true place could not be ascertained. One was five inches thick.
On the Eogers farm, in the same neighborhood, the same earthy blue
carbonate of iron was seen, grouped in three layers of nodules, meas-
uring respectively thirteen inches, fourteen inches, and six inches,
making in all thirty- three inches. To determine whether these nodules
will prove sufficiently contiguous to constitute regular seams, will re-
quire additional excavation.

As this was by far the largest development of ore seen above the
horizon of the great seam of coal, samples for analysis were taken from
both the Latta and Eogers farms. The sample from the Latta farm
yielded, according to Prof. Wormley's analysis, 26.12 per cent, of metallic
iron, and that from the Eogers farm 23.78 per cent. All the ores of the
upper Sunday creek valley are given in Sec. 25 A, Map of grouped sec-
tions.

A limestone sometimes found in large, scattered nodules, in the yellow
clays from fifteen to twenty feet above the great coal seam, on the west

126 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

branch of Sunday creek, contains a small amount of iron. A sample
obtained by Gol. James Taylor, of New Lexington, and my assistant, Mr.
Gilbert, from near the bridge on the road from Millerstown to the west
branch, was analyzed for iron by Prof. Wormley, and found to contain
2.52 per cent.

For the purpose of general comparison, I give from Bauerman's Metal-
lurgy of Iron the average richness in iron of the ores used in the famous
Cleveland Iron District in England. This average, for four samples from
different localities, is 35.79 per cent, of metallic iron, while the average
,of six samples from our coal-field is 36.57 per cent. In this number I in-
clude one sample of ore taken from above the great seam of coal on Sun-
day creek. In freedom from the deleterious element, phosphoric acid, the
Ohio ores are far superior. The Cleveland ores give an average of 1.905
per cent, of phosphoric acid, while of the five samples, thoroughly
analyzed, from our coal-field, one yielded 0.18 per cent., two gave a mere
chemical trace, and two contained none whatever. The amount of sul-
phur in our ores is small, not being found at all in some samples, and
in others much of what is found will be removed in roasting the
ore. There is therefore little difficulty to be apprehended from the ores
of Hocking, Perry and Muskingum counties, in respect to quality ; the
only question is the one of quantity. This question will be carefully in-
vestigated, with respect to any given district, by all intelligent capitalists
who propose to erect furnaces in such district and rely upon it for ores.
They will not care to repeat the expensive blunders, in ill-judged reliance
upon limited ores, which have been made both in the Coal Measures of
England and of this country. In regard to the failure of many furnaces
in western Pennsylvania, J. P. Lesley, Esq., one of the Geological Corps
in the survey of that State, thus writes, in his " Manual of Coal": " In
a majority of instances, the furnaces have been built in the neighborhood
of very insufficient beds ; and a large proportion of those originally
erected blew out for the want of ore, and form picturesque ruins in se-
cluded glens among the mountains, and on the banks of the principal
affluent waters of the Monongahela and Alleghany. This treachery of the
beds of carbonate of iron (the ore is good enough), rather than an\ want
of skill or capital or tariff, has been the secret cause of the periodical
and almost universal failure of iron-making in western Pennsylvania,
from the beginning until now."

I do not apprehend that the better layers of ore in the counties I have
explored will fail in persistency and prove treacherous. The question
will be whether, when the more accessible and cheaply obtained ore has
been removed by stripping, it will be found profitable to mine the ore by

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

127

the process of drifting. This will depend upon the price of labor and
the cheapness at which other competing ores can be obtained. One
thing is very certain, that considerable ore can be obtained in the north-
ern part of my district, which is excellent in quality, and which will
prove valuable for mixing with the richer ores of Lake Superior.

Before closing this subject of ores, it must be remarked that the sur-
vey of 1869, did not extend to the iron region of Vinton, Jackson, Scioto
and Lawrence counties. In that region the ores are generally richer and
better than in the northern part of my district.

I append a table of the analyses of ores from the district already
explored.

Analyses of Iron Ores, by Prof. T. O. Wormhy, Chemist of the Geological

Survey.

No. 1.

No. 2.

No. 3.

No. 4.

No. 5.

No. 6.

No. 7.

No. 8.

No. 9.

3.540

3.833

2.675

3.200

3.600

3.118

39.62
15.07

40.67
8.54
0.54

1.06

1.33

21.72

20.80

0.75

0.40
I 4.19

19.48
4.01

62.60
7.1&

37.22
3.64
1.20
0.60
2.40
2.16
18.82
27.00

37 36

13.30

4.30

7.07
0.60
0.38
6.95
24.21
0.48
0.18
3.70
1.74

2.90

2.77

5.32

28.10

trace.

trace.
5.70

Magnesia

1.55

4.40

trace.

Organic matter

2.56

0.25

Total

100.00
41.37

100.00
37.59

inn on

100.00

38.87

17.991 31.50

27.04

43.06

26.12

23.78

Register of Analyses of Iron Ores.

No. 1. Top of No. 1 layer of ore in. front of Henry Hazelton's, Salt Lick Tp., Perry Co.

No. 2. Second layer of ore " " " "

No. 3. Third " " " " "

No. 4. Layer of ore in flat nodular masses, James Hawkins, Sec. 3, Ward township,
Hocking connty, 9 feet under Nelsonville seam of coal.

No. 5. Iron on top of Maxville Limestone, Edward Damson's, Sec. 16, Madison town-
ship, Perry county.

No. 6. Iron ore, SO or 30 feet below Nelsonville coal, Henry Welch's land, Salt Lick
township, Perry county, second from bottom of 4 or 5 layers of nodules.

No. 7. Limohite ore from seam 15 feet above the Middle or Norris coal, Latta farm,
Sunday creek, Perry county.

No. 8. Blue carbonate of iron, Latta farm. Sunday creek, Perry county.

No. 9. Same seam as above, on Eogers farm.

GEOLOGY OP A PART OF WASHINGTON AND NOBLE COUNTIES.
An examination was made of the Duck creek valley for the special

128 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

determination of the position of the eoals. The principal seams of coal in
the immediate valley of Duck creek are two ; the lower, generally thin,
and associated with limestones, and the upper, much thicker, generally
found below a heavy sandrock. The two seams are about 70 feet apart,
in vertical distance. The general dip of the strata in this valley is to the
south and south-east, except where there may be undulations, produced
by the same causes which produced the Cow run and Jewell's run up-
lifts.

In ascending the valley, we first find the lower coal, with its associated
limestone group, in the bed of the creek, near Mr. Flanders', about half a
mile above the Cedar Narrows bridge, in the north part of Fearing town-
ship. Here the coal was formerly obtained by stripping. Near the
bridge, below, an oil well is reported to have passed through the lime-
stone group, about 30 feet below the surface. This would indicate a
pretty strong southern dip. Before reaching the mouth of Whipple's run,
a mile above Mr. Flanders', the coal and limestones have risen well up in
the bank, and from this point the group is everywhere seen, in going
north. On Whipple's run the coal has changed into cannel, and, at this
point, it was formerly distilled into oil. The cannel is of poor quality,
very earthy, and leaves, on combustion, an excessive amount of ashes.

On Pigeon branch of Whipple's run, on the farm of Moses Blake, a part
of the limestone group was exposed and the following section made. (See
Fig. 22. j

/j? Soil

i-y ---' Sandstones and shales

JSji^S Limestone, laminated, shaly, 5'

I~'*i i:\-~ Buff colored. limestone, 15"
\ Not seen, 5'

|hmb Coal, bituminous, JO" to IX"
fij Bp Coal, cannel, HO"
JSfWWB Under clay. 6"
ajjjagsifrg? n;«<; slate, 10"
jfe^, /i-J J !-. f t 1 - Limestone, bottom not seen

Fig. 22.

Here the lower 15 to 20 inches of the coal are cannel, and the 10 or 12
inches above are bituminous. The bunvcolored limestone above the coal
is everywhere persistent. I have traced it from the west side of the
Muskingum river, on Wolf creek, through several townships. It is seen,
with its associated limestone, in the hills in the vicinity of Beverly j at
Coal run, where the associated coal is largely worked; on Bear creek;,
extensively on Duck creek ; on the Little Muskingum ; in the uplift on

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 129

Cow run ; and in a similar uplift in the Narrows, above the mouth of,
Jewell's run, below the village of Newport.

The following is an analysis, by Prof. Wormley, of this remarkable
limestone, from a sample obtained on Whipple's run :

Matter insoluble in acids...,. 19.10

Carbonate of lime 47.70

Carbonate of magnesia 19.40

Alumina and sesquioxide of iron 2.50

Undetermined 2.65

This analysis shows the stone to be a double carbonate of lime and
magnesia. It is worthy of investigation as a water lime. Should it
answer for hydraulic purposes, its wide distribution would make it val-
uable.

This buff limestone is an excellent .guide in the study of the geology of
Washington county.

The blue slate below the coal at Whipple's run, and at other points, is
rich in fossil mollusca.

At Salem village, the limestone group is seen, and the coal is reported
to be from 20 to 30 inches thick. Here it has lost all cannel structure.
The cannel coal on Whipple's run is only a local modification of a bitu-
minous coal seam. This, so far as my observations go, is true of all
cannel coals.

At the head of Pigeon branch of Whipple's run we find, on the farm of
Samuel J. Hazen, Salem township, a seam of coal in the hill, estimated
to be about 70 feet above the limestone group. This coal is 4 feet thick,
with 3 inches black slate under it, below which is the usual under clay.
It has 10 inches of black slate over it, above which is a blueish clay,
mottled with red. No heavy sandrock was here seen above the coal.
The coal has much resemblance to the Bear creek coal, and in many re-
spects is unlike its geological equivalent, the " sandstone coal" found higher
up Duck creek. Prom a careful examination of the coal on Bear creek,
made several years since, I was led to believe that that coal was found
on the extreme southern edge of the great coal marsh, and was subjected
to peculiar tidal inundations, which brought in water- worn or beach- worn
sticks, and fragments of wood, which are now found intermingled with
the coal. These overflows have doubtless modified the structure of the
coal. South of Bear creek, and south of Whipple's run, this seam of coal
entirely disappears, or is too thin to work. It is probable that the black,
bituminous shales, under a heavy sandrock, seen on the plank road on
New-Year's run, about half a mile from its mouth, is the equivalent, hi

9 — Geological.

130 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

.geological position, of the coal seam spoken of. In Salem township, and
especially on the East Fork of Duck creek, the upper or "sandstone coal''
is well developed, and mines have been opened on
the farms of Vincent . Payne, Moses True, Messrs.
Hovey, Gould and others. On the farm of Mr.
Hill, north of Salem village, the coal is well seen.
On the land of Vincent Payne the annexed sec-
tion of coal was made. (See Fig 23.)

Heavy
Sand rock

Direction of vertical planes in this seam. S. 78i° E. The «"*> SO <J5gg§^ a< "»
direction of same in the "limestone coal" onlfa. Payne's
land, or near it, S. 80° E. z' 6 '

8"<lo 19"'

On V. Payne's land, there is a seam of limestone
144 feet above the sandstone coal, and another 56 * 7
feet higher. These limestones are found on all
the hills in that region that are high enough to Fie 23.

reach them. They are remarkably soluble under atmospheric influences,
and have a greater fertilizing power than any limestones I have seen
elsewhere in the State. The farmers of Salem have hitherto received far
more benefit from these limestones than they have from their abundant
coal. There are no richer hill lands in the State.

Explorations up the East Fork of Duck creek will hereafter be made.
On. the West Fork, we found the upper, or sandstone coal opened on the
farm of Hugh Jackson, in Aurelius township, Washington county. Here
the fire-clay parting is thickened to 3 feet 4 inches, there being 3 feet 4
inches of coal below it and 1 foot 9 inches above. Here the direction of
vertical planes in the coal is N. 80° W. About 70 feet below this coal is
the usual limestone group with the layer of buff limestone. No coal was
here seen in the limestone group, but it may be present, as no good sec-
tion of the group could be made. The group is thinner than in Salem.
From this point northward-, the upper coal is found in all the hills and is
mined for neighborhood use. The largest development seen was on the
land of David McKee, on Buffalo run, near Newburg, Noble county, where
the coal below the clay parting measured 6 feet 8 J inches. The clay
above was reported to be about 2 feet thick, above which 2 feet more of
coal were reported. This coal appeared to be pretty homogeneous in
quality, and can be profitably mined when the Marietta and Pittsburg
Railroad is completed. One hundred and thirty-five feet above this coal
is a limestone seam, probably the same as the one found 144 feet above
the sandstone coal on V. Payne's land, in Salem. Mr. McKee's coal is
225 feet (by barometer) above the bank of Duck creek, near Newburg.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 181

The following is a section of Mr. McKee's coaL The vertical planes run
east and west. (See Fig. 24.)

Coal ». ■?,
Fin day % 7'

Fig. 24.

On the west side of Duck creek, in the neighborhood of Newburg, the
coal seam is thinner. The coal of John McGuire, in Jackson township,
JSToble county, is 3 feet 6 inches below the clay parting, which is here 2
feet thick. The coal above the parting is only 4 inches in thickness.
Mr. McGuire produces about 200 bushels a day for the oil and salt works
in the vicinity. Seventy feet below this coal is the limestone group with
the usual buff-colored stratum. About 50 feet above McGuire's coal is
another group of limestones, perhaps 6 feet thick, with one layer of porous
buff-colored limestone.

The height of the summit at the cross-roads, 2 miles west of Newburg,
is 375 feet (by barometer), above the Duck creek bridge, at Newburg.

On the farm of Mr. Leonard McKee, in Olive township, Noble county,
the coal /the same seam as David McKee's), is 5 feet thick below, with 1
to 1£ feet parting of clay and 8 inches of coal above. There are two seaujs
of limestone above the coal, one 43 feet and the other about 60 feet above.
The summit of the hill above Leonard McKee's house is 380 feet (by bar-
ometer), above the floor of Blake's bridge, over Duck creek, Olive, town-
ship. The seam of coal is 310 feet above the level of the bridge. On the
hills west of Blake's bridge, the same seam of coal is found, but generally
thinner. On the land of Aranda Woodford it is reported 3 feet thick.
.Here the coal is, by barometer, 295 feet above Blake's bridge. As we go
north from Olive township, in ascending the Duck creek valley, the coal
gets higher and higher in the hills, and at last disappears.

On the farm of Fulton Caldwell, in Olive township, about a mile
below his house, we find 50 feet of sandy shales making cliffs on the im-
mediate bank of Duck creek. Underneath these shales comes up, as we
go north /for the dip is strongly to the south), a limestone 1 foot thick,
rich in fossils, below which are 7 feet of blackish shales, also rich in fos-
sils, and under the dark shales is a foot of coal with vertical planes, If .72°
W. At " Soak'em" we obtain a section of strata 50 or 60 feet below the
coal, composed of clay shales of different colors and one stratum of lime-
stone in nodules. This lower coal under the fossiliferous limestone is, by

132 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

barometer, 303 feet below the. "sandstone coal." The examination did
Hot extend beyond the village of " Soak'em."

SALT IN THE DUCK CREEK TALLEY.

The wells bored for oil in the valley have generally revealed brine. A
deep well near Soak'ein, Olive township, Noble county, bored by the Ohio
Valley Oil Company, struck a light colored sandrock at 763 feet, and con-
tinued in it to the depth of 875 feet, when the boring stopped. This well
has yielded a copious stream of strong brine which comes up from the
bottom sandrock. If, as I have much reason to expect, the "sandstone
coal," of the Duck creek valley, is the geological equivalent of the Pom-
eroy seam, then the light colored sandrock which affords the brine at
Soak'em is the equivalent of the saliferous rock reached by the salt wells
at Pomeroy and on the Hocking river. The saliferous rock probably be-
longs to the upper Waverly. The New Jersey Company's deep well on
the Dearth farm, Jefferson township, Noble county, passes through the
same sandrock as the Soak'em well and found in it abundant brine.
While, therefore, we may infer that the great salt-bearing sandrock which
underlies the coal measures in south-eastern Ohio is entirely accessible
in the Duck creek valley, it is a matter of good fortune to this district
that Strong brines can also be found in sandrocks much nearer the sur-
face, as shown by the following interesting facts. Young's salt well, from
which salt has been manufactured for several years, situated one mile
aorth of Newburg, Noble county, obtains its brine in a white sandrock,
19& feet below the surface. In the Eastwood and Parker well on the
Isaac Davis farm, in Olive township, Noble county, a very large flow Of
strong brine was obtained in a white sandrock 227 feet below the surface.
The same sandrock yields oil.

In the Diamond oil well, on David McKee's farm, at Newburg, Noble
county, brine was struck in a white sandrock 236 feet from the surface.
Brine was also found in the same well in a heavy white sandrock 107 feet
below the one above mentioned. In David McKee's well, No. 2, brine
was found in a white sandrock 347 feet below the surface.

On the flats below Maxburg, Aurelius township, Washington county,
abundant brine is found in a sandrock 308 feet below the surface. It will
probably be found that the saliferous rocks of the Upper Duck creek val-
ley will group themselves into three distinct horizons, two upper ones
comparatively near the surface, and the other one, underlying the coal
measure rocks. The brines, in strength and quality, will hereafter be
studied. A little salt for local use has been made in the Upper Duck
creek valley for many years, but the difficulty of transportation has pre-

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 133

vented its exportation. The difficulty will soon be obviated by the Mari-
etta and Pittsburgh Eailroad, which passes up the valley. Coal mines
affording cheap fuel are found in all the hills bordering Duck creek, from
Salem, Washington county, to Soak'em, Noble county. The Buck creek
valley could easily supply the West with salt.

Iron Ore from Duck Creek Valley. — This is a very superior ore.

More or less iron ore, generally in nodular form, is found in the clay
shales of this region. A sample from the Dutton farm near Maxbnrgh,
was analyzed by Prof. Wormley, and gave —

Specific Gravity 4.554

Water combined 1.20

Sesquioxideiron.... 78.90

Alumina 7.70

Silica and insol. matter 10.60

Sulphuric acid 0.25

Phosphorus 0.00

Total 98.65

Metallic iron 55.48

PRODUCTION OP IKON IN THE SECOND GEOLOGICAL DISTRICT.

Furnaces line the iron ore belt of the lower coal measures, from Logan,
Hocking county, on the north, to the Ohio river on the south. This dis-
trict is universally known as the " Hanging Eock Iron District," and has
long been famous for the remarkably fine iron it produces. The ores
hitherto used have been chiefly the native ores of the hydrated sesqui-
oxide or limonite group. Of late, mixtures of Missouri and Lake Supe-
rior ores have been introduced in a few stone coal furnaces. Charcoal is
the principal fuel.

The following is a list of the furnaces :

I. Charcoal Furnaces.

Name. Coitnty. Owners.

Bloom Scioto J. Paull & Company.

Buckeye Jackson Buckeye Furnace Company.

Buckhorn Lawrence Charcoal Iron Company.

Cambria Jackson ...D. Lewis &. Company.

Centre ..Lawrence W. D. Kelley & Son.

Clinton Scioto Crawford & Bell.

Cincinnati Vinton Long & Smith.

Eagle Vinton Eagle Furnace Company.

134

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

Empire Scioto

Etna Lawrence.. .

Gallia Gallia

Hamden Vinton

Hecla Lawrence...

Harrrison Scioto

Hope : Vinton

Howard Scioto

Jackson Jackson ...

Jefferson Jackson ...

Keystone Jackson . . .

Grant Lawrence. .

Lawrence Lawrence..

Latrobe Jackson . . .

Limestone Jackson ...

Lincoln Jackson ...

Logan Hocking ...

Monitor Lawrence . .

Madison Lawrence.. .

Monroe Jackson ...

Mt. Vernon Lawrence.. .

Olive Lawrence.. .

Ohio Scioto

Pine Grove Lawrenee.. .

Pioneer Lawrence...

Scioto Scioto

Union Hocking ...

Vesuvius Lawrence . .

Washington Lawrence . .

Zaleski Vinton

Total number, 38.

. .James Forsythe <fe Company.
..Ellison, Dempsey & Ellison.
.Norton, Campbell & Company.
..Hamden Furnace Company.
. . Hecla Iron and Mining Company.
. . Harrison Furnace Company.
..Putnam, Welch & Company.
. . Charcoal Iron Company.
. . Jackson Furnace Company.
. . Jefferson Furnace Company.
. .E. B. Greene & Company.
..W. D. Kelley & Son.
. . Peters, Cole & Company.
..H. S. Bundy.

. . Limestone Furnace Company.
-.Wm. McGhee.
. . Ohio Iron Company.
..Monitor Furnace Company.
..Peters, Clare & Company.
. . Union Iron Company.
..Hiram Campbell.
..Campbell, McGugin & Company.
..Means, Kyle & Company.
..Means, Kyle & Company.
. . Eodgers & Swap.
.-L. C. Robinson & Company.
. .Hocking Valley Iron Company.
. -Giay, Amos & Company.
. . Union Iron Company.
. . Zaleski Furnaee Company.

II. Furnaces Using Bituminous Coal.

Name. County.

Belfont Lawrence..

Fulton Jackson ...

Orange Jackson . ..

Star Jackson ...

Vinton Vinton

Total number, 5.

Owners.
.Belfont Iron Works Company.
.Fulton Furnace Company.
. Orange Furnace Company.
.Star Furnace Company.
.Vinton Furnace and Coal Company.

The following valuable statistics were kindly furnished by Col. Wm.
M. Bolles, of Portsmouth :

Amount of charcoal pig-iron made by 38 furnaces during the year 1869,

about 90,000 tons.

Amount of iron made with bituminous coal 16,000 "

Total , 106,000 "

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 135

Amount of native ore used, about 260,000 tons.

Missouri and Lake Superior ores 15,000 "

Total 275,000 "

Amount of limestone used, about , 15,000 "

Number of bushels bituminous coal used in smelting ores for pig-iron 1,400,000

There are extensive rolling mills in the Second Geological District, at
Portsmouth, Ironton, Pomeroy, Marietta, Columbus, Zanesville and
Newark, but no statistics relative to them have been received.

It is hoped that the work on the Second District will, during the
coming season, extend to the great iron belt extending from the Hocking
to the Ohio, when not only the stratigraphical position of the various
ores, limestones and coals will be obtained and carefully mapped, but
also all the ores will be carefully analyzed and studied, with reference to
their " cold short " and " red short " and other properties, and the possi-
bilities of combination in various mixtures with each other and with
foreign ores, to secure desired results. At the same time all accessible
bituminous coals of probable value will be analyzed to determine their
fitness for iron making.

There is a furnace at Zanesville in successful operation, using a mixture
of foreign ores and native ores chiefly from Perry county. No statistics
from it have been received.

A large blast furnace is being erected at Columbus to use the stone
coal from the Hocking Valley, and foreign ores chiefly, with a small
admixture of Ohio ores.

PRODUCTION OF COAL IN THE SECOND GEOLOGICAL DISTRICT.

No full statistics could be obtained of the quantity of coal mined in
the Second Geological District. The total annual production at Pomeroy
and Syracuse, in Meigs county, is estimated at 9,000,000 bushels. Hon.
V. B. Horton, of Pomeroy, gives the total production in the immediate
neighborhood of Pomeroy (including the West Virginia side of the Ohio
river) at between 11,000,000 and 12,000,000 bushels. In Athens county,
coal is largely mined at Nelsonville. The leading producers of coal at
Nelson ville are Messrs. Wm. B. Brooks, L. D. Poston, Ash ford Poston,
T. Longstreth, James Herrold, Mr. Arnold and the Hocking Valley Coal
Company, and the Columbus and Hocking Valley Mining Company. The
production has been rapidly increasing since the completion of the Co-
lumbus and Hocking Valley Railroad to that point.

The extensive mines of Peter Hayden, are near Haydenville, Hocking
county.

Considerable coal is mined at various points on the Marietta and Cin-

136 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

cinnati Eailroad, in Athens and Vinton counties. At Chauncey and Sa-
lina, coal for the salt works is obtained by shaft from the Nelsonyille seam.
At Jackson and vicinity, on the Portsmouth branch of the M. & C. B. B.,
eoal is largely mined for the blast furnaces. It is also shipped to a con-
siderable extent, especially from the mines of the Petrea Coal Company.
The coal used on the locomotives of the M. & C. R. E. is largely from
Petrea mines. Coal is also mined largely at Oarbondale, Athens county,
and at King's Switch and Moonville.

Coal is mined for shipment, at the Miami Company's mines, on the line
of the Zanesville and Cincinnati Eailroad, in Muskingum county, and in
that vicinity.

At Zanesville, and at various points on the Muskingum river, coal is
extensively mined, but chiefly for consumption in the local manufacturing
establishments and for domestic uses. Little is shipped away from the
immediate valley.

A considerable quantity of coal is mined at New Castle, near Pine
Grove Furnace, and brought by a railway to Hanging Eock, Lawrence
county, and shipped by the Ohio river. Extensive mining is done at the
Sheridan mines, six miles above lronton, also on the Iron E. E., north of
Ironton.

On Duck creek and Little Muskingum river, a limited quantity of coal
is mined for local use, chiefly for the generation of steam at the oil wells.
Octal is pretty largely mined and shipped in Guernsey county, near Cam-
bridge, on the Central Ohio Eailroad.

Of the coal mined in Monroe and Belmont counties, I have obtained
little definite information. Belmont county has considerable coal.

FIRE CLAYS AND OTHER CLAYS IN THE SECOND GEOLOGICAL DISTRICT.

Fire clays are often found interstratified with our coal measure rocks,
and although there has as yet been no time for their special investigation,
yet it is believed that the district will prove rich in this important source
of wealth. A seam of fire-clay of great purity and excellence is found
at the base of the coal measures, in the vicinity of Sciotoville, Scioto
county, and two extensive fire-brick and tile establishments are in suc-
cessful operation at that place. The brick has proved to be of first qual-
ity, and is rapidly superseding the Mount Savage and other foreign brick.
They are already largely used in our furnaces and rolling-mills.

In Muskingum and Perry counties, there are extensive potteries, using
the clay found, in geological position, below the New Lexington or Nel-
sonville coal. Hon. A. A. Guthrie, Collector of Eevenue of the 13th

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 137

District, reports an annual production of stoneware of 1,800,000 gallons,
valued at five cents per gallon, or $90,000. There are other pottery
establishments in the district, but no statistics have been received in regard
to them.

SALT IN THE SECOND GEOLOGICAL DISTRICT.

The principal salt-bearing rocks in my district are the upper Waverly.
In railroad cuts, on the Columbus and Hocking Yalley, and on the Mari-
etta and Cincinnati Railroads, I find, in the dry weather of summer, a
saline efflorescence on the rocks. Following these efflorescent rocks in
their dip to the south-east, I find that, so far as the facts are yet gathered,
the salt wells are bored down to them, and from them obtain their brine.
Salt was formerly made near the mouth of Munn's run, on the Ohio river,
between Portsmouth and Sciotoville, from wells bored entirely in the
Waverly rocks.

The wells of Messrs. Green and Gould, at Salina, Athens county, strike
the, brine about 570 feet below the surface. It being 110 feet from the
surface to the Nelsonville seam of coal, the salt-bearing stratum is
reached at 460 feet below the coal. This coincides with the theoretical
position of the saliferoas rocks of the upper Waverly, as indicated by
the efflorescence seen upon the rocks in the railroad cuts above Logan.
As we descend the Hocking river the Nelsonville coal dips, and the salif-
erous strata are found at a correspondingly increased depth. There is
an abandoned salt well, where salt was formerly made, on Monday creek,
Salt Lick township, Perry county, but the depth of the well was not
ascertained.

At Pomeroy, on the Ohio river, the principal sources of brine are found
about 1,000 feet below the surface. Here the brine doubtless comes from
the top of the Waverly.

On the Muskingum river there are many salt wells. They increase in
depth with the south-eastern dip of the rocks.

On Duck creek, in Noble county, salt wells are found affording abund-
ant brine, and some salt is made, to supply the local demand. Some of
the abandoned oil wells yield a constant outflow of brine. Coal is
abundant.

East of Cambridge, in Guernsey county, salt is made from brine ob-
tained about 800 feet below the surface. These wells are in immediate
proximity to a valuable seam of coal from five to six feet thick.

The wells bored for oil within the last few years have disclosed valuable
brines in a large number of the counties in my district. Nor is the
brine limited to one group of rocks in the geological series, but we find

138 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

brine at different geological horizons, from the upper coal measures down
to the great Devonian Black Slate. The brines of the district will
hereafter be made a subject of special investigation, both in their geolog-
ical relations and in their chemical constituents. The quantity of salt
which can be made in south-eastern Ohio can hardly be computed. We
can supply the Eepublic with salt.

The production of salt in the Muskingum valley, from estimates ob-
tained from Hon. A. A. Guthrie, Collector of Eevenue in the 13th Dis-
trict, is from 45,000 to 50,000 barrels per annum. This is all made on
the Muskingum river, in Muskingum and Morgan counties.

The production of salt in Athens county, as given by Hon. Jos. L.
Kessinger, Collector of Eevenue for the 15th District, for the year 1869,
is 36,348 barrels. This product is made up as follows :

Barrels.

M. M. Greene <fc Co. (two furnaces) 10,528

Hocking Valley Coal and Salt Co. (two furnaces) 13,000

James Herrold (two furnaces) 8,000

PrudenBros. " 4,820

In Meigs county (as given by Mr. Kessinger) the total production for
1869, from nine furnaces, is 1,866,690 bushels of 50 lbs. each.

The total production for 1869 from the Pomeroy neighborhood, includ-
ing what is made on the West Virginia bank of the Ohio river, is esti-
mated by Hon. V. B. Horton at about 3,750,000 bushels.

The quantity made in Noble and Guernsey counties has not been defin-
itely obtained, but it is relatively small.

The three essential elements for profitable salt-making are, abundant
brine of adequate strength, cheap fuel, and cheap transportation. All
these elements are found in combination at a large number of points in
the Second Geological District.

GOLD.

Gold has been taken from the drift at several points in Licking county.
In the summer of 1868, gold dust of the value of $17.00 was washed out
of fine drift material, in a little gully well up the hillside, on the fa.rm of
Daniel Drum, Bowling Green township, Licking county, not far from a
mile north of the National Eoad, at Brownsville. The largest grains were
reported to be the size of a whea,t grain. The above facts were reported
by Wm. Anderson, who himself washed out a small part of the gold.

I have no reason to doubt the above statements, as I have myself ob-
tained gold at other points in Licking county. It should be noted, in
connection with the gold field near Brownsville, that there are very high

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 139

lands to the north-east, north, and north-west directions, from which the
gold-bearing sands would naturally be brought, if brought by glacial
action. The very high range of Flint Eidge, sweeps around the location
on the northern side, over which the drift gravel must have been forced,
if the gravel had been distributed by glaciers. On the top of Flint Eidge,
one or two bowlders were seen, but they are very rare. These bowlders
I had supposed to be dropped by floating ice, since no other drift material
was found upon the top, or clinging to the slopes, of the ridge. At other
places in the valley of the Moxahala, are found drift gravel and small
bowlders, the locations of which are seemingly inexplicable, by the glacial
theory.

Near Newark, and north of the high grounds which divide the waters
of the Licking river from those of the Moxahala arid its tributaries, are
other and larger deposits of gold-bearing sands. The place examined by
me was one and a half miles south-east of Newark. Here is a range of
drift terraces, about 50 feet above the bed of the Licking river. These
terraces are cut through by small streams from the hills, to the south,
and in the narrow ravines the gold is obtained, from the sands and clays.
The terraces contain also bowlders of grantoid rocks, quartzite, and
small pebbles, of white quartz. Bowlders, of limestone, containing fossils
of the Niagara and Clinton groups, were also found in the terraces. The
quantity Of gold is small, but, in my own experiments, nearly every pan-
ful of dirt showed the " color." Mr. Jacob Schock, jeweler, of Newark,
reports finding gold in small fragments of quartz.

EXPLANATION OP THE MAP OP SECTIONS.

The map is intended to show the stratigraphical position and range of
the lower strata of, the coal measures, extending from the north line of
the 2d District to the neigborhood of Nelsonville, on the Hocking river.
The distance is about 40 miles.

The map is divided by horizontal lines into spaces, which represents
10 feet, in vertical distance. The rocks in the hills are presented very
much as a hay-stack would be, if cut through vertically by a hay-knife.
As the rocks dip to the east and south-east, by going in those directions
one is able to obtain the higher strata, and by measuring all the rocks,
we are enabled to place them in order, in the vertical series. By bring-
ing the many sections thus obtained, together in a systematic grouping,
we obtain the map herewith presented.

It is believed that this new plan of grouping sections, thus presenting
at a glance the features of our geology, will be approved. The observer
can see, from such maps, what strata are persistent and wide-spread, and

140 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

what are merely local. He can go back in thought to the time of the
deposition of the layers, and see where the stronger currents swept, car-
rying and distributing coarse sands and gravels, which now form sand
rocks, and also where comparatively quiet waters deposited the finer sedi-
ments, which now constitute our clays and shales. He can almost see
the ancient vegetation of the coal-measures, now growing in small insular
patches, and now covering with its luxuriant growth vast savannahs,
which stretched for miles and miles along the coast of an ancient ocean.
He can see at what times the waters gave up, doubtless, oftentimes to
the demands of organic life, its lime, and flint, and iron.

For practical use, such a map is invaluable. For example, the intelli-
gent farmer, if he finds upon his farm the so-called Putnam Hill lime-
stone, knows that in his hills, about 80 feet higher, is the place for the
Nelsonville or Straitsville seam of coal. In a similar way he obtains the
position of other coals, and ores, &c, &c. If such maps can be constructed
for my whole district, as they doubtless will be, there could be no
greater or more useful contribution to our economic geology. They will
be worth a thousand-fold the cost of the very great labor expended in
their preparation.

THE SECTIONS OP THE WAVEKLY ROCKS.

On the left side of the map are two independent sections, one a section
of the Waverly rocks, from the top of the great Ohio Black Slate to the
coal measures, taken on the Ohio river; and the other a section, taken
in the Hocking valley, from the middle Waverly up to the horizon of the
Maxville limestone, now ascertained to be a true lower carboniferous
limestone of the age of the Chester group, of Illinois- In this section,
directly under the Maxville limestone, and above the Waverly conglom-
erates, is seen the place of the Logan sandstone group, every where rich
in upper Waverly fossils.

Sii/i/kisn I

KiUeious Roek.

■

MAI' Ofc.

SHOWING THE

LOWER <X>AL MEASURES

IN PORTIONS OF -

Alliens, Hocking, Perry, Licking 8l Muskingum Counties,

BY

r~ 1MU)F.E.R.AX])RF/\VS zr.

ASSISTANT GEOLOGIST IN CHARGE OF 2V0ISTR ICT,

• ASSISTED BY

W* G .HALLAXTIXK.K.A.

VERTICAL RANGE 10 FEET TO 3 A INCH.

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No. 26

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EXPLANATION OP MAP OF GKOUPED SECTIONS.

The horizontal lines indicate spaces 10 feet apart.

No.

1. Sec. near Nelsonville, on old Marietta road, on hill between the Hooking Eiver and

Monday creek, Athens county.

2. Sec. in hill back of old Hocking furnace, Haydenville, Hocking county.

3. Sec. John Tannahill's, Sec. 28, Green township, Hocking county.

4. Sec. of coal, Nelsonville seam, hill back of Nelsonville, Athens county.

5. Sec. (composition) near Nelsonville, York township, Athens county.

This includes a section of W. B. Brooks' coal.

6 See. Peter Hayden's coal, Green township, Hocking county.

7 See. James Hawkins, Snow Fork, Sec. 3, Ward township, Hocking county.

8 Sec. Bayliss Glenn's, Sec. 6, Ward township, Hocking county, partly on Snow Fork

and partly on Bear run.
9. Sec. Position of coal blossom, James Hawkins, Snow Fork, Sec. 3, Ward township,
Hocking county.

10. Sec. showing position of fire-clay and ore, near Logan, as given by S. Baird, Esq.

11. Sec. Samuel Thompson's, Monday Creek township, Perry county, near Maxville.

12. Sec. Maxville Limestone, David Hardy's, Maxville, Perry county. Showing the

position of limestone over Logan Sandstone group (Waverly.)

13. Sec. Maxville, Monday Creek township, Perry county. Showing strata above the

limestone.

14. Sec. (composition) near John Fluhart's mill, Green township, Hoeking county.

15. Sec. Horace Hazelton's, Salt Lick township, Perry county.

16. Sec. John La Eue's, Salt Lick township, Perry county.

17. Sec. on Mr. Harbaugh's land, on Monday Creek, 3 m. north Straitsville, Perry county.

18. Sec. (composition). Henry Hazelton's, on Monday Creek, Salt Lick township, Perry

county.

19. Sec. Thomas Barnes,' Lost run, Salt Lick township, Perry county.

20. Sec. Thomas McGinness,' Straitsville, Perry county,

21. Sec. L. D. McDonald's Alderman farm, W. Br. Sunday Creek, Sec. 13, Salt Lick

township, Perry county.

22. Sec. (composition). Benjamin Saunders,' W. Br. Sunday Creek, Monroe township,

Perry county.

23. Sec. Gaver's Mill, Coaldale P. O., Salt Lick township, Perry county.

24. Sec. William Bennett's, Sunday Creek, Pleasant township, Perry county.
25a. Sec. Joshua Sands,' Sunday Creek, Pleasant township, Perry county.
256. Sec. on Sunday Creek, Perry county.

26. Sec. John Clark's, near Bristol, Pike township, Perry county.

27. Sec. Eli Bell's, Sec. 34, Jackson township, Perry county.

28. Sec. James Fowler's, Pleasant township, Perry county.

29. Sec. Levi Barick's, near Bristol, Pike township, Perry county.

142 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

30. Sec. near Cusao's mill, Jonathan Creek, Newton township, Muskingum county.

31. Sec. G. W. Rankin's, Newton township, MuBkingum county.

32. Sec. at Newtonville, Newton township, Muskingum county.

33. Sec. John Lyle's, Newton, township, Muskingum county.

34. Sec. Henry Jone's McLuney Station, Harrison township, Perry county.

35. Sec. by Dr. Hildreth in old Geol. Report, on land of Joseph Baird, Sec. 11, Hopewell

township, Licking county.

36. Sec. i mile from Miami Company's mines, Newton township, Muskingum county.

37. Sec. Edward Danison's, Sec. 16, Madison township, Perry township.

38. General section, Eoseville, Clay township, Muskingum county.

39. Sec. at Roseville, Clay township, Muskingum county.

40. Sec. John Roberts' Newton township, Muskingum county.

41. [Withdrawn.]

42. Sec. Joseph Rambeau's, Sec. 14, Newton township, Muskingum county, near Perry

county line.

43. Sec. Miami Company's mines, Newton township, Muskingum county.

44. Sec. Tunnel Hill, 3 miles east of New Lexington, Perry county.

45. Sec. W. H. Wheeler's, Sec. 14, Clay township, Muskingum county.

46. Sec. Joseph Porter's, 100 acre lot, No. 16, Hopewell township Muskingum county.

47. Sec. Bradford & Pollock's mine, Flint Ridge, Hopewell township, Licking county.

48. Sec. (composition) near McLuney 's Station, Harrison township, Perry county.

PART III.

REPORT ON GEOLOGY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY,
BY edwaed oeton,

ASSIST. GEOLOGIST,

Prof. J. 8. Newberry, Chief Geohgist :

Sir : — As Assistant in the Geological Survey of Ohio, I beg leave to make the follow-
ing report :

My work during 1869 was confined to the Third Geological District of the State, "\ viz.,
South-western Ohio, having for its boundaries the Scioto River and the National Road.

The intructions that I received from you, bearing date May 7th, 1869, required me to
undertake for my first duty, " to trace the line of junction of the Blue Limestone and
Cliff Formations — that is, to mark out the Blue Limestone area, and, at the same time,
to collect materials for resolving the Cliff into its component elements."

This work I entered upon June 1st, 1869, and continued to be engaged in it, without
interruptioa, until November 20fch, 1863.

The report which I herewith transmit treats of the Geological formations that are
found along this important line of junction, together with their various economical pro-
ducts and and their agricultural relations.

I take great pleasure in ackowledging that I have derived very valuable assistance in
my work from the Geological Report of Dr. John Locke, of the former Survey, upon this
same portion of the State.

I desire also to acknowledge the very competent and faithful services of Mr. Henry
Newton and Mr. H. A. Whiting, volunteer assistants in my district. I am also indebted
to Mr; T. J. Browne for important aid in mapping the isolated areas of the Cliff Lime-
stone, in the southern part of Greene county.

I have the honor to remain.

With great respect,

Very truly yours,

EDWARD ORTON.
Yellow Springs, Ohio,

March 9th, 1870.

GEOLOGY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

The following named counties of South-western Ohio, viz., Preble^
"Warren, Montgomery, Miami, Clinton, Greene and Clarke, are composed
of the same geological formations, and indicate substantially the same
geological history. A report upon the geology of any one of the series
would, in its general statements, apply to all the rest

To exhibit the geological features of this portion of the State, and to>
trace in general terms its history, the county of Montgomery is selected*
for the following reasons: It occupies a central position in the series £
|he various formations are shown within it in very numerous exposure^,
and with very great distinctness ; and its quarries are more widely cele-
brated than any others in South-western Ohio, for the excellence and
value of their products.

Three geological formations are represented in the surface rocks of
Montgomery county, viz., the Blue Limestone, the Clinton and the Ni-
agara formations, enumerated in ascending order. Over them all are
spread, in beds of varying thickness, the deposits of the Drift period,
which/ include the superficial clays, sands, gravels and boulders.

By reference to the tabular statement of the rocks of the State, which is
given in the report of the Chief Geologist, it will be seen that all the for-
mations which have been mentioned, as constituting the surface rocks of
Montgomery county, are embraced in the Palaeozoic era — the Blue Lime-
stone belonging to the Hudson Biver period, of the Lower Silurian agej,
while the Clinton and Magara rocks represent epochs of the Niagara
period, which is found in the upper division of the Silurian age. The beds
of Drift, to which reference has been made, belong to the Human era.

A few statements in regard to the topography of the county are also
necessary, inasmuch as its topographical ieatures are incimately coa-
nected with its geological formations. A geological map of the county
is at the same time, to a good degree, a topographical map.

The bed of the Great Miami river at the southern boundary of th«
county, may be assumed to the be lowest point within the county limits.
This point can not vary far from 250 feet above low water mark at the
10 — Geological.

146 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

Ohio river at Cincinnati. The highest land of the county is about 350
feet above the bed of the river at the point named, or about 600 feet
above low water mark at Cincinnati, which makes its elevation some-
what more than 1,000 feet above tide water.

As all the strata that are met with in the county are in the main undis-
turbed, or very nearly horizontal, it is evident that the different levels of
the county will be marked by different rock formations, or by differ-
ent beds of the same formation. It is found accordingly that the Blue
Limestone occupies all those portions of the county which are not more
than 450 to 475 feet above low water mark at Cincinnati, While the Clin-
ton and Niagara formations are confined to those limited areas which are
more than 450 to 475 feet above this level, or in other words, to the hill-
tops and highest table lands of the county. In many instances, however,
these formations are themselves overlain with heavy beds of drift. Of
the 350 feet extreme elevation above mentioned, it will thus be seen that
the Blue Limestone series fills 225 feet, while the remaining 125 feet is
divided among the Clinton, Niagara and Drift, in the following order :
The Clinton holds an average of 20 feet, its thickness diminishing from
30 feet in the uorthern portions of the county to 9 feet in the southern-
most. The Niagara formation of the county has a maximum thickness
of 50 feet, which however, it rarely attains, and it is sometimes found in
beds the aggregate of which is not more than 5 feet. A vertical section
in the vicinity of Centerville, Washington township, from the surface of
the ground to the level of the river, would give approximately the fol-
lowing results : Drift, 15 feet ; Niagara, 40 feet ; Clinton, 20 feet; Blue
Limestone, 225 feet. Total, 300 feet. (See section No. 1, p. 169.)

A section at Webber and Lehman's quarry, east of Dayton 2 miles,
gives 8 to 20 feet of Drift sands or clays, 10 feet Niagara, 20 feet Clinton,
and 150 feet Blue Limestone. Total 200 feet. (See section No. 2, p. 170.)

A section at the Soldiers' Home, 2 miles west of Dayton, gives-^-Drift,
10 feet; Clinton, 10 feet; Blue Limestone, 160 feet. Total, 180 feet.
(See section No. 3, p. 171.)

The last two sections are drawn to the level of the river at Dayton.

The Clinton and Niagara groups are frequently united in popular lan-
gauge under a common designation, viz: "Cliff Limestone." In the ac-
companying map, the areas occupied by the Blue Limestone and Cliff for-
mations respectively are indicated, the latter being designated by the light
colored portion of the map, while the blue areas are to be referred to the
former. By an examination of this map it will be seen that about thrtee-
fburths of the surface of the county are occupied by the Blue Limestones,
the remainder being taken up by the Clinton group, which is itself very
frequently covered by the Niagara.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO. 147

We will now proceed to a somewhat more detailed account of these
formations :

I. The Bine Limestone formation is confined in its outcrops to South-
western Ohio, and to the adjacent portions of Indiana, Kentucky and Ten-
nessee, where it attains a thickness of certainly more than 500 feet. It
is the geological equivalent of the shales and sandstones that are known
as the Hudson River Group in the State of New York. Its name indi-
cates the color and the composition of the rocks that belong to it. The
Blue Limestone proper, however, is interstratified with beds of a blue cal-
careous clay or marl, that constitute, in many localities, the largerportion
of the system. The solid rock occurs in even layers that sometimes
reach a thickness of 10 or 12 inches, but which generally vary from 3 to
6 inches in thickness. Both limestone and marl abound in admirably
preserved relics of the living forms that inhabited the ancient seas in
which these beds were formed. These fossils belong exclusively to the
lower divisions of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. No remains of
any vertebrated animal, and no traces of land vegetation, have ever yet
been discovered in the strata of this group. Sea-weeds and sponges,
beautiful star-fishes and stone lillies at exquisite construction, corals in
great variety and in infinite number, molluscan shells of all the great
classes, so crowded as frequently to constitute the entire substance of
the rock, and many species of trilobites, articulated animals of an order
long since extinct, are found in all portions o f the bedded rock and in its
weathered exposures. The general character of these fossils would indi-
cate that the beds were formed at the bottoms of deep seas, and no mark
of shore lines or other indications of shallow water ever occur to contra-
dict this inference.

This formation is undoubtedly coextensive with the limits of the coun-
ty, for it is disclosed in ever portion where the channels of the streams
have been worn deep enough to reach its proper horizon; and indeed in
the valleys of the Great Miami and the Stillwater, it passes northward
beyond the county boundary a score of miles. We are warranted, then,
in concluding that the whole surface of the county was originally covered
with unbroken horizontal beds of the Blue Limestone series, up to a level
Somewhat more than 450 feet above low water mark at Cincinnati, the
level which the upper beds of the formation now hold in all portions of
the county in which they occur.

The uppermost layers of the series-— from 6 to 20 feet— generally devi-
ate in mineral character from the beds already described, in that they
consist, for the most part, of red and yellow clays, though occasionally of
a yellowish, arenaceous limestone, which is sometimes turned to account

148 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

as a firestone or as a building rock. It is probable that this portion of
the series will be hereafter identified as the representative of a distinct
group of rocks, viz : the Medina Sandstone of the New York survey.

II. Clinton.

The Ginton formation is next met with as we ascend in the scale, and
is as definitely characterized as the preceding group. It agrees, in strati-
graphical position and in its fossil contents, with the formation of the
same name in New York. In general terms, it can be described as a
crinoidal limestone, of about 20 feet in thickness; the upper layers of
which usually break with a crystalline fracture, and the lower beds of
which have a distinctly sandy character. The recognition of this latter
fact has given the local name of sandstone to the whole formation. The
beds above mentioned fully deserve the name, if only it be remembered
that they are composed of lime sand, and not silica sand, a substance
which is almost wholly wanting in the Clinton rocks of this portion of
the State. In color these' rocks have no uniformity, varying not only in
different localities, but often, in closely adjacent beds, passing from a
marble-like whiteness through various shades of gray, pink, yellow and
red. The weathered surfaces have very generally a yellowish, rusty ap-
pearance, due to the oxydation of the iron that the rocks contain. The
crystalline beds take a good polish, constituting a marble of attractive
appearance. The Harrisburgh and Ludlow " marbles " are examples of
this quality of the formation.

The rate of growth of this rock would seem to have been exceedingly
slow, as no sediments have contributed to the growth of the strata, but
they are generally composed, in every particle, of the broken stems and
cups of crinoids or stone lillies. Sometimes, however, there are found asso-
ciated with these fragments, representatives of the other groups of animals
that were named in the Blue Limestone series. Two or more species of
chain-corals are quite characteristic fossils of the upper beds.

The Clinton group is known within the county by several local names,
in additfon to that of "sandstone," already mentioned ; such as "Fire-
stone," — " Fire-proof stone,"— " Eotten Limestone," — " Bastard Limestone."
Among the quarry men it is sometimes called '< Pink-eye."

-Between the Clinton group and the Magara, which immediately over-
lies it, there is uniformly interposed a layer of very fine grained marl,
from 2 to 6 inches in thickness, which is to be included with the former
group. This marl abounds in the free, perforated, disc-like joints of cri-
noidal stems of very large species, and certain shells occur here that have
not been found elsewhere in the series. As a general rule the Clinton

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 149

rock is not even-bedded, but where raised in the quarries, comes out in
irregular masses.

III. Niagara.

The Niagara formation has no such unifority of character as the
groups already described. It consists in all cases of even-bedded lime-
stones and marls, it is true, but the linistones have very different degrees
of purity, while in hardness, compactness, color, and the presence or ab-
sence of fossil contents, they have a very wide range. The celebrated
Dayton stone — '' Dayton marble " it is sometimes styled — may be assumed
as the standard of excellence in this series ; but different localities exhibit
every degree of gradation, from the admirable qualities of this stone in
compactness, durability and color, to the worthless " yellow back " of the
quarrymen, or to the unconsolidated clays that are frequently found as
its equivalent. In Montgomery county, the lower layers of the Niagara
rocks are always the firmest and most valuable, the 5 to 10 feet immedi-
ately overlying the Clinton, constituting in almost every case the sources
from which the Dayton stone is derived. The varying thickness of the
formation in different localities has already been noted, the limits having
been given as from 5 to 50 feet. From the fact that so great variety in
composition is found in these rocks, we are warranted in concluding that
the Niagara strata were not originally of uniform thickness, as the beds
of the previous groups seem to have been. It may be that the higher
degrees of excellence in the stone were connected with a slower rate of
growth. It is at all events true, that the most valuable deposits of this
series in the county, are, in every case, shallow.

The lower beds contain but very few fossils, some circular corals, and
very rarely a bivalve or chambered shell making out the list, while in
higher portions of the group, the strata are frequently crowded with fos-
sils, which differ almost entirely in species from those that are found in
the lower groups. One peculiarity of these fossils is that they occur
almost always as internal casts, the outer shell or investment having
been dissolved and carried away during the past conditions of the rock.
One of the most noticeable of all these forms of ancient life is the large,
bivalve shell — Pentamerus oblongus — known sometimes as the "deer-foot"
shell, and quite frequently identified as a petrified hickory -nut. The sec-
tions of a large chambered shell, of the genus Orthoeeras, are also fre-
quently met with, and are sometimes mistaken by the ignorant for the
back-bones of fishes or serpents.

The area occupied by the Niagara rocks is not probably more than one-
half of that which the Clinton covers. There seems, however, no reason

150 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

to doubt that both of these members of the Cliff formation, were once ex-
tended over the whole surface of the county, as their present distribution
can be satisfactorily explained by reference to erosive agencies that are
known to have been at work upon them — agencies, some of which are
still continuing their destructive tasks. By referring to the map on page
168, it will be seen that the Clinton and Niagara, in the eastern portions
of the county, occur altogether in insulated masses or islands, on the
ridge between the two Miamis, and all the water-courses that flow from
these high grounds, have already worn their channels deep into these
rooks, not unfrequently completely through them, into the underlying
Blue Limestone series. There is, however, a manifest shallowing of the
Cliff rocks as we go southward, the Clinton diminishing to 9 feet near the
southern line of the county, apparently indicating that the Blue Lime-
stone regions southward were, even at this early time, raised above the
surface of the seas, or, in other words, that they were never covered by
the limestones of the succeeding Cliff formation.,

IV. Drift.

All of the formations above named are covered through almost their
entire extent with the deposits of the Drift Period — miles, in some in-
stances, intervening between the exposures of the rocky beds. These
deposits vary very much in thickness, in the materials of which they are
composed, and in the order in which their materials are arranged. No
two sections of Drift-beds can be found that will agree in every particu.
lar.

Before describing the leading characteristics of these beds, it will be
proper to call attention to an interesting fact that must be referred to
the same agencies by which the Drift itself is explained. Considerable
portions of the rocky surface of the county have been planed, polished,
striated and grooved by heavy masess of ice — inclosing sand, gravel and
boulders — moving over them. These phenomena can be best observed in
the firmer beds of the Niagara limestone, occupying as they do the high-
est table-lands of the county, but they are by no means confined to them.
The great belt of quarries south-east of Dayton, furnish fine exhibitions
of this agency. Indeed these naturally planed surfaces are frequently
turned to account for door-steps, flagging-stones and other similar uses.
It is altogether probable that the whole surface of the county has been
exposed to the abrading agencies of the glacial sheet, as we find the
marks of these agencies at every point where the rocks are firm enough
to retain them. The unconsolidated beds of the Niagara rocks have
been in large measure removed by the same force that has planed the

GEOLOGICAL 8UBVBI OP OHIO. 151

harder surfaces, as is evident from au inspection of those higher portions
of the system that still remain.

This polished surface of the Niagara rock is generally covered with
yellow clays intermingled with gravel and boulders. Sometimes heavy
granitic blocks have been left in the clay in almost immediate ,contac»
with the bedded rock — their own surfaces having been planed and scored
by the service to which they have been put. We see in them the imple-
ments of abrasion — the graving-tools— left where the work was done.
The thickness of these clay deposits varies from 1 foot to 30 fee^, and the
upper portions are almost always freer from gravel than the lower por-
tions. Occasionally a limited deposit of blue clay is found on the surface
of the rocks, but for the most part these beds of blue clay when they
occur, are found overlying yellow clays or beds of gravel, in pockets of
small extent. Fragments of drifted coniferous wood are sometimes
found buried deep in these deposits.

Next in importance to the yellow clays, are the beds of sand and gravel
of which the Drift-beds are largely composed. They sometimes overlie
the clays — are sometimes interstratified with them, and sometimes they
repose directly upon the surface of the rocks. The gravel contains repre-
sentatives of all the formations that are found to the northward withra
the limits of the State, viz: Blue limestone, Clinton, .Niagara, Water
Lime, Corniferous and Black Slates, and a considerable part of it is de-
rived from the metamorphic rocks of the Lake Superior region and from
the Canadian highlands. To the same source must be referred the sand,
as no silicious formation of any considerable extent occurs between
these deposits and the line of the great lakes. The sand and gravel have
a thickness of at least 100 feet in many instances. The deposits are
always distinctly stratified, and exhibit many alternations of fine and
cparse materials that betoken considerable changes in the conditions of
their formation. They often show— especially in the beds that occupy
the lower levels of the county — beach-structure or marks of the action of
water that could only be impressed upon them while they lay at or neap
the surface.

The sand and gravel are sometimes cemented into massive blocks bjr
the deposition of carbonate of lime from the spring-water that flows
over and through them. Eecourse was formerly had to these conglom-
erates for building-stone, but ifc was found that they were worthless for
sueh purposes, as they cannot withstand the action of frost.

The lost rocks— boulders, hard-heads, gray-heads as they are frequent^
designated — constitute too important a feature of the geology of th#!
county to be omitted in this review. They are irregularly distribu$e*li,

152 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

over the face of the country, sometimes thickly sown in belts of sev -
eral miles iu length and breadth, with tolerably definite boundaries, and
sometimes scattered singly at wide intervals. They occur through the
whole range of the Drift-beds, but are far more abundant in the upper-
most portions than in any other. As in the case of the gravel, they are
all of northern origin, and by far the largest number have been brought
from beyond the great lakes. These boulders weigh not less than 160
pounds to the cubic foot, and the total weight of single blocks sometimes
exceeds 10 tons.

The economical values and the agricultural relations of the different
formations, will be treated separately. The various products that fall
ander the head of economical values will be taken up in the following
order:

1. Building-Bock.

2. Brick, Draining-Tfle and Pottery.

3. Firestone.

4. Lime.

5. Mineral Paint.

6. Gravel.

1. Building Rock.

Each of the formations above enumerated furnishes products in abund-
ance for this important use.

The Blue Limestcn^ affords, in numberless exposures, a building stone
that is accessible, easily quarried, even-bedded, of convenient thickness
and very durable. It possesses, however, but little susceptibility of or-
namentation. The thinness of its beds, its hardness and brittleness,
stand in the way of its improvement by dressing, and its color is too
dark to please the eye when it is exposed in large surfaces of masonry.

The Clinton rock, in all of its beds, but especially in its upper ones,
affords a building stone that would be highly valued were it not for the
dose proximity, in most instances, of the quarries of the Niagara group.
A similar statement can be made in regard to the products of the Blue
limestone quarries of the county.

When the Clinton stone is first raised from the quarry, it is frequently
so soft as to be easily worked ; but when the water has escaped from it,
it becomes a measurably firm and enduring stone. Some of its beds, in-
deed, are crystalline or semi-crystalline in structure, and leave nothing
J« be desired as far as durability is concerned. As already remarked,
•tke Clinton group exhibits a great variety of colors, and some of these
Shades are very pleasing to the eye — a fact which makes this stone sus-
«3ptible of fine architectural effects, as can be seen to good advantage in

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 153

the Porter's Lodge at the Soldiers' Home, west of Dayton. This build-
ing is constructed of Clinton rock that was quarried upon the grounds.
The greatest objection to this series is, that it is not generally even-
bedded. The lower strata are very seldom so.

The Niagara group furnishes, however, the best building stone, not
only of Montgomery county, but of the whole Miami valley as well. In-
deed, for manj purposes it is inferior to none. Occurring, as it does, in
even bedded layers of from four to twenty inches in thickness, it is
adapted to the purposes of both light and heavy masonry. It is homo-
geneous in structure, has a beautiful color, takes ornamentation quite
kindly, and is durable to any required degree. The value that is at-
tached to it can be judged from the fact that, in some of the quarries
nearest to Dayton, the stone sells in the ground at $17.50 per rod, or
$2,800 per acre — the title to the land not being alienated. In these
quarries there is less than five feet of workable stone, and this can only
be reached by removing from five to twenty feet of Drift clays and
sands. Five firms in and about Dayton are engaged in quarrying the
stone, and the aggregate of their operations is very large. The firm of
"Webber & Lehman handled more than 9,000 perches during 1869. The
same firm is largely engaged in sawing and dressing the stone, and with
admirable results.

The supply of the rock, even in this, its best estate, is inexhaustible;
but the expense of transportation shuts out. at present from the general
market all the quarries that are more than three or four miles distant
from Dayton. The quarries that lie outside of these limits, however, are
invaluable for neigborhood supplies.

The quality of the stone, when perfect in every other respect, is some-
times injured by the occurrence of crystals of iron pyrites, which weather
into brownish stains when exposed to the air, and disfigure the surface.

In addition to the kind of rock already named, there is in the county a
large supply of Magara rock that falls short of the typical excellence in
hardness and color, but which still constitutes a very serviceable and
valuable deposit. These beds of inferior quality are sometimes the precise
stratigraphical equivalents of the true Dayton stone, as in the quarries of
Hon. Peter Odlin on the Stillwater pike ; that is, they immediately over-
lie the Clinton formation, but generally they occur at a, higher level in
the series. The differences in color and hardness alluded to, seem con-
nected with differences in chemical composition — the Dayton stone being
a nearly pure carbonate of lime, while the inferior grades are composed
of the carbonates of lime and magnesia. The color of these last-named
beds is not constant, various shades of drab and yellow alterating with

154= GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

shades of blue, sometimes even in the same layer of rock. In durabil-
ity they seem in no way inferior to the standard Dayton stone.

The boulders of the Drift are also available for building purposes.
They form, in some parts of the county, the main supply for foundations,
and when treated with skill give excellent results.

2. Brick, Draining-tile and Pottery Clays.

There is scarcely a section in the county, outside of the alluvial bottom
lands, that does not furnish, in its Drift beds, material from which
bricks can be manufactured, but the yellow clays that cover the higher
table lands (the Niagara rocks) are decidedly to be preferred for this
purpose. In many instances the clay that is removed from a building
site can be converted into bricks of the best quality, with which the
walls of the dwelling can be constructed.

Beds of blue clay are also abundant, generally at lower levels of the
county, from which draining-tile and pottery can be made. For these
purposes the blue and yellow clays are generally mixed, the blue clay
imparting the necessary strength, and the yellow counteracting the tend-
ency of the former to shrink and crack in the process of baking.

The importance of drain-tile in agriculture begins to be understood.
Hundred of thousands of tiles are now manufactured annually, with a
steadily increasing demand.

A third variety of clay is" found within the county, in quite limited
deposits compared with the preceding. It, also, is called blue clay,
but it differs from the ordinary blue clay in containing no iron. It is con-
verted by burning into a cream-colored brick of the same general charac-
ters as the the Milwaukee brick. It is generally very fine-grained, and
has been quite largely used as mineral paint. In composition, it consists
of little besides alumina, silica and lime.

There is no doubt that these deposits will be regarded with increasing
interest as their advantages for architectural purposes come to be recog-
nized.

The heaviest accumulation of this clay now known in Southern Ohio?
occurs near Springfield, Clarke county, and it has already been turned
to good account in the manufacture of " Milwaukee " brick.

3. Firestone.

A stone that can endure the action of heat admits of many useful ap-
plications. Two of the bedded rocks of the county have considerable
local reputation as firestones, viz : the sandy limestones that make the
uppermost beds of the Blue Limestone series and the Clinton Group. This

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO. 155

latter rock certainly answers a tolerable purpose for chimney jambs and
kindred uses. It is not easy to see what there is in its composition that
enables it to resist unchanged the agency of fire, as the analyses appended
to the following section show it to be a true limestone of a good degree
of purity. Experience, however, abundantly demonstrates its value in
this regard. Chimney-jambs can be shown that have stood for 50 years
in service. Farmers are willing to transport it for miles to lay up the
arches of their sugar-camps. It must be added that the different beds
of the series have very different qualities in this respect, the middle and
lower layers furnishing the best firestone, and there is no doubt that the
quality in its highest exhibition is local.

4. Limb.

As lime is the great cement employed alike in nature and by human
art, the sources of its supply are of more economical value to any com-
munity than are the supplies of building-stone and brick-clay even. All
the bedded rocks of the Miami Valley, and portions of the Drift as well,
furnish materials from which excellent lime can be made. It is needful,
however, to remark that the terms limestone and lime do not convey any
precise information as to the chemical composition of the substances to
which they are applied. Limestones always contain: carbonate of lime,
it is true ; but besides this, they generally contain various compounds '
and various proportions of magnesia, alumina (clay), silica (sand) and
iron. The limestones of this region that can be burned into valuable
lime, may be divided into two classes, according to their chemical com-
position.

The first group comprises those rocks that consist mainly of carbonate
of lime, or that contain at least 85 per cent, of this substance.

The second group is made up of the dolomites or magnesian limestones,
which have at least 40 per cent, of carbonate of magnesia in their compo-
sition. Silica, alumina andiron are found in small and varying propor-
tions in each division.

The properties . of these limes . are very different. Those of the first
class require to be submitted to a higher temperature in "burning 7 ' than
the second. They slake promptly and thoroughly, and in the operation
evolve a great degree of heat. From this last fact, they are termed
" hot " or "fiery " limes. They " set" or harden so soon that but two or
three bricks can be laid with one spreading of mortar, and walls that are
made of them have a tendency to " chip-crack." It is quite likely that
this last named property can be attributed, in some degree, to the silica
and alumina which they contain.

156 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

The second group contains those limes that are called " cool." They
do not give out as much heat in slaking as the limes of the first class,
nor do they " set" as soon. From 5 to 20 bricks can be laid with a single
spreading of mortar, and in plastering a corresponding advantage can be
obtained.

On purely practical grounds, the builders of southwestern Ohio have
come to recognize the greater desirability of the limes of the last-named
class, and none others can now find a market in the cities and towns of
this portion of the State.

To the first series belong the Blue Limestones, the Clinton Group, and
the Dayton beds of the Magara Group.

The limes of the second series are all obtained from the upper, or
Magara, division of the Cliff limestones, and the kind of rocks from
which they are derived constitute almost the entire mass of this formation.
Jt thus appears that the Niagara Group in Ohio is a true magnesian lime-
stone, as all the members of this same great series through its wide
western expansion — in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minne-
sota — have uniformly been found to be. The only exception to these state-
ments as to the composition of the Magara series, is found in some of its
lowermost beds, where in limited and isolated areas, the Dayton stone
and its equivalents occurs. This stone has already been referred to the
true limestones, an analysis of it, made by Dr. Locke in 1835, showing
that it contains 92 per cent, of carbonate of lime.

While with this exception the whole Magara series consists of magne-
sian limestones, it would be wrong to conclude that every portion of this
series, taken indifferently, can be burned into valuable lime. The quar-
ries that are worked for lime burning at Cedarville, Yellow Springs,
Springfield, Moore's quarries below Springfield, Wilson's quarries north
of Dayton, and a few others less widely known, furnish the most valua-
ble limes of the Miami valleys, and largely supply the markets of
Cincinnati, Dayton, Hamilton, Springfield, Xenia and the remaining
towns and villages of this section. These quarries all lie in the same
geological horizon, viz : between 50 and 100 feet above the base of the
Magara rocks. They begin in or above the strata that contain the large
shell Pentamerus oblongus, and generally include from 10 to 20 feet that
overlie the Pentamerus beds — a series of thin and irregularly bedded
strata — valueless for building stone, largely filled with crinoidal frag-
ments.

The strata that underlie the Pentamerus beds consist of blue and drab
•magnesian limestones whieh cannot be burned into a good article of com-
mon line, but which there is good reason to believe, possess in greater

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 157

or less degree the properties of hydraulic cement or water lime. A sam-
ple from the quarries of W. Sroufe, Esq., Yellow Springs, when analyzed,
was found to agree very closely with a magnesian limestone of France
that is cited by Vicat as an excellent hydraulic cement. The same rock,
when treated in laboratory experiments, indicates an eminent degree of
hydraulic energy. The analyses are appended :

Ma(jnesian Limestone, Yellow Magnesias Limestone, France.
Spbings.

Carbonate of lime 50.60

Carbonate lime i. , 51.10 Carbonate of magnesia 42.00

Carbonate of magnesia 41.12 Silica 5.00

Sand and bilica 5.40 Alumina 2.00

Alumina with trace, of iron 1.40 Iron 40

99.02 100.00

A series of analyses of the various rock formations that have been
treated of, is appended, from which these differences in composition can
be noted and compared. The analyses are not confined to the rocks of
Montgomery county, but various portions of the different series represen-
ted ihere are included. These analyses, with two exceptions, were made
by Dr. T. Gr. Wormley, of Columbus, Chemist of the Survey. The analy-
ses will be grouped under two general classes according to the differences
in constitution already noted ; the first embracing the true limestones, or
those containing at least 85 per cent, of carbonate of lime, and the second
class comprising the magnesian limestones.

I. True Limestones Containing at least 85 pee cent, of Car-
bonate of Lime.

A. Blue Limestones.

1. From Cincinnati. (Dr. Locke, 1838.)

Carbonate of lime 90.93

Carbonate of magnesia - 1.11

Peroxide of iron 3.15

Silica from solution 0.77

Matter insoluble in muriatic acid 1.80

Water expelled Dy rett neat i 1.13

2. From Waynesville.

Carbonate of lime 91.50

Carbonate of magnesia .:... 5.06

Residue contains iron 96.9

158 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

B. Clinton Limestones.

1. From Brown's Quarry, * New Carlisle, Clarke county.

Carbonate of lime , 95.60

Carbonate of magnesia 3.93

Alumina and iron 0.40

99.93

2. From Centerville, Montgomery county.

Carbonate of lime 86.30

Carbonate of magnesia 11.34

Silica 0.85

Alumina and iron 0.40

98.89

3. From Halderman's Quarry ,t Eaton, Preble county.

Carbonate of lime 85.21

Carbonate of magnesia 13.56

Silica 0.35

Alumina and iron, chiefly iron 0.80

99.92

4. From Lick Fork, Adams county, "Flinty Limestone " of Locke.

Carbonate of lime 93.00

Carbonate of magnesia : 3.04

Silica and sand.... , 2.00

Alumina and iron 1.60

99.64
C. Niagara group.

I. From Dayton Quarries. (Dr. Locke, 1835.)

Carbonate of lime 92.30

Carbonate of magnesia 1.10

Matter insoluble in muriatic acid , 1.70

Protoxide of iron j 0.53

Silex from solution 0.90

Water expelled by red heat 1.08

97.71

II. Magnesian Limestones— Containing 40 pee cents ok more

of Carbonate of Magnesia.

1. From Yellow Springs — Sronfe's Quarries.

Carbonate of lime 54.75

Carbonate of magnesia.. 42.23

Silica -. 0.40

Alumina and iron 2.00

99.38

* This is the purest lime found in south-western Ohio.

t This is one of the divisions of the Clinton which has a local reputation as a fire
stone.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 159

2. From Hillsboro, Highland comity — Col. Trimble's Quarry.*

Carbonate of lime 54.35

Carbonate of magnesia 43.23

Silica :.... .... 0.40

Alumina and iron (trace) .-• 1.80

99.68

3. From Thompson's Quarries, Springfield

Carbonate of lime 50.90

Carbonate of magnesia 39.77

Silicates of lime and magnesia 7.07

Sand 1.19

Alumina ..'. 0.70

99.63

4. From Moore's Quarries, below Springfield.

Carbonate of lime 46.40

Carbonate of magnesia 47.53

Silica, iron and alumina/ — chiefly the last 4.90

98.83

5. From Cliff Limestone, West Union, Adams county, t

Carbonate of lime 42.80

Carbonate of magnesia 34.79

Silica and sand J . . 18.80

Alumina and iron - 2.20

98.59

6. From Bierley's Quarries, Greenville, Darke county, t

Carbonate of lime 44 .60

Carbonate of magnesia .-. 50.11

Silica, iron and alumina — chiefly the last 4.60

99.31

7. From Gard's Quarries, Greenville, Darke county. (

Carbonate of lime , 51.30

Carbonate of magnesia 45.72

Silica, iron and alumina — chiefly the last 2.20

99.22

8. From Northrup's Quarry, New Madison, Darke county. $

Carbonate of lime 51.70

Carbonate of magnesia 45.26

Silica, iron and alumina — chiefly iron 2.70

99.66

* Note. — This lime has a very excellent reputation in the region where it is pro-
duced. It is said to be the " coolest " lime of this portion of the State.

t This analysis would seem to confirm the suggestion of Dr. Locke, that the rock in
question would yield hydraulic cement.

$ Nos. 6 and 7 represent the only quarries in Darke county that have been extensively
worked. The stone is of but little value for building purposes, but the lime obtained
from it is counted excellent. The geological horizon of the three quarries represented
in Nos. 6, 7 and 8 is the same, viz., the upper portion of tbe Niagara series.

160

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

5. Mineral Paints.

The minerals from which mineral paints have been manufactured in
this portion of the State, are all obtained from the beds of Drift. The
second variety of blue clay, already described, is principally used for
this purpose.

A company has been organized at Miamisburg for two years, for the
manufacture of these paints, and their sales last year amounted to over
100,000 lbs. A considerable proportion of lead, however, is included
under this aggregate. The bed of clay which is turned to most account
is situated on Hole's creek, at no great elevation above the Miami river.
The clay is identical in composition with the heavy bank near Spring-
field, and closely resembles the " Milwaukee brick " clay in composition^
As to the durability of these colors, it is too early to decide. It is sug-
gested by painters in Cincinnati, where the coal smoke renders frequent
re-painting necessary, that even if they are decidedly inferior to lead in
respect to durability, they can still render very useful service because of
their greater cheapness!

Analyses of Hole's creek, Springfield and Milwaukee clays — made by
Dr. Wormley, are here appended.

No. 1. Hole's creek clay, used by Buckeye Paint Company, Miamis-
burg.

No. 2. Springfield clay, burned into cream colored briek and tile, by
Capt. Peter Schindler.

No. 3. Milwaukee brick clay.

Water in sample dried at 212°

Organic matter

Silica , i .

Alumina as silicate

Alumina soluble

Sesquioxide of iron

Carbonate of lime ........... .

Carbonate of magnesia

No. 1.

0.80

2.35

35.56

13.59

6.05

3.00

29.18

7.04

97.57

No. 2.

1.40

2.50

34.92

16.38

5.00

3.01

28.13

8.03

99.37

No. 3.

1.30

2.10

44.93

11.47

6.90

2.33

24.08

4.77

97.88

Many of the gravel beds of the Drift contain accumulations of ochre
more or less extensive, and occasionally deposits of the same substance
are found unmixed with gravel. The ochre can be separated from the
gravel by washing, and proves to be of fair quality.

A large deposit of this bchreous gravel is to be found on the north
bank of Twin creek, one mile east of Germantown, Montgomery county.

GEOLOGICAL SUBVEY OP OHIO. 161

It has been worked for two years, and a considerable quantity of the
paint has been brought into market. A bed of brown coal, that occurs
in the same gravel bank, has been turned to account for the manufacture
of black paint. Mastodon remains, and phosphate of iron, are found
also in this locality. Taking all things into the account, no more inter-
esting section of the Drift is to be found in this region than the " Ger-
mantown Ochre Bank."

6. Gravel.

It is not easy to set a proper estimate upon the beds of sand and
gravel of the county, until a comparison is instituted between a region
well supplied with such accumulations, and another which is destitute of
them.

The gravel knolls and ridges with which, in the southern and eastern
portions of the county, almost every farm abounds, affords very desirable
building-sites, and are generally selected for such purposes.

Sand of the best quality, for mortar cement and brick making, is every-
where within easy access.

An inexhaustible supply of excellent materials for road-making — what
is frequently designated "clean limestone gravel," though in reality
largely composed of granitic pebbles — is found in the Drift deposits,
from which hundreds of miles of turnpikes have been alread constructed
in the county, thus affording free communication between farm and
market, at all seasons of the year. The smaller boulders, of Canadian
origin, are selected from the gravel banks for paving-stones, and trans-
ported to the neighboring cities.

In regions where stone suitable for macadamized pikes can be obtained,
good roads can be had, even though gravel is wanting, but at largely in-
creased expense above that of gravel turnpikes. The districts which are
supplied with neither, can certainly never compete in desirability with
these gravel-strewn regions.

The Agricultural Relations of the different formations of Montgomery
county, remain to be briefly discussed. Only those points will be touched
upon which are especially noticeable.

From what has been already said of the distribution of the Drift, it
may be interred that this formation will conceal or obscure all the rest,
and, to a considerable extent, this will be found to be the case. There
are large areas in which the underlying rock seems to have no direct
effect upon the superficial beds, further than to control the general fea-
tures of their arrangement. In such cases, the soil depends directly upon
11— Geological.

162 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

the composition of the drift beds, and will be found light, warm and dry,
or heavy, cold and wet, according as sand or clay predominates in these
bods.

There are, however, several varieties of soil that receive their leading
characteristics directly from the rock with which they are associated.
The high table lands of the Niagara limestone, which are mostly confined
to the northern portions of the county, furnish the first example. These
limestones are often covered with but a shallow deposit of clay, yellow
originally, but blackened by organic matter for a foot or two from the
surface. These table-lands hold so nearly a horizontal position, that the
streams that have their sources in them have but a sluggish flow. In-
deed these districts, until they are cleared and ditched, are almost always
marshy in their conditions, and though occupying the highest levels of
the county, are universally spoken of as low-lying lands. They contain
abundant elements of agricultural wealth, but demand a more pains-
taking and scientific kind of treatment than our farmers are generally
willing to bestow. In default of this, they are largely dependent on the
seasons — favorable seasons bringing a large reward, and unfavorable ones
being marked by failures, more or less complete. The water-supply in
these locations is generally derived from drilled wells, which it is some-
times necessary to carry to a depth of 60 feet, though one-third of this
depth usually suffices.

In their present condition, they constitute the lowest-priced lands of
the county, unless, as in a few instances, their contiguity to markets has
led to their thorough improvement. In these cases, they show themselves
to be possessed of admirable qualities for farming lands, and also give
examples of what may be hoped for from the remainder of this formation.

A belt of still more pronounced character, in which the agricultural
relations are still more closely connected with the geological structure,
is furnished in the line of junction of the Blue Limestone and Clinton
formations, or, what is the same thing, in the line of Junction of the Lower
and Upper Silurian.

It ^ill be remembered that the uppermost beds of the Blue Limestone
series consists, for the most part, of unconsolidated clays, while the lower
portion of the overlying Cliff formation, viz : the Clinton rock, is largely
composed of beds a porous sandstone (lime-sand). The result of this
order of sequence is, that the cla; s of the Blue Limestone series are the
water-bearers of the region which they occupy, as was long ago pointed out
by Dr. Locke. The strongest springs of South-western Ohio mark quite
accurately this line of junction. The clays constitute a gradual slope —
sometimes one fourth of a mile in breath — from the foot of the cliff. The

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 163

springs that flow out along the line, gave, before the country was cleared,
a marshy character to this belt, as is shown in the black and fertile loam,
by which it is still marked. They also serve to distribute, to some degree,
the waste of the cliff to the slope below. The early settlers located their
homes in the vicinity of these perennial springs, and the prosperity which
has attended the labors of husbandry upon these fruitful tracks, is wel 1 *
attested in the comfortable and tasteful homes which mark the lowermost
outcrop of the Clin 7 limestones. Perhaps no other geological boundary of
the State is so definitely connected with human interests.

The Blue Limestones give rise, in limited areas, to soils of great fer-
tility. The rocks of this age, for the most part, are covered deep by beds
of modified drift, lying, as they do, at a lower level than the other rocks
of the county ; but occasionally a slope is found that is derived directly
from the weathering of the Blue Limestone beds* The rocks of this series
are rich in phosphates, a fact which accounts for their value in agricul-
ture. An analysis by Dr. Wormley, Chemist of the Survey, gives 16 hun-
dredths of one per cent, of phosphoric acid in the bedded clays. This
proportion shows that a soil one foot in depth, formed from the weather-
ing of these clays, would contain to the acre very nearly 7,500 lbs. of phos-
phoric acid, a substance indispensable to the growth of the higher forms,
of vegetation.

The celebrated Blue Grass country of Kentucky, is derived direc$y
from the rocks of this formation, without the addition of our Drift ©Jay*-,
and sands.

A discussion of the Drift in these connections, would be, under another,
name, a treatise upon the general agriculture of the county, and cannot
here he entered upon. Suffice it to say that the character of the Drift
deposits, largely determines for each locality, the market value of its
lands, the kinds of crops that can be cultivated with profit, the nature,
and amount of its water-supply, the quality of its highways, its, degree,
of healthfulness, and in short, its general desirability for human. oceur
pancy.

Attention will be called to but one more point in this connection.

The river-valleys of South-western Ohio are known to have been deeper
than they are at present. In other words, they are now partly filled with
drift, and the streams no longer flow upon rocky beds. Nojb only is the
absolute depth of the valleys diminished by these deposit?,; but the ab-
ruptness of the declivity is greatly modified by them. Instead of a prer
cipitous descent over the naked edges of the rocks, a well-graded slope,
consisting frequently of the best road-gravel, leads from^ the high lands
to the river-bettoms. The nature and order of succession of the forma"

L64 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

tioDS previously described renders it certain that were it not for the inter-
position of the Drift, the line of junction of the Blue Limestone and Cliff
formation would be an impassable belt of miry clay for one-third of the
year, unless relieved by expensive artificial roads. A similar state of
things would be found throughout much of the Blue Limestone regions.

The leading points in the geology of the line of junction of the Lower
and Upper Silurian formations of South-western Ohio, have now been
briefly noticed. The attempt has beeu made to treat the subjects in such
a way that they can be understood by any intelligent reader, even though
he is entirely unacquainted with the technicalities of geological science.
At the same time, many facts of interest to the geologist are here pub-
lished for the first time. Among these facts may be named the probable
identification of the Medina Sandstone in Southern Ohio, the first clear
identification of the Clinton group within the same limits, the division
of the Niagara formation into two well-marked varieties, viz : the Mag-
nesian and Limestone varieties, and the connection of these differences in
composition with equally marked differences in use, for lime and build-
ing-stone.

Among the points of economical interest may be mentioned the estab-
lishment of the limits within which the Dayton stone is to be found,
lying as it does at the very base of the Niagara series; the recognition
of the fact that the best lime of this part of the State comes from an
horizon about 100 feet higher in the series than that which the Dayton
stone occupies, with the consequent knowledge of the areas within which
it occurs ; and the discovery that certain beds of the same series afford
hydraulic lime of excellent quality.

The great value of the Dayton stone naturally leads to considerable
interest in the discovery of new deposits of it. A safe guide for all fu-
ture investigations will be found in the order of sequence of the great
formations, which these pages have clearly stated, an order which prac-
tical men, engaged for years in quarrying the stone, have generally failed
to recognize.

It remains but to add, in conclusion, that nothing more than a geologi-
cal reconnoisance of South-western Ohio has been possible in the time
that has passed since the survey was ordered. Many topics >are left for
future investigation — such as the . accurate measurements of the forma-
tions ; the determination of their dip ; the enumeration and description
of fossils; the details of stratification generally; and all of these subjects
possess a good degree of economical or educational importance.

APPENDIX.

[Since the publication of this report, a more detailed study has been
made of the Germantown Ochre Bank, noticed in the preceding pages,
and the results of this study were made known in an article published in
Silliman's Journal, July, 1870. By permission, this article is here repro-
duced.]

On the occurrence of a Peat Bed beneath Deposits of Drift in Southwestern

Ohio.

A bed of peat has lately been found one mile east of Gerinantown,
Montgomery county, Ohio, and twelve miles west of south from Dayton —
in the occurrence and connections of which there are several facts of
unusual interest.

It lies in, and directly above, the channel of Twin creek, a tributary of
the Miami river. The general course of the creek is southeasterly, but
just above the point where the peat bed is exposed, it has made a sudden
change in direction from east to west of south. Its northern and eastern
banks for one-fourth of a mile in each direction from the point of deflec-
tion, are precipitous walls of stratified clay and gravel, from 50 to 100
feet in thickness ; kept nearly vertical by the constant undermining action
of the stream.

Beneath these heavy deposits and occupying 40 rods of the east bank
of the creek, the peat bed is found, varying in thickness, in different por-
tions of its extent, from 12 to 20 feet. The amount of the bed that is
exposed depends upon the stage of water in the stream. The stream is
bedded for 10 or 15 rods upon the peat, but in deeper portions of the
channel, upon the eastern bank, an underlying formation of gravel can.
be detested. The uppermost layers of the peat contain undecoinposecfc
sphagnous mosses, grasses and sedges, but in other portions of the bed,,
the vegetable structure is generally indistinct, with the exception of"
abundant fragments of coniferous wood, which in many instances can be
identified as red cedar (Juniperus virginianus.) At the southern extrem-
ity of the bed in particular, there is a great accumulation of wood, in
trunks, roots, branches, and twigs, much of which has been flattened by
the pressure of the 80 feet of clay and gravel that overlie it. Branches

166 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OP OHIO.

that were originally two inches in diameter, now afford lenticular sections
with no more than a fourth inch for the shorter axis, while many of the
smaller stems have been compressed into ribbons. The berries of the
eedar are abundant in the upper layers of the peat. At a point one half
mile higher up the stream, trunks of cedar nearly two feet in diameter,
have been taken from beneath these same drift beds and turned to ac-
eount for fencing posts.

There are indications that the peat bed has a considerable extent to the
northward and eastward. A bed of "black earth" was found underlying
day and gravel in digging a well If miles east of this locality. The bed
occurred at a depth of 30 feet, and was itself from 10 to 15 feet in thick-
ness. The waters of springs in the same neighborhood are discolored, as
if by contact with such deposits.

It may be added in this connection that there is a large amount of
wood buried beneath the drift throughout this region generally. It is not
a circumstance of infrequent occurrence to meet with it in the digging of
wells. There is scarcely a square mile in the thickly settled portions of
tfhe adjacent country in which instances of this kind cannot bd found,
and three instances are on record within the limits of a single village.

The wood is in great part coniferous, but not exclusively so ; for ac-
cording to the testimony of intelligent and observing practical men, who
deem themselves entirely competent to give a judgment in the case, ash,
hickory and sycamore, together with grape-vines and beech-leaves, have
been found covered with drift deposits.

A stratum of soil, one or two feet in thickness, is often associated with
these vegetable remains. The soil and the wood occur at various depths,
tout in the cases already noted, between the limits of 10 feet and 90 feet.
A large proportion, however, of the instances on record, have been found
at about 30 feet in depth, immediately beneath the yellow clays that con-
stitute the last of the drift series in this region.

Through all portions of the peat above mentioned, sand and pebbles
are scattered. The pebbles are mostly of small size, seldom larger than
» pea, but occasionally three or four inches in diameter. They agree in
general character with the gravel of the country.

At the lower extremity of the peat bed, the formation thins out and the
bottom layers are found above the water, resting upon a surface of gravel
that slopes downward at an angle of about 30 degrees. All the limestone
pebbles which the peat overlies at this point, appear to have been
"burned." They are white and soft, as much so as they would have been
if they had been converted into hydrates of lime by the ordinary pro-
-eesses. Analysis, however, shows them to be in the state of carbonates .

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. 167

In the inclined strata, heavy beds of ochreous gravel occur. The
ochre is easily separated from the gravel by washing, and furnishes a
marketable paint of fair quality. The nature and arrangement of the
materials of these inclined beds indicate that they were brought from the
eastward by a torrent-like stream, and deposited over a precipitous bank.

In pockets of the gravel and also in the clay that immediately covers
the peat, small quantities of vivianite, " blue earth," or phosphate of iron,
are found. From one of the largest accumulations of this substance, a
tusk or tooth was taken. It was described as resembling a hog's tusk,
except that it was much larger. It may also be added that two mastodon
tusks, each measuring eight feet in length, were taken in the spring of
1870, from the northern part of the same drift bed to which the peat
belongs and at about the same level.

The reference of the phosphoric acid of the vivianite to vertebrate
bones, will, therefore, hardly be questioned.

From the above named facts, we seem warranted in concluding that the
coniferous wood in question grew in the region where we find it buried.
The amount of the wood renders this probable, and the nature of the
remains forbids any other supposition. In this connection, it is only
needful to recall the facts, that cedar berries in notable quantity, and
that branching twigs, the veriest spray of the cedar, sometimes still cov-
ered with bark, are well preserved in the peat.

We learn furthermore that the date, at which this vegetation grew, was
in the closing or Ohamplain epoch of the Drift period, for it is underlain
by stratified drift deposits. A subsidence of the continent below its
present level had already occurred, during which these underlying beds
were formed ; but there would seem to have been a restoration of this
southern border of the drift-swept region at least, to dry land once more,
and this restoration must have continued through a period of considera-
ble length. It was followed by another movement of depression, during
which the highest of the yellow clays, the latest formation of the drift,
were deposited. There seem materials in this line of facts for a more
orderly division of the later formed deposits of the post-tertiary than has
heretofore been recognized.

We also learn that mammalian life was associated with this intercalated
period of vegetable growth. The mammoth and the mastodon subsisted
on the coniferous wood which is represented so largely here. The series
of changes in level already referred to, must have exterminated these
earlier representatives of elephantine life, but we find the same species
returning to their old dwelling plaees when the waters of the drift seas
had finally abated.

j €OtfNTY

OHIO

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO.

169

Section No. 1.
Centreville, Montgomery Govmty.

DRIF1 15

yii-^-OT^O'^-i.OV,;.;

'" .•''^»fe^u?. J .aa'V.-> > J

M$£4/?>J 40

^■- •■i u j''' , ^T7^7 : 7ir"'pr^^.. |.U',iii ''.--; ^tij,J l| ' , »'i[i'. i iv!'Hi

4 i» )¥>

^^^^^^^^

_™-™«l[ , . , 7 -• ■^ '' a — — -757^

BLUE
LIMESTONE

W^^sr'^if ^r ^[^^^^

225

iF"^<. ■•,iiVffll!U'-M,- £ — ^ — : ;V., ' i»

f? 5 "^^!^^^;^ /

^^JSC;:^,;^:;:::;:::!!!^,!^:;

TTmiaiT-' .iiiiii ..I,,'" ■ ■ ..> "■■ Vtli'- ■ ■■'■TtiMTTTirflll

■ *-77.Wlfiun" >'<l . . — 7/7 u )? — 7T~7- .777. T. TTTTTrcr,

„nWi\ii<; ,<' ...iiintH^w : -,- l ,;, ) f';.-'Mm»„.mi) l

170

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

Section No. 2.
Webber & Lehman's Quarry, east of Dayton, two miles.

BLUE
LIMESTONE

^iiZ-^9' gj^ iffo^CX

rfe Fii C%y ; ^j jg

^T^x^fcbv^^;!^ v

750

P 11 .! 1 .'""

-rrf^ r: i.,.;t- 77— ij:

* ■<' ^ '''bi^OifcTJ^

? ;^i^?|jPH^.

!M5Z>S

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OE OHIO.

171

Section No. 3.
/Soldiers' Some, west of Dayton two miles.

DRIFJ

BLUE
LIM£ST0NE

15

r^r-fi

160

:^^OS J ^^i&^0

■±X^fp ;;,. ^f^^s^L

•|i!". ,F i...

ii.i.ii

ui ! !lii!

(, t!«";;:.;>, v ,:':"""k

E^K^lfMj^^^.

p|^^

i|,iii'-' ,, 'UW^_ A i l{ i

^iii^jiiTp^v^pii^^

ffli^yea

KPW-^f.py>« iu.,J-

"" , " l !"::,;'iky" "%„ i ;;;,^f^

#*■

■w.7 1 s ■ .V"x .k

INDEX.

Erkattjm. — The first note on page 84 should be omitted.

PAGE.

Analysis of coals — by Bischoff 36

" lignite " 36

" wood " 36

" Buena Vista freestone — by O. Wuth 71

" -vineyard soil Medoe 77

" Maxville limestone — by Wormley 86

" buff limestone, Whipple's run — by Wormley 129

" Cannel coal, Flint Ridge " 94

" Porter'scoal " 95

" coals — Haydenville '" 107

" " Nelsonville " 107

" " Straitsville " 107

" " Sunday creek " 108

" " Lostrun " 108

" " Jackson "HU1" " 113

" " Jackson " Shaft " " 113

" " Briar Hill " 113

" " Blue Chippewa " 113

" '• Coalton, or Ashland " 113

" " Brazil, Indiana " 113

" " Durham and Northumberland 114

" " Grigsby 119

" " Stallsmith 120

" Iron ore — Henry Hazelton 127

" " James Hawkins 127

" " Edward Danison 127

" " Henry Welch J 127

" " Lattafarm 127

" " Rogertfarm 127

" " Duck Creek Valley 133

" Mngnesian limestone, Yellow springs 157

" " ofFrance 157

" Blue limestone, Cincinnati 157

" " Waynesville 157

174 rSTDEX.

PAGE,

Analysis of Clinton limestone, Brown's quarry 158

" " Centervffle 158

" " Halderman '.., 158

" " Lick Fork, Adams county 158

" Niagara limestone, Dayton quarries 158

" Magnesian limestone, Yellow Springs 158

" Hillsboro 159

" " Thompson's quarry 159

" " Moore's quarry 159

" (Cliff limestone) 159

" " Bierley's quarry 159

" " Gard's quarry 159

" " Northrop's quarry 159

" Clay, Hole's creek 160

" " Springfield 160

" " Milwaukie brick clay 160

Appendix — Peat and forest bed in drift 165

" Beautiful quarry " ■ 72

Bitumen of Ohio Black Slate : 65

Black Slate (Ohio) 64

Brick clays 154

Building rock, Montgomery county 152

Building stone, tests of Buena Vista freestone 71

Carboniferous system 21

Cincinnati group . 15

Clays — Fire-clays and others in 2d Geological District 136

Clinton group 15

Clinton formation 148

Coals, general description of 33

" Miami Company's mines 104

" description of analyses of Ill

" production of, in the 2d Geological District 135

Coal-measures 123

Coke, discussion of 115

Conglomerate 23

Corniferous limestone 17

" fishes of 18

Devonian system 17

Directions for observing geological facts-' 11

District, Second — outlines of geological formations 64

Draining tile clays, Montgomery county j 154

Drift, theory of 24

" glaciers 29

" icebergs 30

" phenomena of, in 2d Geological District 60

INDEX. 175

PAGE.

Drift, modified and river terraces 61

" of Montgomery county 150

" peat beds in, and forest beds 165

Elevations of surface of Second District 69

Erie shale 21

Fire clay 66

Fire stone of Montgomery county ^ 154

Flagg W. J., letter of 76

Forst bed in drift 165

Fossils of Waverly , 75

Furnaces, list of charcoal do 133

" " bituminous coal do 134

" statistics of 134

Geology of apart of Washington and Noble counties 127

Gold, in Second Geological District 138

Gravel, Montgomery county 161

Hamilton group 19

Historical sketches of former Geological Surveys 3

Huron shale 19

" " fishesof , 20

Iron, general discussion of 40

" the manufacture of -. 43

" Ellershausen process 46

" ores discussion of 121

" " above Nelsonville coal -124

" " of Duck Creek Valley 133

" production of In Second Geological District 133

Joints, vertical, in Ohio Black Slate 67

" " direction of in Waverly 74

Law, providing for Geological Survey 7

" appointments under the law 9

Lime — 155

Maxville Limestone , — 83

" " sectionof : 84

« « " «, 85

Map of grouped sections, explanation of - 139

Mineral joints - 160

Montgomery county, Geological Report of 145

Mound builders 63

Niagara groi^p 15

" formation -. 149

Nelsonville or Straitsville coal - 99

" " " quality of 106

176 INDEX.

PAGE.

Oriskany Sandstone 17

Peat beds in Drift 165

Petroleum from Ohio Black Slate 65

" oil springs 66

Pottery clays — Montgomery county 154

Sallna and Lower Helderberg 15

Salt, production of, in Second District 137

" in Duck creek valley 132

Second Geological District, general features of 57

" " " drainage of 58

Section at Sugar Grove 80

" James Francisco's 81

" Falls of Hocking. .-.. 82

" Edward Danison's 87

" Joseph Rambo's , 88

" ■ Newark 89

" in Kentucky, by S. E. Lyon 90

" at Henry Hazelton's 92

" FUntRidge 93

" Joseph Porter's 95

" of coal at Haydenville 99

" " Nelsonville 99

" " McGinniss' bank, Straitsville 100

" " Thomas Barnes' 101

" " Gaver'sMill 102

" " Benjamin Saunders' 102

" " above Nelsonville coal 117

" of clay veins in coal 117

" coal at Moses Blake's, Whipple's run 128

" on land of Vincent Payne 131

" of coal at David McKee's . 131

" at Centreville, Montgomery county 169

" of Webber and Lehman's quarry 170

" atSoldier's Home 171

Silurian System 12

Soils, from Silurian limestones 161

" drift 163

Steel, manufacture of ; 48

" Bessemer process 48

" Siemens-Martin process . 49

" Barron process 50

Sulphur in coal, not always a bi-sulphide , 110

Waverly Sandstone 67

" " section of, in W. Va 69

" " " "cityledge" 70

" " tests of " city ledge " building stone . ..... 71

" " soil of Waverly hills 76

" " timber of Waverly hills 78