trace of carbonate of lime. These stones are as solid and hard as those of similar external appearance usually are, which makes still more strange and unaccountable the entire disappearance of the shells which have at a former time been enclosed. I have mentioned this fact because it may possibly attract the attention of some of the men of science who visit that place, and induce them to observe and explain these singular facts. The silicious fixed rocks lying close by the Sulphur Spring also have many star-like impressions on their surfaces, (but not within, as in the other cases,) which from their similarity and regularity of form, must have been caused by small shells of one particular species. I found a similar impression on a pebble in the bed of the Calf Pasture River-and perhaps such facts may be numerous, and well known to others. In all these cases, there was not the least particle of carbonate of lime remaining in these stones, (as proved by chemical tests,) nor any appearance (to the eye) of any other salt of lime, to which the carbonate might have been changed.

by one of those land-slips which have been already spoken of.

There is a kind of earth in New Jersey which was called marl, (as almost every earthy marr has been) but which seemed to me, from the imperfect descriptions given of it, to be the same kind of gypseous earth that I have described. Although this Jersey manure excited attention, and was bought, and tried, and reported on, by Judge Peters, there was no certain indication given to the public of the component parts of the earth, or what constituted its fertilizing power. Judge Peters speaks thus of it. "It is said by some that the Jersey pyritous earth, called marl, is of this description, [i. e. a mere stimulant;] and by others that it is permanently fertilizing. Nothing decisive can yet be pronounced, as its many varieties differ in their respective effects. There are facts both ways; so that this earth when applied, and the soil it is intended to assist, should be carefully scrutinized, and the qualities practically known. Some English chemists to whom it has been sent, style it an hydrat of iron; while others designate The highland which lies over the whole extent its composition, as a collection of decomposed of the gypseous formation in Prince George pre- granite, schorl, silex, alumine, iron; in some spesents a surface and qualities of very peculiar ap- cimens (no doubt those mixed with shells,) lime pearance, and which may possibly have some con- and magnesia, with sulphur. A more accurate nection with the gypseous bed below. If so, my knowledge of its parts and properties, is still redescription may direct more successfully the search quired; and it is to be wished that our own chemfor gypseous earth elsewhere. The land from Bay-ists will give us their assistance. Broom grass ley's Creek to Coggins' Point, except where in- and other pests on worn lands, may be destroyed terrupted by some low alluvial tracts, seems as if by a top dressing of this earth and chloritic sands it had been originally a high and level bluff, or abrupt termination of table land, which had sunk in successive slices, the lowest next the river, so as now to present somewhat the appearance of a hill side cut into terraces. Of course, this form is extremely irregular. The broken strata cause the greatest variety of surface: fossil shells fit for use as manure, barren clay, barren calcareous sand, and rich black soil, were all to be found in almost every acre, and remained distinct, until mixed by the cultivation of the surface. It does not rest on mere conjecture that this land took its present form and depression by sinking or slipping, as a similar natural operation to considerable extent, has taken place on the Tarbay farm within a few years, the progress and consequence of which are still visible.

of a similar, though not so potent a nature; which substitute a natural growth of white clover."* In a communication of later date, Judge Peters made the following incidental remarks. "Four years ago, I procured 40 tons of Jersey manure, and spread it as a top dressing on many parts of the Belmont farm, on sand, clay, loam, and in every variety of exposure, as well as on moist and dry grounds. But in no instance any profitable eflect appeared. A broad strip of the lawn, light and sandy, had been top dressed, and showed no signs of melioration heretofore. This strip is part of my little oat field; and it has [this year] thrown up a most luxuriant growth, far exceeding any other part, (though the whole was good, having been well limed throughout,) and affords a proof that this manure agrees with and co-operates with The rich gypseous bank, at Evergreen, is at a lime. I never saw, in the richest soil, stronger, place where the river is encroaching on the land, better headed, or more promising plants. It would and every storm, or very high tide, adds to the have been incompatible with my objects, or 1 acres which have doubtless been already swept should have suffered it to ripen, for experiment of away. In this manner was formerly exposed the its product. Mr. Mark Reeve, who is very intelremains of the trunk of a tree, lying even with ligent on this subject, (and to whom I sent a samthe beach, and which when wet, presented the ple of the manure,) informed me that I had been same spongy and soft texture on the surface, imposed on by the person from whom I procured it; smooth and even yielding to the touch, as is usu- the article used by me being only the cover of the ally seen in rotten and water-soaked logs. But true kind. Its effect, luxuriant as it is, must have except the surface, where water had probably dis-been more so, if the perfect manure had been solved the substance, every pore and cell of the used." I have seen it stated elsewhere, (though log was filled with gypsum, though the form and I am not able now to refer to the authority) that geon of wood remained distinct. This complete the Jersey earth was particularly beneficial to clofilling of the cells could only have taken place ver, and that it was used in small quantities, comwhen the gypsum was in a fluid state. The cir-pared with other manures. cumstance of a tree being found beneath a bank of shells, or what had been shells, might seem to be a proof that the shells were the later deposite of the two. But it is easier to believe that the who's body of earth, (though perhaps 50 feet high was formerly thrown into its present place,

This description of the Jersey earth, and the

*Notices for a Young Farmer-by Judge Peters.— Phil. Memoirs, vol. 4.

† Phil. Memoirs, vol. 4.

effects imputed to its use, agree very closely with | may reasonably be expected to occur. As far as those of our gypseous earth. But it also seems, relates to the marl beds of this vicinity, my search that no one entertained a suspicion that its value has been unexpectedly successful. With scarce was owing to its containing, or forming gypsum. a single exception, I have discovered particles of I therefore infer that the earth there used was si- the green sand, mingled with the. ordinary sand, milar to the great body and poorest kind of ours, clay, and shells; and in some instances, in so large having not a particle of gypsum remaining. If so, a proportion as no doubt greatly to enhance the the effects produced as manure, were probably useful agency of the calcareous matter. Indeed, owing to either sulphate of iron, or sulphuret of I am inclined to believe, that in some cases, the iron remaining in excess in the earth-which, agricultural efficacy of the mar! is chiefly owing when meeting with lime in the soil, formed gyp-to the green sand which it contains. In this consum-and if no lime was present, remained either clusion I think I shall be sustained by facts hereafter (as the sulphuret,) an inert, or (as the sulphate of to be noticed.

iron,) a poisonous ingredient of the soil. Iron The general occurrence of this substance in our pyrites (sulphuret of iron) have been used with marl beds, is certainly a discovery of some intermuch benefit as manure--though that effect would est; and though I may perhaps exaggerate its improbably depend on whether the soil was calca-portance in a practical point of view, I cannot but reous or otherwise.

think that it is worthy of the attention of our farmers. I speak of its general occurrence, because, although I have examined but few specimens from a distance, the general resemblance of our marl deposite throughout, together with the almost invariable presence of the green particles in such as I have inspected, would seem to justify the conclusion that it is a usual accompaniment of our marl formation, though by no means in equal proportions in all localities. Out of more than forty specimens which I have examined, there were only

From the publication of the passages quoted above, and many others on the same manure that appeared about 1819, and soon after, it might be supposed that the attention and labors of chemists would have been drawn to this manure, and its composition and value clearly settled; and that practical farmers would have fully profited by this instruction. On the contrary, all notice of the manure soon ceased, and no information thereon has since been given to the public. It may therefore be inferred that the manure was used so ig-two in which the green particles could not be disnorantly, as not to be found profitable in general, and that even the solicitations of Judge Peters, and the influence of his venerable name, could not obtain this small aid from men of science, which might have shown when and why the manure was useful, or otherwise. If my views of its constitution are not mistaken, it is certain that this manure will be found useless on most poor soils, unless calcareous earth is used previously, or in conjunction.

covered; and as they frequently occur in patches, and not generally diffused throughout the bed, it is probable that even in the beds from which these two specimens were procured, the green sand might be elsewhere found. Some of the most efficient marls in the neighborhood of Williamsburg, contain a marked proportion of this substance. At Burwell's Mill, (three miles below the city towards Yorktown) the intermixture is so large, that the sand and detritus of shells washed down by the spring freshet display a very distinct greenish olive tinge, which even travellers observe as they pass through the valley in which the deposite exists. At this place, the shells, as they On the discovery of green sand in the calcareous are taken out of the extensive bank recently exdeposite of Eastern Virginia, and on the proba-posed by the torrent, are frequently filled with a ble existence of this substance in extensive beds near the western limits of our ordinary marl.

Shellbanks, Aug. 9, 1833.

EDMUND RUFFIN.

William and Mary College, June 26, 1834. To the Editor of the Farmers' Register.

dark mass containing as much as thirty per cent. of the green particles. In fact the whole bank is strongly tinged by them and the stratum which overlies the shells, in some places five feet in thickness, is precisely similar to some of the poorer deposites in New Jersey, and contains upwards Since my attention was drawn to the nature and of thirty per cent. of this substance. In Judge properties of the New Jersey green sand, by the Semple's marl beds, in the same vicinity, the green specimens which you sent me for analysis, and by particles are equally abundant-and, as in the our more recent conversations on the subject, I former case, extend into the incumbent stratum of have made a visit to the region in which it is non-calcareous matter. In many instances, this found, and have witnessed the most striking evi-layer of overlying earth has been found even more dences of its utility as a manure. During this efficacious on the soil than the subjacent marl—a excursion, I examined the marl in all its varieties, fact which might naturally be inferred, when the and learned many interesting particulars respect-green particles abound chiefly in the upper stratum, ing its use, from intelligent farmers, long expe- from the extraordinary efficiency of the green and rienced in applying it to the soil. I have moreo- as experienced in New Jersey. But by far the ver analyzed several specimens collected on the most interesting locality of this substance in point spot with the view, if possible, of throwing some of extent, which I have examined, occurs on the light upon its agency when applied to the soil. shore of James River, adjacent to King's Mil Since my return, I have made diligent search and Littletown. Here the banks rise perpendicu for this substance in our marl beds and the accom-larly to the height of from forty to sixty feet, and panying strata, and am at present directing my inquiries to that region of Lower Virginia in which, according to geological laws, as well as from some indications of which I have heard, this deposite

for about three-fourths of this elevation are com posed of shells and earth mingled with a large proportion of the green sand which in some places imparts a distinct color to the surface. The stad

of the beach is also filled with these particles | recognised, and some knowledge of the properties which the rains have washed down, and which, and constitution of the substance itself, I shal at first view, present the appearance of the com- here give a brief account of the New Jersey formon black sand of our river, though in much mation which I visited, together with the relarger quantity.. At Bellefield, and other places sult of several chemical analyses of the sand careon the York river, the banks and beach are simi- fully executed by myself and others: and further larly impregnated. to interest your readers in this important inquiry, I shall add a statement of such facts bearing upon the application and agency of the marl, as I was enabled to collect during my visit to the beautiful region which it has so largely contributed to fertilize and adorn.

on.

The green particles may be readily recognised by their want of lustre, the ease with which they may be bruised with the point of a penknife, and the bright green stain which they then produce. In examining earth or marl in which they are very sparsely scattered, the particles are some- The New Jersey green sand is apparently identimes difficult to separate from the other matter. tical with that series of deposites recognised in My method is to moisten the end of the knife Europe by the name of the green sand formation, blade by applying it to the tongue, and then to re-characterised by a predominance of minute green move several of the particles by adhesion. When particles in many of its strata. In Europe these placed upon a card and bruised, they leave a bril- strata are generally found alternating with beds of liant stain. This test may be confidently relied chalk; but in this country no chalk is found, unless in the region west of the Mississippi. The fosThe occurrence of the green sand so extensive- sils embedded in the green sand on both sides of ly through our marl region, affords strong grounds the Atlantic, are however so strictly alike, that the for hoping that valuable beds of this substance, geological equivalence of the American and Eulike those of New Jersey, almost entirely unmin-ropean beds can scarcely admit of question, and gled with other matters, may be brought to light is therefore generally conceded as an established by a judicious and enterprising examination of the point. It is relevant here to remark that in tracing district on the western limits of our marl. And cotemporaneous or equivalent geological formashould such a discovery be made, the agriculture tions in different regions, geologists are accustomof Lower Virginia would become possessed of aed to rely almost exclusively upon the fossils, new and powerful auxiliary in furthering its already rapid career of amelioration. Even the fact that the green sand often exists in considerable quantities in and above our ordinary marl beds, which is I think now sufficiently established, may furnish no unimportant aid in the improvement of our lands, by leading to a more varied and judicious adaptation in the application of our ma-ders, to convey a knowledge of even the principal

nures.

Independently of the existence of the green sand in a scattered state in our calcareous strata, there are other and stronger reasons for believing that a deposite similar to that in New Jersey will be found in the appropriate region. In a geological arrangement of our various formations, the marl beds of Eastern Virginia and Carolina, as well as those of Maryland, belong to a later period in the physical history of our country, than the green sand formation of New Jersey-the former being referred to the tertiary-and the latter to the secondary epoch of geologists. Now this tertiary deposite extends into New Jersey, and is found in many places in the latter state nearly contiguous to the green sand. Moreover, indications of the New Jersey formation have been found in Maryland-and such is the general regularity with which the different geological deposites are arranged, that we may fairly infer the existence in Eastern Virginia of the green sand, or some deposite equivalent in a geological point of view-though at the same time it by no means tellows that the green sand, if actually found, would be sufficiently near the surface to render it extensively available as a manure. The object how ever is of such magnitude, as to justify a very dorent examination, and I am therefore desirous of listing in this research all those readers of the Register who reside in the region which has been alluded to before. As however the success of this investigation will be greatly promoted by an acquaintance with the indications by which the green sand, or its geological equivalents are to be

whether shells, bones, or vegetable remains, which the strata may contain-a procedure to which they have been led by the whole tenor of modern developements in geology. Now with reference to the New Jersey formation, though it would be impossible without numerous drawings, and much descriptive matter, uninteresting to general reashells and other fossils existing in the green sand, some account of a few of these fossils may possibly be useful in the inquiries which I trust many of your readers will be prompted to undertake.

1st. Lignite, or carbonized wood, often associated with iron pyrites of a bright yellow lustre, frequently occurs in the beds overlying the green sand formation, though it sometimes occurs in other situations.

2nd. Amber is often found in a similar position, as was the case at the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal.

3rd. Belemnites-a fossil of a yellow or brown color, in shape somewhat like a cigar, but rather thicker-very brittle, and usually found broken transversely so as to exhibit its tubular character within.

4th. Ammonites-a fossil presenting the appearance of a snake coiled up in a flat coil, and frequently large and ponderous.

5th. The Echinus, or Sea Urchin-sometimes globular, at other times much flattened, having numerous little warty prominences, and minute perforations symmetrically arranged on its surface, and when entire, occasionally furnished with spines or prickles.

6th. Gryphaa-a shell having one valve very deep and convex, and the other flat. It somewhat resembles the small shell (chama) very abundantly found in our marl beds. This latter is smaller

has a rougher exterior, and has two muscular impressions in each valve-whereas the Gryphæa has but one.

7th. Exogyra-a shell like the former, with one

convex and one flat valve-but a great deal Tougher and more irregular in aspect, and of large

dinelisions,

Sth. The Falcated Oyster-a beautiful shell about one and a half or two inches in length, and bent like a Turkish scimetar.

lime; while at New Egypt the calcareous and noncalcareous marls are both extensively employed. The same is true likewise, of the beds farther south at Mullica Hill. The green particles themselves have an invariable composition-and those of our Virginia marl beds are perfectly identical with those of the New Jersey deposite. Thirty grains of the green sand yielded by careful analy

Silica,

Protoxide of iron,

Potash,

Water,

Magnesia, a trace.

15.51 grs.

7.56%

3.10 "

3.00"

These rude descriptions, which have no pretensions to scientific accuracy, are designed to draw attention to such fossils as may be brought to light|sisin the region in which the green sand may be expected to occur-and in this point of view may prove of real value in examining for that deposite. Of course a scientific inspection of the fossils would be necessary to establish their identity, but this can readily be procured by transmitting them to the Academy of Sciences in Philadelphia, or by sending them to William and Mary, where they would be carefully examined and compared with the New Jersey fossils as collected and described. Indeed there is reason to believe that some of the characteristic fossils have already been found in Eastern Virginia. A bed of Lignite has been lately discovered on the Rappahannock, a few miles below Fredericksburg, the very point at which it might be expected to appear, and from information recently received, I am disposed to believe that Belemnites may be found near the mouth of Potomac Creek. It has been said also that the Throughout all the district in which this depoGryphæa has been found, but I have not heard in site occurs, it is extensively employed in agriculwhat vicinity. These facts should furnish an ad-ture. In the neighborhood of Arney's Town, one ditional stimulus to inquiry, and literally no stone should be left unturned in pursuit of so important a discovery.

These results agree very closely with the determination of Berthier of France, and Seybert of Philadelphia. The former operated upon the green sand of Europe, the latter upon that of New Jersey. It appears therefore that the predominant constituents are silica and oxide of iron. The potash, amounting to about ten per cent. is most probably the ingredient chiefly concerned in the agricultural agency of the marl, though in what way its connexion with the other ingredients is severed when the marl is spread upon the land, I am at a loss to conjecture.

of the points which I visited, it has been used as a manure for the last thirty years-but its general introduction is of more recent date. In the region The New Jersey green sand is generally found in which the marl chiefly abounds, the soil is in the valley and meadows, though occasionally loamy, having in some places a large intermixture it rises to some height in the surrounding hills. of tenacious clay. East of this tract, which is a Its depth in many places is very great, and several narrow band nearly parallel to the Delaware Ristrata occur, separated by layers of shells, or blue ver, the country assumes an appearance very siclay, or sand colored by iron. The general aspect milar to that of the sandy lands of Eastern Virgiof the green sand is that of a bank of moist bluish nia, covered with a thick growth of pine, and comclay-though in some places the green tint is very paratively unproductive. On both these varieties perceptible. This however only occurs where the of soil the green sand is continually used with the earth is dry. When thrown into heaps by the most striking benefit. For the clay soils, the more side of the pit, the mass falls into a coarse pow-sandy marls are of course preferred; and for the der, in texture and color very closely resembling sandy soils, those which contain some clay along gunpowder, on which account it is very commonly with the marl. The proportion in common use known by the name of gunpowder marl. This near Arney's Town, is from ten to twenty loads mass consists in very large proportion of the pure per acre. In other places five loads or even less green sand, having a slight admixture of clay, and is found to be sufficient. The action of the marl in many places of minute fragments of shells. appears to be very permanent, as will be evinced Occasionally, the bank presents a mass of the pure by the following statement. In a large quadrangreen sand itself—and again, in some places the gular field over which I walked, four successive shells predominate. In one of the beds in the vi- applications of the marl had been made at intercinity of New Egypt, I discovered small spiculæ vals of four years-commencing about twenty of gypsum, or sulphate of lime: but this occurred years ago. The first dressing was applied to the at no other locality—and in this place the crystals north side-the second to the south-the third to were so minute and few in number as to require the east, and the fourth to the west-while a small the use of a microscope to be seen distinctly. The space in the centre, was left without any marl. All moist marl when warmed in the hand exhales a four sides were covered with a very heavy crop of strong phosphoric odor, a fact which I believe has clover, which was nearly, if not quite as luxuriant not been hitherto remarked. on the north as either of the other sides-whole the space in the middle was almost bare. The. action of the marl appears to be most powerfuly felt by clover and grass-but it is very conspicuous also with small grain and corn. A very intelligent farmer told me that it more than tripled his clover and grass crop, and doubled his small gra n. In general it is spread upon the clover every fouth year, and ploughed in for the next crop. Thtt is very efficient upon sandy soils is evinced by ' » following striking fact. Some years ago are

As already observed, the marl frequently contains shells both in an entire and broken condition. This however is by no means universal. In fact, the great majority of those beds in actual use contain either no calcareous matter, or a very minute proportion of it. This I ascertained by chemical examination. In the vicinity of Arney's Town, Crosswick's Creek, and Shrewsbury, as well as other places, much of the marl which the farmers spread over their land, contains no carbonate of

terprising farmer near New Egypt, purchased discovery, led to the inference that an olde d two hundred acres of the Pine Barren, which, by posite, consisting in much larger proporti marling, he has converted into pasture sufficient peculiar substance, would be found in a reson for one hundred head of cattle. Such is the de- more remote from the seaboard, and not far below mand for the marl, even at a considerable distance, the head of tide; and from the great agri aral that it has become an article of great profit to the value of this substance, as proved by the expeproprietors of the pits, and more than one individ-rience of the farmers in New Jersey, I was induual was pointed out to me who had risen to wealth by the sale of marl.

ced to point out its probable position, and to give such hints and directions with regard to its accomFrom what has been stated it will at once be panying indications as might prove useful in any evident, that the discovery of extensive and acces- researches which might be undertaken by persons sible beds of this manure in Virginia would be a residing in the region in which it was supposed to most important accession to the resources of the exist. Since the publication of the paper referred state, and that an active and diligent search ought to, as far as other engagements would permit, this forthwith to be commenced throughout all the re-important inquiry has been actively continued, not gion in which there is a probability that it exists.only in reference to the presumed deposite above Every aid which it is in my power to give, will be mentioned, but also to the extensive calcareous cheerfully bestowed in furtherance of this inquiry: formation of our lower counties. and as I feel the double interest of a scientific curiosity, and a sincere solicitude for the agricultural prosperity of our state, I shall gladly receive all fossils and other specimens which may be transmitted for inspection or analysis, giving them a prompt attention, and communicating in reply such hints as may promise to be most useful in this deeply interesting and important investigation.

WM. B. ROGERS.

Besides the practical importance of this investigation to the agriculture of a large district of the state, in a purely geological aspect, it was calculated to excite the highest interest. In the vast region of our tide-water country, at farthest, only two members of the tertiary group of formations had been hitherto discovered, and no decided indications of a secondary deposite likely to prove interesting to men of science, had been found. At the mouth of the Potomac, and at some other Extract from editorial remarks. points, a deposite had been detected by Mr. Conrad of Philadelphia, which from the great preAmong the most valuable of these discoveries dominance of shells of existing species, was rewe believe will be found that of the green sand, garded by him as belonging to the upper or newer announced in the communication of Professor Ro- tertiary. The same eminent conchologist by an exgers in the first part of this number. We rejoice amination of numerous fossils from York town, that this and other kindred subjects have been un- Suffolk, the James River, near Smithfield, and dertaken by an investigator having suitable scien- other localities, had clearly proved that this portific attainments, as well as zeal for the pursuit. tion of the tertiary series was of greater antiquity This discovery is as yet but dawning, and the ex- than the former, and accordingly he has recently aminations of many persons guided by the direc-applied to it the title of middle tertiary-which, tions given in Mr. Rogers' communication, may as some geologists in Europe divide the tertiary be usefully employed to aid him in the pursuit. group into four periods, would include both the These aids we earnestly hope will be afforded: second and third of these subordinate formations. and those who may offer them, will no doubt The lower tertiary, which Mr. Conrad had so serve their own private interests, as well as that successfully investigated in Alabama, had not as of the public, by such labors. These latter remarks would have appeared bet-ginia. Thus, therefore, these inquiries appeared yet been brought to light within the limits of Virter placed immediately after the piece to which they refer. But our silence then was caused by the expectation (which unavoidable circumstances have compelled him to disappoint) that the author would add the result of an examination of the stratum of "gypseous earth," which we have believed to be very similar to, if not identical with the green sand or Jersey marl. This examination will yet be made: and we feel confident that there, and still nearer the falls of the rivers, will be found in the greatest quantities the earth described as green sand.

fraught with the lively interest of scientific discovery, while at the same time they inspired the animating hope, that in some of their results, they might eventually be found conducive to the interests of an important district of the state.

of Lower Virginia, it was to be expected that, From the great extent of the middle tertiary notwithstanding the diligence and learning of those who had visited several of its interesting localities, with the view of studying its fossil contents, an extensive field of future discovery would be opened to the scientific explorer-and a great variety of new and peculiar fossils would be brought to light. To a certain extent this anticipation has been realized; and the occasional examinations which I have made in this vicinity, and at some remote points, have been rewarded by an extension of the list of fossils, and the discovery of a number of new and interesting species. To the readers of the Register, generally, the details of these observations would appear unimportant, if not useless, and must therefore be omitted. At the same time, I may be allowed to add, that such facts are frequently invested with a practical interest, by the aids which they furnish to other and more impor