GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
A knowledge of the geology of a State affords the key to its
soils; since the soils are formed by the disintegration of the
underlying rocks, more or less mixed with animal or vegetable
matter. The peculiar geological structure of the State furnishes
the material for every possible variety of soil. In fact, there
is no description or combination unrepresented. There are,
first, the black and deep peaty soils of Hyde county and the
great swamp tracts along the eastern border of the Tidewater
section; then come the alluvious marls and light sandy soils of
the more elevated portions of the same section; then the clayey,
sandy and gravelly soils of the Piedmont and Mountain section,
the result of the decomposition of every variety of rock.
2. From its western boundary to the last falls of its rivers, the
rocks generally belong to that formation known as "primitive".
Primitive rocks are easily distinguished; they are crystalline in
structure, and have no animal or vegetable remains (called
fossils) imbedded or preserved in them. The soils of this
formation are not very fertile, nor yet are they sterile; they
are of medium quality, and susceptible, under skilful culture, of
the highest improvement. The primitive rocks are chiefly
represented by granite and gneiss.
3. The rocks of the secondary formation appear in certain
counties of the Piedmont section, and here the coal-fields occur,
embracing many hundred square miles. This formation consists of
the primitive rocks, broken down by natural agents, and
subsequently deposited in beds of a thickness from a few feet to
many hundred, and abounds in organic remains. The soils of this
formation vary more than the former, as the one or the other of
the materials of which they are made up happens to predominate.
4. The eastern section belongs to that which is known as the
"quaternary" formation. Here no rocks like those mentioned above
are found; indeed, rocks, in the ordinary sense of that term, are
unknown. This formation will be best understood by regarding it
as an ocean bed laid bare by upheaval through some convulsion of
nature, and thus made dry land. Sandy soils predominate somewhat
in this section, though there are tracts in which clay is in
great excess, and other tracts in which vegetable matter is in
great excess. Between these extremes there exist, also, the
usual mixtures in various proportions.
5. Geology also affords a key to the mineral resources of a
State. Those of the Tidewater section are summed up in its
marls. That whole section is underlaid with marl at a depth of a
few feet, and in quantity sufficient to raise and keep it, when
regularly applied to the surface, for all time to come at the
highest point of productiveness. Of all resources for wealth
this is the most durable; and, on account of the industry to
which it is subservient--the agricultural--is best calculated to
promote the happiness of man.
6. It is in the primitive rocks, however, that minerals abound.
Those of North Carolina surpass any in the Union. In the last
Report on the Geology of the State one hundred and seventy-eight
are numbered and described. Among these are gold, silver,
copper, lead, iron, mica, corundum, graphite, manganese, kaolin,
mill-stone grits, marble, barytes, oil shale, buhrstones, roofing
slate, etc. The most of these are the subjects of great mining
industries, which are daily developing to greater proportions.
7. Of some of these minerals, as corundum and mica, North
Carolina has already become the chief source of supply. Among
the principal sources of the future mineral wealth of the State,
copper, gold and iron are clearly indicated. The ores of these
metals are found in abundance over extensive tracts of country.
Lastly, in North Carolina many beautiful specimens of the
precious stones have been found, and a large capital has been
raised to carry on mining as a regular business for one of these--
the hiddenite gem.
8. North Carolina will thus be seen to be a State of vast
resources, whether we regard the variety and value of her natural
or cultivated productions, the immense range of her minerals or
her facilities for manufacturing industries. It would, perhaps,
be safe to say that no equal portion of the earth's surface will,
in half a century, be the scene of industries so various and of
such value.
QUESTIONS.
1. Of what does this chapter treat? What does the knowledge of
the geology of a State afford? Mention the variety of soils
found in North Carolina.
2. Where are the primitive rocks found? Describe them. How are
they chiefly represented? What are the soils of this division?
3. Where do the rocks of the secondary formation appear?
Describe this formation. What is said of the soils of the
secondary formation?
4. To what class do the rocks of the Eastern section belong?
What is said of this section? Describe the quaternary formation.
What is said of the soil?
5. What else is afforded by geology? Where is marl found and
what is said of it?
6. Where do the minerals abound? How many kinds of minerals are
located in this State? Can you name the principal ones? What is
said of mining?
7. What is said of corundum and mica? Of gold and iron? Of
precious gems?
8. What great resources does North Carolina possess?