Arkansas State Gazette

For the Gazette.

To the Editor--Sir--The report of Dr. Powell on the geology and mineralogy of Fourche Cove, has been before the public for several weeks, and doubtless has been read with interest by at least a portion of those who have seen it.

It is not my intention to review the report, or dwell on any particular feature of it, as bearing on the general system of geology; but simply to notice it as a whole. It has rarely fallen to my lot to read a paper so replete with facts.

This constitutes the excellency of the report.

Geology is so little understood, as a whole, that theories are better calculated to mislead than instruct. We need facts: it is only by an estimate of facts, that any probable conjectures can be formed as to what is true in a science.

Geological facts are valuable in two particular respects: First, philosophically to the scientific world, every new fact, or establishment of an old one, is exceedingly valuable. In this respect, the report will no doubt be regarded as an acquisition to science.

But it is in another light, that it is valuable to the people of Arkansas.

The facts with which it abounds, develope the resources of our infant State. If, within the narrow space of five miles, we have granite, amygdaloid, lime, and roof-slate, for architectural purposes; marl, for agricultural uses; kaolin and potter's clay, for manufacturing; to which may be added iron; what may we not expect in other and more favored portions of our State? It is more than probable that the ores of lead and copper are both to be found in this State.

These, with iron, are by far the most valuable metals. It is the peculiar province of mineralogical geology, to point out the localities of these ores. But the most valuable effect of geological investigation, is the development of agricultural resources, such as sulphate of lime, marl, and green sand. To this department belongs the analysis of soils, so necessary and beneficial to profitable farming.

Permit me, sir, to direct your attention to such portions of the report as seem to be of practical utility, and which will say more in its own favor than I shall be able to say.

"Geology lies at the foundation of a large portion of those great improvements by which society is civilized and placed in advance of barbarism. The improvement of a country in canals, rail-roads, mining operations, and the discovery of those natural productions which are indispensable to the arts of civilized society, must advance very slowly, empirically, and expensively, unless guided by the lights of Geology."

"In Pennsylvania, at the Mauchunk Coal Mines, a company lost, in one enterprise, $80,000, which could have been prevented by three hours' labor of a practical geologist; or, if the company had possessed such a knowledge of the science as should constitute a part of the education of every gentleman, the occurrence could not have happened. Blunders of equal magnitude, if not of equal expense, are committed, to my own knowledge, in every part of this country, in digging and boring for salt and fresh waters. It not unfrequently happens, furthermore, that articles, indispensable to domestic life, are imported, when, at the same time they exist perhaps upon our own possessions.

This is a heavy tax to pay for an ignorance which might be removed by a little study and observation. In confirmation of this remark, we have before us the fact, that roof slate has been freighted here from the north, while the same article exists in abundance within three miles of the city. It is also true that a comparatively fragile and decomposable sand-stone has been brought from Cincinnati to this place, for architectural purposes, when a granite of a more beautiful and enduring character, and admirably adapted to the same purpose, obtains in great abundance within four miles of the city. I think it probable, furthermore, that hydraulic lime has been shipped from Louisville to this place, when it might have been procured within the corporate limits of the city. Finally, the great abundance and variety of geological productions used in, and almost indispensable to, the arts of civilized society, which I have developed in a few weeks, and that, too, within a very small compass, ought to induce every young man who is receiving an education, and every gentleman of leisure, to devote a liberal portion of his time to this subject.

"As a farther inducement to the ambitious and aspiring young gentlemen of this city, I will add, that the time has now arrived in the older States, when a gentleman must have a little more than a smattering of Greek and Latin and the technicalities of a profession, to hold an elevated place in society. Very many of the merchants and mechanics of our large and more northern cities, possess such scientific acquirements as to hold a very respectable and useful place in the scientific institutions of the country. These facts should arouse our more frontier population, especially that portion of it which hopes and expects to fill a respectable sphere in public estimation at home and abroad."

"Trusting that these preliminary remarks will be as well received as they are intended, I proceed with the Geology of the Fourche Cove."

"I had come to the conclusion, from the little I had seen of the State, but more particularly from Mr. Featherstonhaugh's report, that no primitive formations obtained within its limits; and if the President of this society had not told me that he guided him to this identical locality, I should have concluded that it had not fallen under his observation. Under existing facts, I cannot account for his having passed it in his report, without a single remark; and his conclusion, that no primitive district obtains in the State, is, to me, equally inexplicable. I cannot attribute it to ignorance, and yet, this oversight or blunder, as the case may be, is no greater than others he committed in other portions of his travels with which I am acquainted."

"If Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama, possess primitive formations, and if an intimate acquaintance with them can qualify a geological observer for judging of other districts, then I am justified in deciding that this district is decidedly primitive.

Again, if a highly perfect and crystalline character of the granite, in the absence of all indications of intrusiveness, indicates a primitive origin, then this is of that character. Finally, the recurrence of these granites, or their immediate associates, at intervals of more or less extent for a distance of a hundred miles; and the uninterrupted connection which exists between them and the grauwacke, through a great variety of trap formations, contra-indicate the idea of intrusiveness, and give them a decided claim to a primitive origin."

"For variety and transition of one class into another, this little district, measuring five miles in length and three in breadth, surpasses any other I have seen."

"It may be interesting to remark in this place, that several excavations or quarries exist in the basaltic hornblende, said to have been the work of Spaniards, in the search of the precious metals. A little silver has been obtained from some fragments which were found about their furnace.

The localities from which they obtained it have been thoroughly examined since, but without finding any of that metal; and it is probable that they obtained but little--merely an occasional trace. On account of the feelings of those who have entered lands within and without this Cove, under the supposition that they were rich in the precious metals I regret to add, that I discovered no indications of either silver or gold."

"The Fourche Cove I deem particularly valuable to the science of geology, because so great a variety is crowded into so small a compass. The whole of this Cove, by the aid of a pilot, can be examined in three or four days, and more geological variety discovered, especially of a trappean character, that can be found in the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia."

"It only remains, in concluding, to make some remarks upon the value of many of the substances I have treated to the arts of domestic and civilized society."

"I have seen the architectural granite of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and also that which is shipped from the north to New Orleans, and am gratified to have it in my power to say, that that which obtains at the Fourche Cove is as beautiful and as durable as any I have seen, and more easily wrought, because of the absence of the quartz.

And if the citizens of Maine and Massachusetts can find it profitable to ship their granite to the south, the time must arrive when it can be taken from Little Rock with a much greater profit."

"Next to the granite, for architectural purposes, is the amygdaloid. It is easily cut or sawed, when fresh from the quarry, but upon exposure it hydrates and hardens, and does not decompose or disintegrate by exposure to the weather It is more durable than granite. It would make a beautiful and a healthy wall.

A front of this, with window and door sills and lintel of granite, would make one of the most tasteful buildings that could be constructed. It could also be wrought into joints for columns. It is not much more than one third as heavy as granite."

"The porcelain earth, or kaolin, is another article which time must render important to the wealth and consequence of Little Rock Its formation is very extensive; and if feldspar should be wanted to unite with it which is generally done, it can be had in great abundance, and of a highly crystalline and fusible character Inasmuch as the amygdaloid, when roasted, resembles baked kaolin, I am much disposed to believe that it can also be used in the manufacture of an excellent ware, even porcelain. With a little adhesive clay, I think that fire-proof brick could also be manufactured out of it."

"As I desire to make this report useful to the citizens of Little Rock I must be indulged with the privilege of calling attention to the importance of a few points which are not connected with the Cove, and therefore do not legitimately come within the prescribed limits of this report.

One or two miles west of the city, the grauwacke alternates with grauwacke slate, which, in some localities, passes into argillite or roof-slate. Both of these slates will answer for roofing purposes; but the former I think, is the most durable. It splits very regularly in plates about the seventh of an inch thick, and each face is coated with argillite and mica. I think that plates of it four feet square can be had.

"Large plates (2 feet by 1) are now lying on the surface of the hill, and have been exposed as long as the mountain, to the action of solar heat, rain, and frost, and still continue entirely solid, and as capable of resisting all three as they ever were."

"Three miles south-west of the city, and also near the penitentiary, there is a bed of hydraulic limestone super-imposing the grauwacke. It belongs to the tertiary series, or eocene of Mr. Lyell. It is filled with fossil shells, as the ostrea, turritella, &c. The manufacture of hydraulic lime, at this time, could be made productive of a handsome income. This is not all.

The time must arrive, when it will be required in the internal improvements of the State."

"Resting upon this limestone, is an extensive bed of excellent marl. It must be obvious to all, that the land about Little Rock will, before long, require this marl. It is probable that it could be found in many places near the city."

"There is, also, an abundance of iron ore, limestone, and timber, all convenient one to the other, within four miles of the city.

Lastly, there is a bed of potter's clay within three miles of the city; and, in a few yards of it, is a large quantity of beautifully white quartz. Stone-ware, of an excellent quality, could be manufactured out of these: and I think that the present population of the city and country would justify the commencement of such a manufactory."

"It appears, then, that Little Rock, although without much promise of wealth and population from agricultural pursuits, has, nevertheless, the means, in the natural productions of her immediate vicinity, of acquiring both."

"From the specimens which I have seen from various parts of the State, I have come to the conclusion that it contains more geological variety than any other State in the Union. It is, furthermore, my opinion, that coal, iron, lead, antimony, bismuth, nickel and cobalt, will all be profitably mined in this State before many years shall pass away. It will, furthermore, rival the middle and northern States in statuary, black, and verd-antique marbles; in gypsum of the finest quality; in pottery, marl, hydraulic lime; and, lastly, in architectural granite."