Marie abounds generally. A clay, of which, Hke the Sturbridge in England, bricks are made, which will refift long the violent aftion of fire, has been found on Tuckahoe creek of James river, and no doubt will be found in other places.
Chalk is faid to be in Botetourt and Bed- ford. In the latter county is fome earth believed to be gypfeous. Ochres are found in various parts.
In the lime-ftone country are many caves, the earthy floors of which arc im- pregnated with nitre. On Rich creek, a branch of the Great Kanhaway, about 60 miles below the lead mines, is a very large one, about 20 yards wide, and en- tering a hill a quarter or half a mile. The vault is of rock, from 9 to 15 or 20 feet above the floor. A Mr. Lynch, who gives me this account, undertook to ex- trad the nitre. Befides a coat of the fait which had formed on the vault and floor, he found the earth highly impregnated to the depth of feven feet in fome places, and generally of three, every bufliel yielding on an average