NJDEP - NJGS - First Annual Report of the Geological Survey of the ...

surface of "thesoil laaving been produee_l subsequently to' the .deposition of the marl layers, by the action of "currents ofwater, winds, &c.,it is evident that these irregularities are entirelyindependent of the surface of the marl layers. Knowingthen the inclination of the layers of the latter, and adoptingtheir surface as a base, we may, by measuring tile inequalitiesof the surface across the formation, ascertain the precisedepth of each bed of marl•from the surface, and represent itby means of maps and sections; thus each landholder withinthe formation can determine the most aocessibl0 localities foropening marl pits. Hitherto the discovery of marl pits hasbeen uncertain and accidental, on account of a want of that accurateinformation respecting their position, division into distinctlayers characterized by particular fossils, and their posi-"tion relative to the surface configuration. If, then, land uponwhich marl is accessible is worth from five 1:oseven dollarsper ten feet square upon the surface, and scientific investigationdetermines where such lands may be located within thefive hundred and seventy-six thousand acres of this formation,it is superfluous to enlar'g_ uPon the great benefits to be de(rived from it._ORTaEm¢ Division.To the geological examination of the northern division ofthe State, I have given my own personal attention, and theresult_ thereof will be seen in the sequel to this report.• " PAL_O_N_rOLOGICAL DEFARTMEI_T.This being one of the most essential branches of the scienceofgeology_ I directed, at the commencement of the surv6y_:each member of the corps to pay particular attention to searchingfor, gathering, and preserving organic remains. The resultis, that quite a large cbllectiou of the fossils of Sussex "andMonmouth counties has begn made and for'.v_.rdedto the StateONEW JERSEY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY