Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XV.djvu/674

 TENNESSEE and on the Cumberland river. It also exists in the coal measures immediately underlying a seam of coal. Lead occurs in various places in East and Middle Tennessee. Mines have been worked in Washington, Monroe, and Bradley cos. ; one of the most promising is the Caldwell mine on Powell's river in Union co. This vein, which fills a nearly vertical fissure, about 20 in. wide, in nearly horizontal rocks, can be traced about a mile. The two ores of zinc, smith- sonite and calamine, occur in considerable de- posits in various localities, especially in Clai- borne, Union, and Jefferson cos. ; they are in greatest abundance in Union co. The Stiner belt, near Powell's river, is 50 or 60 ft. wide, and is marked by the absence of trees. The lead and zinc ores are often associated. Black oxide of manganese is found in small masses, associated with iron, all over the state. Iron pyrites also exists everywhere in the state ; a large quantity is found associated with the cop- per at Ducktovvn. Large beds also occur near Greeneville in Greene co., and in Moore, Car- ter, and Perry cos. Heavy spar or baryta, used for cheap paints, is found in Middle and East Tennessee ; it is mined in Greene, Washing- ton, Jefferson, and some other counties. It is usually associated with lead, constituting the gangue of that mineral. Asbestus exists in large quantities in Cocke co. Copperas is abundant, and specimens of gypsum have been found. Salt was formerly made in the state, but its manufacture has been discontinued. Saltpetre abounds in numerous caves through- out Middle and East Tennessee. Petroleum has been found at various points, and 10,000 barrels of it has been obtained from the wells near Spring creek in Overton co. ; but the production has not been found profitable. Ex- tensive beds of lignite are found in many of the counties of West Tennessee. Alum oc- curs in the same situations as copperas in Mid- dle Tennessee, Epsom salts in many of the saltpetre caves, and. large quantities of blue- stone (sulphate of copper) at Ducktown. The state collection of minerals in the capitol com- prises, besides a great variety of specimens, 200 kinds of marble, of all colors from Parian white to jet black, all found in the state. Ten- nessee has marked advantages in the number, variety, excellence, and medicinal value of its mineral waters. Mineral springs occur upon the lofty peaks of the Unakas and along the bases of the long ridges of the eastern val- ley. The Cumberland table land abounds with sparkling chalybeate springs. There are also valuable sulphur and chalybeate springs in West Tennessee. Tennessee has numerous caves, many of which were explored in 1811- '12 for the saltpetre earth in them, and a large amount of nitre was then manufactured from the earthy material thus obtained. In the Cum- berland mountains are several caves which are 100 ft. or more below the surface and several miles in extent. One has been descended to a depth of 400 ft., where a stream of water was found having sufficient force and fall to drive a mill. Another, on the summit of Cum- berland mountain, is perpendicular in its de- scent, and its depth has never yet been fath- omed. Some of these caves contain fossils and bones of extinct species of animals ; oth- ers, large deposits of the excrement of bats, valuable as a fertilizer. Big Bone cave when first explored contained bones of the mastodon. There are throughout the cavernous limestone region occasional " sink holes," as they are termed. These are hopper-shaped cavities on the surface which communicate with the caves and underground streams. Near Manchester, Coffee co., is an ancient work called the Stone Fort, enclosed by a rude stone embankment by tourists called a wall, upon which trees are growing, whose age is estimated at over 500 years. This mysterious enclosure lies in a peninsula formed by the near approach of two forks of Duck river, and occupies an area of 87 acres. The climate is generally mild and re- markably salubrious, excepting in the swampy districts of West Tennessee. The eastern divi- sion is noted for its pure mountain air. The mean annual temperature along a line running E. and W. through the middle of the state is about 57 in the valley of East Tennessee, 58 in Middle, and 59 in West Tennessee. The temperature is about one degree higher along the southern, and about one degree lower along the northern boundary. Going from W. to E. there is a difference of elevation of more than 6,000 ft., which gives a wide range of climate and great variety in vegetable productions. East Tennessee, excluding its great valley, has a limited surface adapted to cultivation. The soil of Middle Tennessee is generally good, producing large crops of wheat, rye, oats, In- dian corn, buckwheat, barley, potatoes, hemp, hay, sweet potatoes, flax, cotton, and tobacco. The western division is almost level, and cot- ton, tobacco, and all kinds of grain are grown in extraordinary abundance. The soil of this part is a rich black mould. Along the banks of the Mississippi and Tennessee are extensive cane brakes, covered with reeds. The country is well watered. The N. W. part contains an extensive tract of swampy land. Nearly half of the state is wooded land, and presents almost every variety of timber found in the United States. West Tennessee is specially noted for the magnificence of its forests. The high mountains in the east are covered with forests of pine, which yield tar, pitch, tur- pentine, and lumber for export; white pine, chestnut, hemlock, and black walnut grow to immense size in the coves of the mountains. On the mountain slopes the sugar maple, ash, cedar, juniper, and savin are also abundant; and in the lower lands as well as in Middle Tennessee the poplar, hickory, black walnut, oak, beech, locust, and cherry are found. ^ The most extensive red cedar forests in the United States are found in the central basin of Middle Tennessee. In the swamps and low lands of