On the surface is seen a rich vegetable mould, made by the decay and putrefaction of vegetable substances. Along the Ohio, a wide intervale of the richest alluvion is found, which produces as luxuriant a growth of vegetation as any in the world. On the banks of the creeks which pass through this country the alluvial soil is not so wide as that on the river, but equally rich and productive. On the hills (and there are many of them) there are two kinds of soil, the silicious and the argillaceous, the first is formed from the decomposition of the rocks which once covered the surface, the latter from the slate which lay under them. Where these rocks are decomposed, and the country is hilly, it will readily be believed that the two kinds of soil are frequently blended together. In some places we see the best of clay for bricks; whilst in other places, and those in the vicinity of the former, we find the best of sand to mould them in when manufactured. Hard limestone of the very best quality is found in detached fragments in the sides of hills, and in strata, in abundance, along the beds of streams. The ruins of the sandstone formation are here seen scattered about in fragments, or decomposed and intimately blended with those of other formations. Fossil coal is every where found under the hills, of the very best quality, and in sufficient quantity not only for the fuel of the present, but many future generations, and is so easily obtained that the expense of fuel is a mere trifle. The oxide of iron, or iron ore variously combined, is recognized in many places, and water combined with muriate of soda, or common salt, is as common. Salines or licks are found in many places, where animals also, both wild and domesticated, resort in great numbers to drink the waters. These are frequently near some little water-course. Several sulphur and chalybeate springs are known to exist in this county, and some which throw out considerable quantities of petroleum. In a country where iron and fossil coal exist, it is no wonder that copperas should be found. There are places where copperas exudes in a state sufficiently pure in quality, and in quantities sufficient for several families, who collect and use it in dying. The same may be said of alum, which is collected in the same way for similar purposes. _Botany._ Though this county is very rich in the mineral, yet it is not less so in the vegetable kingdom, as may be seen by a reference to the subjoined catalogue, although numbers of trees, shrubs, and plants, are purposely omitted, which are known to exist here. _Family._ _Species._ _Classical name._ _Remarks._