OUTLINE OF PRESENT KNOWLEDGE OF

THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF MARYLAND,

EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE

PHYSIOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND MINERAL
RESOURCES.

The present account of the physical features and natural resources
of Maryland should be regarded solely in the light of a preliminary
statement. While certain parts of the state have in later years re-
ceived detailed investigation, there are many portions which are as
yet but imperfectly known and some which have never been examined
at all. Still, on the basis of this somewhat unequal knowledge, it
seems desirable to prepare a brief general account at the present time,
a more detailed treatment being accorded to each subject as investiga-
tion proceeds.

In the succeeding chapters the chief facts concerning the physical
features of Maryland will be considered, but in order that this infor-
mation may be placed in proper setting, a few preliminary remarks
regarding the geographical position and political divisions of the state
are necessary. Maryland is situated between the parallels of 37° 53'
and 39° 44' north latitude, and the meridians of 75° 04' and 79° 33'+
west longitude, the exact western boundary being yet undetermined.
Its boundaries are: Mason and Dixon's line, separating it from Penn-
sylvania on the north; the state of Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean
on the east; on the south Virginia and West Virginia, separated by
a line drawn from the ocean to the western bank of the Potomac
river, and thence following the western bank of that river to its source;
and on the west, West Virginia, separated by a line drawn due north
from this source to Mason and Dixon's line. The gross area of the