MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 47

the lower valley of the Potomac and the shores of St. Mary's county
possesses much of interest to the student of early travel.

Perhaps the most important publication regarding the physical
features of Maryland that appeared in early colonial days is " A Rela-
tion of Maryland," which was published in 1635. In this most in-
teresting pamphlet a description of the climate and physiography of
those sections of Maryland which had been explored up to that time
is given. The narrative states that—

" The Countrey is generally plaine and even, and yet hath some pritty
small hills and risings; It's full of Rivers and Creekes and hath store of
Springs and small Brookes: "

" The Mineralls have not yet beene much searched after, yet there is
discovered Iron Oare; and Earth fitt to make Allum, Terra lemnia, and a red
soile like Bolearmonicke, with sundry other sorts of Mineralls, which wee
have not yet beene able to make any tryall of.

" The soile generally is very rich, like that which is about Cheeseweeke neere
London, where it is worth 20. shillings an Acre yeerely to Tillage in the
Common-fields, and very many places, you shall have two foote of blacke
rich mould, wherein you shall scarce find a stone, it is like a sifted Garden-
mould, and is so rich that if it be not first planted with Indian come,
Tobacco, Hempe, or some such thing that may take off the ranknesse thereof,
it will not be fit for any English graine; and under that, there is found
good loame, whereof wee have made as good bricke as any in England;
there is great store of Marish groud also, that with good husbandry, will
make as rich Medow, as any in the world: There is store of Marie, both
blue, and white, and in many places, excellent clay for pots, and tyles; and
to conclude, there is nothing that can be reasonably expected in a place
lying in the latitude which this doth, but you shall either find it here to
grow naturally: or Industry, and good husbandry will produce it."

Another interesting work of this period is an atlas published in
1635 by Johannem and Wilhelm Bleau, in which the authors indicate
the northeast-southwest trend of the mountains and the gorges which
the rivers cut through them. There is also a description of the
prominent rivers flowing to the Chesapeake. It is evident, however,
that the information is largely based upon Captain John Smith's
account of his explorations, which have been already described.

With the increase in number of colonists and the gradual settle-
ment of the country, wider knowledge was gained regarding the
physical features of Maryland; new industries were opened up and
the older ones still further extended, so that before the close of the