Smith named the Patapsco River for the distinctive red and white clay he observed along its shores. He further described it as "…the clay in many places under the clifts by the high water mark, did grow up in red and white knots as gum out of trees; and in some places so participated [mixed] together as though they were all of one nature, excepting the color." It reminded him of a red clay believe to have medicinal properties then being widely used in England and Europe. This clay came from Armenia. A major aspect of Smith’s voyage was to identify economically exploitable resources that could aid the Virginia Company in its development of the colony.