Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1860-02-08
Geological Survey.

The hrst report Of the progress Of the Geological
and Agricultural Survey Of the State Of Texas BY
r. y, shumard, State GeOlOgst, has been received BY
US. from which NC learn that the investigations have
been sminsny successful, and have developed results
Of the highest interest The explorations Of the coal
formations in the northern part OF the sa's' have
been partial, but sufficient 10 show that "iil exer-
else an important interest on the future welfare and
prospsrity Of Texas. The exact boundaries Of the
coal mines have not been precisely determined Alta
reasonable estimate the area OF the coal strata cannot
fall short Of four or five thousand square miles From
Belknap, il extends eastwary to point in Parker
county, distance Of more than 60 miIesi westward
y, more than 40 miles southwarlly, beyond Camp
Colorado, more than 100 miles nOrthwardly, IL ex-
tends probably, into Archer and Clay counties. Ae-
cOrling to Maroon, the coal measures extend into
Dallas and Denton counties from which opinion, DR.,
shumard differs However, coal has been discovered
in both counties.
The strata composing the measures described, have
thickness estimated at not less than 800 feet, and
some OF these strata contain organic remains similar
to the coal measures Of Kentucky and Missouri
In Young and Buchanan counties, the coal outerops
in many places and is oten found In excayating for
wells.
The coal region of Northern Texas will furnish an
abundant supply of fuel and for other purposes, for
centuries, In quality, il will compare hyorably with
that Of Missouri, Illinois and Iowa,
Connected with the tertiary formations, are found
immense quantities of brown coal, or Ignite, which
will be very useful for many purposes, although 1t is
inferior in quality to true hitumnous coal, which be-
longs to another formation. The heat given out
by Ignite Is third more than that OF wood From
its great abundance in Middle and Eastern Texas, il
will he useful in the manufacture of Illuminating gas
Until the commencement Of the present survey, Il
WA not known that there were workable deposits OF
iron except in two localities but investigation
has proved that it exists in vast quantities through
out Eestcrn Texas from Cass to Shelby county. This
deposit likewise belongs to the tertiary era. The
only iron furnace in the State, is located in Cas-
county, where the in regular layers, which
sometimes attains n thickness of fifty feet.
Specimens Of lend have been foun in the west
ern part Of the State but not in large quantities -
Small masses of the oxide and carbonate of copper
have been found on the head waters Of the Wichita
and Brazos All the sulphurets of lead yet discoy-
ered are more or less argentferous but there is no
possibility of its being found in Cnss county The
geological formations of that county would preclude
the possibility of finding the precious metals there
hence Dr., Shumard cautions the public against Wis
ionary specuatons in silver mines in that direction.
The gypsum field of Texas is believed to be the
largest in the world, and capable of supplying all the
demands Of the South and West for thousands Of
years.
DIR. shumard hopes that the people will still contin-
ue to send him specimens of rocks and FOSSILS
it is his aim to form, at Austin, complete collection,
illustrating the geology, mineralogy, palaeontolosy
and natural history Of Texas