The evening Argus., 1867-01-15
Ceolocie.l Survey of Illinois.


Geoloeic.i Survey of Illinois.
Illinois has at length obtained what, from
its .Oe and consequences, it should have had
a hsif-dozen years ago. We refer to Q pub
lishsd report Of the geological survey of the
state. The work now issued is one of two
contemplated volumns, and contains some 500
pages, and is devoted to the stati-graphical
aud economical geology of the state. The
other volume, when published, will be about
the same size, and will refer exclusively to
paleontology.
Il should be stated that the geologist of
Illinois, A. II. Worthern, has held his posi-
tion only about eight years. II is within
that time that he has compiled most OF the
facts which appear in the survey. IL Is q
very short time for so great q work; pat IL
has been done, and it is believed, we'll done,
despite its magnitude. 1t is truo that geo.
logical survey had been In progress six years
before the advent of Northern but there
was no report Of thess six years labor, ex-
oept the field notes of assistant surveyors
The present work is therefore almost wholly
constructed de nourean, within eight years,
by Professor Worthern and his assistants,
Professors Tesquereux and Whitney, and Mr.
Henry Engelmann.
IMPORTANT CHARACTER OF ILLINOIS.
Tho great extent of Iilinois-nearly 400
miles from north to south-makes 1t one of
the uaoss interesting statss In the Union to
the geological student. Its geological and
botanical productions greatly exceed those OF
any other state. 1t is quite unfortunate, how
ever, that in these two dspartments,--botanic
and geological, lin which Illinois greatly ex-
csls, there never has been, nor does ii appear
likely that there ever will be, regular OK
animation. Every year the indigenous field
grows smaller and soon an examination will
be impossible
But if there be cause for regret that no
steps have been taken to procure record OF
our botanical and geological productions,
there is cause for substantial qualification in
what has already been done. One can over
look with bsttsr grace the fast disappear.
ing indigenous animals and plants of the
state whea there is presented to him our
coal-fslds, lead minse, marble quarriss, and
the other substantial products OF Illinois.
ILLINOIS SETTLING TIE AGE, OF MAN.
II will possess some interest to state that
an examination of the geology of Illinois has
assisted Professor Northern In concluding
that the age of the planet upon which we
live exceeds considerably that usually as
oribed to it in orthodox circles. In fact the
earth is go old, according to the professor,
that he lacks figures TO express the exacs age.
He iderses, from his examination of Illinois,
the assertion Of Lyell, that this continent has
been inhabited bv man for st least 100, 900
years. 1t is gratifying to know that Illinois
adds its testimony to the great truths which
science Is daily adding to the domain of hu-
man knowledge.
. THE COAL MEASURES.
Here is an extract FROM the report that will
possess quite general interest
"The coal-bearing strata, or coal measures. cover
thantwothirds of the surface of the entire state
comprising larger area of coal lands than can be
found within the boundaries of any other state
Nevertheless, it is by no means certain that coal
of sufficient thickness to be worked with profit,
can be found everywhere in this area and the bor-
ing of well at Springfield appeared to show accord
ing to the report of those employed to do the work.
that although the thickness of coal measures passed
through in boring about 500 feet, vet coal
penetrated except the 1sinch seam, which outcrops
all streams IN that vicinity, and found about 40
feet below the surface AT the well We inclined,
however to doubt the reality of the observations made
at this well; nevertheless, it may be true that the
lower seams have thinned out at this point, are
replaced by bituminOus shales
"The productive coal measures when fully develop
ed, even far north Fulton and Peoria counties
contain at least five or six workable beds having an
aggregate thickness OF twenty feet.
Doubtless Illinois will have coal enough to
last its people great many years. 1twould
not last quite 80 long were the miners 10 take
more care in mining, and not send into mar
ket diabolical mixture which has small
amouns of coal to . large quantity of sulphur
and slate or bItuminous slate. Illinois coal
is superior to no othsr soft coal, save In the
manner In which 1t ia prepared for market.
CHANCE FOR OIL sPEoULAToRs. ~
Notwithstanding the fact that tue oil ex
oitement has about died out In Illinois, ID Is
worth while to state that Professor W0rthern
is OF the opinion that this valuabls article
may be found in paying quantities IN various
portions of this state. He indicates Gallatln
and Saline as counties in which oil may be
perhaps be found, for the following reasons,
and which will possess the utmost clearness
to the ordinary reader:
In that portion of the state coal measures have
their greatest development, and the conglomerate
sandstone which constitutes the best oil horizon in
Kentucky attans its maximum thickness of not less
that 800 feet Again, the Deyonian sandstones and
shaes, which comparatively thin on the western
borders of the coal-feld, thieken rapidly in east
erly direction, and come up from beneath the coal
fields of Indiana considerably thicker than they
erage in western Illinois. Hence we find in that por
tion of the conditions analogous to those
which prevail in the oil-producng regions of Ohio
and Kentucky than In any other; anu experiments
carefully conducted may lead to valuable results.
Is especially desirable that whenever there decided
surface indications of oil, appearing oil or gas
springs that the proper steps should be taken,
economical way, to test by boring, the value Of the
oil deposits beneath the surface.
BUILDING MATERIALS.
The survey devotes large space to the va
rious rock formations of the state. We pos
ssss building stone to en- extent and In va
risty unequalsd. With reference to quanti'
ty, it may be stated that we have sufficient Il
supply our legitimased emands for centuries
In other words, our supply of building stone e
''marbles, fag-stonss, &c, is practically mex
aussibie.
THE LEAD-BEARING REGION.
Not the least interesting portion of the sur
vey is that DEVOTED to the geology of the lead
region. This portion of the subject has beer
treated by Prof j. d. Whitney and his ex
aminations evinoe great care and thorough
ness. His report is accom- panied by two large
handsome maps, in which is seen not merel,
the typographical character of the lead re
gion, bat also its rock and lead bearing
Yeins.
THE ORIGIN OF LEAD.
1t has long been = mooted question amons
minors with reference TO the formation o.