Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1867-02-12

which point the upper series rapidly disap-
pears, and the lower, wi i its coal, becomes
accessible.
This determination Of the relative position
Of the strata Of the western and central parts
Of the State, which wa frs, made known by
my labors during the past season, becomes a
matter Of very great economic interest to tie
people, for upon j. depends the direction Of
intelligent effort in future Investigations for
coal. 1t il known that the upper series. in
the region referred 10, contains too little coal
for the uses OF the inhabitants, but IL Is not
contrary % any morn principles Of geotogy
10 elpeetto tad tie t5tcer series, riM ats coas
beds, attending beneath nse upper series, to
Tie 1ceste,'n put IF the .Stafe, By sinking
shafts IF comparatively moderate depth
dotcn 10 them.
During the progress Of the field work
wrote frequent articles for Che public press
explanatory Of It's results, il accordance with
the law. / herewith transmit TO you printed
copies Of the same, tEirty-three in number, as
part Of my report.
The desire on the part Of the principal
newspapers Of the State to obtain those com
munica,ions has been 50 great, that ! have
prepared from two to four manuscript copies
II each one Of them, aud sent them simulta
ieously to as many newspaper Offices for pub
Acation. These have again been copied in
= other papers Of the State, in addition to
which the leading newspapers Of the neigh
boring States have frequently made copious
extracts therefrom.
4 large quantity Of material has been col
Ec;ed, consisting Of minerals, fossils, soils,
days, fuels, samples Of building rocks, min
sral waters, &c. have not yet had time to
nlly investigate and arrange these collec.
ions, but they are known, not only to com
Prise much that the State cabinet has never
before contained, but also number Of spe-
cies no; before found in the West, some Of
With are yet new TO science.
Ny first care will be to label aud arrange
these collections in such a manner that
knowledge Of their ownership, geological po.
sition and location cannot be lost. Those
of which it is desirable 10 have chemical an>
alysis and Investigations made, are in the
hands Of the chemist. By reference to his
report it viii be seen that he has entered up
on hs work with an earneS;ness and care
which give promise Of the most satisfactory
resuks.
1t is proposed to devote a considerable part
Vi bHc tiMe uAiinp the WINTER months 10 tLe
critical investigation Of these collections, and
Whenever it may be necessary to secure TO
the State the credit of priority in these la
borr the results viii be published in some
Of the scientific periodicals of the country in
advance of my final report. After this has
been done, the specimens will be distributed
according to law.
The Faculty of the State University have
generously given me the free and exclusive
use Of deir large cabinet room for an office,
and in which to study and arrange the col
lections
The railroad companies of the State give
me free access to to the records of their sur
veys, and offer all facilities for investigation
that can be desired.
/ find the people much interested in the
progress of the work, and everywhere kind
and obliging. As soon as the weather will
admit of field operations in the spring, it is
proposed TO take up that work where it was
left at the close OF the season Just passed,
giving especial attention to .he subjects of
coal and peat.
all of which is respectfully submitted.
CHARLES A. WHITE,
State Geologist.