New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-09-21
SCIENCE AT SIOUX CITY.

SCENERY IN THE REGION OF THE UPPER
MIsSOURI-A VISIT TO HUMBOLDT CoLLhoE,
lPRoa AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT oP THE TRIBUNE
DUBUQUE, Sept. 7.-After the close OF tie
regular sessions Of the American Association for the
vancemen; of Science, many Of the members accepted
invitations from various towns In northwestern IOWA
TO visit them before they returned eastward During
the session two excursions were enjoyed Dy al
one 90 miles down the river the other 60 miles up
TO Picture Rocks and McGregor But it was desirable
that not only the Mississippi bluffs should be stuuied IL
this visit to Iowa. but that the interesting valleys IN h
interior OF the State and the Missouri bluffs and praret
should also be seen, scratched, raked, hamnereu
The living things that creep fly, or SWIM aud the 'inl
things that root leave blossom and seed should also o
noted and classified by who had the requisite
knowledge.
THE BED OF THE GYPSUM GIANT
The members OF the Association were, by the liberal
ity and kind exertions OF the Hon W. b. AlllsOn MI w.
H. Candee, and the Illinois Central Railroad Company
provided with free passes Sioux City and return Lea
ing Dubuque they assembled very rapidly TO the bigl
tableland and prairie 20 miles from the river A
miles distance they descended into the Cedar valley
afterward again rising to the ch level prairie stretched
wide and far and then descending into the valley OF the
Des Mones River. The party in thus traversng these
separate and differently formed valleys were able to
study the whole geological formation OF the State These
valleys being the road for the immense glaciers
from the north are filed with powders from the granite
region north Prof White Of the Iowa State University
led the party, and gave explanations at every
station and at the interesting localities Wis
tied in carriages, he beng as familiar with
Iowa as farmer with his fields Wherever he is known
he Ia welcomed and esteemed, winch secured cordial
meeting and pleasant entertainment when he introduced
the party as his friends and cowOrkers AT Fort Dodge
Sioux City. and springyae, carriages were provided
At Fort Dodge citizens took the entire party to the gp
sum quares and the spot was shown where the Dlock
for the great Cardiff giant taken out. chaos OF
the elements it seems, must have regned here at one
time The usual geological strata are sadly out OF
place After the upheaval or crushing, the gypsum
must have been formed The occupied by these de-
posts about 70 square miles They are practically In
exhaustble This is an interesting spot regards min
eral resources II is upon the northern border of the
Iowa eoalfelds. Five miles from the gypsum quarry
coal is found eight feet thick and very near the surface
but here the gypsum overles the carbonferous rock
Gypsum Is doubtless OF the Mesozoc age Here 1t rests
unconformaby upon the coal measures 1t Is this uncon
formabiity upon which biologists rely in attempting TO
determine the geological age of the gypsum; for this
deposit contains trace Of fossils. As we rode up the
deep valley with the hundred feet Of casteaed hills on
either side the question came What agency placed this
depost here in such great quantities and with per
feet regularity AL living things were Gtingushed.
II looks as If it might have been Gimme! Of Earhs
internal laboratory the smoke caught and hardened It
ia notified dun color and white. In sane portions
the pure white Is found in large balls from
two 10 three feet in diameter. This is used for
sculpture and ornaments II is without SPOT or bem
isho Man does not wait to answer all questions con-
corning things before utilizing them. Anil il built to
grind and manufacture the gypsum into stucco and for
agricultural uses 1t is sawed like block Of wood and
used for building stone corners and ston, window-caps
making it substantial. As water affects easily, It has
to be oiled succeed to be preserved though for low
house wide Swiss cornce will be sufficient protection.
After It is ground when subjected 10 grea heat II will
boil without water being added. This seems strange to
those unacquanted with the fact that tolds water in
chemical combination. II looks very muh Ike marble
in the quarry but take penkurs and carve IL
as if IL were chalk with grit in it,.
PICNIC NEAR SIOUX CITY
In going from Fort Dodge the party Dse out Of the
Des MONIES Valley TO the highest land in te State and
over the largest prairie The righebd quais aud
prairie chickens which were fatening on he abundant
wild rice In one place for 80 miles the trak was with
ont curve or a culvert Unexpectedly bit to the de-
light of the party Sioux City received then as guests
provided for them at the Hubbard Buse, where
accommodations were as good as one cOud wish, and
broiled prairie chickens were plenty. In he morning
carriages were furnished, citizens going escorts to
take the party up the Big Sioux River aboulO miles, TO
spot where the boating on the river is the very BEST
the fishing pleasing Prof. Putnam OF TeNattrdlis
The botansts were in ecstasy with their yuccas and
euphor bias and fifty things with very ng names.
The river banks have heavy and Cd forest.
But the prairie fires have clean shaver the Iowa
bluffs and the inland country. From these high tree
less hills. the view enchanting The rich Missouri
bottom lands for 80 miles lay stretched out fore us,
covered with harvesters gathering in the grain or
thresfing it, Nebraska and Dakota upands iarkenng
the far horizon line. At the foot Of the hill lowed the
clear deep water OF the Sioux, with its oyehanging
darkcolored trees intertwined with vines. We could
trace the dark green belt for 80 miles up We were
within four miles Of where 1t emptes into theNissour
below W. descended and sat, picnic fashion Oh the
gay carriage blankets under the very old and very large
trees aud Toasted ourselves on the game IN tits region
sent US by the generous and thoughtful ciuzns and
listened TO the bubbng Of the blue waters Onthe river
bank AZ returned TO Sioux City, steamer with 200
other boats were at the wharf There are tgo large
elevators here. one adjoining Touring mil tat has
North Western Transportation Company run IL
steamers from Sioux City to Fort Bsnion aud
of 2.oco miles. For the western inlaSd towns
Sioux City has the wholesale trade. As the mer-
ship east OF them at more favorable rates man those
towns that get goods by railroad connections solely.
Beside the ue business blocks and the large hotel the
Sioux citizens have schoolhOuses that in complete
and beauty would grace an eastern city, All bust
The party strangers IN the cause OF science the
fact that they were entertained so long aud so literally
indicates love OF learning In this far frontier town.
HUMBOLDT CoLLEGB-LEcrUREs ON FISHES AND MEN.
On the return the party were again indebted to the
hospitality OF Fort Dodge for dinner then they took
carriages 20 miles up the Des Moines Valley TO spend the
Sunday at Humboldt College. IL was emiDenuy fitting
that the Association should conclude the last excursion
by visit TO this college, named after the leader of
scientists Two days were spent here. The college Will
cherish the remembrance OF the fact that at the farming
of ts first classes IL had the honor OF receiving ,uch
visit aud had the best wishes OF such congenia nend
he "A
found here four stories high, with an observatory
ana situated on a,ssc, n Ta xc eVnants
have been out this Spring and two parks laid out
Monday, at the schoolhouse, In the evening" Prot Put
nam delivered q lecture on fishes. Mr.. Wheild0n of
Boston remained with few OF the party as be vas 10
lecture Tuesday evening" on the Races OF Men The
In haa