The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-22
THE GEOLOGICAL REPORT.


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Natural History is from the pen of Pro-
fessor James Hall, State Geologist OF New
York, whose experience in the study and
field for fifty years invited and received the
confidence of scientists and have given him
worldwide honors and reputation. This re-
view is careful and exhaustive, and examines
many points not touched upon by former
criticism:
"The report of the State Geologist of Indi-
ana has already been favorably noticed in the
local papers, for its real practical character
and the great amount Of available and valu-
able information which it contains. 1t has
also been criticised for containing too much
of scientific matter, which does not to every
one seem available for practical use. The
prompt response to these criticisms, and clear
and manly reference to the reports from
teachers and others within the State, leaves
nothing to be said in that direction.
although the primary object of geolog-
zeal surveys may be the acquisition of that
practical knowledge which is of immediate
use and of money value to the inhabitants of
a State, there must be some basis other than
empirical knowledge upon which to base the
general results. Were it not for some scien-
tifc knowledge leading, to practical infer
ences, everything would be left to expert
ment and. no generalization could be had.
put LOT THIS knOWleuge dependent upon SCI
ence it would be impossible even to demon
strate that the coal formation may not uu-
derlie the entire State, or that the area of the
black slate may not have an underlying of
coal. When knowledge becomes the COM
mon property of the community, its origin
in scientific investigation and rigid deduction
from observed phenomena is forgotten. Man
kind is now as incapable of conceiving in
advance what may be the results of any sci
entific investigation as were our forefatherS
when engaged in experimenting in galvan-
ism and electricity. But while our civiliza-
ton depends upon the result Of scientific ex-
pertinent and Investigation it does not be-
come us to belittle or ridicule any science or
any methods of investigation having for
their object the advancement of scientific
truth, for all such knowledge must ultimate
ly come to the advantage of man and to the
advancement of civilization.
"The Geological Report for 1881 opens with
a short reference to Inc principal geological
formations of the State. Under Prof. Collett
title of mines and quarries, Prof. Collect
gives first the statistics relating to coal and
mining, showing that coal mines are opened
in nineteen counties of the State, giving the
number of establishments, the maximum
capacity of yearly production, the actual
product in tons and the value of that pro-
duct, together with all the information re-
gardlng the ~coal-mlning interests of the State.
Although condensed into less than two pages
of matter, all the information which can
possibly be desired is here contained. This is
followed by tables showing the rank of the
States east of the Tooth meridian in the pro-
duction of bituminous coal.
THE account of the coal industry is fol-
lowed by some account of the fire-clays and
the kaolin mines, which are of immense
value in the present and future industries of
the State. Under the head of building stones,
the State Geologist has prepared tabular
StatpmpntS showing the nlnnnnf and
kinds OF stone q%uarried in the State
of Indiana, the capital, labor and
appliances, and the value of the product.
The results of experiments and of experience
in the various building stones are given in
tables showing their analysis, strength and
elasticity. We believe that no State survey
has given, so fully, al account of its build
ing stones, their adaptation to use and show
ing their importance among the industrial
resources of the State.
"These experiments and discussions upon
the strength and elasticity of building stones
were undertaken by Thomas H.. johnson, a
civil engineer of much experience in the
construction of bridges and other structures,
and the results are of great Importance.
Through these experiments we have a better
knowledge of the character and worth of the
building stones of Indiana, than we have of
any other portion of the country.
Certainly the people of the State of Indi-
ana have good reason to be gr%atifed with
the earnest and complete manner in which
this part of the work has been treated.
1.-THE tables of ATTITUDES given along the
lines OF the different railroads are of great
importance, and will serve for the acquisi-
ton of certain information by every inhabi-
tant of the State, while they are everywhere
valuable for reference.
THE reports upon the geology of Shelby,
Fountain, Delaware and Bartholomew coun-
ties are replete with information in regard to
the general geology, the geographical extent
of the formations, their nature and relations,
with sufficient information OF the fossil con-
tents of the strata to give the intelligent
reader, and especially to the young, a zest in
its study.
"Under economic geology, the subjects are
treated under the topics of agriculture and
soil, timber, fruit, mineral springs, building
stone, lime and sand, brick clays, road mate
rails, drainage, water supply, water power.
manufactures, etc. Certainly no report
could be more complete in its attention 10
economics. The description of each county
is accompanied by a county map, on which
is indicated the more important features and
resources.
THE subjects referred to above occupy 213
pages of the report, and surely the people of
Indiana have good cause to be satisfied with
this presentation of the economic aspect of
the geology as presented in the report of
their State Geologist.
Nearly TWO hundred pages OF the texs
are occupied with descriptions of fossils, the
species of which are illustrated in fifty-four
plates. The illustrations for the Niagara
group are very full, and comparatively little
more can be required for the completion of
this group of strata. The Illustrations from
the other formations are far from complete,
and it is hoped future reports will fill up
these deficiencies, so that the student in
geology will find in these volumes the means
OF a complete Identification of the strata, and
the ready determination of the horizon which
he may be investigating.
n science is more dependent upon col
lateral branches of knowledge than geology,
and geology can make no advances without
the aid of ~paleontology. This knowledge is
required at every step of our investigation,
and without it we are likely to be led into
no.rnas Of diAianl... l.. 81 .alnAnLaIan.