The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-07
THE STATE BIOLOGISTS REPORT.
Interesting Information About the Great and
Unsurpassed Natural Resources of Indiana

State Geologist Maurice Thompson on Saturday
submitted to Governor Gray his report for the
gear ending Oct. 81 1t Is quite voluminous
and when printed will make book of 400 pages.
In, his preface ne says the department of geology
and natural history is the only channel through
which the people of Indiana are able to let the
world know the natural resources of our great
State. The department, he thinks has done
more than all other agencies combined to ad-
vertise Indiana's clays, irons, building stones,
and direct the attention Of capitalists to the Pc
euliar advantages offered by the situation and
the quality OF these inexhaustible mineral de-
poSits 1.-The coal fields of the State the re-
port says, though far from showing adequate
development have been worked with great sue
cess for fifteen years. and cur building stones
have become famous for their beauty and dura-
bility. The block coal of Indiana is the best to
be found in the world. and our oolitc limestone
has no equal in she world as a beautiful, easily
worked and durable material"
The counties that have been examined the
past year and reported on in full by Professors
Brown, CODY and Phiuney, and w. III. Thomp-
son are Benton Boone, Clinton, Hancock Henry,
Marshall. Starke, Tippecanoe and Washington.
Professor Coulter contributes paper to the
report on the ''Origin of the Indiana Flora" 1t
Is very valuable contribution to botanical
knowleee. Professor CODY presents sketch of
races ip Indiana, which contains just what the
genera! reader Snd STUDENT Ei,l be moess anxions
20 know. In the con 66ndiIm of geology and
mlneralogyI an outline sketch of all that has
seen dlsc9.sred the past year is presented
One feature of the report is the biologists
treating of what Professor CODY has named
the Wabash arch. Mr.. Thompson says that
Few years ago, while engaged in making some
railroad surveys, he noted at a number of points
In northern Indiana. evidences of kne of dis
10 III, -.
direction east TO west Soon after he came in
possession of the Office of State Geologist the
discovery of natural gas in northern Indiana
began to excite general attention, and he at once
began the careful study OF the evidences of dis
turbances mentioned. 1t is along this apex of
this anti.clinal, extending into Ohio or upon
sweils of its offshoots that natural gas is most
likely to be found. The probability is he saws
th0t throughout large area in northern Indiana
both gas and oil may be reached They are not
limited to special reservoirs along any given line
and are not due to special local agencies
The successful drainage of the vast marshes
lying along the Kankakee river is subject of
great Importance to the citizens of the State. he
says, and is subject which must largely be af-
keoted by the surveys of his department during
the next ten years. The line of work has now
been carried up to the Kankakee valley, and the
next step will be the examination of the river
and the territory it drains. The examination
enoult. De survey of sufficient completeness to
establish all the facts necessary to a practical
knowledge of drainage requirements and he
suggests that the General Assembly should APP
propriate small special fund of So 900 to meet
the extra expenses of such a survey
The collection of specimens in the State Mu-
scum has been increased greatly. and is now a
fair representative of the archaeological and
palRozoic remains found in the State. Arrange
ments are being made to secure, by the time the
museum can be taken to the new State house. A
large addition TO the collection of fossils. min
erals and other relics from other States and
countries