The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-04-01


the OcaIa. The limestone leiges
commonly form two discontinuous
series at approximately right angles
to each other, the intervening space
being occupied by the irregular bod
dies Of phosphate rock. In general
the limestone bands thicken toward
the base Of the pit and the phosphate
deposits become smaller. Both the
limestone and phosphate are more
or less cherry, but the silicifcation
appears to be in the form OF nodules
and small boulders rather than to
constitute an extensive displace-
ment. Fossils are very abundant in
the limestone, prominent among
them being the characteristic Num-
mulites of this formation. At the
mine Of the GUNNER Lumber Co,
four miles west of High Springs, the
Ocala lies much nearer the surface,
the total thickness of everything
sand being in few places greater
than ten feet There is the same
arrangement Of the
limestone and phosphate rock as at
Fort White.
Similar relations between the
Ocala limestone and the phosphate
were observed at the mine Of the
Union Phosphate Co., seven miles
east OF Newberry. The Alachua
sink was visited by Mr.. Clapp. who
reports an exposure of about ten
feet OF soft, white limestone contain
ing many flint nodules. From the
collection made at this locality it is
evident that the Ocala limestone
forms part Of the walls of the sink,
and it also appears probable that the
everything Hawthorn formation is
present. On the island opposite
Melbourne, Sellards reports the oc-
currence of Ocala limestone at a
depth of 222 feet. basing this de-
termination on large fragment
containing Nummulites, which were
obtained by drilling we'll; although
the specimens were not specifically
determined, the occurrence of the
genus appears to warrant the core
lation with the Ocala limestone
This is a point Of special interest,
because it shows the Ocala limestone
to be nearer the surface in that part
of the safe than would have been
inferred from previous publications.
The Ocala limestone is known to
be we'll exposed at various points in
the region where phosphate rock is
being mined. Nummulites have been
collected from various mines in the
vicinity of fernando, Citrus county
In a pit in sec. 10, township IS, s.,
range 10 east, section was observ.
ed consisting of two to three feet OF
yellow sand, with Phosphate gravel
and brown and yellow clays, and
phosphate white and gray sand, in
places greenish, the whole underx
lain by phosphate bluish-gray clays.
containing some hard sandstone
with boulders Of hard rock phog-
phate containing Nummulites The
entire section probably represents
weathered phosphate Ocala lime
stone
Nummulites were also obtained
by Eldridge from a stone quarry on
the Burns place 1 12 miles southwest
of greensboro, Citrus county, and
from Mr.. Clements mine No. g. on
the east side of Blue Springs, town
ship Is S., range 10 east.
In 1887 Heilprin noted at Wheel
ers, on Homosassa river, the occur
renee of a porous and caverous lime
limestone because of the presence
of many Foraminifera belonging to
the Miliodae. Dali reports similar
rock six miles southwest of Lake
City; he thinks the "Miliolite lime
stone belongs with the other fora
minifereral limestones but does not
express an opinion as TO whether il
| belongs with the "Peninsular" or the
Ocala limestone. The "Miliolite
| limestone" is here placed with the
Vicksburg group and is tentatively
referred to the Ocala limestone, to
which it probably belongs.
To the first person who, on read.
ing the foregoing article, finds the
April fool, the Star will pay FIVE dol
lars. Write out your answer and
bring it to the Star, or phone it, as
soon as you arrive at the solution.