ABSTRACTS 



Authors of scientific papers are requested to see that abstracts, preferably 

 prepared and signed by themselves, are forwarded promptly to the editors. 

 The abstracts should conform in length and general style to those appearing in 

 this issue. 



GEOLOGY. — The oil fields of Allen County, Kentucky. Eugene 

 Wesley Shaw and Kirtley F. Mather. U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 

 688. Pp. I20, pis. 36, figs. 10. 1919. 



This report is designed to be purely geologic in nature, and the re- 

 connaissance field work included the determination of the general lay 

 of the rocks and details of structure in certain areas. The dips are 

 generally too low to be read by the clinometer. Few of the beds of 

 this region can be followed any considerable distance, though by means 

 of fossils the stratigraphic position of beds outcropping many miles 

 apart can be determined within a few feet. As the oil sand lies not 

 more than 200 feet below the valley bottoms, most of the drilling is done 

 with machines. There is no forrest of derricks but instead incon- 

 spicuous pumping jacks scattered through the woods and fields of a 

 somewhat hilly region. 



The stratigraphy is described in detail. The pay sands occur in 

 the "Corniferous" limestone of Devonian age and the Silurian lime-stone. 

 The capacity and life of wells, and the origin, source, and mode of ac- 

 cumulation of the oil are discussed, favorable structures are shown and 

 suitable locations for drilling are suggested. Circumstantial evidence 

 points to the derivation of the oil from plant remains, particularly 

 spore cases of ferns and related plants. R. W. Stone. 



GEOLOGY. — The Kantishna Region, Alaska. Stephen R. Capps. 

 U. S. Geol. Survey. Bull. 687. Pp. 112, pis. 17, figs. 6. 1919. 



The Kantishna region lies between Fairbanks and Mt. McKinley 

 and west of the railroad from Seward to Fairbanks. The area described 

 includes about 4500 square miles. Geologic reconnaissance shows 

 four pre-Tertiary formations — Birch Creek schist, the Tatina and 

 Tonzano groups, and the Totatlanika schist. In none of these rocks 



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