132 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



stantial lines of geologic discovery as yet not fully inter- 

 preted. Owing to peculiarities of climate the unheard 

 of abundance of meteoritic material is brought into 

 special prominence. It indicates as very probable that 

 from the desert regions of the globe shall come chief 

 knowledge regarding cosmic substances. 



Volcanic Phenomena About Coon Butte. 



Meteoric Hypothesis of Origin. Local tradition of the 

 Canyon Diablo country has long ascribed the depression 

 in the top of Coon hill to the impact of a falling star. 

 Some of the oldest inhabitants may be found who may 

 even claim that their fathers were witnesses of the great 

 event. At any rate, the idea presents many attractive 

 aspects; and there are today $100,000 being expended 

 in drilling and sinking shafts to uncover and mine out 

 the huge mass of pure iron and nickel supposed to be 

 lying deeply buried in the bowels of the earth at this 

 place. 



Without attempting to enter, in the present connection, 

 into a prolix discussion of the possible meteoritic origin 

 of Coon Butte it may be said that the evidence adduced 

 in support of such a genesis seems incomplete, indecisive, 

 and unsatisfactory. On the other hand consideration of 

 the volcanic phenomena of the region about appears to 

 be strangely neglected. Critical testimony concerning 

 the great activity of local vulcanism abounds. 



The important fact connected with the Coon Butte 

 meteorites appears to be not so much whether or not 

 there exists the hypothetical large one, as it is the real 

 significance of the presence of the countless small ones 

 which have been obtained in the neighborhood on the 

 surface of the desert. 



Extent of Local Vulcanism. Coon Butte lies in the 

 midst of widespread and prodigious volcanic effects. Less 

 than a score of miles to the west rises one of the most 

 majestic volcanic piles of the Southwest country. The 

 San Francisco mountains are the remnants ; and the main 



