BUILDING AND ORNAMENTAL STONES. 399 



stones iuul dolomites belonging to tbe Saint Lonis epoch of the Hub- 

 carbonilei'ous age are (luite extensively quarried in various parts of 

 liee, Des Moines, Henr}', Washington, Van Buren, Jelferson, Keokuk, 

 Wapello, Manhaska, Marion, Story, Hamiltoc, and Webster Counties. 

 That from near Farmington, Van Buren County, varies from light buff 

 to nearly white in color, is line grained, and has been quarried for litho- 

 graphic purposes. It is, however, no longer used, having been found 

 to contain too many dry seams often cemente*d by crystalline carbonate 

 of lime. At Chequest the limestone takes a fair polish and is known 

 as "Chequest marble." 



In the Devonian limestones near Iowa City and Iloberts Ferry there 

 frequently occur masses of fossil coral [Acervularia duvi(lso7ii) wliich, 

 wiien cut and polished, form beautiful ornaments and paper-weights, 

 though of small size. They are known popularly as bird's eye and tish- 

 e^f^ii; marbles. 



One of the most uni<iue marbles in this country is found in the De- 

 vonian beds near Cbarles City. The stone, which is known commer- 

 cially as "Madrepore marble," consists of a fine grained and compact 

 nou crystalline groundmass of a yellowish-brown or di-ab color, in 

 which are embedded a great variety of fossil forms and sha[)es, includ- 

 ing large strometophera sometimes a foot or lifteen inches in diameter. 

 The stone polishes well and the fossil forms show up in a manner pecul- 

 iarly beautiful and unique. This marble is represented in the Museum 

 collections by a large polished slab (catalogue No. 3S4G5) as well as by 

 the smaller specimens in the systematic series. 



Kcntucli/. — Although the building stones of this State are entirely 

 unknown in our principal markets and but few of them have more than 

 a strictly local reputation it by no means follows that there is any lack 

 of uuiterial or that it is at all inferior in quality. While it is true that no 

 marbles or granites of importance are found, yet there abound limestones 

 of the linest quality and in inexhaustible quantities. Tlie oolitic lime- 

 stones of this State are without sui)eriors, if indeed they have equals. 

 Through the energy of Prof. J. li. Proctor the Museum has received a 

 lull series of these stones, and we are able to speak of their qualities 

 from personal observation. In Todd, Grayson, Meade, Simpson, Chris- 

 tian, and Caldwell Counties oolitic stones occur of very light, almost 

 white, color and excellent tiuality. The varieties from Litchtield and 

 Princeton are especially wiirthy of mention. The oolitic character is 

 very pronounced in these stones, and while in some cases the produc- 

 tion of a perfect surface is impossible, owing to the breaking away of 

 these minute rounded grains, still in the better qualities the sharp edges 

 and smooth surfaces are as readily acquired as on the celebrated Bed- 

 ford (1 11(1.) or other stones of this character. These are sui)erior to the 

 Bedford stone, moreover, in their clear and uniform colors, never being 

 blotched with oil, as is the Bedford stone. Professor Proctor informs us 

 that the stone is quarried with ease, is easily wrought, stands 



