KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 27 



At my request, these sink-holes have been partially explored during the 

 past summer by Mr. S. N. Hills and my brother, Mr, F. Sa-vage. They 

 found the passage-way partially choked up with loose stones, but when fairly 

 down they found a series of caverns of considerable dimensions. The caves 

 were ornamented with numerous stalactites and stalagmites, and one little 

 grotto of columnar structure was so finely scalloped and finished, as to 

 almost if not quite excel in beauty of finish any statuary work of man's de- 

 vice. The apparent beauty of this little grotto was no doubt much enhanced 

 by the dim lantern-light, as well as by the mineral waters constantly drip- 

 ping over its outer surface. Quite a quantity of loose bones were found in 

 these caverns, showing that they were the frequent habitation of wolves and 

 other wild animals. 



The cause of these sink-holes seems to have been in the loose, friable na- 

 ture of the rock formation which surrounds them, and their surface indica- 

 tions are shown by depressions from forty to eighty feet in diameter ; hence, 

 as will be readily seen, the water during heavy rains* concentrated and ran 

 into them, causing wet-weather springs along the adjoining drains and ra- 

 vines. 



In a State so richly endowed as we are with thick beds of limestone, one 

 would naturally expect to find numerous sink-holes and openings along our 

 high prairie lands. These openings have been observed in a small way by 

 the writer in Douglas county, and others of like character are found in Bar- 

 ton county; and it may be presumed that many other counties will contain 

 them, when a more careful scientific survey is instituted. 



LIST OF MINERALS FOUND IN KANSAS. 



BY B. F. MUDGE, A. M. 



The monotonous geology of Kansas does not allow a great variety in its 

 minerals. The following list includes nearly all found in the State : 



1. Alum. 



2. Common salt. 



3. Glauber's salt, sulphate of soda. 



4. Epsom salts. 



5. Nitre. 



6. Copperas. 



7. Gypsum, massive. 



Selenite. 

 Fibrous. 

 Pearl spar. 

 Alabaster. 



8. Calcite, or calc spar. 



Chalk. 

 Oolitic. 

 Satin spar. 

 Stalagmite. 

 Marl. 



9. Dolomite, or rhomb spar. 



Magnesian limestone. 

 10. Iron. 



Spathic. 

 Pyrites. 

 Oxid. 

 Hematite. 



