"Horsel)acks ' in the Kansas Coal Measures. 



HV W. K. CRANE.* 



" Horsebacks," as certain peculiar formations occurring in the 

 Kansas Coal Measures are called, are not only interesting when 

 considered geologicall\% but also play a most important part in the 

 econoni}' of coal mining. The 'name "horseback" or "hogback" 

 was probably applied to these formations on account of their pecu- 

 liar rounded upper extremit)-, yet it might have been taken from 

 the term "horse" as applied to an enclosed mass of "country" 

 rock in a metalliferous vein.'f At various times and in various 

 places the following terms have been applied to these formations, 

 "horse," "want." ••troulile." "nip," etc., and most applicable of 

 all " clav veins, "t 



Fig. 1 -H()r.se)):ick protrudintr into ttii' coal from abiive. 

 LocAi.nir.s. -— ■• Horsebicks " are by no means confined to Kan- 

 sas coal fields, but are found in great abundance in the Coal 

 Measures of Pennsylvania, in particular, and in several adjoining 



r*A i)rt'liiniiiai-y paper jiiviiijr a few results obtaincrl liy the liiiivorsit y (Jt'ological 

 Kurvt'y of Kansas. 



+ "()rt» Deposits."" .1. A. Phillips, p. :i>. 



1:1*11. Second Oeol. Siir. Hep. H.. p. 27. 



(14')) KAN. UNIV. yrAR.. A'or,. IV. NO. :(, .FANUARY, 181H). 



