60 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



The section at the old Petit mine is as follows: 





FEET. INCHES. 



12. Drift 5 



11. Shale, argillaceous 6 



10. Coal 10 



9. Limestone, impure 1 6 



Shale, light colored above, 

 getting darker below. . . 



18 



7. Shale, dark, bituminous, 



somewhat fissile 2 



6. Coal 1 



5. Fireclay 3 



4. Shale, variegated 3 



3. Shale, light colored, calca- 

 reous 4 



2. Sandstone, brown and yel- 

 low, with limestone nod- 

 ules 2 



1. Limestone, compact, brit- 

 tle (Saint Louis exposed) 7 



Section near Old Petit Mine. 



But both mines have been abandoned for fifteen years, the larger coal seams 

 near New Sharon receiving all the attention. 



Farther eastward on Buck creek shale outcrops in numerous places, and a 

 small vein of coal is also found. Drill holes put down in the neighborhood dis- 

 close several small coal seams, but none sufficiently thick for profitable working. 



There have been various reports of coal both west and south of Montezuma, and 

 it is probable that the Coal Measures occur here also, although probably quite thin. 



In the southeast part of the county, near Deep River, three feet of coal have 

 been found at a depth of 157 feet, overlain by seven feet of shale. 



It is, then, highly probable that the Coal Measures extend over the entire 

 southern tier of townships, including the towns of Searsboro, Montezuma and 

 Deep River. 



Systematic borings may yet reveal coal in paying quantities within the limits 

 of this county. 



