IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. I07 



GENERAL NORTH MISSOURI StTCCEfiSION. 



FEET. 



Hannibal shales 75 



Louisiana limostone JO 



Grassy Creek shales 3) 



Callaway limestone 30 



SECTION OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI. 



FEET. 



Hannibal shales 90 



Ijouisiana limestone 10 



Phelps sandstone 15 



Sac limestone 15 



King limestone 15 



Eureka shales 10 



NORTH ARKANSAS SECTION. 



FEET. , 



St. Joe marble ( Carboniferous) 50 



Eurtka shales (typical) 30 



Sylamore sandstone 40 



Eureka shales (in part ) and Green shales 50 



St. Clair limestone (Silurian) 150 



It will be noted that two of the formations which 

 were included in the original Kinderhook division of the 

 Lower Carboniferous, are here classified with the Devonian. 

 On account of lying on the border of the Devonian and 

 Carboniferous the original Kinderhook has a special 

 interest at this time. In the last half century there has 

 been so much controversy in regard to the age and distri- 

 bution of the Kinderhook that we must now look into 

 original meanings before attempting to arrive at conclusive 

 interpretations. 



At the outset three separate and distinct lines of con- 

 sideration arise. They have to do, first, with the strati- 

 graphy, second with the faunal features, and, third, with 

 the geological age according to the most approved methods 

 of determination. Each of these phases has an individual- 

 ity of its own and requires a perfect independence of 

 treatment. Usually no distinction is made; and therein is 

 the source of much of the confusion which has arisen 

 regarding the real nature and relations of the Kinderhook. 



A summary of the history of the opinion is not without 

 interest. The first important notice of the beds in question 

 is that of Owen. As one passes in review the published 

 data relating to the beds which have given rise to the Kin- 

 derhook controversy he cannot help looking upon many of 



