KAN;i^As Academy of Science. 



We have, if we believe the newspapers, plenty of magnesian limestone in all parts of 



the State ; but who knows how much or how little of it lias any magnesia in it, or whether 

 it has any of those properties which make true magnesian limestone available for hy- 

 draulic or Roman cement ? We have, on the same authority, plenty of slate ; but how 

 many know if it is the genuine article? We might go on asking the same questions about 

 a dozen other products found, or said to be found, in our State. 



Much time and money are being expended in the useless search for metals, when only 

 two — iron and lead — can by any possibility be found in the State, and tliose in a nar- 

 row area, where the chances are very strongly against us. We" have coal in half the 

 counties of the State, but a considerable portion is utterly worthless. Much is frequently 

 worked and carried to some adjoining market, only to disappoint both the miner and 

 purchaser. At the same time our best coal seam, which would be counted good in Benn- 

 sylvania, is little worked and less known, than the inferior article. We hear of constant 

 expenditures in boring and digging for coal, where a geologist could easily decide that 

 no coal could be found. Enough has been spent in half a dozen Kansas cities, ignorantly 

 and useles.sly searching for coal, to pay for a full, economical and scientific survey of the 

 State. We cite one example for illustration: A city with more enterprise than confidence 

 in geology, though frequently advised by me that no paying coal lay within one thousand 

 feet of the surface, commenced the search, boasting through the press that the proceeding 

 was "contrary to all principles of science,"and "against the advice of one of the best ge- 

 ologists in Kansas," adding, "but we have got the coal." After boring three hundred 

 feet, and striking dark shale, a shaft was opened at an expense of over $25,000, only to 

 find a black, worthless substance, which was not coal, and would not burn. Council Grove 

 is not the only place in Kansas that has spent capital to bore lor coal "contrary to all the 

 principles of geological science." A few such expenditures as the above would be all the 

 most extravagant geologist would require for a full, scientific survey of the entire State. 



Other articles beside coal, require investigation. Oiir gypsum is abundant and valu- 

 able, but almost unknown to our citizens. Salt is found in large quantities, but only the 

 small deposits of weakest brines are yet worked, while this valuable article is brought a 

 thousand miles to our mai'ket. ' We should, instead, be sending our very superior salt to 

 all the neighboring States. 



Nor should the scientific aspect of the survey be overlooked. We have a flora in many 

 respects unlike the more easterly portions of our country. We want a knowledge of our 

 insects as well for science as the farmers. The chemical analysis of our soils and building 

 materials and few minerals, is equally important to all. Our fauna is peculiar, and some 

 of it rapidly disappearing. We have sonie geological formations (Permian, for instance) 

 little represented in the United States; and others so rich in new forms of ancient life, 

 that Eastern colleges and institutions are procuring them by tons, and we, in future, may 

 be obliged for our collections to glean from their leavings. Kansas has probably pre- 

 sented to science, during the past eight years, more new species of fossils than any other 

 State in the Union. And this only by tlie unaided labors of private enterprise. Much 

 more could be done by a little State aid, and the specimens and credit preserved for Kan- 

 sas. We should not be behind other States in this respect. Not only are Missouri and 

 Iowa leading us in this matter, but many of the Southern States have organized, or are 

 organizing, their geological surveys. We should not be less enterprising. We cannot 

 promise the discovery of any precious metals as the result, yet a knowledge of the min- 

 eral contents of our strata will richly repay the small cost necessary. No better adver- 

 tisement can be made to draw emigration, than a geological report. A true knowledge 

 of the geological character of Kansas should be sent abroad. While writing this article, 

 an ofiicial document from the National Land Department at Washington comes to me 

 witli a most gross misstatement of our coal fields. Such errors should be corrected by 

 official reports from home. Nothing would so economically prevent the useless waste of 



