lOO KANSAS irXlVERSnV OUARIERI.V. 



were wishin^^^ to do original work in geology, would have an oppor- 

 tunity to do such work under the guidance of the University, and 

 would also be furnished a medium of publication, a ])oint of no little 

 importance. 



During the summer just past, such ho])es were realized to a gratify- 

 ing degree. A class of three was organized by the de])artment "of 

 physical geology and mineralogy, consisting of M. Z. Kirk, (B. S. 

 Penn C!ollege), formerly connected with the Missouri (Geological 

 Survey, W. H. H. Piatt, senior in the University of Kansas, and ('. E. 

 McClung, Ph. ("i., and student in the University. 



It was deciiled to commence operations in the southeastern jjart of 

 the state, and to devote the season princi])all\- to stratigraphic work. 

 The stratigraphy of the Coal .Measures of Kansas has been known in a 

 general way for years, but detailed information on the subject has 

 not been published. Prof. Hay has made a few sections and done a 

 great deal of work in that })art of the state, but his drawings and 

 writings are still unpublished b\ the U. .S. (1. S., under whose 

 auspices his work was princi])ally done. Prof. O. St. John has also 

 done a large amount of work in the Coal Measures of Kansas, but 

 unfortunately for science the greater part of this hai been <'.one for 

 pri\atc conii)anies and corporations, so that the results of his labors 

 have not been made j^ublic. The various sections published by the 

 state board of agriculture in their reports, from time to time, are 

 largely diagrammatical, and therefore lack the element of exactness 

 ilesired for detailed work. It was. therefore, necessary to begin the 

 \\;ork in stratigraphy about the same as though nothing had been done 

 previously. 



The formations in eastern Kansas in general dip gentl\ to the 

 northwest, while the surface rises in that directicin at the same time. 

 Any given formation, therefore, which may be exposed at a given 

 point will be found to jjass beneath the surface to the northwest 

 sooner or later if it is sufficiently persistent in extent. As one travels 

 in that direction he will accordingly be passing up a flight of gently 

 inclined stairs, each step of which is exposed for a few miles only, 

 until it passes beneath the one overlying it. 



The bluffs on either side of the Neosho river afford an excel- 

 lent opportunity for the study of these systems of rocks, for the 

 stream passes approximately at right angles to their strike almost 

 entirely across the Carboniferous area of the state. This river was 

 therefore chosen as the location of one of the principal sections to 

 be made during the summer, and Mr. Kirk was assigned to the work. 

 He began at the contact line between the Mississippian and the Coal 

 Measures proper, followed the river to White City, and then went up 



