158 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



chief functions of a State Geologist, and that they differed widely from those 

 of his immediate predecessor and successor in the oflfiee. 



Thompson followed the introductory, from which I have quoted, with 

 an article entitled "The Drift Beds of Indiana." The numerous bores sunk 

 for gas in 1887 and 1888 had developed a large amount of information regard- 

 ing the thickness and character of the drift in different parts of the State, 

 much of which he incorporates in this paper. 



In a section devoted to the "Wabash Arch" he again sets forth his argu- 

 ments in favor of its presence, stating that: "Careful study of the rock out- 

 crops and of the sections obtained from gas wells in northern Indiana have 

 fully confirmed the report made by Prof. Gorby in which evidence of a notable 

 disturbance in the Niagara strata was traced across Indiana far into Illinois." 



"The name Wabash Arch has been objected to by the State Geologist of 

 Ohio, Prof. Orton; but we shall keep 'it, notwithstanding. If men who claim 

 to be devoting their lives to science would trouble themselves less about the 

 jargon of nomenclature and more about gathering facts, we should see much 

 better progress in the direction of practical scientific success. We have given 

 the name Wabash Arch to the upheaval in Indiana, and Wabash Arch it shall 

 be. If Prof. Orton takes away the name, he must take away the upheaval 

 along with it." 



A paper on "Fossils and their Value" by W. H. Thompson includes "A 

 Corrected List of the Fossils found at CraAvfordsville, Ind." by Chas. Beech- 

 ler. "An Outline Sketch of the most Valuable Minerals of Indiana" was 

 also prepared by W. II. Thompson, in which lie asserts his belief in the theory 

 first set forth by Co.\, that the kaolin beds of Indiana were* formed by the 

 action of water charged with silicates and alumina upon lieds of limestone, 

 and states that "Ne.xt to our coals, our natural gas and oiu- building stones, 

 these magnificent beds of kaolin will in the future be the greatest source of 

 our mineral wealth." 



Dr. Chas. R. Dryer enters the arena of Indiana Departmental Geology 

 for the first time in this volume, where he has reports upon the Geology of 

 DeKalb and Allen Counties, in which the data obtainable regarding the 

 moraines, and lakes, kames and other features of the glacial formed topography 

 are excellently set forth. 



A partial report on Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and White Counties bj 

 W. H. Thompson contains manj' notes of interest, regarding the Kankakee 

 and Tippecanoe Rivers. Of the latter stream he says: "There are many 

 fine streams in the State of Indiana, but not one that can be compared with 

 this river. Its rare beauty, its splendid fishing, the good shooting to be had 

 along its banks, the numberless cold springs that bubble out of the high bluffs, 

 the small green islands that are met at almost every turn of the stream, the 

 clear water flowing over the assorted sand and boulders of the northern drift, 

 or the masses of heavy green grass attached to the bottom and waving in 

 the moving water like a tiny forest in a 'broad and equal blowing wind,' lend 

 a charm against which few hearts are proof." 



