Oe Sooo 
Geology of Indiana, &c. iSi 
Ant. IV. Sketch of the Geology and Mineralogy of a part 
of the State of Indiana, communicated in a letter to the 
Editor, by Mr. W. B. Stinson. 
Lovisvittez, (Ken.) August 11, 1818. 
Dear Sir, 
HAVE employed a short period of leisure in passing over 
aportion of the state of Indiana. Among other objects, I was 
not wholly inattentive te the mineralogical and geological fea- 
tures of the country. I now, with diffidence, transmit to you 
the result of my inquiries. 
Sxetcu, &c. 
The secondary formation of the state of Indiana is abundantly 
evident. The surface of the soil is undulating, and marked 
with few elevations which deserve the name of mountains. 
The rocks are sandstone, limestone, and clay-slate; all ot 
Which are disposed in horizontal strata. ‘The sandstone pre- 
sents nothing remarkable in its appearance. Its colours are 
various shades of gray and brown. ‘The principal hills are of 
this formation. ‘The principal colours of the limestone are 
blue and gray, and their various mingled and intermediate 
Shades. Its secondary formation «is very manifest from its 
almost earthy appearance. In innumerable instances, the 
limestone rocks contain immense quantities of imbedded shells, 
of great similarity of form and appearance, and having consi- 
erable resemblance to the common escallop-shell of the 
ocean, Owing to the easy decomposition of these rocks, and 
the horizontal position of their strata, they afford many sub- 
*rranean passages for water. A considerable stream, called 
Lost River, runs into a caye in the side of a precipitous hill; 
and, after a passage of 6 or 7 miles under the earth, again 
makes its appearance, with a large accession to its waters. 
The traveller’s attention is continually excited by cavities in 
fhe earth, where the temporary rivulets, proceeding from, 
