VERMILION COUNTY. 265 



Road Material. Along Jordan creek, about a mile below Fairmount, several 

 strong springs flow from a heavy bank of very sandy boulder-clay, which is 

 said to harden rapidly when exposed to the air. It would be worth while to 

 try the effect of a good coating of this upon some of the prairie-roads, making 

 the application when the road is dry and smooth. 



In working up the geology of this county, I have met with most cordial treat- 

 ment everywhere; but can only express my great indebtedness to Dr. J. C. 

 Winslow, of Danville, who, since the day I commenced work in the county, 

 has done all in his power to forward my plans, and both during my stay there 

 and since my departure, has constantly furnished me with needed information 

 and specimens. The exigencies of the survey required me to extend my lines 

 into the adjoining part of Indiana ; and here I received the indefatigable 

 assistance of Mr. John Collett, of Eugene, who, whenever called upon, has 

 been always ready to put himself and all he possessed entirely at my disposal. 

 I could wish no geologist better fortune than to fall into his hands. In this 

 part of my work, I was also very greatly assisted by Mr. William Gibson, of 

 Perrysville, and Dr. C. P. Boyer, of Williamsport. 



NOTE. The coal No. 6 or " Grape creek scam " of this county seems to correspond much 

 better in its general characters with No. 6 of the Illinois valley section, than the Danville 

 coal, which Mr. Bradley suggests as its probable equivalent. Everywhere in Fulton and Peoria 

 counties, where No. 6 has been examined, it has a clay parting, usually a little below the 

 middle of the seam, and varying from a half inch to two inches or more in width. The 

 coal is also very free from pyrite, and is usually preferred for blacksmiths' use, and has a 

 well defined "block" character. We see no objection to considering No. 7 in the Wabash 

 valley as the eauivalent of some of the thinner seams above No. 6. in the Illinois river sec- 

 tion, which are there too thin to be of any value practically, and hence have been but slightly 

 studied, and consequently their peculiar features are as yet but little known. So far as the 

 specific character of the fossils of the roof shales can be relied on to determine the equivalency 

 of the strata, there is a much closer resemblance between those found in connection with the 

 Danville coal and the small seam outcropping in the vicinity of Springfield (which must be as 

 high in the series as Nos. 8 or 9 in the Illinois valley section), than with any of the lower 

 seams. A. H. W. 



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