* 132 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 
stantial lines of geologic discovery as yet not fully inter- 
preted. Owing to peculiarities of climate the unheard 
of abundance of meteoritic material is brought into 
special prominence. It indicates as very probable that 
from the desert regions of the globe shall come chief 
knowledge regarding cosmic substances. 
Voleanic Phenomena About Coon Butte. 
Meteoric Hypothesis of Origin. Local tradition of the 
Canyon Diablo country has long ascribed the depression 
in the top of Coon hill to the impact of a falling star. 
Some of the oldest inhabitants may be found who may 
even claim that their fathers were witnesses of the great 
event. At any rate, the idea presents many attractive 
aspects; and there are today $100,000 being expended — 
in drilling and sinking shafts to uncover and mine out 
the huge mass of pure iron and nickel supposed to be 
lying deeply buried in the bowels of the earth at this 
place. 
Without attempting to enter, in the present connection, 
into a prolix discussion of the possible meteoritic origin 
of Coon Butte it may be said that the evidence adduced 
in support of such a genesis seems incomplete, indecisive, 
and unsatisfactory. On the other hand consideration of 
the voleanic phenomena of the region about appears to 
be strangely neglected. Critical testimony concerning 
the great activity of local vuleanism abounds. 
The important fact connected with the Coon Butte 
meteorites appears to be not so much whether or not 
there exists the hypothetical large one, as it is the real 
significance of the presence of the countless small ones 
which have been obtained in the neighborhood on the 
surface of the desert. 
Extent of Local Vulcanism. Coon Butte lies in the 
midst of widespread and prodigious volcanic effects. Less 
than a score of miles to the west rises one of the most 
majestic voleanic piles of the Southwest country. The 
San Francisco mountains are the remnants; and the main 
