Geology of the Trinity Country^ Texas. 213 



places it passes insensibly to the condition of incoherent sand. 

 Often on the banks of the Trinity, the indurated sandstone alter- 

 nates with mere sand beds. Several valuable quarries of free- 

 stone on and near the Trinity river, as at New Cincinnati and at 

 the site of Osceola above the mouth of Bidais creek. At the 

 latter place a most excellent building stone, of a light gray 

 color and homogeneous texture, coming out in large oblong blocks, 

 presents itself in a high bluff overhanging the river, in quantity 

 apparently inexhaustible. The strata dip very slightly to the 

 northwest, perhaps one foot in thirty. As large flat-boats may 

 easily be laden with the free stone, and floated securely down the 

 Trinity, it is not improbable that the future city of Galveston 

 may be largely indebted to these and other neighboring localities 

 for the materials of construction. In reference to its geological 

 age, I may here remark, that between the limits of high and low 

 water mark of the Trinity, this formation embraces extensive 

 beds of lignite or brown coal, in which the woody structure is 

 obvious. In places, huge logs and branches of opalized wood also 

 occur, as do likewise the imperfect impressions of minor cauline 

 plants. Those conversant with geology will therefore perceive 

 that the Trinity sandstone belongs to the Tertiary series of form- 

 ations. 



The Trinity country, when its resources are developed, will in 

 my opinion prove to be especially rich in salt springs. On! y two 

 localities came under my inspection ; one of these is on Mr. 

 Young's plantation, east side of the Trinity, near two miles 

 higher than the mouth of Bidais creek ; the other, similar to it 

 but apparently more extensive, is on the Salinilla creek, a branch 

 of Salt creek, west side of the Trinity, some four or five miles 

 higher up, on the lands belonging to Dr. F. B. Page. Here are 

 the unerring indications of an extensive subterranean deposit of 

 salt or saliferous strata. Many acres of sand are here so constant- 

 ly imbued with the saline transudation from below, as to be par- 

 tially denuded of the usual vegetation, presenting here and there 

 those succulent plants peculiar to salt marshes and other saline 

 districts. If in some places a depression of a foot or so be made 

 in the sand, a strong brine soon collects therein. I tasted of 

 water thus procured, and it seemed to me to be nearly saturated 

 with salt. I regret I had not the means of ascertaining its exact 

 strength. I have visited several salt works in Ohio, Pennsylvania 



