86 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4TH SER. 
Deep-Well Records.—The records of the deep wells shown 
above throw considerable light upon both the thickness and 
the stratigraphy, as well as upon the structure of the Neocene 
series, and deserve, therefore, more than a passing notice. Mr. 
W. L. Watts’ gives the record of a well drilled on the Barker 
ranch upon the Kern River, which began in a stratum of shale 
near the top of “Zone B,” and which was carried to a depth 
of more than 969 feet without reaching the base of the Neo- 
cene, though boulders are reported at 743 feet from the surface. 
Most of the strata described in the record are sandy clays and 
hard shales such as are found on the surface not far eastward. 
Drilling was still in progress at the time of this report, and 
later developed a strong flow of sulphur water, which presum- 
ably was near the base of the series. The flow of water still 
continues, and is characterized by its contents of H.S gas, and 
alkaline sulphates and chlorides. 
Subsequently the deep well of the Grace Oil Company” was 
drilled on Sec. 8, T. 29 S., R. 28 E. near the Kern River, in 
the western part of the district. The surface at this point has 
been reduced by erosion not less than 240’, and the well pene- 
trated the formations to a depth of 3166 feet, reaching a bed 
of white sand apparently near the base of the Neocene, from 
which was obtained a strong flow of very salt water. 
On account of the more than usually complete information 
furnished concerning the drilling and the formations of the 
Grace well, it is of more than ordinary interest. The follow- 
ing notes and extracts are taken from a written statement by 
Mr. F. J. Carman, who superintended the drilling of the well. 
The upper part of the log is said to be not unlike other logs 
in the vicinity, and includes the usual clays, sandy strata, and 
oil-sands of the Kern River district. Oil-sands are reported 
at intervals below 1260 feet, but only in small quantity, or 
even with some doubt. 
At 2206 feet a bed of sand with fragments of fossil shells is 
reported, and its position corresponds somewhat to that of 
“Zone B” of the Kern River section. 
1 Bull. No. 19, Calif. State Mng. Bur. p. 116. 
2 The log of this well with some others will be added at the close of this paper, and 
for those who desire to make a close study of the stratigraphy of the district they will 
be found valuable. 
