THE LOESS OF THE WESTERN PLAINS. 293 
do not cover the exact divisions of those formations in the old world, as given by 
Lyell. Even in the United States, what is wanting in one section, is, in part, 
supplied in another. 
Had not the 10,000 species described from the Silurian failed to show the 
missing links to sustain the theory of Prof. Darwin, neither he nor any of his 
followers would have supposed that they were not a fair and full representation 
of all the types that existed in that geological age. Nearly 1,000 species of 
plants are known from the Carboniferous, and there is no probability that any 
new type of vegetation will be foundin it. With all the numerous and extremely 
diversified genera and species of reptiles from the Mesozoic, more varied than 
all the living, does any one expect that a more perfect list will change the char- 
acteristic feature of the age of reptiles? Ifthe reader will look at tables one 
and two, page 19, or tables eleven and twelve, page 60, he will see the extreme 
difference between theory and known fact. The most sanguine evolutionist and 
most earnest pleader in favor of the imperfection of the geological records must 
admit that there can be little if any possibility that nature has made so imperfect 
a record of her doings as to leave us a history so entirely different from her true 
operations. The discrepancy is too broad and too deep to admit a probability 
that all the fossils showing evolution have been destroyed, while such a large 
number, covering the same periods, have been preserved as a record against it. 
THE LOESS OF THE WESTERN PLAINS—SUBAERIAL OR 
SUBAQUEOUS? 
BY A. L. CHILD, M. D., PLATTESMOUTH, NEB. 
The geologists of the day are divided in opinion as to the method of deposit, 
of the Loess formation of the western plains. From the earlier observations of 
this formation by geologists till quite recently, the idea seemed generally, at 
least tacitly, to prevail, that like the large portions of the earth’s crust, it was de- 
posited under water, or was subaqueous in its formation. 
Nevertheless it was frequently noticed and recorded, that wherever the form- 
ation was exposed the evidences of stratification were very obscure, if not entirely 
i wanting. a 
The position taken by Baron Richthofen, that it was a product of the winds 
brought in from surrounding lands, or of subaerial formation, induced more active 
thought and inquiry on the subject. 
Positive evidence of stratification, although earnestly sought for, eluded ob- 
servation; and yet a deposit of the depth of the Loess from 150 to 200 feet, or in 
fact of any depth, distributed over such an immense surface, so nearly approach- 
_ ing a water level, indicated no hitherto observed or known action of wind. 
i 
( 
In the great cutting for an approach to the west end of the C., B. & Q. R. 
_R. bridge, over the Missouri, at Plattesmouth, this question is most conclusively 
