INTRODUCTORY LETTER. 



The point where I first entered the State of Arkansas, and where I, 

 therefore, commenced the field-work, was Chalk Bluffs, in Greene county. 



The following report begins, for this reason, with that county. 



My geological observations through the northern counties have been of 

 a general character, with the view of gaining a knowledge of the leading 

 geological formations, rather than of entering into minute local details; 

 though I have made it a point, at the same time, to visit such localities as 

 gave promise of important discoveries, even though they were, some- 

 times, situated a considerable distance out of the direct line of travel 

 which would have suited the general objects I had proposed to myself. 



This plan of commencing the geological survey of the state has been 

 adopted for several reasons. 



The wording of section 2, of the act providing for the survey, states: 

 " It shall be the duty of the state geologist to make a reconnoissance of 

 the state." This implies a general survey in the beginning; and this, in 

 any case, I consider the proper course to pursue in conducting the survey 

 of a new state; because, unless the geologist acquires, as soon as possible, 

 a general knowledge of the areas and boundaries of the various forma- 

 tions, he cannot direct the operations of the corps to advantage. 



Again, by this method, every county can receive the benefits of such a 

 survey, in a period of time, comparatively short to that required to carry 

 a special, detailed survey over the state — unless, indeed, very large 

 appropriations are made, to put numerous corps in the field at the same 

 time. 



Following the instructions contained in your letter, dated the 16th 

 September, 1857, with regard to the part of the state where you desired 

 the survey to commence, I have devoted the first season's operations to a 

 reconnoissance of the northern counties adjacent to the Missouri line, and 

 those counties lying between the St. Francis and White rivers, as far 

 south as the northern boundary of the tier of townships 10 north. I found 

 it, however, impossible, before the close of the season, to extend the 

 survey to the western boundary of Arkansas. The extreme limits of my 

 western obervations of last December, only reached the confines of 

 Carroll county. 



