70 



GEOLOGICAL REPOIIT. 



[T110 



The black, micaceous sandy clay forming the subterranean hills, is generally 

 found overlaid by micaceous sands variegated with blue and yellow spots, which 

 are sometimes stratified inconformably, as shown in the figure, and then pass 

 imperceptibly into the overlying Orange Hand ; at others they are obviously in 

 thoir original place, conformably stratified, with an occasional ledge of dark 

 colored clay, as illustrated in the section. given below, from a hillside cut on 

 Ball's contract, S. 33, T. 2, R. 9 E. 



SECTION AT BELL'S CONTRACT, M. & C. R. R. TISHOMINGO CO. 



The nodules mentioned above, and also occurring in the variegated sand of 

 J>iag. No. 2, are sometimes several feet in length by 12 to 18 inches diameter. The 

 sandstone nucleus, which itself is generally filled with loose sand, is often quite 

 insignificant compared with the numerous rinds of ferruginous cement which 

 inclose it. The fossils it contains are poorly preserved ; fragments of a Cullianassa, 

 an Avicula ? and Qervillia were recognized among them. The black micaceous 

 mass ia poor in fossils also ; those occurring are generally pyritized nuclei, among 

 4hem Vanilla Conradi, and a Siliquaria. The laborers in the cuts were sometimes 

 severely affected by the fetid exhalations of the "black dirt," w hile working in 

 it. 



i$i0. Sands similar to those overlying the black strata here, are found in wells 

 and'outcrops on Yellow Creek waters, in T. 3, R. 8 and R. 9 E. On S. 29, T. 3, 

 B; fc K„ a- silver mine was said to have been discovered, not many years ago, in 

 tbeses&nds, where they form the bed of a creek. It appears that the proprietor of 

 the land, wishing to sell out, tried to enhance its value by shooting granulated 

 silver,. from coins, into the bank. The trick did not "take" well, however, and he 

 fie.4 th& country shortly after. Frauds of a similar character have been 

 epa&o diy. practiced by strolling miners, in E. Tishomingo ; usually, however. 



