INTRODUCTORY LETTER. 7 
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: 
“ Tt 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. 
