OF ARKANSAS. 199 
is any evidence of the existence of an outburst of basalt, or other igneous 
rocks, amongst the subcarboniferous group in that vicinity. You will 
examine, also, the fossiliferous shale below the town of Batesville. 
The manganese locality, a short distance above the mouth of Lafferty 
creek, was already examined, last season, by corps No. 1; but, as it is 
desirable to obtain a greater variety of the ores than was then collected, 
you will either obtain an additional supply from Dr. Smith, former super- 
intendent of the mines, who lives somewhere in the neighborhood, or at 
the mines. Endeavor, especially, to ascertain whether any of the softer 
and blacker varieties of this ore occur, and have been taken out; such as 
are known to mineralogists under the name of “ pyrolusite,” and “ manga- 
nite,’ which are more valuable than the hard, compact “ psilomelane” ore, 
which was found most abundant in the rubbish of the mine last year. 
You will write to me from Batesville, and let me know when you will 
be in Van Buren county, and at what place it will be most convenient for 
us to meet, either in that county or White county. 
From Independence county, you will cross over White river, into White 
county, and explore the northern townships in that county, as far south 
as Searcy. 
In the counties south of White river, you will especially investigate for 
coal, as the south-west dip of the rocks from the Oil-trough ridge and 
Shields’ bluff, lead to the inference that coal may soon come in south of 
these localities.” 
Instructions dated 21st July, 1858. 
“ You will proceed to finish the geological reconnoissance of Crawford 
county, examining those localities in the south-east part not yet explored; 
especially the coal on Frog bayou, and the sulphur spring on the property 
of Mr. Herd. 
From Crawford county pass into Franklin, and examine the state salt 
spring, on Mulberry creek, exploring, also, the geological formations on 
that stream; thence pass down towards Ozark, and take the most feasible 
route to examine the coal region, on the waters of Horsehead creek, in 
Johnson county, and the geological position of the rocks, in the northern 
part of that county. 
As I, myself, shall have an opportunity of examining the Spadra coal, it 
will not be necessary for you to go to that locality in this county. 
In your explorations of Pope county, I would especially direct your 
attention to a locality near the Dwight Old Mission, where the so-called 
“lapis lazuli” was said to have been found by Mr. Washburn. Your survey 
in the middle, northern, and eastern part of this county, will be best regu- 
