28 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



In some future lecture we will take up this subject and endeavor to reconcile 

 these anomalies by including in our theory not only the coal measures of the ear- 

 liest ages, but also applying to the latest Tertiary coal measures the same ratio of 

 foundation. 



GEOLOGY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY, INDIANA. 



BY E. S. EDMUNDS. 

 II. 



To write the geological history of a county so as to make it interesting to the 

 scientific as well as the general reader, is a task that requires a great amount of 

 study, together with critical and thorough investigation of the subject. 



A professional geologist being acquainted with the structure of the earth's 

 crust, and from "the testimony of the rocks," writes more boldly and perhaps 

 with much less mental fatigue than the amateur, who, with cautious steps feels 

 his way along through the various geological eras with the assistance of his boon 

 companions — his books. 



It is not a difficult matter to investigate and determine the rocks of any 

 particular period, when they are disclosed plainly to view and the tangible evi- 

 dence proves, beyond the shadow of a doubt, their identity. But, to judge of the 

 underlying rocks when covered by a drift two hundred feet deep, is quite another 

 thing. 



The great problem, regarding the earth's growth, has puzzled the brains of 

 mighty intellects, and is still a matter of much speculation( ?). "Geology," 

 says a noted writer, " is yet in its infancy." We realize the weight of this truth- 

 ful statement, when we attempt to peer backward into the dark labyrinths of 

 " chaos," and follow the history of our planet up through its paroxysmal strug- 

 gles for existence to the present time. What, then, can be our conclusions when 

 we find that the theory upon which we have based our fondest hopes, is crushed 

 to atoms ? 



Notwithstanding the changes that are constantly taking place in the sc'entific 

 world, we must acknowledge the opinion of the world's great leaders. Then, as 

 geologists, we must accept the principles laid down by Lyell, Dana, Murchison, 

 Agassiz and others, who have formed their theories upon close and accurate 

 observations, backed by years of hard labor and care 



Beginning with the Mesozoic, or Mediaeval, Age, we find many interesting 

 fossils. Of this age, Prof. Dana fitly remarks : " The age of reptiles is especial- 

 ly remarkable as the era of the culmination and incipient decline of two great 

 types in the animal kingdom, the Reptilian and Molluscan, and of one in the 

 vegetable kingdom, the Cycadean It is also remarkable as the era of the first 

 Mammals — the first Birds — the first of the common or Osseous fishes — and the 

 first Palms and Angiosperms." 



