Keyes—Stratigraphy of the Kansas Coal Measures. 289 
Art. XXIII.—Stratigraphy of the Kansas Coal Measures ; 
by CHARLES ROLLIN KEYEs. 
_ Two papers* have been published recently which for several 
reasons should receive attention at this time. In the first place, 
both accounts are soon again to appear in another form. In 
the second place, both articles consider at some length questions 
regarding the deposition of the Coal Measures of the Interior 
basin that have been lately discussed rather fully in the descrip- 
tion of the Carboniferous formations of lowa and Missouri. 
The salient points of the discussion of the Iowa and Missouri 
regions have been so misinterpreted in their application to 
the Kansas field and the conclusions thus drawn are so mis- 
leading, that very erroneous inferences might be deduced con- 
cerning the original views expressed were not some of the 
discrepancies pointed out. In this connection it may not be 
out of place also to set forth some new information which 
has been obtained since the reports of the two states mentioned 
were issued, and to call.attention to the observations recently 
made in Kansas which go to substantiate fully certain opinions 
previously urgedt concerning the subdivisions of the Coal 
Measures of the Western Interior basin. 
In considering the conditions of deposition of the Coal 
Measures very much more has been assumed for the views pre- 
sented in the Iowa report than was there expressed. At first 
sight it would be difficult to understand how this could happen ; 
but upon reference to the hypothesis advanced for the Kansas 
rocks it becomes clear. Great stress has been placed upon the 
present dips of the strata and diagrams are offered in explana- 
tion. But it appears that the importance of these dips has 
been overrated in its application to the hypothesis advanced 
and in its militating against the other view. The inclination 
of the strata at the present time is in reality of small import, 
for since the beds were first laid down many changes in dip 
have doubtless taken place and profound erosion has obscured 
much of the evidence that would be of value as supporting 
the hypothesis. There is one point of considerable consequence, 
however, which has been entirely overlooked. The observed 
dips of the beds in Kansas are apparent dips and do not neces- 
sarily represent the true direction of inclination. That they 
are westerly slants is because the cross-sections were made along 
streams which flow eastward. In dissenting from the generali- 
zations made for the country east of the Missouri river, special 
* K. Haworth: Kansas Univ. Quart., vol. iii, pp. 271-295; Lawrence, 1895. 
+ Iowa Geol. Sur., vol. ii, 1893; also Missouri Geol. Sur., vol. iv, 1894. 
