1XXX REPORTS OF GEOLOGISTS. 



These complications made it an essential requisite to begin by preparing a 

 topographical map, on which to lay down the geological features of the coun- 

 try. So, being instructed to begin with the beginning, and fitted out for that 

 purpose, I prepared for taking the topography of the country, starting at Sierra 

 Blanca. 



With the aid of an assistant, Mr. Wyschetzki, I began by carefully meas- 

 uring, with weighted steel tape, a preliminary base line from which to start 

 operations. I then laid down the bench marks for the first horizontal 

 curves, and located, by triangulation, the more prominent mountain peaks of 

 the surrounding country, at the same time obtaining as much information as 

 possible, and collecting specimens from prospects and outcrops. 



Later, being provided with the county maps of West Texas, and receiving 

 instructions to classify the mineral lands to be taken from the market and to 

 be reserved for mining purposes only, I began to make such classifications, 

 and to map these out as closely as could be done without previous correct 

 topography and thorough examination of the country. Additions and 

 changes will doubtless become necessary as the geological work progresses. 



An additional assistant sent from Austin left after two weeks service for 

 home. He was replaced by Mr. Girsewald, and I then began to map the 

 topographical features of the country in the vicinity of Sierra Blanca by 

 reconnoissance, which, after a careful consideration of surrounding circum- 

 stances, I thought the most expedient method. 



To secure the necessary water supply for the outfit, I made my camp at 

 Sierra Blanca Junction, from which point I took the topography of the Cre- 

 taceous hills and the extensive flat north and northeast of the station, taking 

 the long tangents of the Texas and Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads as 

 a base, and starting the first horizontal curve at an elevation of 4600 feet 

 above sea level. 



The vertical distances of the curves were taken 100 feet from each other. 



Moving farther west, I extended the tangent of the Texas and Pacific Rail- 

 road by a transit line to the foot of the Quitman Mountains, working there- 

 from and checking the work from this line and by ordinates of the railroad 

 curves. I followed this course in all topographical work until I was fur- 

 nished with base-bars kindly furnished by the United States Coast Survey. 

 These, however, I did not receive until toward the end of December, although 

 they were shipped from Washington the 26th of September. 



From Sierra Blanca Junction I moved the camp to the foot of the Quit- 

 man Mountains, or as they were called formerly by the Mexicans, very ap- 

 propriately, Sierra de los Dolores. 



From this camp I took the topography of a part of the Sierra Blanca 

 Mountains proper which lie north of the railroad, the hills and the interme-. 



