146 



HISTORICAL GEOLOGY 



deposit. Just west of the Appalachians considerable shale is 

 associated with the sandstone of this same age, while in the 

 Mississippi River states the Lower Mississippian is represented by 

 the Kinderhook and Osage series, which contain much limestone. 

 The Kinderhook consists of sandstone, shale, and limestone, but 



Fig. 86 

 Map showing the surface distribution (areas of out- 

 crops) of Mississippian strata in eastern North 

 America. (Modified by W. J. M. after Willis, U. S. 

 Geological Survey.) 



varies greatly in lithologic character from place to place. The 

 Osage series directly overlies the Kinderhook, and is dominantly 

 limestone, though with some shale. Both Kinderhook and Osage 

 are chiefly true marine deposits. Lower Mississippian strata in 

 southern Michigan are mostly sandstones and shales (often red), 

 with some interbedded salt and gypsum deposits. 



