REPORT OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST. liii 



MARBLES. 



The deposits of the marbles, like those of the granites, are found both 

 in the Central Mineral Region and in Trans-Pecos Texas. In addition 

 to these deposits there occur in numerous places limestones more or less 

 altered from various causes which are locally called marbles, and are 

 sometimes both beautiful and useful when properly dressed. Among 

 such deposits may be noticed what is known as the Austin Marble, a 

 stratum of the Cretaceous which has been altered until its fossils have 

 been changed to calcite. The body of the stone is when polished of a 

 light yellow color, and the tracings of the contained shells in pure cal- 

 cite, which gives a very pretty effect, although their fragile character 

 detracts greatly from the usefulness of the stone. Other deposits of 

 similar semi-marbles of various colors are found among the Carbonifer- 

 ous limestones of the northern portion of the State. The marbles and 

 semi-marbles of the Central Mineral Region are the altered limestones 

 of the Silurian and older beds, some of which are of fine texture and 

 capable of receiving an excellent polish. The marbles of the Silurian 

 beds found in San Saba, Burnet, Gillespie and other counties, which 

 are known as " Burnet Marbles," are both of solid color and variegated. 

 They are found in beautiful pink, white, bu£E, blue, and gray shades, 

 and although not true marbles are well adapted for many uses. 



The marbles belonging to what are called the " Texan Beds," a forma- 

 tion older than the Silurian, are, however, real marbles. They are found 

 near Packsaddle Mountain, Enchanted Peak, and in the Comanche 

 Creek region of Mason County. They are often snowy white in color, 

 of even grain, and among the deposits are found strata of medium 

 thickness. They are not, however, as extensive as the deposits of the 

 semi-marbles. 



In Trans-Pecos Texas marbles belonging, as is supposed, to the same 

 geologic age, exist in great abundance, and for beauty in color can not 

 be surpassed. 



From the Carrizos to the Quitman Mountains outcrops occur in the 

 vicinity of the railroad of marbles which are certain at no distant day 

 to become the basis for great commercial industry. They are found 

 banded or striped and clouded as well as pure white. They are fine 

 grained, and can be quarried in stone of almost any dimensions. Some 

 of them when polished will rival the Aragonite or Mexican Onyx in 

 delicacy of coloring. 



