A Sketch of the Geological 
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY, 
Accompanying an Illustrated Catalogue of Carboniferous Fossils 
FROM Flint Ridge, Ohio. 
Every acr^ of our earth’s surface is marked with tracery which, if 
patiently studied and correctly interpreted, will supply pages in the 
history of creation. The mind which has ceased to be interested by 
the record thus preserved or which inclines to ridicule the youthful 
enthusiasm which sees in all natural phenomena manifestations of Di- 
vine intelligence, must be far forward in its differentiation (or rather 
indifferent-ization) toward the Nirvana of blase^ modern scientists. 
We believe that there is vast gain every way in supplementing the 
natural curiosity which furnishes the earliest incentive to investigation 
by maturer faith in immanent Divinity in nature. Still more useful 
is it if one feels that the problems afforded by the earthy records are 
God’s gifts to us with the intent that we should learn to know his will 
concerning the earth as well as ourselves. 
This paper is intended to outline briefly those facts in the geologi- 
cal history which lie easily within the reach of any one living in this 
county, and to afford the means of studying intelligently the portion 
of the geological column lying exposed in this part of Ohio. In as 
much, however, as the column is an integer, the investigation of one 
part is of importance in the study of the rest. 
Far too little has as yet been done in the careful and systematic 
study of limited fields. We need in geology more than elaborate gen- 
eralizations on insufficient data, carefully elaborated pictures of limited 
areas and the succession of life traceable in closely related strata. We 
believe it possible to become almost as familiar with the fauna and 
flora of Licking county, for instance, during the time when coal depos- 
its were forming as we are with its present animals and plants. The 
question whether the earth has been repeopled at the opening of each 
