REc6:feD OF Geology of Texas, 1887-1896. 
63 
Cummins^ W. F. 
outcrop in Central Texas, and to determine the northern extension of the 
Cretaceous strata along the eastern escarpment of the iStaked Plains, as 
well as to traced ahd determine the extent of the Dockum and Blanco Can- 
yon beds and their relation to the underlying strata.” The question of 
lArtesian water on the ‘Staked Plains. Personnel of the party. JST. P. 
Drake, Topogriapher and LALSsistant Geologist; D. H. Cummins, Assistant 
Geologist. Route followed. 
76. 
Report on the Geography, Topography, and Geology df the Llano 
Estacado ot 'Staked Plains. 
Third Ann. Rept. of the Geol. 'Snrv. of Texas, 1891, pp. 127- 
200'; 3 plates; 1 figure; map by W. F. Cummins and IST. F. Drake. 
Austin, 1892. 
Contents: Origin of the Name (Llano Estacado) . (Topography: Can- 
yons; Sand Hills. Geology:: Previous Work (Mareou, 1853; George G. 
Shumard, 1855; Blake, 1854; Cummins, 1889; Cummins, 1890) ; Work of 
the Past Season: (iSections made at various points along the route) ; 
Quaternary; Tertiary; Cretaceous; Triassic. (See also Stratigraphy of 
the Triassic Pormation in Northwest Texas, by N. P. Drake) . Economic 
Geology: Wate'r; Lakes and Pools; Springs; Artesian Water. Descrip- 
tion of Counties:' Armstrong, Borden, Bailey, Briscoe, Cochran, Crosby, 
Castro, DawsiOn, Deaf Smith, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Howard, Hockley, Hale, 
Lynn, Lamb, Ldibbock, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Swisher, Terry, 
Yoakum, Midland, Rector, Martin. Agriculture: Soils, Natural Growth, 
Climate, Rainfall, Fruit Growing, Vineyards, Prunes. Fuel. 
“The name Llano Estacado, or Staked Plains, is applied to the high 
plateau in tlie northwestern part of Texas and eastern New Mexico. It 
is situated between 100 and 103 degrees west longitude, and 30 and 35 
degrees north latitude. The plateau terminates abruptly on three sides, 
the east, north, and west, in 'bold, precipitous escarpments ranging in 
height from one hundred and fifty to four hundred feet. On the south side 
the descent is more gradual, and the boundary not so well defined. It is 
but a remnant of a once very extensive area, reaching from its present term- 
dnus on the' South far to the northward, and from the Guadaloupe Moun- 
tains on the we'st to an unknown shore-line east of its present limit, as is 
clearly indicated by the extensive plains now lying north beyond the 
Canadian river, east between the headwaters of the Colorado, Brazos and 
Red rivers, and west beyond the Pecos. At present the plateau extends 
irregularly one hundred and sixty-five to two hundred miles from east to 
west, and about two hundred miles from north to south. 
“The following is la more definite statement of the boundary of the area, 
taken from observations made during the past year’s field work: Begin- 
ning at Big 'Springs, in Howard county, north to Gail, in the center of 
Borden county ; thence north to Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos, near 
where the west line of* Garza county crosses the river; thence northwest to 
(Salt Fork of the Brazos, near the south line of Crosby county; thence 
northeast ahd north, passing fifteen miles west of Matador, passing Con- 
