262 The American Geologist. October, 1904. 
economic geological exploitation ever witnessed. It has not involved 
so large sums of money as some of the mining enterprises of the Rocky 
mountain region, but it has been spread over a greater area, and has 
affected the happiness of a greater number of people. 
The hight of the industry has gradually moved eastward and south- 
eastward, at the same time being centered m later formaitions. The 
Clinton formation supplies the gas at present consumed at Columbus 
and surrounding country, taken from the wells near Lancaster and 
Homer about forty miles east of Columbus. In Washington county in 
the eastern part of the state, and in other counties lying on the Ohio 
river both gas and oil are obtained in large quantities from the upper 
portions of the Carboniferous formation. 
In reading the pages of this report the geologist is painfully struck 
by the use made of the following stratigraphioal terms : 
First Cow Run sand. 
Second Cow Run sand. 
Big Injun sand. 
Squaw sand. 
Hurry-up sand. 
Goose Run sand. 
Such trivial names, applied by the operators and current in the lo- 
calities where these sands are known, might be replaced by terms more 
in keeping with the science — at least they might be restricted as local 
and vulgar terms not appropriate for the dignity of geological nomen- 
clature. 
As to the origin of gas and petroleum the author states the argu- 
ments for the chemical, or inorganic theory as well as those of the 
organic or geological theory. While admitting that no conclusion has 
been reached by scientists, and that therefore no positive statement 
can be made, it is apparent that the author inclines to the organic 
origin of these substances. His summary of the investigations of the 
chemical processes is interesting, and the facts as to the organic 
sources and the geological conditions necessary for their existence are 
concisely yet convincingly set forth. 
The volume is altogether one that is remarkable for the mass of 
detailed facts both historic and scientific which it presents bearing 
on this industry in Ohio, and for the reserve and modesty with which 
its conclusions are drav/n. N. h. w. 
United States Geologic Alaf. Cottonwood Falls (Kansas) Folio (No. 
TOO.). Chakt.es S. Prosser and J. W. Beede. 
This folio contains a geologic map and description of the various 
formations found in the Cottonwood Falls quadrangle in central Kan- 
sas. The formations belong in the upper and lower portions respective- 
ly of the Carboniferous and Permian systems. This region became 
classic in American geology more than forty years ago from the ani- 
mated discussion over the question whether the rocks were of Carbon- 
iferous or Permian age. 
