The Missourian Series of the Carboniferous. — Keyes. 311 
applied to it have been found to be preoccupied. Cottonwood 
Falls and Manhattan, Kansas, may therefore be considered as 
typical localities. The formation was called many years ago by 
Swallow the "Fusulina limestone," from its most characteristic 
lithologic feature, it being composed in certain layers almost 
entirely of rhizopodous shells, resembling grains of wheat. The 
stone is widely used for constructional purposes, and is shipped 
into many states. The stratum has been traced from southeast- 
ern Nebraska where it passes beneath the Cretaceous, entirely 
across Kansas into Oklahoma. It often forms a noticeable 
topographic feature. 
Geological Structure. 
Main Features of the Region. So far as the general attitude 
of the rocks is concerned there is comparative simplicity 
throughout the whole region that borders the geological sec- 
tion of the Missouri river. There is only a slight tilting of the 
strata. The greatest inclination is towards the northwest. The 
initial dip in the district is due to the uprising of the Ozark 
dome. The rocks herein described are believed to have once 
extended uninterruptedly over that region, though it is now so 
much higher, and on it no rocks of Missourian age now rest. 
While the main dip is northwestward there are minor undula- 
tions which modify the mean inclination and in places even re- 
verse the direction of slant. In only a few places is the dip 
sufficiently great to be perceptible to the eye. 
Generalized' Geological Cross-section. There are a number of 
favorable conditions existing along the Missouri river that en- 
able an unusually complete cross-section to be constructed. 
The stream itself produces numerous good sections when 
it impinges against its banks. The tributaries entering it flow 
in deep gorges. Lines of railway on both sides of the river 
give many fresh fine exposures in their cuttings. A number of 
deep wells at convenient intervals afford excellent data for 
checking the underground extension of the strata. The alterna- 
tion of hard and soft strata enables the different beds to be 
easily recognized in drill-holes, even when a similar record in 
another region would prove unsatisfactory or useless. 
The most noticeable features in the cross-section is a broad 
depression — the Brownville syncline, and comparatively sharp 
