396 Coal Measures of Central Iowa — Keyes. 
and especially to the important consideration that in so far as 
candid and impartial habits of mind are developed, in so far is 
there laid the ground-work of hope for the propagation of all 
doctrines that have in themselves the elements of truth. It is 
in the interest of every sect and party which really embodies 
truth and depends upon this embodied truth for its success, that 
an inquiring and impartial spirit should become prevalent, for 
h is only from minds controlled by such a spirit that converts 
to the truth can be rationally expected. But upon this I may 
not dwell. 
The summation of my argument is this: investigative study 
calls into continuous exercise certain noble activities and atti- 
tudes of the mind; to love the truth supremely, to seek the truth 
assiduously, to scrutinize evidence rigorously, to withhold judg- 
ment when evidence is insufficient, to look upon all sides equally, 
to judge impartially and to make conscientious corrections for 
personal bias. The continued exercise of these sterling activities 
during the formative stages of the mind develops corresponding 
fixed habits of thought and forms a permanent disposition which 
influences all subsequent action for good. This disposition dis- 
places other dispositions upon which immoral tendencies more 
easily implant themselves. It thus works at the very source 
from whence spring moral issues. Its effects are slow and un- 
obtrusive, but radical and pervasive. 
THE COAL MEASURES OF CENTRAL IOWA, AND PAR- 
TICULARLY IN THE VICINITY OF DES MOINES. 
By Charles R. Keyes. 
With the exception of a few cursory examinations the strati- 
graphical geology of Polk county, Iowa, and particularly that 
of the region in the immediate vicinity of Des Moines has re- 
ceived but little attention. Owen * apppears to have been the 
first to make any geological observations in the region under 
consideration; his remarks, however, are very brief, and re- 
late only to a few unimportant exposures on the Des Moines 
and Racoon rivers. Worthen \\ in the report on his reconnais- 
sance of the Des Moines valley, makes mention of two expos- 
•Geol. rep. Iowa, Wise, and Minu., 1852, pp. 121, et 129. 
Geol. Iowa, 1, 1858, p. 170. 
