CHAPTER V. 
RECONNAISSANCE IN SOUTHWEST LIAU-TUNG. 
By ELiot BLACKWELDER. 

INTRODUCTION. 
It was a part of the original plan of the expedition to begin the explora- 
tions in China with a detailed investigation of certain districts in southern 
Manchuria, particularly the region southeast of Mukden and south of Kai- 
p'ing-hién. In 1869 Baron von Richthofen made an extensive journey 
through this portion of the province. He found that the mountains con- 
tained Cambrian sedimentary rocks, widely distributed and in compre- 
hensive stratigraphic sequence. Furthermore, the rocks were but little 
disturbed and not at all metamorphosed. On the basis of this information 
the province was selected as offering the most favorable opportunity for 
a careful study of a prominent phase of the Cambrian rocks of China. 
It was found, however, upon reaching China, that it was not advisable 
to attempt geological surveys in Manchuria, in view of the existing inter- 
national relations and the disturbed condition of the country. We there- 
fore made Shan-tung the field of research during the autumn months, with 
the hope of going into Manchuria at some subsequent season. 
In December it was decided to make a brief reconnaissance in Man- 
churia, as a preliminary to a more detailed investigation in the spring, 
and I was thus employed during the latter part of the month, accompanied 
only by Li-san (Chinese interpreter). 
‘Von Richthofen had found beneath the fossiliferous Cambrian rocks 
a series of red sandstones, called by him the ‘‘ Yung-ning Sandstein,’’ which 
he believed to be somewhat older than any of the Sinian strata in Shan- 
tung. He was unable in his rapid journey to give this formation a careful 
investigation, and he did not find in it any traces of fossils. It was hoped, 
however, that we might succeed in discovering there a fauna older than 
the Lower Cambrian fauna (Redlichia zone) of central Shan-tung. The 
region to the west of the railroad, on the west coast of Liau-tung, was 
chosen for this reconnaissance on account of the excellent development 
there of the Yung-ning sandstone. It happened that this was a very 
fortunate choice at that time, inasmuch as the mountains to the eastward 
were infested by bandits. ; 
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