116 University Geological Survey of Kansas. 
made a geologic section up the Neosho and Cottonwood rivers. 
Their first report was published in January, 1894, and the 
name Cottonwood Falls limestone formally given to their num- 
ber 18 of this section. Later, in 1894, Prosser introduced the 
term “Cottonwood formation,” including the Cottonwood Falls 
limestone and the overlying shale-bed. For the limestone he 
used the word “Cottonwood’’ rather than Cottonwood Falls, 
and in a number of publications since that date has adhered 
to the name Cottonwood. To simplify matters, therefore, this 
Survey, in volume III, used the word Cottonwood, which was 
considered unobjectionable, as the change was so little, and par- 
ticularly as the commercial name was used indiscriminately, 
either Cottonwood or Cottonwood Falls. In 1902 Prosser®® 
suggested the name Alma limestone instead of Cottonwood 
limestone, on account of the name Cottonwood being pre- 
viously used by N. F. Drake in connection with Texas geology. 
In a letter, however, to Mr. Bennett, in 1907, Professor Prosser 
states that “‘Cottonwood or Cottonwood Falls would be the cor- 
rect nomenclature.” We are not informed of the details for 
Professor Prosser changing his mind as shown by this letter. 
The commercial use of the name Cottonwood is so extensive 
this Survey would be entirely powerless to make a change 
from Cottonwood to Alma were we to attempt it. Therefore, 
we will continue the use of the name Cottonwood. 
Thickness.—The Cottonwood limestone has a thickness of 
about 6 feet, or more. 
Area.—The Cottonwood limestone has an outcrop from 
Nebraska to the Indian Territory line. Nowhere, however, 
can it be said that it occupies the surface of the country to any 
great extent. 
Characteristics.—For these characteristics in part we will 
quote Prosser:®® “This is a massive light-gray, buff-colored, 
foraminiferal limestone, frequently composed of two layers. 
It contains very few fossils, with the exception of 
Fusulina secalica Say, which is extremely abundant in its up- 
per part and is called ‘wild rice’ by the quarrymen. It is the 
most important dimension stone in Kansas, and at various lo- 
calities are extensive quarries. Its constant lithologic charac- 
ter, with its line of outcrop frequently marked by a row of 
massive light-gray rectangular blocks filled with Fusilina, 
88. Prosser, Chas. S.: Jour. of Geol., vol. x, No. 7, pp. 711, 712. 1902. 
89. Prosser, Chas. S.: Jour. of Geol., vol. x, No. 7, p. 711. 1902. 
