ductus called P. Calhounianus by Professor Swallow; very similar to some varieties of P. semireticulatus, but thought by Prof. S., to present well marked internal differences. There is likewise added in 16, a large Allorisma and a Spiriger similar to S. subtilita, but much more gibbous; and in 14, Discinia tenuilineatus together with apparently the same Monotis, so often mentioned below. In 12, we also have added a small Spirifer similar to S. lineatus, but perhaps more nearly allied to the Permian species Martinia Clannyana, King.

The succeeding bed above, No. 11, appears also to contain a mingling of Permian with coal-measure forms, for we have in it the following Permian types, viz., Myalina very similar to M. squamosa, Pleurophorus? subcuneatus, Bakevellia parva and Monotis Hawni, along with a Euomphalus near E. rugosus, the same gibbous Spirigera, similar to S. subtilita, Orthisina umbraculum? and O. Shumardiana.

On passing into the next division above, No. 10, we find we have lost sight of all the characteristic Carboniferous forms, unless the Spirigera mentioned in some of the beds below be regarded as only a variety of S. subtilita, from which however, we think it specifically distinct; for with this exception, nearly all the fossils seen by us in this division, are such as would be regarded as Permian types. Although the number of species found by us in No. 10 is not great, individual specimens are often numerous. Above this horizon we saw no more fossils through a great thickness of various colored clays, claystones, &c., until ascending to the Cretaceous sandstones crowning Smoky Hills.

If we do not admit the existence in this region of an intermediate group of rocks, connecting by slight gradations the Permian above, with the coal measures below, and must draw a line somewhere, below which all is to be regarded as Carboniferous, and all above as Permian, we should certainly, upon palæontological principles alone, carry this line up -as far as the top of division No. 11. The passage from the Carboniferous to the strata containing Permian types, however, is so gradual here, that it seems to us no one, undertaking to classify these rocks without any knowledge of the classification adopted in the old world, would have separated them into distinct systems, either upon lithological or palæontological grounds, especially as they are not, so far as our knowledge extends, separated by any discordance of stratification, or other physical break.* Indeed the fact that some of the Permian types occurring in No. 10, were first introduced in beds below this, containing many Carboniferous species, would seem to indicate that even No. 10 may possibly have been deposited just before the close of a period of transition from the conditions of the Carboniferous, to those of the Permian epoch.

"The apparent absence of fossils in the beds above No. 10, renders it impossible, with our present information, to determine with certainty the upper limits of the series containing Permian forms. It is true, there is

* We have been informed by Dr. J. G. Norwood, former State Geologist of Illinois, that the rocks in that State, referred by him and others to the same epoch as the Kansas Permian beds, rest unconformably upon the Coal measures. This, however, would be impossible in Kansas, since no disturbance of the strata occurred there, until after the close of the Cretaceous era, which would of course, not only cause the Cretaceous and Carboniferous, but all the intermediate beds, to dip at the same angle.

at places a kind of conglomerated mass, occupying the horizon No. 9, which might appear to form a natural line of division between the beds containing the Permian fossils, and those above, in which we found no organic remains; but this seems to be local, and although there is a new feature presented by the zone of gypsum deposits above it, we find between the beds and layers of gypsum, and far above the horizon at which they occur, bluish, greenish, and other colored clays, not only similar to those between the beds and layers of limestone containing the Permian fossils in division No. 10, but also precisely like the laminated clays between the beds of limestone of the upper Carboniferous series far below. Again, in these clays of the gypsum zone, as well as through a considerable thickness of clays above it, there are occasional seams of claystone, which sometimes pass into seams of magnesian limestone, exactly like some of those containing Permian fossils, in division No. 10. We saw no fossils in these seams amongst the gypsum-bearing beds, nor higher in the series, but it is probable they may yet be found in some of the more calcareous portions.

Another fact apparently indicating some kind of relation between the gypsum-bearing beds, as well as some of the higher deposits, and the rocks below, is, that we often find both in the clays between the beds of gypsum, and those between the limestone containing the Permian fossils, the same peculiar appearance caused by the cracking of the clays and subsequent infiltration of calcareous matter, seen in division No. 5. At some places the thin plates of limestone formed by the impure calcareous matter filling these cracks, may be seen ramifying through some rather thin beds of these clays in all directions, so as to cross and intersect each other at every angle. Where beds of this kind have been exposed for any length of time along near the tops of bluffs, the softer clays filling the interstices, often weather out, so as to leave a curious cellular mass, with the numerous angular cavities.

From these facts we are inclined to suspect,-though we are fully aware that it is a question which can only be determined upon evidence derived from organic remains, that not only the gypsum-bearing deposits, but a large portion, if not all, of division No. 5, belongs to the same epoch as the beds containing the Permian fossils below.

Between No. 5 and the Cretaceous above, there is still a rather extensive series of beds in which we found no organic remains; these may be Jurassic or Triassic, or both, though as we have elsewhere suggested, we rather incline to the opinion that they may prove to belong to the former. As we have fully discussed the question in regard to the Cretaceous age of the highest division of the foregoing section in a paper read before the Academy in December last, and in an article in the American Journal of Science, January, 1859, it is unnecessary for us to add anything further on that subject here.

As already stated, our observations along the Kansas valley, to within twelve or fourteen miles of the mouth of Big Blue river, were too isolated to determine in all cases the relations between outcrops seen at different places. Consequently, although we saw at several points along this part of the valley, indications of a westward or northwestward inclination of the strata, we were left in some doubt whether or not there is

a general inclination of the rocks in that direction, between Wabounse and the Missouri. Above this point, however, our observations being more connected, and the exposures more continuous, we were able to determine very satisfactorily that there is at least from near Wabounse, a uniform dip towards the west or northwest, so that in ascending the Kansas valley from this region, we are constantly meeting with more and more modern rocks, as those we leave behind pass beneath the level of Kansas. * * *

*

From the foregoing statements it will be seen that in consequence of the dip of the strata to the northwest, and in some slight degree to the fall of the Kansas and Smoky Hill rivers, the whole of the foregoing general section below No. 12 passes beneath the level of the Smoky Hill, between the mouth of Blue river and Chapman's Creek. Consequently, the limestones of the succeeding beds above being thinner and less durable than those below, and separated by heavy beds of clay; we find, as might be expected, that the country here in the region of the mouth of Chapman's Creek, is much lower than at Fort Riley and below.

On reaching the mouth of Solomon's Fork, we found the face of the country characterized by long gentle grassy slopes, no part of it near the river apparently being elevated more than about 60 or 70 feet above its surface. A short distance beyond this, we caught the first glimpse of the Smoky Hills, which were seen in a direction a little south of west from us, rising above the surrounding low country like dark blue clouds above the horizon. On approaching these, we found them always situated several miles back from the river, and rising some three hundred and fifty feet above it. The immediate bluffs of the river here, are generally composed of divisions No. 4 and 5 of the foregoing general section, and that portion of these hills above the level of the summits of the bluffs along the river, is made up of division Nos. 3, 2, 1, of the same section. On the south side of the river these hills have but a comparatively thin capping of the sandstone No. 1, but on the north side we saw it showing a thickening on some of them of sixty feet.

From some of these hills on the north side of Smoky Hill river, between it and the Grand Saline, we had an extensive and beautiful view of the surrounding country. In the north and northwest, many similar hills were in sight, and as the dip of the strata here is in that direction, it is probable that some of this are not only chiefly made up of the sandstone No. 1, but surmounted by the other Cretaceous beds Nos. 2 and 3 of the Nebraska Cretaceous series; indeed, Dr. Engelmann found all these formations occupying this relation on Republican river, not more than seventy miles north of this.*

Although this paper is merely designed to give a brief sketch of the leading geological features of these portions of northeastern Kansas visited by us, we cannot close it without alluding to the truly great agricultural and other natural resources of this new and interesting territory. We mean no disparagement to other portions of the Mississippi valley, when we state, that after having travelled extensively in the Great West, and after having seen many of its most favored spots, we have met with no country combining more attractive features than Kansas Territory. Her

* See Report of Secretary of War, Dec. 5th, 1857, page 497.

geographical position gives her a comparatively mild and genial climate, intermediate between the extremes of heat and cold, while the rich virgin soil of her beautiful prairies is admirably adapted to the growth of all the great staple grain and root crops of the west.

It is true that in some districts there is rather a deficiency of timber, but as a general thing there is along the streams sufficient for the immediate wants of the country. In addition to this, the wonderful rapidity with which forests are known to have sprung up on similar prairie lands in Missouri, as the country became settled so as to keep out the annual fires, shows that the present scarcity of timber should not be regarded as presenting any serious obstable to the settlement of the most extensive prairie district in Kansas.

Before going out into the interior of the Territory, we had expected to find the whole country immediately west of Fort Riley comparatively sterile; on the contrary, however, we were agreeably disappointed at meeting with scarcely any indications of decreasing fertility as far as our travels extended, which was about sixty miles west of Fort Riley. Here we found the prairies clothed with a luxuriant growth of grass, and literally alive with vast herds of buffalo that were seen quietly grazing as far as the eye could reach in every direction. Even on the high divide between the Smoky Hill and Arkansas rivers, south of this, we found the soil rich and supporting a dense growth of grass; and from all we could learn from persons who have gone further out, the same kind of country extends for a long distance beyond this, towards the west. Hence we infer that the belt of unproductive lands between the rich country on the east, and the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains on the west, is much narrower than is generally supposed; and even this so-called desert country is known to possess a good soil, which may be rendered fruitful by artificial irrigation.

In regard to the mineral resources of Kansas, we have at present only time and space to say a few words. As already stated, coal is known to exist, though its extent is not yet fully determined, at several localities in the region of Leavenworth City, while the geological structure of the country, as well as discoveries already made, warrant the conclusion that this important and useful mineral abounds at many localities south of there. Limestone suitable for building purposes, and the production of quicklime, exist throughout large areas, while inexhaustible beds of gypsum are known to occur at several places not far west of the mouth of Solomon's river. Near this place we likewise saw in the lower Cretaceous rocks crowning the summits of the Smoky Hills, deposits of iron ore, but were unable to determine in the limited time at our command, whether or not it exists in large quantities."

5. On the Tertiary Flora of the vicinity of Vienna; by Dr. C. von ETTINGSHAUSEN, (Abhandl. der k. k. Geol. Reichs. Wien, vol. ii).—This paper contains descriptions of 33 species which are illustrated by figures on five 4to plates. The principal conclusions from the facts are these:

The Flora belongs to the Miocene period. It is closely analogous to that of the Miocene deposits of Upper Styria at Parschlug and Fohnsdorf, Leoben, etc. It is also near that of Swoszowice in Galicia, and has some relations to that of Bilin in Bohemia, and of Eningen, and St. Gallen in Switzerland.

Among the species 1 of them has a representative in Central Europe, 4 in Southern Europe, 2 in Central Asia, 10 in North America, 2 in South America, 6 in the East Indies, and 2 in Australia.

The Climate indicated is subtropical or from 15° to 21° R.

The especially tropical species are Artocarpidium cecropiafolium, Daphnogene polymorpha, Cissus platanifolio, Sterculia Vindobonensis, Pterospermum dubium, Cupanodes miocenicus. = 6.

The subtropical are Laurus Swoszowiciana, Hakea pseudo-nitida, Dryandra Vindobonensis (the last two Australian in type), Bumelia ambigua, Diospyros pannonica, Andromedites paradoxus, Rhamnus Augustinii, Myrtus Austriaca, Leguminosites macharioides, L. ingafolius, Cassia ambigua.11.

The warm temperate species are Cyperites tertiarius, Potamogeton Ungeri, Pinites Partschii, Betula prisca, B. Brongniartii, Alnus Kefersteinii, Fagus castaneafolia, Quercus Haidingeri, Planera Ungeri, Liquidambar europæum, Styrax pristinum, Acer pseudocreticum, Pterocarya Haidingeri. = 13.

The species particularly North American in type are Fagus castaneœfolia, Quercus Haidingeri, Liquidambar europæum, Laurus Swoszowiciana, Bumelia ambigua, Diospyros pannonica, Andromedites paradoxus.

These beds contain Hippotherium gracile Kaup, among remains of Mammals; Cybium Partschii Münst., among Fishes; Melanopis Martiniana Fér., M. Bouei Fér., M. pygmæa Partsch, Cardium apertum Munst., C. plicatum Eichw., Congeria subglobosa Partsch., C. spathulata Partsch, among Molluscs; Cytherina tenuis Reuss among Crustacea.

6. On the Tertiary Flora of Haring in the Tyrol; by Dr. C. von ETTINGSHAUSEN.- -This paper is finely illustrated like the preceding. It describes 180 species.

The Flora is of the Eocene Period; of the same age with that of Sotzka in Upper Styria, Sagor in Krain, Monte Cromina in Dalmatia. 73 of the species have been described from other localities, and of these 41 are exclusively Eocene, 9 Miocene, and 23 common to Eocene and Miocene. Among the Miocene localities, that of Parschlug contains the largest number of the Haring species, namely 21; Oeningen contains 8, Bonn 7, Bilin 7, Vienna 3 and Heiligenkreuz near Kremnitz 2 identical species. The Climate indicated by the plants is tropical or a mean temperature between 18 and 22° R.

There are several species of palms, and representatives of the families Moreæ, Artocarpeæ, Nyctagineæ, Monimiaceae Laurineæ, Proteaceæ, Apocynaceæ, Bignoniaceæ, Sapotaceæ, Ericaceæ, Malpighiaceæ, Sapindaceæ, Euphorbiaceæ, Rhizophoreæ, Myrtacea, Papilionacea, Mimoseæ, etc.

The Flora has its closest analogies with that of Australia.-The Proteaceæ, Myrtaceæ, and Leguminocea constitute a third part of the flora. 55 species out of the whole are analogous to Australian types, 28 to East Indian, 23 to tropical America, 14 to South African, 8 to Pacific Island, 7 to North American and Mexican, 6 West Indian, 5 South European. The resemblance to Australia consists not merely in the number of the species, but also in the characters of the species-as the small oblong leathery leaves of the Proteacea and Myrtacea, the delicate branchlets of the Casuarina, the Cypress-like Australian species of Frenela

SECOND SERIES, VOL. XXVII, No. 81.-MAY, 1859.