Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume IX.djvu/768

 748 KANSAS fore called southern Kansas, the remainder being known as northern Kansas. The Osage river rises in the E. part of the state, and after a S. E. course of about 125m. enters Missouri. The most important rivers having a southerly course are the Neosho, which rises in the cen- tral part of the state, and after a S. E. course of about 200 m., during which it receives the Cottonwood and other streams, enters the Indian territory about 25 m. W. of the S. E. corner of Kansas ; tho Verdigris, which flows nearly parallel with the Neosho into the Indi- an territory, receiving Fall river on the west ; and the Arkansas, which has its sources in the Rocky mountains in Colorado. This river runs through nearly three fourths of the length of Kansas, first E. and then S. E., and with its tributaries waters two thirds of the south- ern part of the state. Its windings in Kansas have been estimated at 500 m. Its tributaries on the N. or E. side include the Walnut, the Little Arkansas, and Cow creek. In the S. V. corner, the Cimarron flows for a considerable distance in the state. The above constitute only the most important of the rivers of Kan- sas; there are numerous tributaries of these from 25 to 75 m. long, which with the main streams make Kansas one of the best watered of the western states; but none of them are navigable. No thorough geological sur- vey of Kansas has yet been undertaken ; but preliminary examinations have been made by Professors G. C. Swallow and B. F. Mudge. The eastern portion of the state belongs to the carboniferous system, in which are found all the bituminous coal measures of the state. The greater part of this area is the upper carbon- iferous, the lower carboniferous only coming to the surface in the S. E. corner. This forma- tion is composed of many different strata of limestone, sandstone, coal, marls, shales, fire clay, slate, selenite, &c., varying in thickness, and occurring irregularly. The carboniferous system is divided by Prof. Swallow into the following series : upper coal, 391 ft. thick ; chocolate limestone, 79 ; cave rock, 75 ; Stan- ton limestone, 74 ; spring rock, 80 ; well rock, 238 ; Marais des Oygnes coal, 303 ; Pawnee lime- stone, 112; Fort Scott coal, 142; Fort Scott marble, 22 ; lower coal, 350 ; lower carbonifer- ous, 120; total, 1,986 ft. Some of these series, however, are only local. Further west is the up- per and lower Permian system, having a depth of about 700 ft., and containing numerous strata of magnesian limestone and beds of gypsum. This system is supposed to extend across the state from N. to S. in an irregular belt about 50 m. wide. Adjoining it on the west is a tract belonging to the triassic system, the strata of which have a thickness of 338 ft., and are composed of limestone, sandstone, thin coal veins, gypsum, selenite, and magnesian marls and shales. West of this is the creta- ceous formation, extending to the foot hills of the Rocky mountains. It crosses the state in a N. E. and S. W. direction near the mouths of the Saline and Solomon rivers, thence covering the whole western portion of the state. Prof. Mudge says : " This is one of the richest deposits of the United States in its fossils, and possesses great geological in- terest. It not only abounds in well preserv- ed fossils, similar to those of other parts of the United States, as well as of Europe, but contains many species new to science. The predominant fossils of the eastern portion of this formation are dicotyledonous leaves, of which about 50 species have been found, a dozen of which are new to science. Among these is the cinnamon, now growing only in torrid climes. More westerly are quantities of the remains of sharks and other fish, equalling in size the largest now known; also saurians and other amphibians, of large size and pecu- liar forms." Fifteen specimens of marine shells, three of reptiles, and five of fishes, previously unknown, were obtained here. The coal-bear- ing region of Kansas occupies the entire E. portion of the state, having a general width from E. to W. of about 120 m., and embracing an area of about 17,000 sq. m. Throughout this region outcroppings of bituminous coal appear. Many of the veins are thin, but some of them are 7 ft. thick and produce a good quality of bituminous coal ; mining is extensively carried on at several points. Coal is also found in the W. part of the state, but of inferior quality. In this region salt also exists in large quantities in numerous springs and extensive salt marshes. The salt district embraces a tract about 80 by 35 m., cross- ing the Republican, Solomon, and Saline val- leys. Salt is also found S. of the Arkansas river. On the W. border of the state there is an extensive deposit of crystallized salt in beds from 6 to 28 in. thick. It has not, however, been made available for commercial purposes, in consequence of the difficulty of access. Analyses of Kansas salt show it to be of re- markable purity, entirely free from chloride of calcium. Iron ores have been found in various localities, but not of a character to be profitably worked. Lead, alum, limestone suitable for hydraulic cement, petroleum, de- posits of paints, lime, excellent building stone, and brick and other clays are found. Perhaps no other western state has so pleasant and beautiful a climate as that of Kansas, or so many bright sunny days. The winters are milder than in the same latitude further east, the temperature rarely falling below zero. According to observations covering five years made by Prof. Snow, Kansas had more rain during the seven months from March 1 to Oct. 1 than any other of 19 northern and western states with which comparison was made ; and less during the winter months than any other except one. In summer the temperature ranges from 80 to 100, but the air is dry and pure, while the nights are invariably cool and refresh- ing. The extraordinary clearness of the atmos- phere is remarked by all strangers. The most