Box 14, Folder 3: Coal 1861

REPORT

OF THE

SUPERINTENDENT

OF THE

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,

EXHIBITING THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK.

JANUARY 1, 1861

[handwritten notation] Published about the middle of January, 1862!

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GEOLOCIAL REPORT.

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ALBANY, December 24th, 1860. TO HIS EXCELLENCY ALEXANDER W. RANDALL:

SIR:--In accordance with the law authorizing a Geological Survey of the State of Wisconsin, I herewith submit a statement of the condition of the work under my direction:

I have personally continued my field explorations, with a view to the determination of the general geological structure of the State, and have made good progress in these investigations.

Among the results of general interest, I may mention that in carrying on my observations to the northwestward of the westerly bend of the Wisconsin River, among the isolated masses of sienitic rocks which have been regarded as of igneous origin, I have found many of them to be essentially quartz rocks of peculiar character. These rocks I find on more careful examination in several localities, to have been originally a regularly stratified sandstone, which has undergone subsequent metamorphism, so far, that on fresh fracture the rock betrays no lines of lamination. When viewed as a whole, or in the massive outcrops, the lines of nearly vertical jointing are conspicuous; but lines of bedding or stratification, are not at once recognized. In certain localities in favorable conditions and particularly on Spirit Lake, we find the weathered surfaces showing distinct lines of lamination; and not only the direct lines are visible, but lines of diagonal lamination at various angles, and the coarser and finer materials are as discernable as in modern sandstones.

Not only, therefore, have we this unmistakable evidence of the stratified character of these rocks, but we have the means of showing that the direction of the foldings or axes (which through the denudation of the more recent formations, has brought these rocks to view,) lie in a nearly east and west direction, and therefore belong to an entirely different system from those which have affected the superincumbent strata.

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After determining, by the more minute and detailed examinations, the stratified nature of these rocks, we are able to discover in the larger masses, and the hill escarpments the direction and dip of the strata, which are extremely obscure, and rendered more difficult of observation by the numerous joints. Besides these determinations, I have in two or three localities been able to trace these quartzites upward till the beds become conglomeritic; the pebbles consisting of the crystalline quartz, (usually of a brown color,) which vary from the size of peas to a foot or more in diameter. The darker materials gradually become mixed with a lighter colored sand, and sometimes a notable proportion of argillaccous matter; the mass loses its metamorphic aspect, and we find ourselves almost imperceptibly investigation the base of the Potsdam sandstone.

It must not be understood, however, that there is any passage from the one to the other that would indicate a synchronism of the two formations. On the other hand, the quartzite had been deposited as a coarse and find sand, (with sometimes pebbles, had become metamorphosed and the mass raised in low axes before the commencement of the Potsdam era. The breaking up of this mass gave the pebbles of quartz, etc., which lie at the base of the Potsdam sandstone; and these pebbles,) with an accumulation of sand from the breaking up of the mass continue the color and aspect of the rock below, till the influx of lighter colored sand changes the character and color of the whole.

I regard this discovery of the nature of these underlying masses to be a matter of considerable interest; and since the areas occupied by such rocks are limited, and it is nearlly impossible to trace a connection between any two of them, it becomes important to collect material from numerous localities, for the purpose of comparison with the more extended areas of older metamorphic rocks.

These metamorphic masses are, in all probability, extensions of the Huronian formations of Canada; and though not familiar with the latter in its typical localities, I am inclined to refer them to that period, since they do not correspond with the Laurentian rocks known to me through investigations in northern New York.

I have considered these facts of sufficient interest to the science of Geology and to the survey to communicate them in the present report. I shall continue this investigation, and hope to be able hereafter to show the relations of all these metamorphic masses to formations of known geological age.

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In addition to these observations, I have pursued my investigations upon the Potsdam sandstone and the succeeding formations; which, with the previous researches will be fully detailed in the final report.

The investigations upon the rocks of the Niagara group and associated strata, have likewise been continued, and I have arrived at certain results fortified by the occurrence of numerous fossils which lead me to conclude that the Racine limestone, mentioned in a former report, is the upper member of the Niagara group, while the heavy bedded mass below is but the expansion of the limestones of the Clinton group. This opinion in regard to the last named rock I advanced some years since, but having until this time no satisfactory evidence of the occurrence of the higher member of the Niagara group, I had been forced to admit that the whole had merged in one great calcareous mass. This part of the subject will be more fully discussed in my next report.

I have had an assistant, Mr. T. J. Hale, in the field from the beginning of July to the end of the season. His labors have been directed to tracing in detail the outcrops of the formations on the east of the central axis, and in collecting fossils. He has also collected economic materials and soils for the other departments of the survey. During the latter part of the season Mr. Hale has been employed in the lead region to complete the collection of fossils necessary for the palaeontology of that report, which is now being prepared.

Under the supplementary law of last session, relating to the geology of the State, I was directed to make a contract with Prof. J. D. Whitney for the completion of the map and report of the lead region; and with Col. Charles Whittlesey for the continuation of his work in the Lake Superior region. In accordance with this law, and with the approval of your Excellency, these contracts were made, and the work continued. Since that time Mr. Whitney has completed his report and maps, which by the terms of the act referred to, have been placed in the engraver's hands, and I hope to send finished copies of one of them with this report. The other map will require yet some time for its completion. I have also made arrangements for, and progress in, the work pertaining to other illustrations for this report. The report of Mr. Whittlesey will soon be completed and placed in my hands, and will be subject to your direction.

Mr. Hale will communicate to me a detailed report upon his local examinations, which may be incorporated in my final report.

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While the general work of my department of the survey has been progressing in these investigations, the collecting of fossils from the various rocks, etc., I have been giving more especial attention to the preparation of the report upon the lead region. According to the plan heretofore proposed, my report will embrace a general sketch of the geology of the State, showing the relations of the lead bearing rock to the other formations of the State, and the whole in relation to the geology of the adjacent country, so far as now known. This will be followed by the special report of Mr. Whitney on the geology, mineralogy, mining, etc. of the Lead Region with illustrations and diagrams, besides two large maps. The concluding part of the report will be the descriptions of fossils, or the palaeontology of the Lead Region, which will make the work complete for that part of the State.

The maps for this report, with some other of the illustrations, will be engraved from money derived from the surplus of the previously unappropriated fund, directed by the law of the last Legislature to this object, after completing the contract with Messrs. Whitney and Whittlesey. I have, however, made no arrangement for the printing of any definite number of these maps or illustrations, beyond what may be necessary as examples of the work.

In order, therefore, to accomplish the printing of these, I require further means and authority.

The entire report on the lead region will be sufficient to make a large octavo volume of 600 or 700 pages, with several maps, and at least thirty or more plates of fossils. The work of engraving may be so far completed that the text of this volume will be ready for the press by the beginning of April next. I mention this time because nothing would be gained by commencing the printing sooner, since the engraving and printing of the plates and maps could not be ready sooner than in time for the letter press, if begun at that date.

I have spoken and written to your Excellency upon the subject of the printing, which I hope may be done in a better style than the ordinary documents. The report will be a final one upon that portion of the State, and a volume of much value and importance. I hope the Executive and Legislature of Wisconsin will not be satisfied with anything below the standard of the Iowa Report. I may, perhaps, be permitted to mention here, that the style and size of the Iowa report has been adopted in the Illinois survey, as I am informed by the State Geologist, and that the forthcoming report wil be printed in that form.