p. 115

125

we may not hope to add coal to the other sources of mineral wealth with which a kind providence has so abundantly supplied us. There appears to be a tendency in this rock to assume the form of irregular and [very] moderate[ly] elevated ridges extending throughout its whole length in a general north east and south west direction; or parallel to all the geological formations of the western country. It contains disseminated masses of sulphuret of zinc, and iron pyrites- the latter at some places in great abundance. Cavities are also found filled with bittumen resembling the petrolium or Seneca oil, but there are no localities known from which the substance can be obtained in any considerable quantities. It contains [illegible] some beds of gypsum or plaster of Paris, which upon further exploration it is believed may prove to be valuable. It is often reported that water limestone exists in Wisconsin, but the truth of such reports is not yet known

125

we may not hope to add coal to the other sources of mineral wealth with which a kind providence has so abundantly supplied us. There appears to be a tendency in this rock to assume the form of irregular and [very] moderate[ly] elevated ridges extending throughout its whole length in a general north east and south west direction; or parallel to all the geological formations of the western country. It contains disseminated masses of sulphuret of zinc, and iron pyrites- the latter at some places in great abundance. Cavities are also found filled with bittumen resembling the petrolium or Seneca oil, but there are no localities known from which the substance can be obtained in any considerable quantities. It contains [illegible] some beds of gypsum or plaster of Paris, which upon further exploration it is believed may prove to be valuable. It is often reported that water limestone exists in Wisconsin, but the truth of such reports is not yet known