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counties, and at the same time to study the associated clays and lignites. In pursuance of instructions he proceeded to Cass County, after mapping which he took up the investigation of Harrison County, and before returning to Austin made a brief reconnaissance of parts of Gregg and Marion counties.

In order to complete enough of the mapping of the district to make a satisfactory report, it was determined to send Messrs. J. B. Walker and J. H. Herndon into the field. Mr. Walker went out, under instructions of June 6, to map the iron ores of Rusk, Panola, Shelby, and Nacogdoches counties, and in addition to make such observations of the geology as his time would allow.

To Mr. Herndon was given the study of Smith County, including its iron ores, clays, lignites, and building stones, on the completion of which he returned to Austin and resumed his regular work in the chemical laboratory.

These counties were gone over as thoroughly as the time permitted, and their studies have added much to our knowledge both of the general and economic geology of the region.

The reports of these gentlemen will be found in Part II of this Report—"The Iron Ore District of Eastern Texas."

During the field season I visited Mr. Kennedy while he was at work in Cass County, spent several days in working with Mr. Herndon in Smith County, and visited Anderson and Houston counties for the purpose of collecting specimens of ore from certain localities previously mapped by Mr. G. E. Ladd, or reported on by Dr. Penrose, which were needed for analysis. My investigations were greatly facilitated by the kind assistance of the citizens of Palestine and Crockett.

The artesian water belt of the Gulf coast being a very important factor in the economic geology of the region, I tried to take up the study of it in such intervals as occurred in my administrative work. I visited Ledbetter, from which point I was enabled through the kindness of Captain A. W. Littig, superintendent of the First Division of the Houston and Texas Central Railway, to visit several of the most favorable localities for the study of the outcrops of the Fayette Sands, which constitute the catchment basin of the artesian belt. The results were of importance in this connection. Later I visited Galveston and Houston to investigate the results of the artesian borings at those places. It is to be regretted that more time could not have been given to this