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The outcrop of the granite, which can be quarried to any desired dimensions, covers an area of over one hundred square miles.

There is a quarry now in operation on the portion from which the granite was taken for the building of the Capitol, on account of which it was originally opened, the material used having been donated by the owners, Col. Norton, Dr. Westfall, and Geo. W. Lacy.

Beside this particular granite there are many others in this region. which will prove as useful. In the northern part of Gillespie County there is a brownish granite of very fine grain which takes a beautiful polish; and in addition there are found in various portions of the region granites varying in color from light to dark gray which are well adapted for building purposes, and in some instances will prove of decided value for ornamental and monumental purposes

The granites of Trans-Pecos Texas, like those of the Central Mineral Region, are well suited both for building and ornamental purposes The western granites, however, lack the variety of color which is found in those of the Central Region, being for the most part a lighter or darker gray, the felspar being very light colored in all of them. They are adjacent to railway transportation, however, as the Southern Pacific Railway passes very near their outcrop in the Quitman Mountains and directly by them in the Franklin Mountains, near El Paso, and will sooner or later come into market

PORPHYRIES.

Among the most beautiful and indestructible of our building stones we must place the porphyries. Their hardness, however, and the difficulty of quarrying and dressing them, often prevent their taking the place in actual use that their good qualities would otherwise secure for them, but where the elements of durability and beauty are sought their worth must be properly recognized.

Porphyries of almost every shade and color abound in Trans-Pecos Texas. There are in the Museum specimens taken from the outcrops in the Quitman Mountains alone which are readily divisible into twenty or more shades. These vary through light grays, yellows, reds, purples, and greens to black, and their polished surfaces are especially rich. The quantity and accessibility to railroad transportation must prove sufficient inducement for their development.