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REPORT OF MR. J. B. WALKER.

AUSTIN, TEXAS, December 31, 1890
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Mr. E. T. Dumble, State Geologist:

DEAR SIR—In accordance with your letter of instructions of June 6 assigning to me for the field season the counties of Panola, Shelby, Nacogdoches, and Rusk, I herewith transmit notes of the observations made.

The object of the field work in the counties named was to examine the quality of the iron ore deposits and define the boundaries of such ores as would probably be of immediate economic value, with "such observations on the character of the surrounding geologic formations as the time (summer, 1890) will permit." The quotation from your letter of instructions.

The want of reliable geographic maps, and the fact that no contour maps of this section exist, together with a paucity of local names for many of the "mountains," as they are locally called, and the difficulty of finding persons acquainted with the boundaries of headright surveys, has rendered exact outlining of the ore beds within the allotted time an impossibility, but sufficient data has been obtained to show the location and approximate extent of the beds of iron ore most suitable for manufacturing purposes, while other ob. served facts will tend to assist in determining the character and relations of the strata to each other, and the period of the formations as a whole.

The plan of operations consisted in selecting the county seats respectively as central localities, and from these centres radial loops or excursions were made into the different parts of each county, mainly in search of iron bearing beds, and casually noting any facts bearing on the stratigraphy of the country that came within my observation. It was in this way only, as it appeared to me, that the three thousand four hundred and ninety square miles of territory in my district could be approximately covered in the stated time.

In conclusion, allow me to express my indebtedness to you for many useful suggestions and courtesies received, and to the many hospitable and public spirited citizens of the counties in my district for the interest manifested in the Survey, donations to the Museum, and the time they cheerfully gave to accompany me on many local journeys in the heat of summer.

Very truly yours,

JOSEPH B. WALKER,
Assistant Geologist.