LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, INSURANCE, STATISTICS, AND HISTORY
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF TEXAS
AUSTIN, TEXAS, February 20, 1892. Hon. J. E. Hollingsworth, Commissioner of Insurance, etc., Austin, Texas:

DEAR SIR—I transmit herewith for publication as Bulletin No. 1, two articles which relate to work done previous to the organization of the present Survey.

The first of these, entitled "Artesian Water on the Llano Estacado" was found among the papers of Dr. George G. Shumard which were loaned to the present Survey by his family. I have been unable to find it in print anywhere. Although a very brief statement, it contains facts which are very important in their bearing on the artesian water supply of Western Texas, and it is therefore put into this form in order that it may be available.

The second article, "Report and Analyses of Texas Sumach," by Geo. H. Kalteyer, is the result of work taken up by Mr. Kalteyer at the request of Hon. Jno. W. Glenn, State Geologist in 1874. The value of Texas sumach (and of mesquite also) in tanning was practically tested during the years 1861 to 1866, but this is the earliest experimental work with which I am acquainted which endeavors to show by careful analysis the actual and comparative value of the variety of sumach which occurs here in quantity.

Yours very truly,

E. T. Dumble,
State Geologist.