materials which have been left from the disintegration and decomposition of the rocks in place. As a result the soils formed from the different rock masses each have physical properties and peculiarities not possessed by any others, and hence each is easily distinguished.

The decay of the porphyry is much less rapid than in the case of the other rocks and as a rule the resulting soil is not so thick. Usually the soil derived from the rock is light grayish brown in color, rather clayey and somewhat intractable.

Unlike the porphyry soils those of the granite areas are commonly more presistent over the rocks from which they have been derived. This may be accounted for in the main, by the lower angle of hill-slopes in the case of the granite formations. The disintegration as well as the decomposition of the coarser rocks is more rapid and the washing away of the decayed material is not so complete. On the rolling upland the thickness of the felspathic clays and the soils is often as much as six to eight feet. These beds are sandy and of light yellow to brown color except at the surface where modified by decomposed vegetation. Bowlders of granite are frequently scattered through the residual clays and sometimes interfere with tilling.

The soils of the sandstone areas are very arenaceous, light and loose and perhaps less fertile than those from the other rocks. They form large areas. When underlain by heavy clay deposits they become much more productive.

The fertility of the limestone soils is well known. The rich red to brown clayey beds, formed by the decomposition of the limestone strata, have proved exceptionally fertile. Where ever these are found, occur the most luxuriant plant growths. The lands are durable and easy of cultivation. The soils with the under clays of very similar character often extend to a depth of fifteen to twenty feet. The texture is of such a character that much moisture is held, to be given up gradually during long periods of dry weather. Most of the eastern part of the Farmington lowland has soils of this description.

The cherty limestone areas supply a deep red clay and but for the presence of numerous angular chert fragments the soils would be easily tillable. It is however quite productive. The alluvial soils are, as has been stated, confined to the bottom lands along the St. Francois and the Little St. Francois rivers and occasional small areas adjacent to some of the other larger streams. Even along the rivers mentioned the areas are by no means continuous. Its position with reference to the watercourse is ever changing. The sources of the materials making up the alluvial deposits cannot ordinarily be determined, since they have been transported and mixed thoroughly by repeated working over by water. The soils are as a rule rather light, somewhat sandy, but fertile.

FORESTRY.

There is much valuable timber within the area of the Mine la Motte sheet. The principal woods from which good timber may be made are the white and black oaks and the common yellow pine. There are a number of other kinds which might be utilized but are of less common occurrence. Among these might be mentioned the black walnut, the black gum, and several varieties of oaks.

To a certain extent each geological formation has a characteristic timber growth. In different portions of the sheet these vary and inter-mix but it is often practicable to disclose the nature of the rocks underlying the surface by the character of the principal trees supported. The rich, moist, alla vial lands bear particular species, such as the sycamore, the black and the white walnuts, the sugar and white maple and the laurel oak. The limestone and chert areas have a variety of oaks, but more particularly the black, the red and the burr. The post oak is found abundant on the poorer lands and often is the prevailing species on the granite uplands. The small shellbark hickory is here also abundant. The porphyries support numerous varieties but more especially the yellow pine and the white and post oaks. The principal pine trees are confined to the south western portions of the sheet. The hills just across

the river from the Silver Mines are covered with pines eighteen inches and over in diameter. Other hills are nearly equally productive of pine. The character of the forestry over the flats depends somewhat upon the thickness of the clay overlying the rock. The rich lowlands have a very flourishing timber growth but the dry highland bear small trees, mostly scrub, or post oak. There are a number of saw mills now getting out oak and pine lumber. The making of railroad ties is also of some importance.

The principal trees, most of which are suitable for lumber, are as follows:

8.

Pignut hickory, Hicoria grabra, (Mill).

White hickory, common shell-bark, Hicoria ovata, (Mill).

9. Cottonwood, Populus monilifera, Ait.

10. Black willow, Salix nigra, Marsh.

28.

29.

30. 31.

32.

American, or white, elm, Ulmus americana, Linn.
Slippery elm, Ulmus pubescens, Walt.

Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis, Linn.

Mulberry, Morus rubra, Linn.

White popular, Liriodendron tulipifera, Linn.

33. Pawpaw, Asimina triloba, (Linn).

34. Sassafras, Sassafras sassafras, (Linn).

42.

43. 44.

Sugar maple, Acer sacchararum barbatum, (Michx).
Buckeye, Esculus glabra, Willd.

Buck-thorn, Rhamus caroliniana, Walt

45. Linden, Tilla americana, Linn.

In addition to the special investigations into the geological features of the Mine la Motte district notes originally taken by different members of the regular corps for other purposes than those directly connected with the areal work have been fully drawn upon. The topography, under the direction of Mr. C. F. Marbut, was done in great part in the year 1892 by Mr. E. H. Lonsdale assisted by Mr. E. Theilman. Much regarding the crystallines has been complied from the lately issued petrographical report and the supplementary notes by Dr. E. Haworth. The information concerning the lead mines was obtained largely in connection with work for the general report on the lead and zinc deposits of the state recently published. Lately Mr. Lonsdale spent some time in St. Francois and Madison counties chiefly in looking up the building materials and the list of quarries is derived in great part from this source, as well as notes on other topics. Many citizens residing within the limits of the sheet have aided very materially, and fully appreciating the scope of the work, have not only freely given much valuable information but also time and attention.