THE UNIVERSITY OE' rrEXAS :MINERAL SURVEY. 2l/ Kl.l.B'i'IN NO. 9. NOVEMBER, 1904. ?>z-~....... .:> ~·.!>. REPORT OF A RECONNAISSANCE IN TRANS­ PECOS TEXAS NORTH OF THE rrEXAS AND PACIFIC R_AILWAY. BY GEORGE BURR RICHARDSON. ,. BULLE~l1IN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS NO. 23. \ Entered in the Postoffice at Austin, Texas, as mail mattm· of the secoml class. AUSTIN: VON BOECKMANN-JONES COMPANY, STATE PRINTERS . 1904 / I DEAR Srn : I take pleasure in sending t.o you a copy of Bulletin No. 9 of The University of Texas Mineral Survey, entitled "Re­port of a Reconnaissance of Trans-Pecos TexM, North of the Texas & Pacific Railway," by George Burr Richardson. This Bulletin is the ninth in the series which was begun in July, 1901. The other Bulletins are as follows: 1. Texas Petroleum, July, 1901. 2. Sulphur, Oil and Quicksilver in Trans-Pecos Texas, Febru­ary, 1902. 3. Coal, Lignite and Asphalt Rocks, May, 1902. 4. The Terlingua Quicksilver Deposits, Brewster County, Oc­tober, 1902. 5. The Minerals and Mineral Localities of Texas, January, 1903. 6. The Mining Laws of Texas and Tables of Magnetic Declina­tion, July, 1903. 7. Report of Progress for 1903, and Topographic Map of Ter­lingua Quadrangle in Brewster and Presidio Counties, January, 1904. 8. The Geology of the Shafter Silver Mine District, Presidio County, June, 1904. These Bulletins are for gratuitous distribution among the citi­zens of the State and to others upon application. The editions of Bulletins Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, have been ex­hausted. Very truly, WM. B. PHILLIPS, Austin, Texas, November, 1904. Director. t 389-904-6m. REPORT OF A RECONNAISSANCE IN TRANS­ PECOS TEXAS NORTH OF THE TEX.AS AND PACIFIC RAILWAY. BY GEORGE BURR RICHARDSON AUSTIN, TEXAS: VON BOECKMANN-JONES COMPANY, STATE PRINTERS. 1904. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, WASHINGTON, D. 0., June 10, 1904. Srn: In accordance with plans of co-operation, I transmit herewith a report entitled "A Reconnaissance in Trans-Pecos Texas north of the Texas and Pacific Railway," by Mr. G. B. Richardson, for publication as a Bulletin of the University of Texas Mineral Survey. Respectfully, H. 0. RIZER, Acting Director. DR. WM. B. PHILLIPS, Director, University of Texas Mineral Survey, Austin, Texas. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, WESTERN SECTION OF HYDROLOGY, WASHINGTON, D. C., June 2, 1904. SIR: I have the honor to forward a report of a reconnaissance in Trans-Pecos Texas north of the Texas and Pacific Railway, by Mr. G. B. Richardson. It is intended for transmission to Dr. William B. Phil­lips, Director of the University of 'rexas Mineral Survey, for publication by that Bureau. The field and office work on this report has been done by Mr. Richard­son, detailed from the Section of Hydrology, but the field expenses and the cost of preparation of illustrations have been defrayed by the State of Texas. The report is an important contribution to our knowledge of the geology and underground water resources of a portion of the Trans­Pecos Texas region, which will be of value and interest to many persons. Very respectfully, N. H. DARTON, Geologist in Charge. The Director, U. S. Geological Survey, Through Mr. F. H. Newell, Chief Engineer. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. Hon. Wm. L. Prather, President, The University of Texas. DEAR Srn: I beg to transmit herewith a "Report of a Reconnais­sance in Trans-Pecos Texas, North of the Texas & Pacific Railway," by Mr. George Burr Richardson. In the prosecution of a plan of co-operation between this Survey and the United States Geological Survey, Mr. Richardson was detailed from the government service in the spring of 1903 and assigned to this work. He spent six months in the field, and the results of his observations are embodied in this report. In addition to the data gathered in person, Mr. Richardson has availed himself of the results of the work of other geologists there, and I think that his report is a valuable contribution to our knowledge of that region. Very respectfully, WM. B. PHILLIPS, Austin, Texas, November, 1904. Director. ANNOUNCEMENT. The University of Texas Mineral Survey has a well-equipped chemical and assay laboratory and is prepared to undertake all kinds of analyses and assays. Prices will be furnished on application. Address all communications to DR. WM. B. PHILLIPS, Director, Austin, Texas. CONTENTS. PAGE Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Previous work............ ............. ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Topography................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 General statement......... ..... ......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Mesilla Basin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Hueco Basin................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Franklin Mountains.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Diablo Plateau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Hueco Mountains... ... . . . ... . .. .. ............... .... .. ..... . ..... 19 Finlay Mountains.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Sierra Blanca..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Diablo Mountains... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Black Mountain, Sierra Tinaja Pinta and Cornudas mountains. ... . 20 Salt Basin.................................. ..... ............ ......... 20 Guadalupe-Delaware Mountains....................................... 21 Gypsum Plain...... .. ............. ... . ..... . ... . .... .. ...... .......... 22 Rustler Hills.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . 22 Toyah Basin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Stratigraphy................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 General statement........ ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Pre-Cambrian............ .. .......... . .... .. ......................... 24 Area south of the Diablo Mountains....... .... .... . ............... 24 Area in the Franklin Mountains....... . ............. . ............. 25 Cambrian.·.............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Bliss Sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Van Horn formation ... ... . 28 Ordovician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 El Paso limestone..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Van Horn area.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Silurian.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Carboniferous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Pennsylvanian series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Hueco formation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Permian series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Delaware Mountain formation.... ...... ..... .. ... . ............ 38 Capitan limestone.... ... ......... ... ...........·................ 41 Castile gypsum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Rustler formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 "Red Beds"........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Jurassic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................... ~ . 45 Malone formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Cretaceous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Comanche series........................................... . ...... 46 Fredericksburg group............. . ........................... 46 Campagrande formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 PAGE. Cox formation ............. ..................... . 47 Finlay formation.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. . 47 Washita group................. ............................. . 48 Quaternary.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... ... . 50 Structure...... . ... .. ..... . ............................ .... ..... · · · · 52 Mineral Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Introductory........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . 60 Coal..................... ........................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Salt.............. .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Petroleum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Sulphur . ................................. . .. . . . ... .. . . .. .. .. . . ... .. 68 Underground water.................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Climatological notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 General statement. .. ... .... .... .. .... .. . ..... ..... ........ ... . ... 73 Underground water in the Toyah Basin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Underground water in the Gypsum Plain.......................... 84 Underground water in the Guadalupe-Delaware Mountains . . . . . . . . 86 Underground water in the Salt Basin...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Underground water in the Diablo Plateau... . ......... . ...... ..... . 92 Underground water in the Hueco Basin and Rio Grande Valley..... 95 List of wells ...... ... ......................................... .... 109 Index .................. , ................ . ........ . .. .... ..... . .......... 113 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE. Plate I. Reconnaissance Geologic Map and sections of Trans-Pecos Texas nortl;J. of the Texas and Pacific Railway....... In pocket. II. Map showing general location of the reconnaissance. ...... 10 Ill. A. Mt. Franklin from El Paso... .... ......... ................ 18 B. Sierra Blanca Peak from Sierra Blanca Station.... . . . . . . . 18 IV. A. Guadalupe Point, capped by 1200 feet of Capitan limestone overlying 2000 feet of the Delaware Mountain formation. . 42 B. Castile gypsum in draw, 8 miles south of Sayles' ranch. .... 42 v. A. Southern scarp of Diablo Mountains, 7 miles northeast of Eagle Flat Station.... . ... .... . .......... . ......... . .... 56 B. Salt Lake in the Salt Basin; Guadalupe Mountains in the background.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 VI. A. Sulphur prospect, near Maverick Springs........... ....... 70 B. Sulphur prospect, 6 miles north of Rustler Springs....... . 70 VII. A. Springs in Cottonwood Draw, 30 miles north of Kent..... .. 84 B. Stinking Seep in the Castile gypsum, 10 miles south of Dela­ware Creek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 VIII. A. Water hole, 5 miles north of Eagle Flat Station; Diablo Mountains in the background........................... 92 B. View of grass on University Alphabet Blocks; Black Moun­tains in the background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 IX. A. Hueco tanks, 25 miles northeast of El Paso... ............. 94 B. Black Mountain Cattle Company's tank, north western slope of Diablo Mountains, 7 miles southeast of Black Mountain 94 X. A. Bouad's Ranch, Diablo Mountains, 10 miles north of Alla­moore.... ..... ..... ........ ........ ......... . . . . . . . . . . 98 B. Carpenter Brothers' and Sharpe's wells in Hueco Ba.sin, 10 miles northeast of San Elizario.... . ... . . . .... . . ....... .. 98 XI. Pumping plant of J. A. Smith, 8 miles east of El Paso..... 102 Figure 1. Section west from Guadalupe Point........... . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 2. Section across Salt Basin, 22 miles north of the Texas and Pacific Railway. ... ...... . ... . . . ... . .. .. .. ... . . ...... . .. 54 3. Section of southern end of Hueco Mountains, 17 miles northeast, of San Elizario. ................ ....... . . . . . . . 57 4. Section of southeastern end of the Franklin Mountains, 4 miles north of El Paso............................... ... 58 PLATE II. Map showing general location ot tl\e reconnaissance. INTRODUCTION. The reconnaissance reported upon in the following pages was under­taken primarily to determine the conditions of occurrence of under­ground water. The area studied is situated in Western Texas between the Pecos River and the Rio Grande, and extends from the Texas and Pacific Railway northward to the New Mexico boundary (Plate 2). It indudes about 9000 square miles and is somewhat larger than the State of Massachusetts. Six months, from June to December, 1903, were spent in the field. Dr. Wm. B. Phillips, Director of the University of T.exas Mineral Survey, offered every facility at his command for the furtherance of the work. Messrs. C. D. Walcott, T. W. Stanton, G. H. Girty, and E. 0. Ulrich kindly examined the paleontologic collections, and Mr. E. H . Elder, a student in the University of Texas, assisted for three months in the field. G. B. .RICHARDSON. REPORT OF A RECONNAISSANCE IN TRANS-PECOS TEXAS NORTH OF THE TEXAS AND PACIFIC RAILWAY. BY GEORGE BURR RICHARDSON. PREVIOUS WORK. The first detailed geologic knowledge of the area under consideration was obtained as a result of the Mexican Boundary Survey and the sur­veys for a Pacific Rail way. C. C. Parry and Arthur Schott, connected with the Mexican Bouudary Survey, which was under the direction of Major W. H. Emory,1 made observations in the Rio Grande Valley in 1853 and 1854, and James Hall and T. A. Conrad reported on the fossils collected. This work made known the widespread occurrence of rocks of the Cretaceous and the Carboniferous systems and called attention to the probable presence of the Silurian in the Franklin Mountains. Captain John Pope, who had charge of the military survey for a Pa­cific Railway adjacent to the 32d Parallel, in 1853 traveled eastward from El Paso, via the Hueco, Cornudas and Guadalupe mountains, to the mouth of Delaware Creek. No geologist was attached to this expedition, but fossils were collected. These were referred to Jules Marcou, who wrote a preliminary report,2 and were finally worked up by W. P. Blake.3 Between 1855 and 1857, Capta.in Pope made an artesian well experi­ment in the Pecos Valley east of the mouth of Delaware Creek. He went ov.er the same route he had traversed before, and was accompanied by G. G. Shumard. The artesian experiment proyed a failure, and no formal report was published by the War Department,4 although notice 1Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, by Wm. H. Emory, Vol. I, Part 2, Washington, 1857. BReport of the Secretary of War, 1855, House Doc. 129, Vol. IV, Chap. 13. aExplorations and surveys for a railroad rout,e from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Vol. II, Washington, 1855. 4Report of Captain Humphries to the Secretary of War, Ex. Doc., lst Sess. 34th Cong., Vol. I, Part 2, 1855-56. of the work appeared in several papers in the Transactions of the St. Loutb­west dip. West of the Sierra Blanca the Quaternary deposits conceal important structural relations. The central ridge of the Malone Mountains, which lie immediately south of the railroad between Malone and Finlay, marks a sharp syncline· which is east of a broad anticline and west of an ob­scure anticline which is complicated by faulting. These folds strike about N. 15° W. The Malone Mountains are composed of .Jurassic rocks whose relations to contiguous formations are completely hidden. That this folding is continued northwestward. is indicated by the low­lying outcrop of Fredericksburg rocks, almost concealed by· the wash, 3 miles west of the Finlay Mountains. These rocks are folded into a narrow anticline, with dips of 30° S. E. and 60° N. E. The structure of the Finlay Mountains is a rude dome, which topo­graphically is well shown by outlying hills of Fredericksburg sandstone and limestone dipping away on all sides from the central area of Car­boniferous rocks and girdling them in a crude ellipse. The dips of the 22Unpublished Notes made in 1890. 83Second Ann. Rept. Geol. Surv. of Texas, 1890, p. 716. PL. V. A. SOUTHEASTERN SCARP OF DIABLO MOUNTAINS, seven miles northeast of Eagle Flat st~tlon. B. " SALT LAKE " IN THE SALT BASIN Guadalupe Mountains In the background . dome range from 5° to 20° and average about 10°. In the northeastern part the dips flatten out where the Finlay Mountains merge into the Diablo Plateau. The Finlay Mountains have been intruded by a number of dikes striking in different directions, and although there is no def­inite proof, it is possible that the dome structure has resulted from subterranean igneous movement. The Diablo Plateau throughout its extent is underlain by fl.at or low­lying rocks. Its southern end is underlain by the low west-dipping lime­stone of the Diablo Mountains, and the northward extension of these rocks with the eastward extension of the low east-dipping limestone of the Hueco Mountains forms the eastern and central floor of the plateau. Black Mountain, the Sierra Tinaja Pinta, and the Cornudas Mountains, ex­tending along the eastern side of the Plateau, are largely composed of igneous rocks of post-Washita age, which locally have tilted the adjacent sediments. The southeastern limit of the Diablo Plateau, it has been mentio:aed, is marked by faulting along the scarp of the Diablo Moun­tains. On the southwest the Diablo Plateau is marked by the practically flat area of Finlay limestone. The southwestern escarpment of the plateau northwest of the Finlay Mountains was not studied. It may be a sim­ple erosion scarp protected by the overlying massive limestone, but near the Finlay Mountains there are local exposures of southwest-dipping rocks at the base, which are indicative of either faulting or close fold­ing. This latter structure strikes with the dominant northwest-southeast trend. The Hueco Mountains constitute in the main an east-dipping mono­cline with anticlinal structure locally developed contiguous to the scarp that faces the Hueco Basin. In the northern part of the mountains the dip is almost due east, ranging from 10° to 15° near the scarp. East­ward the dips gradually decrease and low-lying limestone underlies the northwestern part of the Diablo Plateau. In the southern part of the s •• , ,:-...........•. '" • .•• ,,;• • ·....... ......... J.,...-• • •• .; · ··~· : •· •• H OR IZONTAL & V[ATLCAL SCALE 100~111 1.soo iooo 2 !>00Fee'I. '" ? Fig. 3. Section of southern end of Hueco Mountains,17 m!les northeast of San Elizario. 1. Limestone of Hueco form>l.tion. Pleistocene sand and gravel. " 3. Granite dike. 4. Bliss sandstone? 5. El Paso limestone. Hueco Mountains the inclination of the rocks is northeasterly. Along the scarp at the southern end a f~ult is suggested by the escarpment, by the presence of a dike parallel with the scarp, and by the fact that to the south Carboniferous rocks have the same elevation as Ordovician rocks exposed in the scarp. The dips are anticlinal, however, and it is possible that the main structure is due to folding, although there may also be associated faulting (Fig. 3). Low west dips are exposed in the outlying hills west of the mountains, but the axis of folding is con­cealed by unconsolidated deposits. A group of igneous rocks is ex­posed in the vicinity of Hueco tanks adjacent to the axis of folding. Here, too, faulting may be associated with the folding, but the presence of a fault has not been determined. There is a small area of considerable disturbance about 6 miles south of Hueco tanks, but the details have not been studied. Local tilting of the Hueco formation occurred incident to the eruption of the igneous rocks of Cerro Alto. The structure of the unconsolidated deposits of the Hueco Basin is not definitely known, but the incomplete information furnished by wells and the sections exposed north of the railroad indicate that these deposits are but little inclined from horizontal. Their attitude has a bearing on the water supply and will be referred to again. The position of the bed rock beneath the Hueco Basin is absolutely un­ 4000'above Sea level ll'to. 4. Section of the southeastern end of the Franklin Mountains, 4 miles north of El Paso. 1. El Paso limestone. 3. Granit11. 2. Bliss sandstone. 4. Pleistocene debris. known. The west dips of the outlying hills of the Hueco Mountains and the probable identity of the Ordovician and Cambrian rocks in the Hueco and Franklin mountains suggest folding beneath the basin. This hypo­thetical structure would strike approximately parallel with the linear extent of the basin and would be synclinal on the east beneath the greater part of the basin and anticline on the west contiguous to the Franklin Mountains. It is possible that this supposed anticline east of the Franklin Mountains is f~ulted-the fault being a continuation of that believed to extend east of the San Andreas Range in New Mexico. This, of course, is entirely conjectural. The general structure of the Franklin Mountains is a steep-dipping­faulted monocline. The dips are westerly and range from 20° in the southern part of the mountains to 60° near the State line. Pleistocene deposits completely surround the range so that it stands out alone, and its relation to other rock masses is concealed. The fact that the outly­ing areas of Silurian rocks east of the ridge, one at the State line and the other west of Fort Bliss, are· east of the Ordovician and dip westerly, implies normal faulting of considerable throw, but the exact stratigraphic relations of these rocks have not been determined. The existence of a fault at the southeastern extremity of the Frank­lin Mountains abm1t 3 miles north of El Paso is definitely proved. There the rocks all dip west at an angle of about 20°. On a low ridge at the eastern base of the mountains Ordovician rocks outcrop, while up the slope to the west Cambrian and Ordovician rocks occur. The same Richmond horizon has been recognized on both sides of the fault. A belt of granitic rock outcrops along the fault plain. This is a normal fault; the strike of the fault plain is north and south; the hade is eastward, and the throw approximates 2000 feet (Fig. 4). The age of this fault is not known, except that it is post-Ordovician. That near-by faulting in this general trend, however, has occurred re­cently is shown by displaced sands and clays exposed in a sand pit in the northern part of the city of El Paso. A section of about 50 feet is exposed in this pit. The upper part consists of horizontal coarse sand and gravel, unconformably below which, the contact not being well shown, are fine sands with streaks of clay. These lower beds are tilted about 10° to the southwest and are faulted, the displacements being empha­sized by the streaks of clay. This is a case of normal step faulting. The hade is easterly about 15° and the downthrow is about 2 feet in an oppo­site direction from the dip of the strata. MINERAL RESOURCES. INTRODUCTORY. The mineral resources of the region here discussed are varied. They include tin, silver and copper in amounts known to be valuable, and the presence of gold, lead and other metals in small amounts is known. Coal has been found recently. Gypsum, salt, petroleum and native sulphur occur in greater or less amounts. Building stones, marbles, limestones and clay are found in quantity, and the presence of underground water is widespread. The occurrence of tin in the Franklin Mountains, 10 miles north of El Paso, has been described by Mr. W. H. Weed,24 and Mr. W. H. von Streeruwitz has described the Hazel mine,25 situated 10 miles northeast of Allamoore, which is reported to have produced considerable silver and copper. No mining and only a little development work is now being done on the metals in this region, though from time to time active prospecting is carried on in the Franklin, Finlay, Diablo, and Guadalupe mountains, where valuable strikes may yet be found. In the Guadalupe Mountains adjacent to the State line promising copper prospects have been recently reported. The ore is said to be copper carbonate in fissure veins in the Permian limestone. During the reconnaissance in 1903 lack of time prevented the study of the occurrence of any of these substances except wa:ter. A few notes, however, were made on salt, petroleum and sulphur which are attracting attention. Coal has been found since field work closed. COAL. Coal was found 8 miles northeast of Fort Hancock in a well sunk for water, in February, 1904. This well was started in the unconsolidated deposits along the southeastern edge of the Hueco Basin· and a bed of coal reported to be 6 feet thick was struck at a depth uf 244 feet, as shown by the following log :26 ..El Paso Tin Deposits, Bull. No. 178, U.S. Geo!. Surv., 1901. BSThird Ann. Rept. Geo!. Surv. of Texas, 1891, pp. 387-389, 2•Log furnished by Dr. Wm. B. Phillips. Log of well 8 miles northeast of Fort Hancock. Thickness Depth reet. Gravel and clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 6 Olay ............................ ............... 154 160 Red sandstone ..... .... ............ .. ... .. . . .. ... 38 198 Limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 203 Red sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 212 Yellowish limestone .. . .. .. . .... .. ........ ........ 18 230 Black shale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 244 Coal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 250 Blue shale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 258 Black shale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 275 Dr. Phillips examined some of the fragments brought up by the drill and found that they will coke. Beyond this, nothing is now known, though the occurrence soon will be further exploited. Coal is known to occur at several localities in trans-Pecos Texas: It has been reported from Eagle Springs ;27 between. Sierra Barda and the Rio Grande ;28 between Alpine and Paisano Pass ;29 on the east and !k>uth sides of the Ohisos Mountains ;30 and near San Carlos. In all of these occurtences, so far as known, the age of the coal is upper Creta­ ceous, but only the San Oarlos81 field has been studied in detail. Coal has been found at several localities in New Mexico, but in all of these the coal is of Laramie age. Little can be predicted concerning the coal north of Fort Hancock be­ cause of its hidden occurrence. It should be noted, however, that at the nearest outcrop of consolidated rocks to the southeast, 5 miles away, the strata are sharply folded and it is possible that disturbed conditions will be found at the present locality which is approximately along the strike of the folding. SALT. The presence of salt in the Salt Basin has long been known to the Mexicans, who, in the early days of the occupation of the country, are said to have traveled for it from distant parts of Chihuahua. The first wagon road to the deposit, however, was not built until 1863. Not long after its construction the salt was "located" and claimed, and an effort was made to collect a charge for the salt, which formerly was free to all. This provoked trouble that was made an issue in a personal feud be­tween two politicians, and finally, in 1877, resulted in riot and bloodshed 27 B. F. Hill, Bull. No. 2, Univ. of Texas Mineral Survey, 1902. 28Von Streeruwitz, W. H., Fourth Ann. Rept. Geol. Surv. of Texas, 1893, p. 175. 890p. cit. sovaughan, T. Wayland, Bull. No. 164, U.S. Geol. Surv., 1900, pp. 73-95. s1vaughan, Op. cit. at San Elizario. Quiet was restored only by the intervention of the United States army.32 This deposit of salt is situated on the west side of the Salt Basin, about 15 miles southwest of El Capitan Peak and a little more than 50 miles north of Vanhorn. The deposit is locally known as the salt lake. It occupies a slight depression, and is one of several so-called lakes similarly situated in this part of the Salt Basin (Plate V, B). Unconsolidated, impure gypsum forms the floor of most of these lakes and surrounds and connects them. Borax and potash have been found in one of the dry lakes. Strontium occurs in the gypsum that surrounds the salt lake, and there are traces of lithium in the deposits. Outside the area occupied by these depressions, the materials of the Salt Basin generally are clay and fine sand, and toward the margin the surface is strewn with coarser debris from the contiguous highlands. Salt Basin generally are clay and :fine sand, and toward the margin the surface is strewn with coarser debris from the contiguous highlands. Although some salt occurs in a few of the other lakes, only one is known to contain it in important quantities. This is roughly elliptical in outline and has an area of about 45 acres.. Viewed from a distance, it presents the appearance of a pond covered with ice or snow, so white is the layer of salt on its surface. During the dusty, dry season the salt becomes impure, but after a rain, and especially in localities where the surface salt has been lately removed, beautiful hopper-shaped crystals are formed. An analysis of some of these, by S. H. Worrell of the University of Texas Mineral Survey, gave the following results : Analysis of salt crystals. Per cent. Chlorine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59.5 Sodium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.6 Calcium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.1 Magnesium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.2 Sulphur tetroxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l.O Total .. .. ................................ . ...........100.6 The analysis shows that the crystals are almost pure halite, mixed with small amounts of calcium and magnesium sulphates. No wells have been sunk to test the character of the underlying de­ posits, but a shallow hole shows the following section : Inches. Salt . ............................. ........ .... .............. 1 Gypsiferous sand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i Rlack clay with sulphur smell, impregnated with salt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Green-drab clay ... .. .. . ...... .... . .. ..... . ....... .. .. .. . . .... 24 A qualitative analysis of these substances, by Mr. S. H. Worrell, shows ••House Ex. Doc. No. 93, 45th Congress, Second Session, El Paso Troubles in Texas, 1878. the presence of silica, alumina, lime, magnesia, soda, sulphur trioxide, carbon dioxide, and traces of potash and lithium, but no borax. Borax, however, occurs in at least one locality near by. An evaporation crust on a lake about 2 miles southeast of the salt lake examined by E. M. Skates of El Paso has the following composition: Analysis of crust of lake. Per cent. Insoluble; sulphates of calcium, magnesium and sodium. . . . . . . . . . 73.0 Sodium chloride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.3 Borax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.7 Total ...... . ................. . .... . ..... . .. . .. . ......100.0 No test was made for potash. From this analysis it appears desirable to further prospect in this locality. The layer of salt which covers the surface of the lake is said occa­sionally to attain a thickness of from 4 to 6 inches, but measurements made in 1903 show an average of only about 1 inch. This is the com­mercially valuable deposit, for the crystals of halite referred to above are comparatively rare. The salt is grayish white, coarsely crystalline to granular and deliquescent. Locally there is often an admixture of wind­blown impurities which are common on the surface of the deposit. An analysis of a typical specimen, by Mr. S. H. Worrell, is as follows: Analysis of common salt. Per cent. Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.6 Alumina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.6 Iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........trace. Magnesia . . ............. .... .... ... ............. .. . . ......trace. Lime . . .... .. ........ .. ........ .... ......................trace. Potash . . ... . .................. . ........... ... ...........none. Sodium sulphate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 Sodium chloride ............. ..... .... ... ... .. .............. 97.3 Total .................. . ... ...... . .. .......... .. ..... 99.9 The ground-water level here is very near the surface. The t.est hole, above referred to, rapidly filled with water, which contained consider­able gas, apparently hydrogen sulphide. An analysis of this water, by Mr. S. H. Worrell, is as follows: Analysis of Water. Parts per l,000. Silica . . ..................................................none. Alumina ................ .......... .......................none. Iron . . ... . ......... . ... ... . . ........ .. ...................noue. Lime ...................... .. . .. .. . ............ .. ........none. Magnesium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.5 Sodium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.9 Potassium . . .... .... . . . .... ... .... . ................ . ... . ..trace. Chlorine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52. 7 Sulphur tetroxide ............... ·. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.8 Total ........ .. .......................... . . . . . ... . .. 99.9 When the surface layer of salt is removed, its place is taken by this brine, which evaporates and deposits salt, so that, within a few weeks after stripping an area, salt completely replaces that which was removed. The supply is popularly believed to be inexhaustible. These facts imply that the salt is derived from an underground source, either from disseminated salt or from a bed of salt with which the ground waters come in contact. The depth below the surface and the extent of such deposits are entirely conjectural. This salt is extensively used by ranchmen, some of whom come from Fort Davis, a distance of over 100 miles. Considerable salt from the lake is also freighted to the pan amal~amation works at Shafter, 150 miles distant. The salt is not sold by weight, but by the load; a 2-horse load costs $1, and a 6-horse load $3. No careful records are kept of the amount of salt hauled away, but certainly immense quantities have been used, and apparently there is as much in sight as there was forty years ago. PETROLEUM. The presence of petroleum in commercial quantities in parts of Trans­Pecos 'l'exas--in Pecos, Reeves and eastern El Paso counties-has been suspected for several years.33 Indications are numerous. Bituminous limestones, sandstones and shales that give a strong odor on being struck with a hammer outcrop in many places. The occurrence of globules of oil in the water from various wells, of a few oil seeps, and especially of small quantities of petroleum in oil prospects, tend to confirm the Slli!­picion that oil in paying quantities actually exists here. But as yet this hope has not been realized. In Bulletin No. 2 of the University of Texas Mineral Survey, Dr. Phillips calls attention to the presence of oil and asphalt in small quanti­ties near Fort Stockton. Since the publication of thai bulletin a well 1200 feet deep has been put down in search of oil in that vicinity, and though a little petroleum and gas and considerable sulphur were re­ported, oil in paying quantities was not found. The well struck highly mineralized artesian water, which flows about 25 barrels a day. The log of this well, furnished by W. W. Turney through Dr. Phillips, is given below. The geology of the surrounding area has not yet been studied. 8 •Phillips, W. B., Texas Petroleum, Bulletin No. 1, University of Texas Min­eral Survey, 1901. Phillips, W. B., Sulphur, Oil and Quicksilver in Trans-Pecos Texas, Bulletin No. 2, University of Texas Mineral Survey, Hl02. Hill, R. T., The Beaumont Oil Field and Notes on other Oil Fields of the Texas Region, Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. CLIV, page 226, 1902. Log of artesioo well near Fort Stockton, Section 19, Block 140. Feet. Blaek loam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O to 10 White marl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 to 22 Honey-comb gravel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 to 40 Quartz rock carrying oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 to 200 Quartz rock richly impregnated with sulphur .. ... .... . 200 to 250 Quartz rock carrying oil and sulphur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 to 400 Quartz rock richly impregnated with sulphur ...... . ... 400 to 525 Brown sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525 to 540 Quartz rock carrying crystallized sulphur .. .. ......... . 540 to 600 Brown sandstone carrying oil ..... ... . . .... . ... . ..... 600 to 610 White and blue quartz rock .......... . ... . ........... 610 to 620 Brown sandstone carrying oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620 to 630 Blue sandy limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630 to 640 Brown sandstone carrying oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 640 to 665 Impure limestone carrying oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665 to 685 Black sandstone carrying oil and gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685 to 920 Impure limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920 to 940 Black sandstone .. ... . . .... . ... . ..... . ............ . . 940 to 959 Blue mud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 959 to 960 Black sandstone carrying oil . .. . .. ............ . ...... 960 to 975 Light blue sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97.5 to 1005 Black sandstone carrying oil ... ......... ............ . 1005 to 1025 Light blue sandstone carrying gas .. ... .. ... ... . ......1025 to 1035 Black sandstone carrying some oil ........ . . . . . .......1035 to 1050 Light blue sandstone carrying gas .. . ........... .. ....1050 to 1065 Black sandstone . . ........................... . ......1065 to 1070 Brown sandstone ..... . ..... . .... . .... . ........ . . . .. 1070 to 1080 Blue sandstone .. . .................. . ..... ... .. . .. .. 1080 to 1120 Brown sandstone ...... . .. . ........... . .............1120 to 1130 Blue sandstone carrying oil ........ . . . ... . ........ . .. 1130 to 1200 Another unsuccessful deep well was sunk, in search of oil, about 4 miles west of Carlsbad, New Mexico, in 1902. A log was not kept, but the well was sunk to a depth of 1500 feet and only a little gas and oil were reporbed. In 1855-'57, Capt. John Pope put down two wells in search of artesian water, about 10 miles east of the mouth of Delaware Creek. The deep­est was sunk 1050 feet, apparently mostly through red beds. No hydro­carbons were reported, and the undertaking was a failure. In the region with which this paper is especially concerned a number of wells have been drilled in this oil belt. The deepest of these, the Aden well, on the east slope of the Delaware Mountains, 9 miles north­west of Lone Man Mountain, was sunk in 1902 in search of water. No signs of oil were reported from this well, which was put down 916 feet mostly in limestone of the Delaware Mountain formation. Another deep hole is the artesian well at Toyah, which is 832 feet deep, and is reported to have gone all the way through unconsolidated materials. A number of wells have been drilled in the unconsolidated deposits of the Toyah Basin, in the immediate vicinity of Pecos City, where artesian water is found at a depth of hetween 200 and 300 feet. lt is reported that, if the water from these wells be allowed to stand a con­siderable time, traces of oil will appear. In 1901, a well was drilled 6 miles southeast of Pecos, to a depth of 282 feet, in the basin deposits. A small amount of gas was struck at 155 feet; traces of oil were found at 217 feet, and several other traces of oil were encountered between 240 and 282 feet. Petroleum has been found also in two other wells in the Toyah Basin, -the Casey and Ross wells, respectively 12 and 15 miles northwest of Pecos. The quantity is so small that the oil is cased off and the wells are used for watering stock. Traces of oil are also found in the Tinnin well, near Cottonwood Draw, about 20 miles northwest of Toyah; in the Burnt Spring, northwest of Toyah, and at a few other localities. In spite of these various indications, very little oil had been found in trans­Pecos Texas, until early in 1903, when J. D. Leatherman reported oil about 15 miles northwest of Toyah, in the Toyah Basin. This oil is said to occur in unconsolidated rock, but it has not yet been regularly removed and the true yield of the well has not been determined. The well went through 20 feet of surface material, mostly gypsum, 20 feet of gravel, and 150 feet of bluish clay containing a few sand streaks. Oil is re­ported to have been struck at 170 feet, which rose to within about 30 feet of the surface. Considerable gas accompanies this oil. A limited quantity of oil from the Leatherman well is for sale at Pecos City, where it is used for greasing windmills. An analysis of this oil by 0. H. Palm, of the University of Texas Mineral Survey, fol­lows: Analysis of oil from 15 miles northwest of Toyah. Specific gravity: 20° C (68° F.), .9090, equivalent to 24° Beaume. Barometer: 29.2 inches. Color: Dark brown. Odor: sweet. Viscosity: Engler test-20° at 25° C.-73° F. Cooling test: Oil flows at minus 16° C.-3° F. Flash point: 74° C.-165.2° F. Burning point: 110° C.-230° F. Rea.ting power: 19,440. B. T. U.=Calories: 10,800 on water free oil. D,tstillation yielded the following fractions (29.2 in. pressure): Temperature. No. Centi- Fahren- Percentageby volume. Specificgravity. Beaume. Color. grade. belt. 1 2 3 4 5 6 125°-150" 175°-20()0 22.50-25()0 250°-275° 275°-300° 325°-35()0 I 257"-SO'Zo 347°-392" 437°-4~2"· 4820-527° .52·0-5n° 617"-662" 6.10 1.20 7.80 8 20 7 40 50.00 .7404 .7590 .8360 •8543 .86:!0 .8843 59 54.5 37 34 32 28 Colorless. Straw yellow. Li11:ht yellow. Ll~ht yellow . Ye low. Pal" red. Residue: 14 per cent byweight........................... Loss................................. Total.......................... Sulphur: 1.00 per cent. 14.00 f>.30 100.00 ................................................. Black asphalt. Naptha (fraction 1).......6.10 per cent by vol. Burning oil (2, 3, 4, 5) ... 24.60 per cent by vol. Heavy oil (6).................. 50 00 per cent by vol. The heavy oil has a very low viscosity, due to the fact that the crude oil decomposed rapidly during the distillation. A sickening odor was given off during the entire fractionation. In the fall of 1903, a well was sunk by a California company about li miles southwest of the Leatherman well, with poor results. The log of this well is as follows : Log of California Company's Well No. 1. Thickness Depth feet. feet. Surface, mostly gypsum ...... . .....................27 27 Gravel .............. . ... . ..... . .................40 67 Coarse gravel, water at base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 71 Blue clay ......... . .............................. 9 80 Ilard sand .......................................45 125 Blue clay ........ . . . ... ..... ........... ... .......14 139 Brown clay ......... ·. .. . ..... .. . ... .. .... . .. .... .95 234 Although little or no oil was found, it was decided by those in charge to make a decisive test in this vicinity, and a new site was chosen near the other two wells. By January 15, 1904, the drill had reached a depth of 272 feet, and had passed through the following material: Log of California Company's Well No. 2. Thickness Depth feet. feet. Surface, mostly gypsum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 18 Gravel ... ............... . ...................... 17 35 Blue clay with thin streaks of sand, oil-bearing (con­ siderable sulphur water was found in gravel at 203 feet) ........................ . .. .... . . ... .....179 214 Solid rock, chiefly sandstone but with streaks of thin limestone; also containing some oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 272 The oil found in this well is reported as similar to that in the Leather­man well, but the quantity is small and has not been determined. The Leatherman and California oil wells are situated in the Toyah Basin, in the midst of a broad, very gently undulating fiat. Cotton­wood Draw, occupying a scarcely perceptible swale, is near by. In the immediate vicinity of the wells, and extending far eastward in both a northern and a southern direction, pulverulent, white, earthy gypsum covers the surface. At the wells this gypsum is from 18 to 27 feet thick. In this immediate vicinity the gypsum is impregnated with na­tive sulphur, which will be referred to below. Outside of this gypsum area, the Toyah Basin is covered by loose detritus of igneous rock, sand­stone, and limestone. This material is wash from the adjacent high­lands, the igneous rock coming from the Davis Mountains to the south­west. About li miles southwest of the wells is a small area of broken gray limestone, and from 5 to 7 miles west, extending in an approximately north-south belt, are low outcrops of coarse and fine-textured sandstone with interbedded limestone, which are almost buried by the surrounding Basin deposits. These are outlying Cretaceous rocks belonging to the Washita group of the Comanche serl.es. The "wash" of Toyah Basin extends farther west to the range of low hills in which the Rustler formation outcrops. Westward these rocks are succeeded by the belt of bedded gypsum and finally by the sandstones and limestones of the Dela ware Mountain formation. These rocks all dip low to the east, but their structure, depth and extent in the Toyah Basin are unknown b~cause of the cover of wash and the erosion that occurred previous to the deposition of the basin deposits. Reviewing known conditions in the area covered by the reconnais­sance in 1903, the following may be noted concerning the possible abun­dance of petroleum. There occurs here a great mass of little disturbed sedimentary rocks, some of which are bituminous. There are beds of porous rock to serve as reservoirs. Locally the strata are gently folded, and small amounts of petroleum are widely disseminated. On the other hand, there is very little shale in this region to act as an impervious cap to prevent the escape and to aid in the accumulation of oil. However, there is considerable limestone, which sometimes is an effective barrier. Then there is no general system of folds to provide for storage and the accumulation of pools, but the beds are characteristically lenticular, and there may be lenses of porous rock saturated with oil that is preserved by contiguous impervious beds. Besides chances for oil in the older rocks, there are possibilities, in the wide extent of the unconsolidated materials of the Toyah Basin, for a combination of favorable conditions for collecting and storing dis­seminated petroleum. Only the drill can determine whether oil exists here in paying quantities. SULPHUR. The sulphur deposits of trans-Pecos Texas are described in Bulletin No. 2 of the University of 'l'exas Mineral Survey, by E. M. Skeats, E. A. Smith, and W. B. Phillips but, as the edition of that Bulletin is ex­hausted, it is thought desirable to give here the results of notes made in the fall of 1903. Native sulphur occurs associated with gypsum at several localities in northeastern El Paso and northern Reeves counties. Some prospecting and development work have been done and two carloads of sulphur have been shipped, but very little is yet known of the extent and value of these deposits. The sulphur prospect nearest to a railroad occurs about 15 miles southwest of Guadalupe, on the Pecos Valley road. Another sulphur prospect, but of less value, is about the same distance northwest of Toyah, on the Texas and Pacific Railroad. Other prospects occur scattered over the gypsum belt at various distances, up to 25 miles. There would be little difficulty in constructing a railroad into the sul­phur fields, for the country is open and rises gradually westward across the nearly flat Toyah Basin and through valleys in the Rustler Hills into the gypsum plain beyond. This country is fairly well supplied with water from shallow wells, but all of it is strongly mineralized. The water averages almost 300 parts per 100,000 of dissolved salts, of which about two-thirds is calcium sulphate. Fuel can be furnished for a limited time by a growth of old stunted junipers. Moreover, there is a hope that petroleum or gas in profitable quantities will be found in this region. The most extensive prospecting has been done in the vicinity of Maverick Spring, which is in the Toyah Basin, about 9 miles northeast of Rustler Spring, near the eastern base of the Rustler Hills. Several shallow prospect holes have been dug here and an area of considerable size has been scraped. The sulphur occurs in a bare, flat, gypsum-cov­ered area whose surface is strewn with well-rounded quartz pebbles that average about one-half inch in diameter. The gypsum also contains quartz pebbles and bits of organic matter. The pebbles doubtless are derived from the conglomerate of the Rustler formation and the gypsum appears to have been transported from near-by outcrops of Castile gyp­sum. Sulphur occurs here in different ways; sometimes it is superficially developed on the gypsum as a thin amorphous film. Again, it is rather minutely disseminated throughout the mass of gypsum. One broad strip exposes a bed of brownish earth about 3 feet thick, highly im­pregnated with undetenninable organic matter, having a peculiar sul­phur odor and containing considerable disseminated, minute sulphur crystals. A cut in this vicinity shows about 2 feet of rather compact amorphous sulphur, which also contains small pebbles. This entire area seems to be "spotted." This is the only locality where considerable prospecting has been done, though no sulphur has been shipped from it (Plate VI, A). E. M. Skeats, who is familiar with the work, reports a pit section 41 feet deep in gypsum, sand and gravel, situated about 5 miles northwest of Maverick Spring. Samples were taken every few feet, an average of which gave 26 per cent of free sulphur, though some tests went as high as 46 per cent. Mr. Skeats reports the presence of free sulphuric acid in the A RECONN.A.ISS.A.NCE IN 'l'R.A.Ns-PEcos TEXAS. waters associated with the sulphur deposits, and he mentions that a 21-foot bore hole struck a mixture of gas which burned for several days. Mr. Skeats estimates that, in this Maverick Spring vicinity, there are over 300,000 tons of sulphur within 40 feet of the surface. The most extensive development work has been done about 6 miles north of Rustler Springs (Plate VI, B). It is reported that three or four years ago 100 men or more were employed here for several months. A number of acres were stripped, a furnace was erected for treating the ore by the superheated steam process, and two or three carloads of re­fined sulphur were shipped from Guadalupe. The strippings show at the surface from 2 to 3 feet of porous, earthy gypsum, containing a few rounded pebbles of quartz, ov;erlying the ore, which averages about 4 feet in thickness. The ore is a brownish, porous substance, contaimng dis­seminated sulphur crystals. An analysis by Mr. George Steiger, of the United States Geological Survey, shows that the bulk of the ore is silicia, with a little alumina; and that no calcium, sulphuric acid or carbon dioxide are present. This ore contains considerable organic mat­ter of an undetermined nature, and 18.36 per cent of free sulphur. About 10 miles northwest of Rustler Spring, just east of the Toyah­Guadalupe road, is a low gypsum hill capped by 20 feet of gray limestone lying practically fiat. Several hundred feet have been stripped along the southern side of the hill, exposing a good section. Amorphous yel­low sulphur occurs disseminated in irregular streaks and patches in the gypsum, occasionally rudely following the bedding and again crossing it, not following any regular course. The sulphur-impregnated zone aver­ages about 3 feet in width. The contact between the gypsum and lime­stone is extremely irregular. They are intimately intermingled and porous, which suggests that the gypsum had its origin in the limestone adjacent to the contact. A test pit li miles northeast of this locality shows 6 feet of gypsum containing disseminated sulphur underlain by 3 feet of bituminous lime­stone. South of Delaware Creek, about 4 miles southeast of Delaware Spring and 18 miles northwest of Rustler Spring, is a prominent three-peaked hill of limestone underlafo by gypsum. A cavern over 100 feet deep shows superficial alteration of the limestone into white, porous gypsum, with which thin coatings of native sulphur are associated. The odor of hydrogen sulphide is easily detected in the cavern, and there can be little doubt that the alteration of the limestone and the origin of the sulphur are due to that gas. On the north side of Cottonwood Draw, about 16 miles northwest of Toyah, contiguous to the oil wells in Toyah Basin, a small area has been scraped, exposing some sulphur sparingly disseminated in the gypsum. Sulphur also occurs in small quantities, disseminated in the gypsum, about 10 miles northwest of Rustler Springs, near Stinking Seep. A few other localities are also known where sulphur is seen at the surface associated with gypsum, but little prospecting has been done at these places. These are practically all of the known occurrences of sulphur in this region. Sulphur is found throughout a wide area, and locally it is fairly well concentrated, but very little is known of the extent and value of PL. VI. A. SULPHUR PROSPECT NEAR MAVERICK SPRING. Photograph by W. B. Phillips. B SULPHUR PROSPECT, 6 MILES NORTH OF RUSTLER SPRING. these deposits. That can be determined only by persistent prospecting. Concerning the origin of the sulphur, the most significant facts seem to be its association with gypsum and organic matter and the occur­rence of hydrogen sulphide. There has been no recent volcanic activity in this region. The association of sulphur, gypsum, and organic matter suggests their genetic relationship, inasmuch as sulphur can be formed by the reduction of gypsum. The origin of sulphur has been accounted for by considering that organic matter reduces gypsum to calcium sulphide, which, being acted on by carbonic acid waters, yields calcium carbonate and hydrogen sulphide, and, from the latter, sulphur is formed by oxidation. Gypsum, however, is a stable compound, and though it can be reduced by the ap­plication of heat, the above reactions at ordinary temperatures, except through the intervention of micro-organisms, have not been verified. Possibly such favorable conditions existed during the formation of some of t·he sulphur under consideration which, besides being associated with gypsum and organic matter, apparently was formed at or near the sur­face. Hydrogen sulphide~ though its source is not clear, is widespread throughout the area under consideration, and it is a familiar fact that native sulphur is formed by the oxidation of this gas. By such a reac­tion sulphur is now being deposited in Delaware Creek, where water from a sulphur spring mingles with water from Delaware Spring. A sample from the bed of the creek, collected by Captain Pope in 1854, showed 18.28 per cent of free sulphur. Again, the superficial, rust­like coating of sulphur on gypsum near Maverick Spring can be ac­counted for by the oxidation of hydrogen sulphide contained in water trickling over the rock. Thus throughout this region, each occurrence having its own characteristics, in the final reaction the sulphur may have been formed by the oxidation of hydrogen sulphide, but the ulti­mate source of·this gas needs further investigation, both in the field and laboratory. UNDERGROUND WATER. CLillU.TOLOGICAL lll'OTBS. Excepting the Rio Grande and the Pecos rivers, whose chief sources are far distant in the Rocky Mountains, the water supply of the area under consideration is dependent on local climatic conditions. Statione in this region where systematic weather observations have been made are f.ew and far apart. Records have been kept at El Paso, however, since 1878. These represent the general climatical conditions in the territory under consideration, but only in a broad way, for the area is large and the different physical aspects of the country involve corresponding changes in weather. The El Paso records, supplemented by rainfall data taken at Kent, Carlsbad, and Fort Davis, are as follows: A RECONNAISSANCE IN TRANS-PECOS TEXAS. Monthly and annual precipitation, in inches, at El Paso, Texas. .. ..; ,_; .; ,:, ,:, i.: ..: d .ci d ., 0. Year. ., ~~ al al 0 ., :; 0. ~ = ...., ...., Q ;:;;l <" z r:r. ::a 17.l 0 <" "' < " _2­ = ......... 0.111879 ........... ......... ......... ......... 0.66 ......... ......... 1.25 255 0.66 1.02 ········· ...s.si 026 1880 .. ......... ... . .... 1879 .................... 1.57 0.04 0010.83 0.18 0.01 0.00 0.0!' 0.95 2.47 I0.35 1.01 3 60 0.0'2 1.5-3 T 0.30 0.10 0.00 6.54 0.80 0.47 14.31 1881.. .................. 0.00 0.78 3.15 1.44 18.17 1882 .................... O.il5 0.24 0.2'2 I. Sa 0.02 8.18 1.45 0.50 0.01 0.00 2.82 0.40 8.27 1883.......... ......... 0.64 0.78 0.00 0.43 I 26 0.00 0.118 0.10 U6 0.8( 0.10 2 84 12.92 1884 ........... ..... .... 2.09 0.10 0.04 1.34 2 51 2.03 0.40 0.02 o.61 2.07 18.30 1885 ........... ······· 0.55 0.84 0.91 0.46 3.98 3.68 515 0.33 T 0 II 022 0.37 7.31 1886 ................... 0.12 1.06 0.46 022 0.46 003 0.34 0.04 1.27 0 31 263 1.85 004 8.06 1887 ........... ......... 0 31 1.62 1.16 0.80 044 0.01 I 03 0.52 0.28 T 1.01 6.76 1888 ........... ......... 0.03 1 68 0.94 0.78 0.15 0.13 0.73 0.56 0.32 0.09 034 0 05 9.79 1889.. ............ ...... 1.39 0.49 0.32 1.51 0.74 1.32 1.13 1.32 0.95 0.15 042 0.00 7.10 1.59 004 0.76 2.64 0.35 0.55 0.18 0.67 0.04 0.00 0.28 0 28 8.49 0.72 0.95 0.41 3.2.5 1.81 0.3.5 1891.. ......•........... 0.0'~ 0.01 0.06 T 0.63 1890 .. ················· 0.50 2.22 1892 .......... ......... 0.27 0.06 0.13 0.23 T T 0.09 0.16 0.00 0.38 0 40 0.61 o.32 1.14 1.25 0.07 0 12 0.22 0.93 0.57 0.11 T T 0 30 0 42 1893 ....•............... 10 88 1894 ........... ......... 0.0'.Z 3.15 2.08 T 0.0:? 0.52 208 0.31 000 2.28 T 4 24, 1895 .................... 0.6.> 0.:1.> 1.40 0 40 o.oo 0.29 0.01 0.64 0.39 0.13 001 0 01 0.31 10.20 1896 ................... 2.01 0.65 0.17 2.48 0.28 0 88 1.05 0.05 T 2.11 0.21 g,79 006202 2 73 1.63 T 1.09 1.48 0.04 0.14 T 0.60 T 12.41 0 09 1898 .................... 2.89 2.73 077 0 54 0.00 0.14 2.17 2.57 T 0.05 046 1897 ·········· ········· 616 1899 .. .................. 1.04 1.46 025 0 81 1.00 0.50 T 0.16 0.04 0.43 0.01 0 46 7.3() 1900 .................... 0.21 3.08 0 01 0 64 0.06 0.03 0 61 0.91 0.64 0.23 0 88 T 7.95 1901.. ........ ........ T 0.43 0.23 0 11 0.43 0.27 2.38 2.18 1.23 0 26 0.0'.Z 0 41 8.68 1902 . .................. 0.03 2.98 0.35 0.47 0.47 0.39 1.05 0.34 0 82 1.05 0.68 0.05 0.78 1015 1903 ........... ......... 0.57 0.31 049 0.01 0.00 2.HS 1.86 0.00 0.01 3.27 T 0.01 11.63 0.00 0.61 1.09 0.15 1.19 1.1a 3.52 0.00 0.54 0.29 2.50 Mean monthly and annual precipitation, in inches, at El Paso, Kent and Fort Davis, Texas, and at Carlsbad, New Mexico . Stations. El Paso........... Kent .............. Fort Da.v!s ...... Carlsbad......... d .... "' 0.53 0.53 0.45 0.28 0.42 0.50 0.26 0.23 ,_; ::oi"' 0.40 0.12 O.M 0.29 ..: 0. < 0.15 0.69 0.47 0.36 ,:, ::!l"' 0.49 053 0.79 0.65 .; " .... " 039 209 2.00 2.56 ,:, -; ...., 2.08 2 3.5 2.68 2.86 ' .. <" 1.80 1.59 2.29 242 .; 0. ., 17.l 1.11 1.79 3.21 1.09 ..; 0 (.) 0.92 1.04 0 69 0.89 i.: 0 ~ 0.50 0 97 0.70 0.41 d ., Q 0.54 0 52 033 0.44 d~ <§ 9 33 12.72 1403 12.48 Monthly and annual depth of evaporation, in inches, (J;t El Paso. [Computed from the means of tri-daily determinations of dew-point and wet-bulb observations in thermometer shelter.] .; d 0. (.) .. " .... 0 < 4.0 3.9 6.0 8.4 10.7 13.6 9.4 7.7 5.6 5.2 M 2.9 82.0 Mean monthly maximum temperature at El Paso. d ...., "' 57" .ci ., "" 63" ,_;.. ::;;? 7[!> ,_; 0. < 79" ,:, "' ~ ggo al " ...., " 96° i: ...., " 950 .. <" 93" ..; 0. ., 17.l 87" ..; (.) 0 78" i.: 0 z fl60 0 Q" 69" Mean monthly minimum temperature at El Paso . .; ..,.; ,.; ,.:, >, .; ,: .ci d 0 ., c. .. ::; .., 0 ...,.. " :a < ::!! ...., " ...., <'"'" "' " 0" z A -~ ----"' --------" ------"' -­ 31 35 42 49 58 66 69 67 61 50 38 32 Mean monthly and annual temperature at El Pa:so. .; ,.:, .; ..,.; ,.; .; ... ,: .ci c .. ., ~Cd ::i. 0 :; .. ...,= :a " "' ::;; 0" ...., <"'"' A" z " < " <" -"'­ -"­ --"' 44.5 49.4 55.8 63.8 72.8 80.2 81.9 79.0 73.1 63.0 51.5 46.1 63.4 Monthly and annual mean relative humidity at El Paso, in per cents, for 14 years to the end of 1901 . .; ,.; ,,....: <"' ,.; i-:, ,: bi: .; c ~ .. 0 ., a" ....,..d :g" .., .; " " ;::i " en"' 0" .i:g ::a z " -." <" -"' ~ ­ 47.3 40.1 30.0 24.0 23.2 27.5 45.0 46.4 47.1 45.3 44.4 45.l 38.8 These tables show the arid nature of the climate of the area under consideration. At El Paso, whose elevation is 3,700 feet above the sea, the mean annual temperature is 63.4°. The monthly maximum tem­perature ranges from 57° in January to 96° in June, and the monthly minimum from 31° in January to 69° in July. The diurnal variation is marked, amounting to almost 30°, so that, although the days in summer are hot, the nights are cool. The atmosphere is dry, the mean annual relative humidity amounting to only 38.8 per cent. This dryness i8 emphasized by the rainfall tables, which show a variation in the mean annual amount, from 9.33 inches at El Paso, in the Rio Grande Valley, to 14.03 inches at Fort Davis, in the Davis Mountains. The type i8 peculiar. Most of the rain falls in heavy, local showers during the warmer months. At El Paso, for instance, half of the annual amount occurs during July, August, and September. This type of rainfall is fortunate. During a heavy shower the soil becomes saturated and water reaoily percolates downward to replenish the underground store. More­over, abundant storm water can be collected in "tanks." Whereas, if the scanty rainfall were gentler and more evenly distributed, a much larger fraction of it would escape by evaporation than at present. GEJll'EBAL S'.rA'l'EMEJll''.r. It is well known that the ultimate source of underground water is rainfall. Part of the rainfall runs off on the surface of the ground to join the rivers; another part is returned to the atmosphere again by evaporation, while a third portion sinks through pervious materials and becomes underground water. The relative amounts of the rainfall that are thus disposed of vary greatly. In arid regions often there is no sur­face run-off and evaporation is considerable, while different conditions determine the ratio between the amount of rainfall that is evaporated a.nd that which becomes underground water. Underground water has been divided into two classes: shallow underground water, commonly called ground water, and deeper underground water, for which no gen­erally accepted term has been found. Ground water is the water between the surface and the first impervious material that retards farther downward movement. Water percolating from the surface tends to stop on such material and to collect in the pores of the overlying deposits, which become saturated to a greater or less thickness. The upper surface of this saturated zone is called the water table. The water table is an irregular, variable surface whose posi­tion changes with several factors, chief of which are the quantity of water, the amount of evaporation, the form of the underlying im­pervious rock, the surface topography, and the character of the pervious material. This water is seldom stagnant, but tends to flow with extreme slowness from a higher to a lower level, the general trend being toward adjacent valleys, thus corresponding with the surface drainage. The quantity of ground water is limited by the local rainfall, but the amount varies with other factors, generally increasing with the greater collecting area and with the depth of the surface materials. Drainage basins with large catchment areas tend to collect more ground water than smaller ones. The character of the soil and underlying materials is im­portant, for pornus substances collect more rainfall than thosa of finer texture. Moreover, porous deposits of considerable thickness permit the water to percolate to such depths as to escape much loss by evaporation. If relatively impervious rock is exposed at the surface, or if ~he uepth of superficial porous deposits is inconsiderable, very little or uo ground water will collect permanently, especially in a dry climate. The quality of the ground water varies chiefly with the nature ar.d amount of the soluble constituents in the material through which it flows. The water dissolves all the soluble matter it can, and if this be considerable or of a deleterious nature, the water is materially af­fected. Unless, however, there be a superabundance of soluble material the constant leaching by moving waters tends in time to improve the quality. Ground water becomes available for use both naturally and artificially. It reaches the surface again naturally in springs and by seepage into drainage ways, and is commonly made available artificially by tapping the water table in wells. Wells that are supplied with ground water commonly 11re characterized by the fact that water does not rise above the horizon where first found, but stands in them at the general level of the sur­rounding water table. Other methods of recovering ground water, espec­ially resorted to in arid regions, are by infiltration galleries and by subsur­face dams. An infiltration gallery is a ditch or tunnel constructed across the direction of underflow at a sufficient depth to collect the ground water, and amounts practically to a series of connected wells. A subf!ur­face dam is one extending down to the impervious rock and across the direction of the underflow which thus, in a narrow valley, can be im­pounded. Deeper underground water lies beneath the impermeable rock thnt is nearest the ground and usually is confined by an overlying impervious stratum. Deeper underground water, unlike ground water, is little COlt­trolled by local topographic and surface conditions, but is largely de­pendent upon the texture and structure of the water-bearing rocks. It may have its source considerably distant from the place where found. A portion of the underground water occurs in rock cracks and crevices and in open underground channels in soluble rocks like limestone and gypsum. These occurrences, however, are relatively of minor impor­tance. The great mass of underground water is contained in rock pores and interstices, which exist in all rocks, even the most dense. Fine-tex­tured compact rocks are relatively of little importance as water carriers, the chief available reservoirs being the comparatively loose-textured, more permeable rocks. . Structure is also an important factor in the occurrence of underground water, for if the rocks are much cracked and broken by joints or faults, their usefulness as water carriers is much impaired. Water passing through such rocks tends to be diverted by the joint cracks and the faults breaking the rocks into blocks interfere with their carrying capacity. Yet, under favorable conditions, water is collected by means of such disturbances into locally important supplies. In general, gently in­clined, little-disturbed rocks are the most favorable for obtaining under­ground water. The supply is obtained from rainwater that is absorbed at the out­crops and from streams that fl.ow across the rocks. Additional supplies are derived underground by seepage from other occurrences of under­ground water. Underground water is rarely stationary, but moves with extreme slow­ ness, the water flowing from localities of higher to lower pressure, the chief factors in the movement being the number and size of the pores in the reservoir and the pressure gradient or change in head due chiefly to gravity. As an instance of the extreme slowness of the movement of underground water it may be mentioned that Darton estimates that the rate of flow in the Dakota sandstone does not much exceed a mile or two a year.84 The available deeper underground water commonly occurs in sedi­ ments which may contain several horizons of water separated by imper­ vious beds. This water usually is under pressure, and when the porous horizon is reached in a well the water rises above the level at which it was struck to a greater or less extent. When the pressure is sufficient to cause overflow at the surface an artesian well results.83 Besides underground water, an important source of supply in arid regions is impounded storm water stored on the surface in "tanks." A "tank" is a storage reservoir commonly made by building a dam across a valley of favorable size and location to receive and hold the drainage. HEighteenth Annual Report, United States Geological Survey, Part IV, p. 609, 1897. sGThe term al'tesian sometimes is used in a broader sense to include all under ground watn that is under prP-ssure enough to cause it to rise at all in wells; and the term "flowing" and "nonf!owing" artesian wells are used to denote, respect­ively. whether the water is naturally discharged at the surface or whether pump­ing has to be resorted to. A RECONNAISSANCE IN TRANS-PECOS TEXAS. During the occasional heavy summer showers characteristic of this re­gion the quantity of water sometimes fl.owing down a valley furnishes a sufficient supply for several months or a year, if properly stored. In the area under consideration the texture and structure of the rocks and general conditions are such that comparatively little water is found in the consolidated formations that constitute the highland masses. In­stead, the chief underground water resources are found in the uncon­solidated materials that occur in the valleys and basins. In these de­posits both shallow and deeper underground water occurs. Tanks have also been constructed in a number of places. Vlll'DEBGBOVlll'D WATEB Illl' THE TOYAH BASilll'. There is a comparative abundance of water in the Toyah Basin. The Pecos River crosses the middle of this area; a number of artesian wells supply the town of Pecos; water is plentiful at Toyah, and several thou­sand cattle are supported by outlying wells in that part of the basin within the region under consideration. This report is not concerned with the river waters nor with the irri­gation systems connected therewith, these subjects already having been reported upon,3 6 but the following facts may be reviewed. The fl.ow .of the Pecos River is shown in the following table: PECOS RIVER MEASUREMENTS.37 Discharge measurement of Pecos River, M(JJT'gueretta fiume, and west valley ditch, near Pecos, Texas, fo·r 1901. Gage Pecos Marguer-West val- Date. height. River dis­etta Jlume ley ditch charge. discharge. discharge-. 1901. Feet. Sec.-ft. Sec.-ft. Sec.-ft. July 5..................... ...... ................................ ........... 1.2 39 155 19 July 10......................... ......... ...... .............................. .8 18 122 18 ~~l~ ~L:::::::::::::: :::: : : :: : :::: : ::::: :: : : :::: ::::. :: : · . : ::::::: ::::::::: 1.7 .7 67 16 182 127 23 18 August 6....................... .................. ............... ............ 5 831 143 18 August 11............... ............................................. ..... 2.1 95 216 19 August 16...... ............... ...... .................. ..................... 6.6 1,3[>0 216 19 ti:i~::~:'k::::::::::::::::::::::::::::._._::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::: 2.9 2.2 7.9 181 108 1,940 155 106 120 24 17 11 ~~~~b~rb~~-~:::: .:::::: : :::·:::: : :::::: :::: :: :: : ::: :::: : . : : : : :: :: :: ::::: 3 2.25 184 109 108 107 9 8 October 10................. ...... . ... ....... .......... .......... ....... 2.4 128 108 7 October 16.......................... .. .......... ........................... 2.4 118 106 5 October 24................... ............ ............. .................. 3.2 273 105 8 November 4...................... ................ ................ ........ 10.3 3,120 97 9 86 Harrington, H. H., A Preliminary Report on the Soils and Waters of the Upper Rio Grand~ and Pecos valleys in Texas, Bulletin No. 2, Geological Survey of Texas, 1890. T . H. Means and F. D. Gardner, A Soil Survey in the Pecos Valley, Report No. 64, United States Department of Agriculture, 1900. Taylor, T. U., Irrigation Systems of Texas, Water Supply and Irrigation, Paper No. 71, United States Geologicul Survey, 1902. 87Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper. United States Geological Survey, No. 66, 1902, p. 77. Daily gage height, in feet, of Pecos River near Pecos, Texas, for 1901 . Da.y. ci "' .... -­ .c (!) ~ -­ ,.; "'::a -­ ,.; c. < -­ !>, "'::a -­ .; , '3.., -­ t>ii ..; ..;Co ~ (!) "'< "' 0-­-­-­ >0 z -­ tl "' Cl -­ 1......................... 2.00 3.00 3.20 1.50 5.05 4.85 1.00 2.65 2.15 2.95 3.55 4.10 2 ................................. 2 00 3.00 3.20 1.50 4.60 4.90 1.00 530 2.25 2.60 5.55 4.00 3................................ 215 305 3.20 1.50 2.85 3.30 1.00 510 2.30 2.28 9.35 4.00 4 ..................... .......... 2.20 3.00 3.20 1.55 2.30 2.85 1.00 5.10 4.55 2.15 10.15 4.00 5 ...... ................. ......... 2.35 3.00 3.20 1.50 2.05 2.45 l. ~o 5.10 7.35 2.15 10.31i 4.00 6 ........... ..................... 2.55 3.05 2.95 1.45 1.70 1.95 1.30 5.00 6.35 2.10 10.60 4.00 7................................ 2.90 3.15 2.80 l.35 1.45 2.10 1.25 4.65 4.10 2.90 12.60 4.00 8........... ......... 3.35 3.20 2.65 1.30 1.30 2.75 .95 4.20 3.10 2.85 11.75 4.00 9................. ...... ......... 3.30 3.20 2.60 1.25 150 2.75 ,85 3.25 2.85 2.50 lo.40 4.00 10............................... 3.20 3.25 2.50 1.20 1.55 2.40 .80 2.55 2.75 2.40 9.20 3.60 11........ ...................... 3.15 3.40 2.50 1.20 1 30 2 30 .80 2.10 2.85 2.40 8.45 3.15 12................................ 3.65 3.70 2.50 1.15 .95 2.30 .80 3.25 5.35 2.85 7.90 3.10 13...... , ........................ 14............................. 3.65 1 3.60 J.75 3.90 2.50 2.25 1.00 1.00 .85 1.00 £.25 1.70 .80 .80 4.20 6.55 2.80 5.95 7.80 3.05 7.15 6.50 2.~5 2.70 15................................ 3 30 3.80 2.15 .95 2.05 1.35 l .75 6.40 8.40 3.80 615 2.70 16................................ 2.75 3.85 2.00 .75 1.75 1.15 1.15 6.55 7.90 3.50 5.35 2.70 17.............................. 2.95 3.90 1.95 .70 l.65 1.55 .95 6.70 7.15 3.20 5.80 2.70 18................................ 2.70 3.90 1.95 .70 1.30 1.95 .95 6.75 6.25 2.9a 4.90 2.70 19......... ....................... 2.60 3.95 1.95 .70 .95 l .70 .90 6.65 5.35 2.75 4.15 3.00 20.................... ... ...... 2.60 4.00 1.85 .70 .80 1.45 .90 7.95 4.35 2.80 4.1~ 2 85 21.. ......... ................... 3.15 4.00 1.80 .70 1.65 1.15 .90 5.35 4.05 2.95 4.95 2.70 22............................... 3 20 3.10 l.75 .70 3.00 .85 .90 3 80 3 95 3.00 4.95 2.70 23.............................. 2.75 3.W 1.70 .70 230 .90 .85 3 05 3.70 3.25 4.90 2.55 24........ ..................... 2.70 2.90 1.70 .70 1.95 1.35 4.40 260 2.95 3.25 4.90 2.50 25............. .................. 2.70 3.30 l.65 .70 l.95 1.40 6.10 2.15 2.75 3.35 4.80 2.50 26.. .............................. 2.85 3.50 1.60 ,70 J.25 l.35 5.20 2.00 2.65 3.20 4.70 2.50 '1:7................................ 3.00 3.50 160 .70 1.05 I.to 4.45 2.00 2.55 4.05 4.65 2.50 28............................... 3.00 3.50 1.70 .70 J.90 1.05 3.15 3.00 2. 15 3.55 4.60 !l.50 29................................ 300 ........ 1.75 ;65 3.55 1.30 2.95 3.00 2.70 3.20 4 55 2.50 30....................... 3.00 ......... 1.70 4.00 3.10 1.10 3.05 2.75 2.00 3.15 4 30 2.50 31................................ 3.00 ......... 1.65 ......... 4.50 ......... 2.15 2.30 ......... 3.35 ......... 3.95 Irrigation has been practiced for several years in the vicinity of Pecos, water being taken from the river by a dam about 9 miles above the town; a recently organized company plans to take water at a dam about 1 mile below Riverton and t-0 irrigate a considerable portion of the east­ern part of the Toyah Basin west of the Pecos River. The Pecos River water, however, contains considerable dissolved salts, and care has to be exercised in irrigation. The following analysis of river water, from about 10 miles below Pecos, gives an idea of its general composition :38 Analysis of Pecos River water. (Samples taken November, 1894.) Parts per 100.000 Silica, alumina and iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.20 Lime ............ ... .. .. . . ... .. ..... . .. ........ . ....... 61.26 Magnesia . .... .... . .. .... .. .......................... ... 27.81 Soda .................................................. . 76.97 Potash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.26 Sulphur trioxide .... . . . .. .. ..............................116.74 Chlorine . . ...................... .. ..................... 94.41 Carbon dioxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.15 ssBulletin No. 34, New Mexico Coll. of Agric., p. 72, 1900. Crystal water and organic matter............................ 27.54 416.34 Oxygen equivalent of chlorine .............................. 21.34 Tatal solids .........................................395.00 Practically no attention has been given to developing the underflow of the Pecos River by pumping, as is done in the Rio Grande Valley. This underflow probably will not be much used until the supply of sur­face water materially decreases incident to increased irrigation up the valley. Yet it is likely that a profitable field for exploitation exists here. Disregardi:qg the river, the main water supply of the Toyah Basin is contained in the unconsolidated deposits that underlie it to a con­siderable but unknown depth.. The most conspicuous occurrence of underground water in the Toyah Basin is the artesian supply at Pecos. In this vicinity flowing wells are reported from about 3 miles north of Pecos, 2 miles west and 6 miles south.* The following partial list prepared by Mr. Willard H. Denis illus­trates general conditions: Partial list of artesia,n wells in the vicinity of Pecos. Depth toName of Owner. Location. artesian water horizon. T. & P. Ry . ... ..... ... . ... ... .. Pecos . .. ............ . ... .. . 214 P. V. & N. E. Ry .... .. .. .. ..... Pecos . . ... ........... ... .. .226 Joe Kraus . .. .. .. . ... ...... . . . . Pecos . . ....... .... .... . .. .. 215 Ben. Krause ................... Pecos . . ............. ...... . 220 City Well .. ... .. .. ... ..........Pecos . . ....................235 W. H. Drummond .... .. . .. .. ... Pecos . ..... . .......... . ....235 E. Meyenburg .......... . . .. .... Pecos . . ....... ... ..... .. . .. 240 T. B. Pruett ............... . . .. Pecos . . . ..... . . . ... .. . .. ... 255 W. L. Ross .. . ........ . ... .. .... Pecos . . .... ...... . . . . ... ... .265 Mrs. C. F. Thomason . ..... . .. .. Pecos . .. ............ . ......266 Ed. Vickers .. .................. Pecos . . ... .................280 W. M. McKemey . ..... ... .... . .. Pecos . . . . ..... .. .. . ......... 284 Mrs. White .. . . .. ........... . ..t m. west of Pecos .. . . .... ... . 260 Mrs. Gessler ...................! m. west of Pecos ........ ... .265 ----Powers ................ 1 m. west of Pecos . ..........165 C. H. Merriman ......... ... . . .. 1 m. west of Pecos .... .. .. . . ..165 J as. E. Bowen ...... . . ... .... . .. t m. north of Pecos .. ...... ...160 R. N. Couch ... . ...............3 m. north of Pecos . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Chas. Schilling . .. . .... ....... . . 2 m. northwest of Pecos. . . . . . . 90 Mrs. M. Mitchell .. ..... . ... .. . .. 2 m. northwest of Pecos . . . . . . . 93 Mrs. M. Mitchell . .. ... ..... ..... 2 m. northwest of Pecos. . . . . . . 96 Bowen, Joyce & Co. . ............ 6 m. southeast of Pecos ........282 No complete record of a Pecos well was obtained. A feeble first flow * There is a fair artesian well 194 feet deep 8 miles north of Fort Stockton, Pecos county, 6 inches in diameter. of strongly saline water is reported at a depth of about 100 feet below which clay generally is found down to the main :flow which occurs in gravel. One of the early artesian wells in Pecos was drilled in 1886 by the Texas and Pacific Railway Company. This well is of 4-inch bore. It is 214 feet deep, and the water rises in a pipe 28 feet above the surface. A capacity of 85,000 gallons a day is reported and no diminution in the supply has been noticed. It will be seen from the list of wells that the depth to artesian water increases from the north and west toward Pecos, indicating that the water-bearing horizon dips southeastward. The well 6 miles southeast of Pecos in which the water rose to the surface only, suggests that thi" point is the southward limit of the occurrence of artesian water, but the test can not be considered final. No art!3sian water has been found in the Toyah Basin east of the river. It is generally believed that the northern and western boundaries of the area of :flowing wells are approximately known and that the southward limit remains to be found. The quality of the Pecos artesian water is shown by the following analysis of a sample collected from the Pecos Valley Railroad stock yard well in August, 1902 :89 Analysis of water at Pecos.0 Grains per gallon. Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 Sulphate of lime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.6 Carbonate of lime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.2 Carbonate of magnesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.9 Organic matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.8 Chloride of sodium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60.2 Sulphate of magnesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.9 Total solids ..........................................145.1 At Toyah there is a :flowing artesian well that was put down by the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1882. The depth of the well is 832 feet, but very little is known of what was encountered in the drilling. Itis re­ported that the drill went through 800 feet of "bowlders, etc.," and a 32­foot bed of "concrete," and reached white sand at the bottom. These statements imply that bed rock was not encountered. The horizon at which the flow of water was obtained apparently is not known. Another well near by, reported to have been sunk 514 feet, yielded a flow of 9 gallons a minute. Water flows from the deeper well at the rate of 300 gallons a minute, as reported by the railroad company; and Mr. A. M. Levinson, road master, in 1903 obtained a pressure of 45 pounds when the well was tested by a steam gauge. The water contains abundant hydrogen sul­ 89Furnished by Mr. Avery Turner. 40Note.-The water analyses given in this report have been gathered from many souroPs, and are not uniform in expression. They are reproduced as re­ceived, for reduction to a common standard in moRt cases is impossible. To con­vert parts per 100,000 to grains per U. S. gallon multiply by 0.583. pbide and 121.5 grairu of solid matter per gallon, according to the rail­road company. A complete analysis was not made, but the following substances are reported to be present in the order of their quantity: Sul­phate of lime, carbonate of lime, carbonate of magnesium and chloride of sodium. The water is not used for steaming purposes, the railroad com­pany having a large tank at Toyah in which storm water is collected. Apparently there is no connection between the Toyah artesian water and that at Pecos. 'fhese are the only fl.owing wells in the entire area covered by this report. Water under some pressure, however, has been reported in a few other localities in the Toyah Basin. In the Joe White well, about 27 miles northwest of Pecos, which is 315 feet deep, the main water horizon occurs at a depth of 260 feet and the water rises 68 feet. The "Big Phillip" well, 10 miles east of White's and about 200 feet lower, is 395 feet deep, and water reported to rise 75 feet was struck at a depth of 275 feet. If the water in these two wells comes from the same bed, an eastward dip is here indicated. At the Hurd well, 7 miles northwest of P ecos, water is said to occur within 20 feet of the surface. The depth of the well is 400 feet, but the horizon at which water was found is not reported. However, in the Casey wells, 7 or 8 miles west of the Hurd well, one of which is 207 feet deep, the water is reported not to rise. The quantity of water supplied by these wells has not been measured, but it is sufficient for stock pur­poses. There is not enough information to correlate these different occur­rences of deeper seated water. It is evident, however, that there is a considerable quantity under pressure in the unconsolidated deposits of the Toyah Basin and that water is likely to be found at depths approxi­mating those of the wells named. Occasionally, though, quicksand may give trouble, as was the case with an abandoned well about 4 miles east of Joe White's. Besides these deeper wells, which strike water generally under pres­sure, and whose topographic location has little relation to its occurrence, there are a number of successful shallow wells in the Tovah Basin. The shallow wells are commonly situated in or near the ·beds of arroyos where surface drainage supplies the underlying porous material with storm water. Conditions vary in different valleys. In the Incline, one of the heads of Salt Draw, southwest of Guadalupe, several wells strike water at depths between 8 and 25 feet from the surfa ce. In Fourmile Draw there are two wells near the surface, one near the head contains excessively saline water, and one near the mouth, which will be referred to again, furnishes fresh water. In the draw immediately north of Toyah the. depth to water is 20 feet. In San Martine Draw water is found at 36 and 60 feet, and in the "ilraw" southwest of Tovah it occurs at about 90 feet. The town of Toyah is supplied by anumber of wells that average only 25 feet in depth. A typical section is given as follows: Soil, 10 feet; yellow clay, 10 feet; water-bearing gravel, 5 feet, yellow clay. Though occurring under a cap of clay, the water is reported to be under no appreciable pressure, and it is commonly brought to the surface by windmills. Ample water is available, but it is strongly impregnated with gypsum and other salts. For drinking purposes the people gener­ally use water that is hauled by the railroad from Monahans, about 40 miles east of Pecos. Practically all of the water in the Toyah Basin carries abundant dis­solved salts, largely calcium sulphate, which is derived, no doubt, from widely disseminated gypsum among the basin deposits. L:ically ex~ cessively saline water occurs. For instance, Dr. Phillips, in February, 1904, collected two samples from "draws" in the vicinity of Maver­ick Spring, which show large quantities of sodium chloride, according to the following analysis by Mr. S. H . Worrell, but these waters are excep­tional: Analysis of water from near Maverick Spring. From Salt Draw north of house From Salt Draw west of house at Maverick Spring. at Maverick Spring. Parts per 100.000. Parts pe r 100,000. Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.08 Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.64 Alumina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.44 Alumina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.48 Iron salts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . trace. Iron salts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . trace Sodium carbonate . . . . . . . 126.56 Sodium carbonate . . . . . . . 216.97 Sodium chloride .........1761.89 Sodium chloride . . . .. . .. . 2245.32 Magnesium chloride . . . . . 72.26 Magnesium chloride . . . . . . 55.71 Magnesium sulphate . . . . . 123. 72 Magnesium sulphate . . . . . 213.96 Calcium sulphate . . . . . . . . 470.13 Calcium sulphate ... ... . . 401.72 Potash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . none. Potash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . none. Total solids ... . ..... 2562.08 Total solids . . . ....... 3140.80 Much free hydrogen sulphide is present. An interesting occurrence of soft water in the Toyah Basin is at Tuck er's well, about 2! miles northwest of Riverton. This well is a small one, in which water collects in a barrel sunk in the bed of Fourmile Draw. An area of sandstone of Washita age is near by, and for a con­siderable distance the valley is strewn with sand, and no gypsum was seen. The freshness of the water is due to the absence of salts in the immediate vicinity of the accumulating area. The following analysis is furnished by Mr. Avery Turner: Analysis of water at Tucker's well, Grains per gallon . Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 Iron and alumina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Carbonate of lime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.5 Carbonate of magnesia ...... .. . . .... . ..... . ... . ......... . ...11.5 Chloride of lime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Sulphate of magnesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.7 Chloride of sodium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 Sulphate of sodium ................................ .. ... . ... 2.3 Organic matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.0 Total solids ...........................................31.8 Just off the western margin of the basin in the upper valley of San Martine Draw there are other occurrences of fresh water. Several springs occur about the base of the Davis Mountains in Jeff Davis county just south of the railroad. Some of these flow into San Martine Draw and sink into the sand and gravel which are tapped lower down near the rail­way and from which good fresh water is obtained at a depth of from 25 to 50 feet. The water is here fresh, because it does not pass though and dissolve deleterious salts in the upper part of its course, but farther down the valley where tapped by wells west of Toyah the water has be­come saline. At one time the Texas and Pacific Railway Company is said to have considered constructing a subsurface dam in the valley of this draw just west of the San Martine section house. This project involved the con­struction of a cement dam on bed rock for a distance of possibly half a mile. A body of fresh water would thus be impounded, but the project was abandoned. Besides the wells there are several springs in the Toyah Basin and adjacent to its margins. In Screwbean and Maverick springs on the eafltern slope of the Rustler Hills small but persistent quantities of un­derground water come to the surface in gypsum and collect in pools for a short distance below the springs. These springs supply a number of cattle and are wellknown watering places for travelers. The water is highly charged with salts, especially calcium sulphate, as shown by the following analysis by Mr. S. H. Worrell: Analysis of water from Screwbean spring. Parts per 100,000. Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.44 Alumina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Oxide of iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . trace. Calcium sulphate ......... ....... .... . ............ . ... . ..198.62 Magnesium sulphate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.96 Magnesium chloride ... . ........ .. : ....................... 16.78 Sodium chloride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.40 Sodium carbonate ........ .. ............. ... ...... ... ..... 28.72 Total solids ........... . . ., ............ . . . ......... .. .. 312.36 Farther south Burnt Spring and Twin Spring are feeble seeps oc­curring in gypsum. The occurrence at Burnt Spring is interesting be­cause globule3 of oil are occasionally found in the water. Petrican Spring, about 9 miles northwest of Toyah, is a strong body of water that issues from the contact of loose gypsum on a compact quartz gravel with calcareous cement. The water is successfully used for irrigating several acres of truck garden. Toward the western margin of the Toyah Basin a numoor of unsuc­cessful wells have been sunk through the edge of the unconsolidated de­posits for a short distance into bed rock. Thus, on the eastern side of the Rustler Hills southwest of Maverick Spring, two dry wells were sunk 113 and 120 feet into rock; while farther south just west of the Toyah Basin in the vicinity of Boracho and Kent five unsuccessful wells, rang­ing from 100 to 515 feet in depth, have been sunk. The eastward dip of the rocks in the Guadalupe-Delaware l\fountains suggests that artesian water may be obtained from the bed rock in the Toyah Basin. Capt. John Pope in 1855-57, was thus led to make his artesian well experiment about 10 miles east of Delaware Creek. Shu­mard41 did not favor the project, but Pope went ahead and under great difficulties sank two wells. The deepest of these reached 1050 feet; both were failures. From fragmentary reports it appears that water which rose 70 feet was found at 365 feet from the surface, and a second supply which rose 390 feet was struck at 640 feet. Much of the drilling was done in "soft variegated marls and clays," which caused no end of trouble.42 The occurrence of artesian water is well known to depend on a number of favorable conditions which have been summarized by Chamberlin as follows: 1. A pervious stratum to permit the entrance and the passage of the water. 2. A water-tight bed below to r.revent the escape of the water down­ward. 3. A like impervious bed above to prevent escape upward. 4. An inclination of these beds so that the edge at which the waters enter will be higher than the surface of the well. 5. A suitable exposure of the edge of the porous stratum so that it may take in a sufficient supply of water. 6. An adequate rainfall to furnish this supply. 7. An absence of any escape for the water at a lower level than the surface oi the well.43 In the area under consideration several of these conditions are pres­ent, but there are unfavorable complications. The Delaware Mountain formation in the northern part of the area contains pervious sandstone members overlain and underlain by relatively impervious limestone and the dip of the rocks is eastward toward the P ecos. But so far as known the sandstone members are not very persistent; it having been observed along the scarp of the Delaware Mountains that a locally well-developed bed of sandstone often merges into shale or limestone. The rainfo ll is slight, and there is no chance for considerable quantities of water to be imbibed by the sandstones, so that if artesian water were obtained from this source its amount would not be considerable. Moreover, farther 41G. G. Shumarrl, Artesian Water on the Llano Estacado, Bulletin 1, Geolog­ical Survey of 'l'exaR. 42 Annual Report of Capt. A. A. Humphreys to the Secretary of War, Dec., 18ii8. 4BChamberlin, T. C., Fifth Annual Report United States Geological Survey, 1885, pp. 131-173. A RECONNIASSANCE IN TRANS-PECOS TEXAS. south there are few pervious beds in the Delaware Mountain formation, but the prevailing rock is dense nonmagnesian limestone. Besides these unfavorable aspects of the requisites for the presence of artesian waters, two other unfavorable conditions are the disturbed belt which extend11 south from the mouth of Delaware Creek and the erosion which has oc­curred in the Pecos Valley. The faulting and folding in the disturbed belt have modified the prevailing eastward dip and thus interfered with one of the requisite conditions. The amount of erosion in the Pecos Valley previous to the deposition of the unconsolidated deposits of the Toyah Basin is unknown, but it may have persisted so far as to have removed the cover and a considerable part of the Delaware Mountain formation. In the area under consideration, therefore, so far as known, the outlook is not very favorable for the occurrence of artesian water in bed rock beneath the basin deposits. 'Ulll'DEBGBOUJll'D WA!L'EB Ill' !L'KE GYPS'Ulll PLAilf. In the plain west of the Rustler Hills peculiar underground water .conditions prevail consequent upon the nature of the underlying Cas­tile gypsum. It will be reca.lled that this area is occupied by massive white gypsum containing intercalated thin bands of limestone, and that the gypsum is cavernous and jointed. The surface of the gypsum is com­monly earthy and pulverulent, and the valleys contain debris brought from the hills to the west. This gypsum belt is fairly well supplied with water, which, as would be expected, contains considerable calcium sul­phate in solution; but the occurrence of the water is irregular. Delaware Creek crosses the northern end of the gypsum belt. It is fed by springs along its course, and, besides the Pecos River, is the only perennially flowing stream in the entire area under consideration. The creek flows through the broad gypsum plain and in a narrow gorge-like channel averaging about 30 feet deep, and access to the water is difficult. There are several crossings, however, and the water flows in a clear but saline stream. A sample collected by Captain Pope 30 miles below Dela­ware Spring was found to contain 187 grains of dissolved salts per gal­lon by J. C. Booth.44 In September, 1898, Mr. T. U. Taylor measured a flow of 4 second feet at the crossing of the Pecos Valley Railroad, when the water was said to be at a low stage. In the bed of Cottonwood Draw, which crosses the southern part of the gypsum area, a series of springs extends for several miles below Sayles' ranch. As in the case of the springs of Delaware Creek, these springs are occasioned by erosion having tapped lines of flow of under­ground water. In CottonwooCl Draw the water does not ordinarily run, but collects in pools (Plate VII, A). A number of springs occur in the gypsum belt, the most important HExploration for a railroad route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, Vol. II, 1855, Appendix C, p. 97. PL. VII. A. SPRINGS IN COTTONWOOD DRAW 30 MILES NORTH OF KENT. B. STINKING SEEP IN THE CASTILE GYPSUM, 10 MILES SOUTH OF DELAWARE CREEK. Photograph by W. B. Phillips. being: Willow, Castile, Kimble, Stinking Seep, Horseshoe and Rus­tler, which are located on the map. These springs commonly occupy local depressions in which under­ground water percolating through the gypsum finds it easier to 'issue at the surface than to continue in an underground course. Several thou­sand cattle are supplied by these springs, though the water in all con­tains abundant calcium sulphate. Stinking Seep, situated about 3 miles northwest of Cooksey's ranch, has the reputation of being poison­ous, which is supported by the presence of carcasses of cattle in the Ticinity of the spring (Plate VII, B). An analysis of this water by Mr. S. H. Worrell gave: Analysis of water from Stinking Seep.45 Parts per· 100,000. Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.72 .A:lumina and iron. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . trace. Calcium sulphate . .. . ....... . . .. . ' . . ..... . .. . ... . .. . ......191.75 Calcium chloride . . .......... . ........ . .... ·. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.86 Magnesium chloride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.30· Sodium chloride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.93 Calcium sulphide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.04 Total solids ..... . .... . ..... . ............ . ... . .. . .. . . 313.60 Much hydrogen sulphide is also present. The porous, cracked and cavernous condition of the gypsum causes the eccurrence of water in this area, outside of the "draws," to be very un­certain, for . the little water that exists in the gypsum tends to escape through these openings. A number of unsuccessful wells have been sunk, but there are also profitable ones. Local supplies have been found on the thin beds of limestone that occur in the gypsum. Such occur­rences are sporadic, and their location can not be predicted. Other wells have struck local accumulafions of_ water in caverns, as at the Cave well, about 10 miles northwest of Sayles' ranch. This well is an opening in the gypsum about 35 feet in diameter at the surface, and the water occurs 38 feet below and is 40 feet deep. This water, like much in the gypsum belt, contains hydrogen suJphide. Other such occurrences are likely to be found, but their position can not be foretold. In the "draws" that traverse the gypsum belt more normal conditions occur, namely: in those valleys which are well filled with porous debris resting on impervious material, small amounts of shallow water are locally found. Successful wells of this type have been sunk in the beds of "draws" that extend northeast of Lone Man Mountain and in the "draw" west of Rustler Spring. Such water commonly is found from 25 to 60 feet below the surface. The composition of the water in the gypsum belt is illustrated by the following analysis by Mr. S. H. Worrell: HCollected by Dr. Wm. B. Phillips, Feb., 1904. A REcoNNI.A.SS.A.NCE IN TRANs-PEcos TEXAS. Analysis of water from the Gypsum belt. Water from well Water from well on Sayles' ranch. on Oooksey's ranch. Parts per 100,000. Parts per 100,000. Silica .... .. ............ . ...... . 3.16 3.44 Alumina and iron .. . ...... ..... . trace. trace. Calcium sulphate ... .. .. ... .... . 154.18 218.26 Calcium carbonate ........ .. .... . 45.96 Magnesium sulphate ............ . trace. 11.25 Sodium carbonate ...... ... .. .. . . 24.38 4.83 Sodium chloride ... .. . ....... .. . 23.10 23.10 Potash .... ...... ........... . none. Hydrogen sulphide .............. Considerable. Total solids ........ .... . .. . 250. 78 260.88 The deepest well reported from the gypsum area was sunk 300 feet at the sulphur prospect 6 miles north of Rustler Spring. It was a dry hole, and it is not known whether the entire thickness of the gypsum was pierced. It is to be expected, however, that in the northern part of the belt good soft water under some pressure locally can be obtained from sandstone in the Delaware Mountain formation that lies below the Cas­tile gypsum. Such water would be similar to that at D. F. ·white's ranch on Chico Draw (page 88). Its amount would be limited, but the qual­ity probably would be good. There is a chance, however, that even this deep water may be of poor quality, too, for the sulphur spring on Dela­ware Creek (page 87) issues from sandstone in the Delaware Moun­tain formation. The depth at which the water may occur may be several hundred feet below the base of the gypsum. Its occurrence moreover can not be definitely predicted. In the southern part of the gypsum belt the probabilities for deep-seated water are not so promising, because the sandstones which carry the water farther north are there absent. UlfDEB.GB.OUllTD WATEB. IN TB:E GUADALUPE-D::::LAWAB.E MOUlfTAilfS. The water supply of the eastern slope of the Guadalupe-Delaware Mountains varies with the different geologic conditions. In the uncon­solidated debris east of the Guadalupe Mountains are a number of springs and shallow wells. Farther south these . do not occur, but there are a few wells that obtain deep-seated water under pressure from the sand­stone members of the Delaware Mountain formation. In the southern part of the mountains where there is but a thin covering of detrital material and the rocks are chiefly non-magnesian limestone neither springs nor wells furnish water, and the supply is obtained from tanks in which storm waters are collected. Pine, Independence, Grapevine, Rector and Delaware springs are out­crops of ground water supplied by the relatively abundant rainfall and run-off of the Guadalupe Mountains. This water finds an excellent reservoir and passageway in thfl extensive deposits of unconsolidated debris that cover a wide extent of country at the base of the mountains. Pine Spring is one of several situated in ravines at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains. Independence Spring is about 5 miles southeast of Pine Spring in one of the head valleys of Delaware Creek. Water trickles from the gravel cap over ledges of sandstone in a ravine and collects in several pools before it finally disappears beneath the surface. Grapevine, sometimes called Geyser Spring, is situated near the Texas­New Mexico boundary at the head of Black River about 15 miles east of the summit of the Guadalupe Mountains. Whether it is in New Mexico or Texas is in doubt. A strong body of water bubbles from the gravel cap and is used for irrigating a number of acres in the valley below the spring. South Rector Spring, about 5 miles south of Grapevine Spring, is in the valley of a "draw" in which sandstone and limestone of the Delaware Mountain formation outcrop. These rocks are capped by the prevailing gravels. The water from the spring does not come directly from the gravel, but oozes from joints in the bedding planes of the rocks. The spring is a feeble one compared with Grapevine, and water collects in shallow pools on bed rock. North Rector is a similar spring about half a mile north of South Rector. Delaware Springs are at the head of flowing water in Delaware Creek. Here water issues along the north side of the creek at the contact of gravel and a sandstone member of the Delaware Mountain formation. The quality of the water from all of the above springs is good and the water is soft. J. C. Booth found only 60 grains of dissolved salts per gallon in a sample from Delaware Springs collected by Captain Pope. But besides this good water several saline springs issue from the bed of Delaware Creek in close proximity to the springs just mentioned having an altogether different and a deeper-seated source. The water in them bubbles up through joints in the Delaware Mountain formation that outcr,ops in the bed of the creek. This water contains considerable hydrogen sulphide, from which finely divided white sulphur is precipi­tated on contact with air. The water from one of these saline springs is reported to be poisonous. A sample analyzed by Mr. S. H. Worrell shows the following composition: Partial analysis of water from spring at the head of Delaware Creek. Grains per Pa rts per U. S. gallon. 100,000. Total solids . . ...... . . ...... . .....184.53 .. . ........ . . . .... 316.86 Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.48 Alumina and iron. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.56 Calcium oxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.64 . ..... . . . . . .... . . . 11.40 Magnesium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.89 ........ . .. . . . .... 10.11 Sulphur trioxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.22 The sample was insufficient to determine the other constituents, which are sodium, chlorine, sulphur and carbonic acid. The water is reported to contain sulphides. A few shallow wells have been successfully sunk in the area east of the Guadalupe Mountains. Thus at Ruling's ranch, in a valley above Delaware Springs, water is found in gravel at a depth of 9 feet. West of Grapevine Spring an abundance of water is found in sand and gravel in an 80-foot well in which the water is said to rise 25 feet; several similar wells are reported at the head of Black River near the State line. South of Delaware Creek along the eastern slope o! the mountains water is less plentiful. There are few if any springs, and only one suc­cessful shallow well was seen. This is on the ranch of J . G. Ussery near the head of Chico Draw where a shallow well in the bottom of the dravr furnishes water for about 1000 cattle. There are several natural water boles in the upper part of this draw, however, where storm water col­lects on bed rock. The successful wells in this region obtain water under pressure in 5andstone members of the Delaware formation. One of these wells be­longs to D. F. White on Chico Draw. The well is 546 feet deep, a pa:r­ tial log of which follows: Partial log of D. F. White's well on Chico Draw. Thickness, feet. Depth,feet. Surface ..... . ..... .. ... . .. . . . ....... . . . ...... 13 13 Sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 58 Limestone ... .. ....... . .. . ... . ..... . ..........154 212 Sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 232 Limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 292 Below the strata mentioned are alternating sandstones and limestones whose thicknesses were not reported. The first water was found in sand­stone 212 feet beneath the surface below which are six other water-bear­ing beds. The quantity, however, was small, and the well was "shot" at the first water horizon with the effect of improving the supply. The water stands at from 80 to 100 feet below the surface. The capacity of this well is reported to be 7 gallons a minute. Another well of this type is about 5 miles south of Independence Spring. This well is only 80 feet deep, and the water occurs at 76 feet in sandstone resting on limestone. The water rises 25 feet in such quan­tity that a 16-foot windmill can not pump the well dry. About 2000 cattle are reported to obtain water from this well. It is to be expected that similar wells will be found in this vicinity. Localities should be sought which are to the east of considerable out­crops of sandstone that is underlain by limestone. Uncertainty, however, is increased by the fact that the rocks are considerably jointed. Several unsucce~sful attempts have been made to obtain water-for instance a 400 foot well was sunk about 8 miles west of White's ranch and four or five shallower wells have penetrated sandstone southwest of Ruling's ranch. In the southern Delaware Mountains where very little sandstone occurs no successful wells have been sunk though several attempts have been made. Thus J. D. Aden in 1902 put down a deep well about ~ miles southwest of Sayles' ranch. This well was sunk 916 feet almost the entire way being through blue limestone belonging to the Delaware Mountain formation, with the exception of an 8-foot bed of sandstone at a depth of about 700 feet. Little or no water should be expected from this compact nonmagnesian limestone except that which may occur in local cracks and caverns. The best chance for water in this vicinity seems to be in the construction of tanks. Ulll'DEBGBOUlll'D WA'l'EB Illl' 'l'HE SAL'l' BASilll'. The Salt Basin, it has been stated, is an inclosed basin with no out­let. It receives the drainage of a large area bounded by the Sacramento Mountains on the north, by the Guadalupe, Delaware and Davis moun­tains on the east, and by the Sierra Vieja, Eagle, Diablo, Hueco and Cornudas mountains on the west. The basin is occupied by unconscli­dated clay, sand, gravel and more or less gypsum to a considerable but unknown depth. The water supply of the Salt Basin is plentiful, but the quality generally is poor. Both ground water and deeper under­ground water are found in the Salt Basin, though commonly only the shallow water is utilized. The position of the water table varies considerably. Toward the center of the basin, ground water is commonly reached at a depth of from 3 to 10 feet and locally, in the Salt Lake, for instance, water lies at a few inches below the surface. Northward and southward the position of the water table lies at a greater depth. Thus, in the wells adjacent to the State line, water is found from 25 to 35 feet below the ground. Approaching the railroad from the lowest part of the basin, different wells rear.h water at 16, 40, 125, 169, 265, and, at Wild Horse, at 343 feet below the surface. Though few measurements have been made of the capacity of the wells, the quantity of water in the Salt Basin evidently is abundant. The grass is not especially good here, consisting largely of salt grass (Sporobolus arioides), but because of the abundant supply of water, a number of ranches are scattered over the basin. Gasoline engines are not used by the ranchmen, but often two wells supplied with windmills are situated together and, by the use of both, tanks are kept supplied with sufficient water for a large number of cattle. But one measurement of the quantity of water has been recorded in this area and that is of the railroad well at Wild Horse, which furnishes 40,000 gallons per day. This Salt Basin water varies in quality but it is all rather strongly saline and generally gypseous. A partial test of the Wild Horse water shows the presence of 90! grains of solid matter per gallon, the chief constituents in the order of their presence being sodium chloride, cal­cium carbonate and calcium sulphate. An analysis of the exceptionally strong brine of the water beneath the Salt Lake has already been given. Ranchmen report the water of some wells to be much more gypseous than that of others. The water of Crow Spring, which is an example of ground water oozing to the surface in a low hollow, is typical of the bet­ter type of water in the Salt Basin. The following is an analysis of this water, by Mr. S. H. Worrell: Analysis of water from Crow Spring. Parts per100,000. Organic matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.96 Mineral matter ....................................... ... 138.32 Total solids . . .. .. ..... . .............. ... ......... ... 173.28 ANALYSIS QF RESIDUE. Silica . . ....................................... · · . · . · · · · 2.48 Alumina . ....... .. ... ...... .. .. . . ....... . ... . .. .. . ...... . 2.28 Iron . .. ........... . .. ..................... . ....... · · · · · trace. Calcium ............................................... . 18.46 11agnesium . . ..... ...................................... . 10.43 Sodium .. .... .... . . ...................... . ............ . 9.72 Potassium .... ...................... .. .................. . none. Chlorine . ..... . . ...... ... .. .... ......................... . 13.48 Carbonic acid . . ..... .. ...... ....... .... ... ... .......... . 12.64 Sulphuric acid . . ..... .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. ................ . . 68.51 Only one well in the Salt Basin has been reported to have gone deep enough to reach a second and · third horizon of underground water; namely, the well 11bout 4 miles southeast of the Figure 2 ranch head­quarters, where water was found at depths of 60, 125 and 225 feet. The quality of the underlying water. however, is not known, nor is it re­ported how high the water from the lower horizons rose in the well. No satisfactory logs af wells in the Salt Basin have been kept, and very little is known of the nature and variations of the underlying deposits. There is a possibility that the gypsum, salt, etc., which are chiefly re­spomihle for the saline quality of the water, are confined to the su'rface deposits, so that deep wells, in which top waters are cased off, may find a better quality of water. Then, too, there is a possibility of finding deep-seated water under pressure, which should be expected if the de­posits, instead of lying horizontally, are tilted so as to give a head to the underground water. The west-dipping sandstones of the Delaware Mountain formation imbibe water from the scanty rainfall and tend to carry it beneath the basin, but how much and how far are not known. A few wells have been ~unk into these sandstones, and some water was found in them north­ east of the "Figure 2" ranch headquarters, as shown in the table. Some of these have gone to a depth of 300 feet and found water at 200 feet, but it is not reported that the water rose or that it is of good quality. It is to be expected that if the surface waters were excluded water from the sandstone would be comparatively fresh and under some pressure. A few failures have been reported in wells put into the rocks along the eastern margin of the basin. Thus, a well 245 feet deep about 7 miles east of the "Figure 2" ranch was sunk in a sandstone without find­ing water; this may be due to the well not being deep enough. Also two unsuccessful wells, 160 feet deep, have been sunk about 15 miles south­east of the "Figure 2" ranch. A little ground water is reported from these at the contact of the unconsolidated material and limestone ( ?) , but, after reaching the limestone, there was little chance of finding water. At Plateau and a few miles northeast of the station unsuccess­ful deep wells have been bored. At Plateau the railroad company sank a hole 547 feet, and nearby prospects went to a depth of 137 and 600 feet. These attempts were at the margin of the Salt Basin where con­ditions were unfavorable. At Plateau, the structure is concealed, yet it is probable that a zone of disturbance is in this vicinity, being in line with the western face of the Delaware Mountains. Also unsuccessful wells have been put down along the southwestern border of the Salt Basin. West of Baylor Mountain, two dry holes about 160 feet deep were sunk, apparently into the pre-Cambrian fine­textured red sandstone. The catchment area here is small, the rocks have been disturbed, and the probabilities for finding deep-seated waters are not good. At Van Horn, however, four successful wells have been sunk, though the horizon at which the water occurs is not known. It may come from the Van Horn sandstone, which outcrops in the valley to the northwest, or it may occur in unconsolidated material lying above the sandstone. These wells rank among the best of all in the entire area covered by this report. They are 600 feet deep and were drilled by the Texas and Pacific Railroad Company in 1886. These four wells are close together by the railroad and furnish all the water that is needed, both by the railroad and the town. The company reports the quantity unlimited. Besides occurring in such abundance, this Van Horn water is of excellent quality. A complete analysis has not been made of it, but the railroad company reports that the total solids amount to only 25! grains per gallon, and that the chief solid constituents are calcium sulphate, sodium chloride and calcium carbonate in the order named. Besides these wells in the Salt Basin there are several springs of fresh water along its margins. Guadalupe and Bone springs are feeble occurrences of fresh water that issues from joints in the sandstone of the Delaware Mountain formation at the southern end of the Guadalupe Mountains. Apache Spring occurs on the northeastern face of the Diablo Mountains, where the water issues from a gravel talus, the source being concealed. Ye1low Spring is one of several small ones along the southeastern face of the Diablo Mountains. The water from Yellow Spring is said to come from the pre-Cambrian fine-textured red sandstone and to be sufficient to supply about 15 head of stock. Carrizo Spring is another small occurrence of ground water of good quality, coming naturally to the surface. The spring is in pre-Cambrian lime­stone conglomerate near the contact with the Van Horn sandstone about 7 miles northwest of Van Horn, and furnishes water enough for about 250 cattle. Several unsuccessful attempts have been made by the railroad com­pany to get water along the margins of Eagle Flat; namely, at Alla­moore, Eagle Flat Station and at Sierra Blanca. At Allamoore the well is 300 feet deep, but i~ is so near bed rock of unfavorable nature and structure-flat limestone of the Hueco formation and disturbed pre­Cambrian rocks-that there was little chance for finding much water. Similar conditions prevail at Eagle Flat, where the well is 600 feet deep. At Sierra Blanca both of the railroad companies have sunk deep wells. That of the Texas and Pacific is 927 feet deep and it is reported that the well went through 20 feet of surface material, 120 feet of sand and gravel and 887 feet of loose rock. The Southern Pacific well is about 1350 feet deep. It is reported that water was struck at 980 feet, and rose 80 feet in the well; the quality, however, was not fit for engine use, and the well was abandoned. The Southern Pacific Company hauls water to Sierra Blanca and stores it in a large cistern. A better quality of water was obtained in a well drilled by the Southern Pacific Company at Torbert, near the center of the Eagle Flat Basin, about 18 miles southeast of Sierra Blanca. This well is about 1165 feet deep, all the way in unconsolidated materials, and the water level is said to stand at 723 feet, but the water occurs in quicksand, which caused so much trouble that the well was finally abandoned. Eagle Flat, thus far, has not furnished much water, yet a few small wells are in successful operation. The Texas and Pacific Company has a shallow well about 2 miles west of Allamoore, 187 feet deep, which is reported to furnish a small quantity of good water, and a ranchman has two wells south of the railroad, li and 3 miles west of Allamoore. These are about 200 feet deep, and each is reported to furnish 4000 gallons of good water a day. From these results the outlook is not bright, yet it is likely that other wells will find water in Eagle Flat, but the catchment area is small and a large amount should not be expected (Pl. VIII, A). lJlll'DE&GB.OlJlll'D WATEB. Xlll' THE DIABLO PLATEAU. The Diablo Plateau is the driest part of the area under considera­tion, and this is largely due to its topography and geology. The plateau has been described as a flattish upland underlain by low-lying rocks, chiefly non-magnesian limestones. The margins of the plateau are con­siderably dissected and have local names. The low-lying, non-magnesian limestones that occupy by far the greater part of the plateau are covered with only a thin coating of limestone debris; the conditions, therefore, are unfavorable for the ac­cumulation of ground water. The presence of impervious rock so near the surface and the absence of considerable porous material in which storm waters can be stored cause a large part of the rainfall to escape by evaporation. A number of unsuccessful wells, some of which have been put down in favorable localities to find ground water if it were present, emphasize the dryness of this large tract. West of the Cottonwoon Tree ranch and north of Black Mountain, three wells. 110, 140 and 250 feet deep, have been drilled in valleys where ground water might be expected to occur, but, after passing through a thin coating of surface material, limestone was penetrated in all without finding any water, or at least not enough to pump. In a less favorable PL. VIII. A. WATER HOLE FIVE MILES NORTH OF EAGLE FLAT STATION. Diablo Mountains in the background. B. VIEW OF GRASS ON UNIVERSITY ALPHABET BLOCKS. Black Mountain in the background. A RECONNI.A.SSANCE IN TRANS-PECOS TEXAS. locality, immediately south of Black Mountain, another well was sunk, in 1903, in limestone to a depth of 102 feet. Other shallow wells have been put down southeast of the Oornudas Mountains; these, too, went through a thin surface covering and into limestone without finding water. The non-magnesian character of the underlying limestone, which is a dense, non-porous rock, offers little hope of finding much water in it. A well about 6 miles east of Cerro Alto Peak, near the New Mexico line, is further evidence. This well was sunk 850 feet in limestone of the Hueco formation and no water was found. It must be borne in mind, however, that limestone frequently is cavernous and often contains open underground channels. Though none of these have been found in the Diablo Plateau their presence is possible, and it may be that such local supplies may yet be found. In this region on the eastern slope of the Hueco Mountains, extending to Black Mountain is located the great undivided tract of State Uni­versity land (Pl. VIII, B), which comprises the so-called Alphabet Blocks that contain 680 square miles. The grass on this land is luxuriant,46 but little or no underground water has been found. More prospecting should be done for ground water in the beds of the arroyos, that have a considerable drainage area and are fairly well covered with detritus. There is also a bare chance of obtaining water from the Cox formation, which outcrops at the base -0f the plateau north of Finlay Mountains and extends northward an unknown distance, but certainly not north of the northern limit of the Fredericksburg rocks. This is only a chance, however, for the catchment area of this sandy formation is small, and apparently the formation fades away to the north and it may not be found by a well on the University land. The most favorable opportunity for developing these Alphabet Blocks appears to be by the construction of tanks to catch storm waters and by the extension of all possible supplies of water toward the University land. There are few especially favorable sites for tanks on this land, yet not far away are better opportunities in the Hueco, Cornudas, Sierra Tinaja Pinta, Black and Diablo mountains. Water is obtained at several localities about the margins of the Diablo Plateau. The Hueco tanks at the northwestern end of the Hueco Moun­tains, about 30 miles from El Paso, are unique and furnish an abundant supply of fresh water (Pl. IX, A). These tanks are erosion hollows in a large, dike-like mass of igneous rock. Dams have been constructed across the hollows, and rain-water is thus impounded. There are a dozen of these tanks, large and small, in an area of about one square mile; four contain water all of the year, and two have elaborate cement dams. About 1000 cattle are watered here. In wet weather water collects in a 46The following is a partial list of grasses collected from the University land, ident.ified by the Division of Agrostology, United States Department of Agricul­ ture: Aristida hookeri Chaetochla composita Aristida reverchoni Muhlenbergia arenicola Bouteloua curtipendula Panicum obtusum Bouteloua eriopoda Scleropogon brevifolius Bouteloua oligostachya Sporobolus strictus surface depression known as Cerro Alto Lake, which lies at the east base of Cerro Alto about 5 miles east of Hueco tanks, but this is only a temporary source of supply, and there are a few small water holes in the Southern Hueco Mountains, as mapped. 'lhere are several springs in and about the Cornudas Mountains, only one, however, is known to occur within Texas. This is Washburn Spring, which is shown on the map. The spring occurs about 200 feet up the southeast side of the flat-topped Washburn Mountain. The water appears to issue at the contact of igneous rocks with flat-lying Washita sediments. This water is of excellent quality, but the spring is feeble. It is estimated that only about 20 head of cattle can be supplied here. Several tanks collect storm water between the Cornudas and the Diablo Mountains, and the largest ranch tank in the area under con­sideration is situated on the northwestern slope of the Diablo Mountains, about 7 miles southeaRt of Black Mountain. This tank is reported to supply about 2000 head of cattle (PL IX, B). Other successful tanks arc situated farther south on the western slope of the Diablo Mountains, as mapped. A few successful wells have been sunk in and adjacent to the south­ern Diablo Mountains; these tap water that is stored in the relatively thick debris of Deer Creek Valley. At Bounds' ranch (Pl. X, A), about 10 miles north of Allamoore) there are three wells that supply good, fresh water. The wells range from .23 to 86 feet in depth. At Millican's ranch, about 4 miles north of •Allariloore, there are two shallow wells about 22 feet deep. In the same valley, 3 miles north of Allamoore, the Texas and Pacific Railroad Company has six wells that are reported to supply about 50,000 gallons a day of good water. These wells are con­nected by tunnels. The deepest, in which a steam pump is r.;ituated, is 70 feet deep and, below 8 feet of surface material, is in gravel all the way. Water was struck at 50 feet and rises from 5 to 12 feet above this level. There is more or less water in the valley of Sulphur Draw in which Cannon's ranch is located, about lO miles north of Van Horn. The bed rock is the pre-Cambrian, :fine-textured red sandstone. This rock is considerably cracked by joints and readily absorbs water. Several seep springs occur along the draw, and at Cannon's ranch is a successful well 30 feet deep in which the surface of the water stands at a depth of 6 feet. The location of successful wells in this valley is somewhat uncertain because of the broken nature of the rocks. Below Cannon's ranch a small dike cuts across the valley and seems to be ef­fective in impounding underground water, so that a good supply is here available. On the most northerly of the Sierra Blanca peaks a small spring was discovered in the summer of 1903. This spring is situated on the north side of the peak, about 400 feet above the road. The water, which is of excellent quality, occurs in debris on the mountain side, and appears to issue at the contact of Washita sediments with the igneous rock of the peak. There is little reason to exµect that the suµply of water is large, for the collecting area is very limited. When visited, the water stood 5 feet deep in a shallow hole. Southwest of the Sierra Blanca, on the south side of the railroad at PL. IX. A. HUECO TANKS 25 MILES NORTHEAST OF EL PASO. 8. BLACK MOUNTAIN CATTLE COMPANY'S TANK. Northeastern slope of Oiablo Mountains, 7 miles southeast of Black Mountain. Lasca and considerably outside of the Diablo Plateau, there is an un­usual occurrence of underground water. The Southern Pacific C_ompany has dug a well 12 by 12 feet at the surface and 150 feet deep. This well is excavated in granite rock, at the north end of the Quitman Mountains. At the botton of the well there are about 90 feet of tunneling. The rock is much jointed in different directions and it is in these joint cracks that the water occurs. It said that if the water be allowed to collect it will rise to within 35 feet of the surface. This is the most conspicuous oc­currence in this region of underground water occurring in cracks and crevices in massive rock instead of in the interstices of porous rock. The Southern Pacific Company sank a well 1140 feet deep close to the railroad at Lasca in 1900. The log of this well is not reported, but it is said that limestone was struck below 100 feet of unconsolidated surface material. A little water was found at 600 feet, but the well was abandoned. In the Finlay Mountains there are two successful wells at Finlay's ranch. These wells are about 115 feet deep, and water is found at a depth of 96 feet in sandstone of the Cox form~tion. Records of the wells were not obtained. The water is of good quality, but no analysis of it has been made. Both a windmill and a pump, worked by a gasoline engine, are used, and it is said that 2500 cattle are watered here. There is a fair chance that a limited quantity of water under some pressure can be found by drilling into the Cox formation elsewhere along the flanks of the Finlay Mountain Dome. In prospecting, care should be taken to choose a location above which a considerable area of sand­stone outcrops. A locality north of Malone Station adjacent to the mountains might prove favorable, but in that vicinity it must be con­sidered that there are a number of dikes that tend to cut off the water supply below them; then, too, this region has been so disturbed that it can not be predicted what rocks are beneath the cover of unconsolidated materials. UJll'DEBGBOUJll'D W ATEB Ili THE HUECO BASIJll' Alll'D 'THE BIO GBAJll'DE VALLEY. The Hueco Basin, it will be recalled, is occupied by over 2000 feet of unconsolidated materials into which the Rio Grande has cut its valley some 250 feet. The occurrences of water in this area will be described under two heads, Mesa water and Valley water. Mesa Water.-The mesa northeast of El Paso is practically fiat. No pronounced drainage ways indent it and extensive deposits of caliche lie at or near the surface. Very little shallow ground water has been found over a large part of the Hueco Basin in Texas, nevertheless there is a good supply of an excellent quality of deep-seated underground water on the mesa. This mesa water has been exploited in the vicinity of Fort Bliss, where there are a number of successful wells. The following log,* reproduced as received from the driller, shows the sequence of the deposits in a well immediately north of the reservation: *Furnished by the International Water Company. Log of well in Section 17, Block 81, Township 2, El Paso county. Thickness, feet. Soil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Hard "Caliche" clay and rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Dry fine sand and gravel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Soft "Caliche" clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fine dry sand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Soft "Caliche" clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Fine dry sand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Red clay ..... . . . .. . ..... . .. .. ........... . . . .. 42 Dry sandy clay with small "rock kidneys" .. . ...... 44 Red clay ............. .. ..................... 30 Tough red clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Fine sand with water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Fine Sa!J.d and clay, supposed to contain water. . . . . 10 Tough yellow clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Dry fine sand, no water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Yellow clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Fine sand, supposed to contain water. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Hard yellow clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Sandy clay with hard red "clay kidneys" . ..... . ... 14 Dry sandy clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 "Sediment clay'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Fine sand, supposed to contain water. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Red clay ... . ...... .. . . . .. ... . ....... . ... .. .. 140 Hard clay with small "rock kidneys" .......... ... 18 "Joint" brown clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Hard sandy clay . ......... . ...... . ...... .. .... 46 "Sediment" clav . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 "Stratified" clav ....... ... . . ..... . ............148 "Joint" clay . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Brown and red clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 "Stratified" clav . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Hard "stratified" clav . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Brown clay ...... .".. .... ........ ....... ....... 10 Hard "stratified" clav . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Brown "sediment" clay, hard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Soft sand rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Very hard brown clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Very hard brown sandy clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Hard sandy clay ................. ............. 109 Dry gravel .. .... ...... ........ ......... ..... 12 Brown clay .. . .. . . .. . . . ......................251 "Rock" . :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Soft "rock" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 "Rock" ...... . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .... ............ . ..86 Hard and soft strata of soft "rock". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Very soft "rock". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Very hard clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Supposed sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Depth, fe~t. 2 10 38 42 50 52 64 10~ 150 180 230 236 246 254 262 318 332 376 390 40S 447 450 590 608 630 676 720 868 870 912 953 990 1000 1030 1072 1076 1159 1189 1298 1310 1561 1618 1672 1758 1791 1840 1853 1883 Hard conglomerate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 1906 Soft "rock" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 1945 Hard conglomerate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 1980 Hard sandy clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 2008 Red clay ....... ... ... . . ....... ...... .. .. ... . 120 2128 Soft "rock" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 2155 Hard brown clay ..... ...... . .... ........ . ....130 2285 This is the deepest of seven wells recently put down by the Interna­tional Water Company with the intention of supplying El Paso with mesa water. "Bed rock" was not reached, and no water was found below 450 feet from the surface. The other wells range in depth from 300 to 700 feet and show little variation. The principal water horizon ls a ,bed of fine sand averaging 20 feet thick and occurring at a depth of 230 feet from the surface. Tests have not yet been made of the capacity of these wells. Other near-by wells are: Major Logan's well, 1 mile northwest of Fort Bliss, 300 feet deep; two wells at the Fort Bliss station of the Chicago, Rock Island and El Paso Railr 5.80 134 ::leptember 13..................... . 9.40 8 70 1:278 5.40 94 September 17 ...................... 126 5.30 77 September 22....................... 6.20 ili~l~~··························· Daily gage height, in feet, of Rio Grande near El Paso, T exas, for 1900. Day. ~ ~ ~ I ~ ~ ! ~ £ ~ L:::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::-:~·::::·:·~~ -~::g ~:~g -ug·1·gg ag -~-~~-~:i& ..~~>.....~~~~ 3.. ............... .... ......... ..... . .... ................ 5.40 5.40 4.65 4.30 4.30 10.05 5.00 .................. 4................................ ...... .............. 5.40 5.40 4.35 4.30 4.30 10.30 5.0ll .................. 5........... .......................... ........................ 5.45 5.40 (c) 4.:io 4.ao 10.40 5.oo ................. 6....... ....................................... .. . ......... 5.45 5 40 (C) 4.30 (C) 10.45 f>.00 7.................................................,......... 5.40 5.50 (C) 4.30 (C) 10.45 5.00 8........... .. ... ...... .. ...... ...... ........ ..... ......... 5.40 5.50 (c) 4.30 (c) 10.40 (a) 9............. .................. ...... ........................ 5.4!i 5 50 (Cl 4.30 (C) 10.40 8.00 10. ..................... ......... .............................. 5.65 5.55 (C) 4.30 (C) 10.35 ~.90 ·11.............................................................. 5.80 5.60 (C) 4.30 (C) 10.10 5 lO 12...................... ......... .................... .. 5.75 ~.60 (C) 4.30 (C) 9.75 6.15 13... .... ..... ......... ..................... ................. 6.45 5.60 (C) 4.30 (C) 9.40 9.10 14.............. ........ ....... ............................ 6.35 5 60 (C) 4.30 (c) 9.BO 8.3n 15.............................. ................ .... .. . ..... 6.30 5.50 (c) 4.;JO (C) 9.25 7.8.5 16....... .... ........... .................................. .... 6 15 5.50 (C) 4.30 (C) 9.15 7.75 17.............. .................. ............................. 5.95 5.50 (C) 4.30 6.80 8.45 8.50 18................................ ........................ ... 5.85 5.90 (c) 4.;JO 7.55 8.ilO 7.75 19.. ................. ........................ 5.70 5 80 (C) 4,30 7 65 7.90 7.05 20........... ........................... ...... 5.60 5.70 (C) 4.:10 7.65 7.60 6:~g 6 21........... ......... ........ ........ ...... .................. 5.80 5.55 (C) 4.30 7.65 7.35 22........................................................ ...... 5-50 5.40 (C) 4.30 7.55 7.00 6.15 5.05 23....... ................................. .... ........ ...... 5.50 5.40 (C) 4.30 7.40 8.75 6.20 5.40 24........... ......... .......................................... 5.60 5.35 4.65 4.30 8.2.5 6.45 5.60 5.40 25........... .......... .............. .................... ... 5.60 5.30 4.55 4.30 9 80 6.25 5.50 ~.40 26........... ........ ......... .......................... ...... 5-60 5.40 4.40 4.30 9.30 6.05 5.40 5.40 27.......................... ........................... ......... 5-60 5.40 4.30 4.30 9.25 5.90 5.40 5.40 28............................. ......... ........ .. .. ... ...... 5.60 5.40 4 30 4.30 9.20 5.75 5.25 5.35 29.. ... ........... ........ .. .. ...................... ....... 5.55 4.30 4.30 9.10 5.55 5.10 5.15 30........ ............................................. 5.bO 4.30 4.30 9.30 5.30 5.00 5. IO 31.................. ..... .......... .. ..... ......... .. .. .. 5.50 4.30 9.40 ......... ......... ......... 5.10 a River dry from July 8 to September 9. h River dr·y trom October 1 to December 23. c River dry. • 0 Umted States Geological Survey, Water-Supply Paper No. 50, p. 353. For other tables and references, see Water-Supply Paper No. 37. During part of the year, river water is available for irrigation in the valley and ditches extend from El Paso to Fabens, as described in the report on "Irrigation Systems of Texas."51 Increasing use of the water up stream, in recent years, has seriously interfered with the fl.ow and it has become necessary to seek a new supply to supplement river irriga­tion during the driest months. Relief has been found in the "under­flow." The underflow of the Rio Grantle is a great body of slowly moving water contained in sand and gravel beneath the surface following the course of the river. This water reaches its underground position by percola­tion from the river throughout its course, but especially in those parta where the stream runs over porous sands and gravel; in clay-covered stretches comparatively little water percolates downward. Also the underflow is contributed to by underground drainage tributary to the valley. Many facts remain to be learned concerning the underflow, especially its amount and rate of movement are unknown. It is known, however, that there is a great quantity of water here available. 'l'he valley is many miles wide, the depth to bed rock is considerable, and the varying character of the underlying porous materials is generally unknown. In the restricted part of the river's course, in the pass about 4 miles above El Paso, however, conditions are different. The river is confined by rock walls to narrow limits, and the depth to bed rock, as well as the nature of the unconsolidated materials, has been ascertained by drills put down by the International Dam Commission. Conditions here are favorable, therefore, for making measurements that will at least give approximate figures for the quantity of the underflow, and it ii proposed to begin such measurements at an early date, though it remains to be proved that the entire underflow goes through the pass. Sections in the pass at El Paso show that the depth to bed rock there averages about 55 feet beneath the river bed. The different sections show that conditions are no.t uniform across the narrow valley, but that there is a dove-tailing of the deposits. Much sand and gravel are present, but apparently there is very little clay. The following section is typical: Section in bed of Rio Grande, about 4 miles above El Paso. Feet. 6. Sand ........................................... . .......27 5. Gravel . . ...............................................l~ 4. 5 layers of alternating sand and gravel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3. Gravel . . ............ , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2. 10 layers of alternating sand and gravel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1. Sand .................... . ...... . ....................... 1 Bed rock. Total ..................................................55 51 T. U. Taylor, Water-Supply and Irrigation Pa.per No. Tl, United States Geo­logical Survey, 1902. PL. XI. PUMPING PLANT OF J. A. SMITH, 8 MILES EAST OF EL PASO. Photograph by J. H Campbell. This shallow depth prevails only at the pass, below and above which the depth is considerable, but unknown. In 1896, a well was put down in the valley about a mile and a half below El Paso to a reported depth of 1693 feet. This work was done by the city in the hopes of finding artesian water. Bed rock was not reached, and, although plenty of water was encountered, no artesian fl.ow was found. Down the river from El Paso, within the area covered by the alluvium, extending to below Fort Hancock, many shallow wells have been sunk. These supply the towns of Y sleta, San Elizario, Clint, Fabens and Fort Hancock and the scattered ranches in the valley. The railroads also supply their engines with water from shallow wells at Fabens and at Fort Hancock. At Fabens, the railroad well is 20 feet in diameter and 35 feet deep, and supplies about 50,000 gallons a day. At Fort Hancock, the well is close to the river, about a mile southwest of the station. This well is 41 feet deep and one 9-inch and four 6-inch casings extend 20 feet far­ther down. About 80,000 gallons a day are pumped from this well. An important use of the valley wells is for irrigation. A few irriga­tion pumping plants have been in successful operation for three or four years and within the past year many new ones have been started. In May, 1904, it was estimated that 25 pumping plants were in use below El Paso. The underflow is utilized for irrigation, chiefly to supplement the river water after the latter has been exhausted. Pumping has to be resorted to only for a fraction of the year, from four to six months being about the average. Garden vegetables, fruit and alfalfa are the principal products. These valley wells average 60 feet in depth. The water stands about 15 feet from the surface and is commonly found to occur from this horizon down to the bottom of the wells, which is usually in coarse gravel. Gasoline is mostly used as a fuel, but it may soon be replaced by crude oil. J. A. Smith's pumping plant, about 8 miles below El Paso, is typical (Pl. XI). Mr. Smith has three wells, ranging from 60 to 72 feet in depth, in which water stands at about 15 feet from the surface. One 8-inch and two 6-inch pipes, with attached strainers, extend to the bot­tom of the well. A centrifugal pump is situated in one of the wells, near water level, and is connected with the other two. A 28-horsepower Fairbanks and Morse engine, originally intended for gasoline, is at­tached to the pump. The engine is now adapted to the use of crude oil and is reported to work successfully, at a considerable saving, compared with the use of gasoline. Mr. Smith estimates that he pumps between 1100 and 1200 gallons a minute. He raises alfalfa exclusively, and has about 100 acres under cultivation. The quality of the underflow water is indicated by the following analysis: Analyses of the Rio Grande "underfiow" below El Paso, by E . .ill. Skeats.52 Parts per 100,000. Hadlock Well, 2 m. Courchesne Well, east of El Paso. Ysleta. Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.50 3.00 Alumina and iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00 10.00 Calcium carbonate ... . .... . . . ........11.50 15.00 Magnesium carbonate . ...... .. . .. .... 4.53 3.01 Potassium sulphate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.80 Sodium sulphate ............. ........16.14 37.80 Sodium carbonate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.80 12.13 Sodium chloride .....................30.15 23.30 Water of crystallization and organic matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.25 1.76 Total solids ......... . .. .. .... . .. 74.62 106.00 Analyses of water from J. S. Porcher's well, 8 miles below El Paso, by Arthus Goss.53 Parts per 100,000. No. 1. No.2. Silica, alumina and iron ............ . 3.12 1.68 Lime .................. · · · · · · · · · · · 28.92 19.32 l\fagnesia . . . .. .. . ..... . ... ... ..... . 7.29 5.89 Soda . .. ..... ... .. ..... ..... .. .... . 33.87 28.62 Potash ........................... . 2.61 2.26 Sulphur trioxide ... ... . ......... ... . 30.34 31.34 Chlorine ................. .... .. . . . 43.86 20.75 Carbon dioxide ..... .. ............. . 12.07 11.52 Water of crystallization and organic matter ............. ... . . . ...... . 17.83 7.31 179.91 128.69 Oxygen equivalent of chlorine 9.91 4.69 Total solids ............ . .. . ... . 170.00 124.00 Those who have pumping plants are enthm:iastic over the results. It has been demonstrated that the underflow is abundant, but a definite statement of the available amount can not now be made. El Paso Water Swpply.-The following list gives statistics concerning a number of wells in El Paso: 62The writer is indebted to Mr. Skeats for many courtesies and for consider­able information concerning the region covered by this report. ••Bulletin No. 34, New Mexico College of Agriculture, 1900. Partial li,st of wells in El Paso. Name. El Paso Wi.ter Co............. . El Paso & Northeastern El\~·!~~alc~~;;d.Re·i~iiier·: ator Co ........................... . Texas a nd Pacific Rail­way Co.................. ........ . Texas and Pa.cific Rail­way Co............................ A. T. & S. F. Ry. Uo ........ .. A. T . & S. F. Ry. Co ......... Consumers Ice Co ............ . Gas Plant.......................... . Light and Power Co ......... . El Paso Laundry Co........ El Paso Dairy Co ............. . Franklin Dairy Co............ El Pas0 Brewery............. .. E. Moye ........................... . Newman & Austin.......... C. 0 . Black......................... ~: ~. ~:;?0~::::::::::::.-.::::::: Mrs. Ball........................ .. . r.·:· :l~~~L:::::::::::::::::::::: Mrs. Kendall............ ....... . W. Allen ........................... Mr. Seid.......... ................ . J. Drume .......................... •1-q.:: ... 0 d+i Oa> ~..... a.> ...,­ " . ::i. -s ~~ ir; p.+-1_... ~= Q) -a:i:d-..... 8 p. o; 011:; iS 0 " ----------·· 65 20 to 60 :~ ~t t~~ Steam...... 269 8? ? ........ Steam...... 403 100 8 in...... Steam....... 109 17 10 in ...... Steam....... 65 45 8 In ...... Steam....... JOO 26 10 In..... Ste..m ....... 360 ? 10 in...... Steam........ 45 25 6 in ..... Steam........ tiO 36 6 ft ...... Steam........ 70 60 8 ft ...... Steam.. ..... 50 25 6 In ..... Steam........ 65 45 3 In...... Gasoline... 48 20 2t In ...... Windmill.. 54 f 10 In...... Steam........ 350 125 6 In ...... .................. 700 300? St In ....................... Quantity pu mped. ;..,..: ..,,,, ·-"' ~:d "!!: CJ... 52 22 It In ...... Windmill.. Dvrnestic use.................... Fair 27 20 Hin...... Windmill.. Domestic use................... Fair 62 10 4 in...... Windmill.. Domestic use.................... ~'air 65 20 H In...... Windmill.. Domestic use.................... Fair 154 20 6 In...... Gasoline... Domestic use.. ................ Good 40 14 2 In...... Gasoline... 2,000 gallons per hour...... Poor 44 20 5 In ..... Gasoline... Domestic use.................... Good 70 20 2t in...... H'nd p'mp Domestic use................... Fair 59 20 2 in...... Windmill.. ................................ ....... Good 54 20 6 In ...... Gasoline... Domestic use.................... Good 1,500,000 gallons per day... Fair F0,000 gallons per day...... Good 250,000 gallons per day..... Good 2,500 gallons per hour...... Good 10,000 gallons per hour..... Fair New well not yet tested.. ~·air Insufficient...................... Poor Mot measured................. !<'air 10,000 gallons per day....... Fair 18,000 gallons per day....... Fair 15,000 gallons per day....... Fair 20.000 gallons per day....... Fair t ,000 gallons per day........ Good New well not yettested.. Good Abandoned....................... Poor New well not yet tested.. Good Considering its arid surroundings, El Paso is exceptionally well pro­vided with water. There are three distinct sources: shallow ground water, mesa water, and the Rio Grande underflow. The latter furnishes the main city supply, but the quality is not very good; mesa water is largely utilized for drinking, and there is a likelihood of its use becom­ing more general; the shallow ground water generally is of poor quality, and comparatively is unimportant. The wells of the El Paso Water Company, the Gas Plant, the Light and Power Company, the El Paso Laundry Company, the Consumers Ice Company, and the El Paso Dairy Company supply large quantities of water and are typical of the many wells, only partly listed, that ta.p the underflow of the Rio Grande. In these wells the water occurs in gravel at depths varying from 15 to 60 feet. The surface is commonly underlain by clay to depths of from 15 to 60 feet from the surface. The water level varies with the stage of the river and is distinctly lowered in wells by powerful pumps. At the city waterworks, for instance, in the dry season the water level is said to be lowered by pumping to within five feet of the bottom of the well, and it is reported to take four or five hours after the cessation of pumping for the water to rise to the normal level in the well. The abundance of water obtained from the underflow in El Paso would leave little to be desired if the quality were good, but unfortunately this is not the case. The following analysis of hydrant water made for the Chamber of Commerce is said to be typical of the El Paso supply: Analysis of El Paso hydrant water. Parts per 100,000. Silica, alumina and iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.45 Lime .......... . ...... . .. . ............... . .............. 22.55 Magnesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.14 Soda .... . .. . .. . . . .... . .......... . ......... . ............ 33.76 Potash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.20 Sulphur trioxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.21 Chlorine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.56 Carbon dioxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.90 Water of crystallization and organic matter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00 154.77 Oxygen equivalent of chlorine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.17 Total solids . ... ... . . . . . .... . ......... . .... .. ..... . .. 145.60 Analyses of Rio Grande water from Mesilla Park, New Mexico, 20 miles north of the Texas boundary, were systematically made at the Agricultural College there in 1893-94, samples being collected daily for a year. The results show an average of 44.11 parts of total solids per 100,000, the amounts ranging from 19.64 to 79.25.u But analyses made at different times show considerable differences: thus, in July, 1899, the water contained 161.50 parts of total solids per 100,000; in August, 191.10, and in December, 53.60. It should be noted, however, that the higher amounts were obtained from small flows that came down the river after periods of complete dryness. The underflow in general contains more dissolved salts than the river water. This is shown in the valley proper between Mesilla Park and Las Cruces by the results of 29 analyses, the average of total solids per 100,000 being 81.73, while analyses of water away from the immediate vicinity of the river adjacent to the foothills contiguous to the valley be­tween Mesilla. Park and Las Cruces average 123.65 parts of total solids per 100,000.H These figures are lower than the results at El Paso, but the higher amounts of total solids there obtained appear to be due to local condition&. A number of shallow wells in and about El Paso show the presence of considerable amounts of sodium chloride. The Foundry well, the Moye well, the Santa Fe well, and several others, are reported to contai:a water with abundant salt, and an analysis from a well belonging to Mr. Z. White, in the valley about 10 miles above El Paso, shows a large amount, as follows : 14Bulletin No. 34, M"ew Mexico College of Agriculture, 1900. ..tnalysis of water from White's well, in the Rio Grande ValleJI, about 10 miles above El Paso, by E. M. Skeats. Parts per100,000. Silica, alumina and iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.66 Calcium carbonate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.50 Calcium sulphate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309.80 Magnesium sulphate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.02 Sodium sulphate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210.32 Sodium chloride ..... ..... .... ... ........ ........ . .... ..1052.00 Water of crystallization and organic matter .................. 100.70 Total solids ........................................1720.00 Though the city water supply from the underflow is poor its quality can be improved by chemical treatment. The calcium and magnesium salts, which render the water hard and ill-suited for domestic and boiler uses, can be removed by precipitation as carbonates, by the addition of lime or caustic soda and sodium carbonate in amounts proportionate to the analyses. These methods are used in many households, by the laundries, and the Southern Pacific Company thus treats its water for locomotive use at Fabens and Fort Hancock. Besides the Rio Grande underflow, El Paso is fortunate in having a considerable supply o:f comparatively soft water available on the near-by mesa, as already referred to. Efforts are being made to supply the city with this water, but it remains to be proved that the amount is sufficient. Recently, good water of a quality similar to that found on the mesa, and possibly at least partly derived from it, has been obtained in wells in the eastern part of the city, conspicuous among which are the wells of the El Paso and Northeastern Railway Company and the El Paso Ice imd Refrigerator Company. In these an inferior quality of water was encountered at shallow depths, below which good water occurs under 11ome pressure. At the ice plant the inferior shallow water occurs down to about 100 feet from the surface, where it is separated from the good, deeper-seated water by a bed of clay about 9 feet thick. The following imalysis is said to be typical: Analysis of wate-r from the El Paso Ice and Refrigerator Campany':r well, by E. M. Skeaf:s. Parts per 100,000. Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.50 Alumina ............ . .. .. ....... ... .. ............ . .. . .. .. trace. Lime ............ .. .. ...... ... .... .. . ... . . .. .. .... .. ..... 2.23 Magnesia . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.00 Soda .............. .............. ..... ....... .... . .. ...... 8.98 Chlorine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.31 Carbonic acid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.72 108 A RECONNAISSANCE IN TRANS-PECOS TEXAS. Sulphuric acid 4.45 30.19 Oxygen equivalent to chlorine ....... . ...... . ... ...... ... .... 1.19 Total solids . ... .... . .. .............. ... ....... .... .. . 29.00 Water of good quality is reported from several new wells in East El Paso, among which may be mentioned the Rhoden, Kendall, Allen, Wright, Drume and the El Paso Brewery wells. An analysis of the water from the Rhoden well is as follows: Analysis of water frorn the Rhoden well, East El Pa.so, by E. M. Skeats. Parts per 100,000. Silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.96 Alumina and iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.50 Calcium carbonate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00 Calcium sulphate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.68 Magnesium sulphate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.24 Sodium sulphate . ... ... ............ .. ..... . . . ............ . 6.73 Sodium carbonate ................................ . ... .....18.08 Sodium chloride ... ........... ............................10.77 Water of crystallization and organic matter . . .. .. ..... .. . ... . .. 0.50 Total solids ...........................................45.46 The quality of the hydrant water now supplied to El Paso can be im­proved upon by taking advantage of the mesa flow. Even if an insuffi­cient amount for the city be found on the mesa, a supply of fairly good quality and probably adequate quantity can be obtained in the eastern part of the town from a combination of the mesa and the Rio Grande underflows. The comparatively soft quality of the underflow obtained in the Had­lock well, about two miles below El Paso, appears to be due to seepage from the mesa. But in developing water east of El Paso care must be taken to avoid sewage contamination. I'ARTIAL LIST OF WELLS. (Numbers refer to location on map In pocket.) 0 z 1 la lb le Id }'.', tu lh 2 3 4 5 6( 7 8 9 10 11 l:J Ia 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 3t 33 3! 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 4·1 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 DepthDepth to waterName. feet. (feet.). El Paso.................... .......................................................... City Artesian Prospect ....... .......... Hadlock.......... ............................. . Smith, J. A ................................... Porcher, J. S .................. .... .... ....... . ~:'r,di~h,l~~dlr'..J.'.. ~::::.".'.".'.'.'.'.:· ·::.".'.'.'.:::::: 'l'ibbetts, .J ...................................... Green. W. B.................................. . ? ...................................... Fouodry Well............................... . Southern Pacific Co...................... . Fort Bliss ...................................... . Rock Island Railroad................... . Major Logan ................................. . International Water Co............... .. N:;.tlons.......................................... . Helm........................ ...................... . Lanorla ...................................... .. Morse............................... ............ . Newman....................... ............... . Newman................ ..................... Yslet.a................................... ........ . San Ellzario................................... . vllnt............................................. .. Uarpenter Bros. & Sharpe..... .. ... .. Ooles, 0. 0 ................................... .. Coles, 0. C ...................................... Coles. 0. O................................... Newman, H. L .............................. .. Newman....................... .. Newman.... ..................................... . Newman....................................... .. Newma.n ......................................... . Newman ...................................... . Uarper.:ter Bros. & Sh,.rpe............ Southern Pacific Co....................... ? ........ ............................. 1693 15 ? 1l 72 60 15 62 12 60 11 60 14 15 65 60 12 800 ? ? 300-1­ 250 2'<2 312 260 420 300 190 2,285 172 ? 180 1 219 200 198 210-261 2l0-I · 330 375 450 60-1­ 20-I­ 20-1­60-1­60-1­20-­ ao-­ 388 605 .................. 604 ............ ...... 350 450 400 375 425 450 500-1­ 410 35 .................. . ................................... OolPson, W. ~............................ . . ... 25 to 30 Arden..................................... ......... ......... ......... Leavall. C.H................................. 96 Peacock .. .... ...... .. .... .. .. ..... .. .... ... ...... ......... ......... Turney and Cockrell..................... 500-1­ Newman.................................. ...... R!iO Southern Pacific Co............ ........... 600 Southern Pacific Co................. ..... . 41 Southern Pacific Co...................... . 1,120 Fenlay, J. R............. ................... . 116 65 45 12 1,100 Southern Pacific Co..................... . 1,350 Texas and Pacific Ry. Co................ 927 ? . ....................................... 46 Black Mountain Cattle Co............ 302 Black Mountain Cattle Oo............ 110 Black Mountain Catt.le Co..... ...... 250 Black ~ountain Cattle Co............ 140 Stephens......................................... .. ...... ........ Black Mount.ain Cattle Co..... ...... 225 Black Mountain Cattle Co..................... ;·; .... · Cofl'eit ····-_: :.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::'. .........'l.~·-···· Ham:;---· ..::.".·:.···:: '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'..'..:'.·.'.'.".:'.'.'.".".'.'...'.'.: .........~.~...... Brownfield, W. 1'............................ 25 to 30 ............... ... 8 to 15 .................. 8 to l 5 .................. ................. ................ ......... ......... .................. 96 .................. .................. .................. ................ ......... ......... 905 .................. .................. .................. .................. ......... ......... Remarks. A number of wells. See text. Bed rock not reached. No artesian water. 1 l Valley wells east of El Pll.SO supplied by under­ flow and used for irrip;a­1 tion. Types of v a I le yI pumping plant wells. J Dry. Abandoned. b'our wells. Oap,.city 223.208 gallons a day. Deopest of several wells. Artesian water not found. Seven wells. A number of ~hallow wells. A number of shallow wells. A n umher of shll.llow wells. Abandoned. Abandoned. Water in fine sand. rises 65 feet. Capacity,50,000ga.llonsaday.Shallow. Two wells. Valley type. Dry. Dry. Ab>tndoned, water not flt for boiler use. 80,000 gallons a day. Abandoned, water not flt !or boiler use. Two wells. Said to supply 2,500 cattle. Dry.Dry. FPeble spring. Abandoned. Little water at 600 feet. Abandoned, wattir unfit !or boiler use. Abandoned. Dry.Dry. Dry.Dry.Dry. . ................ Shallow. 140 .................. Shallow. .::::::::::::::::: Shallow. ::-.··:.:::::·::::: Shallow. ................. . PARTIAL LIST OF WELLS-continued. (Numbers refer to location on map tn pocket.) 0 z 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 Na.me. Russell .................................. .. ...... . Cottonwood Ranch ..................... . ? ...................................... .. Morrison ....................................... .. Black )Jountain Cattle Co ........... . Black Mountain Cattle Co........... . Texas and Pacific Hy. Co ........... .. Texas and Pacific Ry. Co ............. . Texas and Pacific Ry. Co ............. Texas and Pacific Ry. Co ............ .. Y.:illican ....................................... .. mBounds ....................................... .. 75 76 77 78 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 9U 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 J13 114 115 U6 117 us 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 1~8 129 130 131 132 133 134 Black Mountain Catt.le Co............ Black Monntain Ciittle Co ........... . Piitterson ..................................... .. Abel .............................................. Aultman........................................ .. Aultman........................................ . Black Mountain Cattle Co.......... . Black Mountain Cattle Co..... .... . Hlack Mount·•in Cattle Co ........... . Black Mountain Cattle Co .......... Cannon............... ......... '. .................. . Cannon ......................................... .. Texas and Pacific Ry. Co .. Cannon........................... ................. Oanoon........................................... . Cannon......... ................................. .. Black Mountain Cattle Co.......... .. Black Mountain Cattle.Oo........... Hlack Mountain Cattle Co......... . Holt.......................................... .... . D Ranch ............... ..................... . Ussery, J. G ................................... Black ~lountain Cattle Co............ Black Mountain Cattle Co............ Black Mountain Cattle Co........... Cannon.................... ..................... ? ................................. ........ T ........... .............................. ? Medley............................................. Medley........................................... Texas and Pacific Ry. Co......... ...... Texas and Pacific Ry. Co.............. X Ranch......... ............ ................. .. X Ranch.............................. .......... Marley............................................ Marley......................... .................. Aden............................................ Tinnin............... ................... :......... White, D. F..................................... White, D • .!<'....... .................. ............ ? ............................... ......... r~l~'ttii·:·w:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Cave Well....................................... Tinnin................. ..... ... .................. Tinnin..... ....................................... ~~r~~n\\i~'ii:::::::::::.:::::::::::::::::::: ::.~: Luckett. H. H....................... ......... ~ch!lling. . ..... ..................... ........ ..... Tinnin.................................. .......... Tinnin... .......... .............................. Tinnin.................. ........................... Marley...... ..................................... Texas and Pacific Ry. Co............... Texas and Pacific Ry. Co............. x Ranch......................................... Seye .................. ........................ ...... Depthfeet. Depth to water (feet). 48 33 10 8 48 15 10 8 10 8 52 32 600 ................. 187 ................. 300 .................. 70 50 22-1­ 2.Ho 86 80 15 225 200 80 15 20 15 25 20 100 .................. 8to30 3 to 15 80 20 90 70 10 3 20 16 30 mo .................. 60 .................. 180 .................. 20 16 225 125 and 225 !IO 80 60 20 300 280 80 76 .......... : .............. ....... . 110 225 245 160 200 200 ........................................................... 212 ? 265 343 M7 600 131 ? 150 916 800 400 ? 546 80 ~ ? 107 700 ........ ~~-1-~ .......... 50..?".. 71l 45 170 2'.?0 200 300 325 8\l 170 250 80 200 ........foi"""" ................. . ................ . .:::::::: .:::::::: ................ 260 .............. ... :::::::::::::::::: .. ............... ................. ................. 260 l~" il8 .................. .................. 35 ................. . .................. .................. .. ............... .................. .................. .................. ......:;·n-·d·...;:;·, Dry. 199 5 Q ,,., Remarks. Dry. Very little water. Dry. Six wells, "apacity 50,000 gal­lons a day. Dry. Four wells. Four wells, "u n Ii m It e•d amount" of good water. Dry.Dry. Water rises 25 feet and sup" plies 2.000 cattle. Shallow; good water. Abandoned. Abandoned. Abandoned. Capacity 40.000 gallons a day. Dry.Abandoned. Dry. Ory.Dry.Dry.Dry. Abundant supply, water rises 25 feet. Dry.Dry. Dry. Dry. Dry.Dry.Dry.Dry.D.ry. PAR'rIAL LIST OF WELLS-continuuJ. (Numbers refer to location on map In pocket,.) ci z ma , 136 137 ms i~~ at 142 143 144 145 146 H7 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 lM~ 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 1114 165 166 167 J68 169 170 171 In 173 174 175 176 177 178 1-rg 180 181 182 183 184 185 188 Name. Sayles ............... ........... ............. . Sayles ............................................ . Sayles ............ ............................. . Sayles .............................. ............. . Walker Wells ................... ......... ... . ~~~l:~ :::.::::::::.:::::::::::::·::·::::::: ::.-.... ~~~~sBa;;·:·.-.::::::.:::::::::: :::::::::::::::.::: Sulphur Prospect Well ............... . Cooksey, J.E........................... .... . Kendall ........................ ............... . Kendall ......................................... . Hart ........................................ ..... . Cowan, W ...................................... Tatum .......................................... . Tatum..... ...................................... . Texas and Pacific Ry. Oo.............. . 1'atum.............................. ............ . Seye ................................................ . Cowar• ............................................ . Tinnin?.......... , . ............................ . Tinnin, 0 ....................................... . Tinnin.......................................... Tinnin .................. .......................... Tinnin...... ....................................... Tinnin, W....................................... ? .................... ··················· ? ·················•······ ...... ....... Bruce............... ............................... White, J.......................................... Whlte, J.......................................... Leatherman, J. D . ........................ . Cowan, w. D.................... ............... Texas and Pacific Ry. Oo............ . ? ....................... .............. . Morse, J ......................................... . Hoglan........................................... . Texas and Pacific Ry. Co ............. . Leatherman, J. D ......................... . Coleson ............................. ............. . White, J ........................ ................ . Tucker .......................................... . Pope's WelL.................................. Robbin!;. ...... ................................... . Big Philip Well?......................... . Ross ............................................... . Casey ............................................... ~~:! ~ieli..?::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Texas and Pacific Ry. Co ........... . Depth feet. 50 90 85 34 I 68 49 and 71 80 and H•O 32 and 88 46 and 92 60 and 100 300 60 1~0 103 ? 165 515 150-1­400 362 ? ? ? 100-1­100-1­ 100-­ ? ? ? ? ... ............ .. 16 50 ? ? 315 30 190 4fJO 120 120 112 832 20 140 ? ? 1,050 60 ? 395 200 207 1~0 ? 400 ? 213 Depth to water (feet). .................. 43 24 .................. ......... ........ Remarks. Dry. Dry. Thr~e dry wells. Little water. pumped dry In four months. Dry, little water at first. Dry; all gypsum. ::::::.:::::::::::Dry. .................. 15t .................. ................. ................. .................. :::::::::::::::::: Trace of oil. ::::::::::::::::::Dry. ................ Dry. ................. . 25 8 :::::::::.:::::::: Hhallow. bad water. ................. .................. eo ......... ....••... 90 85 JOO ? . ................. '................... Water horizon at 260; water rises ll8 feet. 1,000 gallons a day. Artesian well , sulphur water. Capacity 4.32,000 gallonsdally. :::::::::::::::::: Abandoned, quicksand. ......... ........ .................. ................. .............. ... ::::::::: ::::::::: .................. Dry. Eight gallons an hour, good. Dry. 4 wells (dry). Dry. Dry, t-'hallow, rresh water. Water at 365 feet, rises 70 feet; at 64il feet, rises 390 feet. Water horlzoIJ at 275 feet; water rises 75 feet.. Trace of oil at 215 feet. Water occurs within 20 feet ot surface. Art.eslan; w>Lter rises above the surface 28 feet. Capa­city 85,000 gallons a day. INDEX. PAGE. Aden, J. D., deep well of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Allamore, wells near. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Alphabet Blocks, occurrence of water on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Area studied, situation of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 .Artesian Water- area in vicinity of Pecos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 conditions necessary for occurrence .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. 83 experiment for, in Pecos Valley in 1855-1857 .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 found in Toyah Basin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Analyses-limestone in Rustler formation .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. . 44 limestone from Sierra Tinaja Pinta.... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 marble from Marble Canyon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 oil found in Leatherman well .. .. ........ ... . . ... .... . . . ... . .. .... . 66-67 rock from El Capitan Peak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 salt, common • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 salt crystals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 crust of salt lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 sulphur ore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 water, artesian, at Pecos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 water from Crow spring in Salt Basin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 water from head of Delaware Creek........................ .......... 87 water, El Paso hydrant .............. ................ .............. 106 water of El Paso Ice and Refrigerator Company's well . .. .. . .. .. ... . . 107 water of El Paso Rock Island Railway wells.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 water near Fort Bliss.............................. ............. . 97, 98 water at Hueco and Hereford, New Mexico. . .. ... . . ... ...... ... .... . 99 water from Maverick spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 water from Pecos river . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 water from well of J. S. Porcher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 ground-water, below salt lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 water of Rio Grande underflow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 water from Rhoden well . ... .. . .. . . . .. . . . . .. ... . . . ............. .... 108 water from Sayles' ranch well. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 water ft'om Screwbean spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 water from Stinking Seep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 water from White's well, 10 miles above El Paso .. . ... .. .. .. . . . . .... 107 water from Cooksey's well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 water from artesian well in Pecos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Basalt on Cox Mountain, occurrence of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 "Big Phillip" well, description of.. ... . . . .. .. .... . ... . . . . ... . . . . . .... .. . . 80 Blake, W. P., reported on fossils, survey of 1853. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Black Mountain, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Bliss sandstone, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Bounds Ranch, wells at.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Burnt spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Cambrian, occurrence of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Bliss sandstone, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Van Horn formation, description of . . . .......... .. . . .. . . .... . . ..... . . 28 Carpenter Bros. & Sharpe's well, northeast of Clint, log of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Capitan limestone, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 analysis of rock from El Capitan Peak... ............ ............... 41 California Company's well, log of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Campagrande formation, description of........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 PAGE. Carboniferous, occurrence of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Carboniferous faunas, correlation of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Casey well in Toyah Basin, petroleum follIJ.d.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611 Castile gypsum, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Chamberlin, T. C., quoted on conditions for occurrence of artesian water. . . 83 Climatological notes . .. . .. . ..... . ... .. .. ..... . .... . .... .... .. . ..... . .. 71-73 Coal found near Fort Hancock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Comanche Series, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Conrad, T. A., reported on fossils, Mexican Boundary Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Cooksey's Ranch, analysis of water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Copper, occurrence of in Guadalupe Mountains . . . . .. . ... ,. . . .. .. . . ... . . . . 60 Cornudas Mountains, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Cox formation, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Cox Mountain, occurrence of basalt on.... . . . ... .. ...... . ... ... . . .... .. .. 47 Cragin, F. W.­ !ist of fossils in Malone formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 reference to report by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Cretaceous-occurrence of . .... ....... ..... . .... . .. . ... . .... . .. ... .... . . . . . ...46-50 Campagrande formation, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Comanche series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Cox formation, description of .. ...... . ...... .. .. . .. . .... . . . . .. . . . . . . 47 Finlay formation, description of.... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Fredericksburg group, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Washita group, description of. . . .. .. . .. . .. . . .. . ... ... . . .. . .. . .....48-49 Crow spring in Salt Basin,, analysis of water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Cummins, W. F., reference to reports by . . . . . ....... .. ...... . ....... . . . . 14, 15 Darton, N. H.­ letter of transmittal by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 cited on rate of flow of water in Dakota sandstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Delaware Creek, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Delaware spring .... .......... .................................... .... 86·87 Delaware Mountain formation- description of . ... .......... .. ..... . .. . . . . ..... . . .. ....... . .. . ... ..38-41 fossils identified .......... ..... .... ......... .......... ........ .... 40-41 Denis, Willard H., list of wells in vicinity of Pecos, by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Diabase, occurrence of, in Pre-Cambrian, south of Diablo Mountains . . . . . . . . 25 Diablo Mountains, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Diablo Plateau- description of .. . .. . .... .... . ....... . ... . ... . ...... .. .. .. ... . . . ....18-20 structure of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 underground water in ... .. . .. ... . ...... . ... . .. .. ... . . .... ....... . ..92-95 Dumble, E. T., reference to reports by ...... ........... .. ............... 14-15 Eagle Flat, water in vicinity of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Eddy, C. B., analyses furnished by.... ... · .. ............................98, 99 Elder, E. H.­ assisted in field work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 section of Van Horn Ordivician area measured by. .. . ... ... . .. . .. . ... 30 EI Paso Limestone- description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . 29 list of fossils from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 El Paso, analysis of hydrant water in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 EI Paso partial list of wells in.... .......... ............. .............. 105 EI Paso' water supply................. ......... ..............'. ...... 104-108 Emory, W. H., in charge of Mexican Boundary Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Fabens, well at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Figure 2 Ranch wells . ........ ... ....... ............ .... ...............90-91 Finlay formation, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 ]<'inlay Mountains- description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 structure of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tlll wells in , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 INDEX. 115 PAGE. Fort Bliss, wells in vicinity of............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Fort Hancock-occurrence of coal near. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 well near, log of.......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Fort Stockton, artesian well near, log of........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Fossils, Lists of- in Bliss sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 in Capitan limestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 in Delaware Mountain formation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 in El Paso limestone................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 in Fredericksburg group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 in Hueco formation .. .. ... .. .. .... .. . . . . .. ......... . ..............33-37 in Malone formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 in Rustler formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 in Silurian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 in Washita group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Franklin Mountains­description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 structure of .. . . . ...... ... . . ..... ....... .. .. ........ . . . . ... . . ... ..58-59 G~ological Survey of Texas, reports by, in region studied . ... . .. . ..... . .. 14-15 Girty, G. H.­acknowledgment to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 reference to report by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Goss, Arthur, analysis of J. S. Porcher's well by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Granite in Franklin Mountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Grapevine spring ........ .. .. ........................ . .......... ... ... . 86·87 "Greenstone" in the Franklin Mountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Guadalupe-Delaware Mountains- description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 occurrence of springs in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 structure of ....... . ......... ..... . .. . ......... . ........ . . ... .. ... 53-55 water supply of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Gypsum, occurrence of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Gypsum Plain-description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 structure of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 underground water in .... .... .. . .. . .. ...... .. .... ..... ..... .... ... 84-815 Hall, Jas., report on fossils, Mexican Boundary Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Hazel mine, reference to. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Hereford, N. M., analysis of water at... ... .... .. .. . . . . .. . .... . .... ... . . . 99 Hill, B. F., reference to report by......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 liill, R. T.­ cited on Toyah Basin... ... ...... .. ....... . ........ . . . .... . . . ...... 23 acknowledgment to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 reference to reports by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Hueco Basin-description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 underground water in............... ..............................95-108 Hueco Formation-description of . .. .. .... ... .. ......... . . .. . . .. ............. . .... ... ...32 section of, in Diablo Mountains . . . . . .. . ... .. ......... . .. .. ... .... ..36-37 section of, in Finlay Mountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Hueco Mountains-description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 structure of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Hueco tanks, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Hueco, analysis of water at. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Hurd well, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Igneous rocks, presence of . .... . . ... .... .... . ................. ... .. ... . 24, 50 Independence spring .................... ...................... .. ......86-87 International Water Company, log of well furnished by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 116 INDEX. PAGE. Jenney, W. P., cited on occurrence of Cambrian ......................... · 14 Jurassic-occurrence of ................................... ... .. ........... . . 45-46 Malone formation, description of ........................ ............45-46 Malone formation, list of fossils in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Kimball, J. P., cited on geology of Western Texas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Lasca, well at. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Leatherman, J. D.­oil well of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 analysis of oil ....................................... ............. 611-67 Loper, S. Ward, reference to fossils collected by........ . .. .. ........ . .... 29 Malone Formation-description of ................ .. .. ... . .... . . . .. . ... . . .. . .. ... ..... . 45-46 list of fossils in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Marble Canyon, analysis of marble from. ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Marcou, Jules, reported on fossils, survey of 1853. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Maverick spring, analysis of water in vicinity of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Mesa water ........... . . ..... ...... .. ........... .... . . . ... ..... .. ... 95-100 Mesilla Basin, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Mineral resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Oil. analysis of, in Leatherman weII. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Ordivician­occurrence of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 El Paso limestone, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Osann, .A., reference to report by........................... ............. 15 Palm, 0. H., analysis of oil from Leatherman well . . . ..... . . . . . .........66-67 Parry, C. C., connected with Mexican Boundary Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Pecos- artesian area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 partial list of wells in vicinity of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 analysis of water of· artesian well in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Pecos River-analysis of water of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 discharge measurement of ........ . . ...... .. . .. ... . .. .. . .... . .......76-77 Pennsylvanian Series-occurrence of .. .... .............................. .... .. ..... .. ... . 32-38 Hueco formation, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Petrican spring, water used for irrigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Petroleum-presence of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 found in wells in Toyah Basiri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Phillips, \.Vm. B.­ cited on occurrence of sulphur ......... ... ... ... ....... .. . . . . . . . . . . . 69 cited on specimens of coal found near Fort Hancock. . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 cited on presence of asphalt and oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 letter of transmittal by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . refer~nce to reports by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Pme sprmg ............ .. ..... . .............. ... ............ . . . .... . . 86-87 Porcher, J. S., analyses of wells of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Pope, Capt. John- in charge of military survey in 1853................................ 13 artesian well experiment by, in 1855-1857 ....................... 13, 65, 83 Pre-Cambrian­ area south of Diablo Mountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 structure of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 area in the Franklin Mountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2S Previous work, statement of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 PAGE. Quarternary, occurrence of . . . .... . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. ... ... ... .. .. ....... ...50-52 Quartz porphyry, occurrence of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Rainfall data taken at El Paso, Kent, Carlsbad, and Fort Davis . . .. . . .. . . 72-73 Rector spring .. ......... ..... ........ ...... ...... ....... ........... ...86-87 "Red Beds," occurrence of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Rhoden well, analysis of water from . .... .. .. .... . . . . . .. .. ..... . . ..... ... 108 Rhyolite in the Franklin Mountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Rio Grande- discharge measurements of near El Paso ........... ....... ...... .... 101 underflow of ....... .................... .................... 102-104, 106 Rizer, H. C., letter of transmittal by. .. .. ........ ......... . ... . . . . . . . . . . 3 Roessler, F. E., reference to report by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Ross well, in Toyah Basin, petroleum found in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Rustler Hills- description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 structure of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Rustler Formation-description of ...... .......... .......... ........ .................. .44-45 analysis of limestone from. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Salt, analysis of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Salt crystals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Salt, presence of in Salt Basin............ ........ ......... ...... ......61-62 Salt Basin- description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 structure of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 unsuccessful wells in........... . ..... . .... . . . .. . . . . .. . ... . .... . .... 91 underground water in . . . . .. .. ........ ..... ... . ... .. . . . . . .. . ..... .. 89-92 springs along margin of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Salt lake, analysis of crust of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Sayles' Ranch, analysis of water from. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Schaller, W. T., analyses by ......... ..................... ...... 35, 36, 41, 44 Schott, Arthur, connected with Mexican Boundary Survey.. ......... ..... 13 Screwbean spring, analysis of water from.... ............................ 82 Shumard, B. F., announcement by, of Permian in Guadalupe Mountains. . . . 14 Shumard, G. G.­ with survey of Capt. Pope in 1855-1857 ..... ...................... 13, 83 reference to reports by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Sierra Blanca­descri ption of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 wells at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Sierra Tinaja Pinta­analysis of limestone from........... .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Silver, occurrence in Hazel mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Silurian, occurrence of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Skeats, E. M.­ acknowledgment to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 analyses by .... . ... . . . .... .. ... . ... . .. . . ... .... . . .... . 63, 104, 107, 108 cited on occurrence of sulphur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 reference to report by.. ....... ....... ........ ................ ...... 16 Smith, E. A.­cited on occurrence of sulphur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 reference to report by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Smith, J. A., pumping plant of. . ........ .............. .................. 103 Springs-occurrence of, in gypsum plain ..................................... 84-85 occurrence of, in Guadalupe-Delaware Mountains... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 occurrence of, in Toyah Basin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 analysis of water from spring at head of Delaware creek. ...... ....... 87 Apache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Carrizo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Castile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 PAGE. Crow. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Delaware . . . ............................. ....................... 86-87 Independence . . ........................... ........................86-87 Grapevine . . . . .... .. .. .. . ... . . . .................. .... .. .. . .. .....86-87 Horseshoe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Kimble. . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Pine .. ........................ ....... ..................... ...... 86-87 Rector . ...... ... .. . .. . ........ .. ... ..... . ............. ...........86-87 Rustler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Stinking Seep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Twin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Willow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Yellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Stanton, T. W.­list of fossils from Fredericksburg group..... . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .... . . . . . . 47 list of fossils from Rustler formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 list of fossils from Washita group... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 reference to report by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Stiger, Geo., analysis of sulphur ore by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Stinking Seep, analysis of water from .. ................... .... , . . . . . . . . . . 85 Stratigraphy, general statement of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Structure, geologic ........ . . ........ ... ... ... . . .. ... ... . .... . ... . .. ..52-59 Sulphur­occurrence of ................................................. ....68-71 occurrence of, in vicinity of Maverick spring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 oc~u_rrence of, six miles north of Rustler spring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 origin of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Sulphur Draw, water in valley of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Taff, J. A., reference to report by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Tarr, R S., reference to report by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Taylor, T. U.­measured flow of Delaware creek.. .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 reference to report by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Tin, occu;rrence of, in Franklin Mountains...... ..... . . .... ... .... . .. . . . . . 60 Topography, general statement of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Torbert, well at. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Toyah Basin-description of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 occurrence of underground water in....... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 structure of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Toyah, town of, wells in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Tucker's well, analysis of.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Turner, Avery, analyses furnished by . ... .. ......................... ... 79, 81 Turney, W. W., log of well furnished by . ...... ... ... . .. .. . . . ... . . . ....... 64 Twin spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Udden, J. A., paper by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Ulrich, E. 0.­examination of fossils from El Paso limestone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 list of Silurian fossils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Underflow of the Rio Grande........ ... ". .. ......................102-103, 106 Underflow of Rio Grande, analysis of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Underground water ... . .... .. .. ...... ... .......... . .. ...... .. . .. .....71-111 Underground Water-general statement of occurrence of ............................... ...73-76 in Diablo Plateau ................................................ 92-95 in Gypsum Plain .... .......................... ................... 84-86 in Hueco Basin and Rio Grande Valley . .. .. .. .. .. ... ..............95-111 in Guadalupe-Delaware Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 in Salt Basin . . ... ..... . ... ..... . . . .. ...... .. .. .. . . .... .. . .. .....89-92 in Toyah Ba.sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Ussery, J. G., shallow well of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 PAGE. Valley water .... . . . . ... . .................. ... ....... .. .... ... .... .. 100-104 Van Horn Ordivician area........... ............ ........ ............... 30 Van Horn, wells at. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Van Horn formation, description of.. ....... ... ........ ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Vaughn, T. Wayland, reference to reports by....... . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Von Streeruwitz, W. H.­cited on borings in Van Horn formation ... ... .. . ...... ... .. .... ... . 28 cited on description of Hazel mine. .. ... ..... . ........ ... . . ......... 60 reference to repocts by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Walcott, C. D.­section of Pre-Cambrian strata in Franklin Mountains by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 list of fossils from Bliss sandstone by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Washita group, description of ......... .. .. .. ............ . . . .. . ... . .... .48-49 Weed, W. H.­reference to report by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 cited on occurrence of tin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Wells-list of, in El Paso............. .... ............. .................. 75 list of, in vicinity of Pecos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 general list of . ...... ..... . . .... .. .......... . . . ... . ... .. .. . .....109-111 White, D. F., well, log of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ll8 White, Joe, well, description of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Wild Horse, well at. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . !"!9 Worrell, S. H., analyses by.... ....................... .62, 113, 81, 82, 85-87, 9o.