Chase County Research Articles

Some Ecological Characteristics of the Molluscan Fauna of a Typical Grassland Situation in East Central Kansas

A survey of some of the ecological associations of the molluscan fauna found in a typical grassland situation was conducted on the Ross Natural History Reservation, Lyon and Chase counties, Kansas, during the summer of 1960. The collecting stations were selected for their differences in habitat conditions, and soil or water analyses were conducted at each. Associated vegetation was studied in detail. Six species of aquatic mollusks and 16 species of terrestrial snails were collected. Physa hawnii was the most common aquatic snail found, and Gastrocopta armifera the most abundant terrestrial species. Two pelecypods, Uniomerus tetralasmus and one Sphaerium, were found. Many specimens of Pupoides albilabris, Gastrocopta procera, Zonitoides arboreus, Vallonia parvula, and Succinea sp. were collected. Less abun- dant species, usually found in moist environments included Gastrocopta contracta, G. tappaniana, Helicodiscus parallelus, Retinella indentata, Hawaiia minuscula, and Stenotrema leai aliciae.

Checklist of Parasites from Catfishes of Northeastern Kansas

In 1956 and 1957, 135 catfishes of the species Ictalurus punctatus (channel catfish), I. melas (black bullhead), and I. natalis (yellow bullhead) were collected, representing all months except November, December, and January, from 12 ponds, 2 lakes, 3 rivers, and 5 creeks of northeastern Kansas (Jackson, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Douglas, Franklin, Miami, Linn, and Chase counties). One hundred twenty-four (91.9 per cent) of the fish were parasitized by at least one of the following parasites:

The Erosional History of the Flint Hills

The Flint Hills (Frye and Schoewe, 1953) extend virtually across Kansas as a belt of rugged topography (Fig. 1) developed in gently westward-dipping alternating shales and cherty or flinty limestones that give their name to the hills. In their extent south of the glaciated area they have quite properly been considered the most prominent physiograhic feature of the State, yet since Haworth's (1896) discussion of the origin of the surficial gravels more than a half century ago their erosional history has received only brief mention (e.g. Jewett, 1941, pp. 17-21) in the physiographic literature, generally incidental to study of other geologic features. Although an exhaustive discussion of the problem is not intended here it is judged appropriate to report tentative conclusions reached from occasional observations over the past 15 years and a field reconnaissance of the chert gravel problem made in part in company with A. Byron Leonard and Howard G. O'Connor during the field seasons of 1950 and 1951. Data on Quaternary and Tertiary terraces and surficial chert gravels in Chase County (Moore, Jewett, and O'Connor, 1951) and Lyon County (O'Connor, 1953) have been published, as has a review of the inferred Pleistocene drainage history of the State( Frye and Leonard, 1952). Work is in press or under way on Osage County by O'Connor; Elk County by George Verville and Charles K. Bayne; and Wilson County by Holly C. Wagner.

Fishes of Cedar Creek and the South Fork of the Cottonwood River, Chase County, Kansas

The smaller streams of the Flint Hills Region in east-central Kansas are inhabited by fishes of both the Plains and the Ozarkian faunas. Species collected from two of these streams, the South Fork of the Cottonwood River and Cedar Creek, are discussed in this paper. Cedar Creek and the South Fork flow northward through Chase County into the Cottonwood River, a tributary of the Neosho (Grand) River, which is fed by streams from the western slope of the Ozark uplift before emptying into the Arkansas River in Oklahoma. Several kinds of fishes which are primarily Ozarkian in their distributions have used the Neosho River as an avenue

A Revised List of Amphibia and Reptiles of Chase and Lyon Counties, Kansas

Since the publication of the 1936 listi of amphibia and reptiles of Chase and Lyon counties, much revision has become necessary, because of taxonomic changes and added collection in the area. The terrain of these two counties varies considerably, ranging from Flint Hills prairie through flood plains to wooded hills. The Flint Hills occupy most of Chase county and extend into the southwest and northeast part of Lyon and are for the most part in the Osage watershed. In central Lyon county and northern Chase county lie the flood plains of the Neosho and Cottonwood rivers, which join in east central Lyon. A small section to the extreme south of the area belongs to the Verdigris watershed. The Flint Hills are devoted almost exclusively to grazing. The flood plains are farmed intensively. Northern Lyon county has general farms and many large pastures. Except in the flood plains there are many springs, from which small streams make their way through rocky gullies. It is among these that some of the most successful collecting has been done. Fifty-three species of 37 genera have been taken. Unless otherwise specified, each form has been found in both counties. The technical names of the species are, with one exception, in accord with Smith's 1950 publication on the Amphibia and reptiles of Kansas2, in which all are described in detail. This book should be consulted by anyone interested in the identification, life history or distribution of Kansas amphibia and reptiles.

Notes on the Ground-Water Resources of Chase County, Kansas

HOWARD G. O'CONNOR State Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Lawrence Chase County is located in the heart of the blue stem Flint Hills region of east-central Kansas (Fig. 1). Physiographically it is a part of the Osage Plains section of the Central Lowland Province (Fenneman, 1938), a plain of low relief characterized by a series of east-facing limestone escarpments. The most prominent of the escarpments is called the Flint Hills because of the occurrence of several thick massive

The Schroder, Champe, and Fremont 1, sites. A. T. Hill and Paul Cooper. (Nebraska Historical Magazine, Vol. 17, No. 4, 1937). - The Archaeological Campaign of 1937. A. T. Hill and Paul Cooper. (Nebraska Historical Magazine, Vol. 18, No. 4, 1938). - Report of Explorations, 1938. Paul Cooper. (Nebraska Historical Magazine, Vol. 20, No. 2, 1940). - Woodland-like Manifestations in

The Schroder, Champe, and Fremont 1, sites. A. T. Hill and Paul Cooper. (Nebraska Historical Magazine, Vol. 17, No. 4, 1937). - The Archaeological Campaign of 1937. A. T. Hill and Paul Cooper. (Nebraska Historical Magazine, Vol. 18, No. 4, 1938). - Report of Explorations, 1938. Paul Cooper. (Nebraska Historical Magazine, Vol. 20, No. 2, 1940). - Woodland-like Manifestations in Nebraska. A. T. Hill and Marvin Kivett. (Nebraska Historical Magazine, Vol. 21, No. 3, 1941). - A Site of the Dismal River Aspect in Chase County, Nebraska. A. T. Hill and George Metcalf. (Nebraska Historical Magazine, Vol. 22, No. 2, 1942). - Volume 8 Issue 4

Birds of Lyon County and Vicinity

The area considered in this paper includes Lyon County, together with the adjacent portions of Wabaunsee, Osage, Coffey, Greenwood, Chase and Morris Counties, practically all within thirty-five miles of Emporia. It lies in the drainage of the Neosho River and its tributaries, except the northeastern part, which is in the Osage (Marais des Cygnes) system. The western portion is in the Flint Hills, from which spring-fed creeks flow into the larger streams. The eastern portion is rolling terrain, with many wooded hillsides. Across the middle of the area from northwest to southeast lie the flood plains of the Neosho and Cottonwood Rivers, which join in east central Lyon County. Two artificial lakes are included in the area, Kahola, 21 miles northwest of Emporia, and the Lyon County State Lake, 14 miles northeast. The former, about 350 acres in extent, is a part of the Emporia water storage system. The latter, about 160 acres in extent, is a part of 580-acre state park and game refuge. Collection of Lyon County birds was started about 1885 by D. S. Kelly, A. L. Bennett, A. M. Collette, and others. Many specimens, mounted in the 80's an'd 90's, are in good condition in the Emporia State Teachers College collection. In some cases these represent species that have not been observed in this area for many years. Our own records and specimens were all obtained in the last ten years.

A List of Amphibia and Reptiles of Chase and Lyon Counties, Kansas

The terrain considered of these two counties varies considerably, ranging from Flint Hills prairie through flood plains to wooded hills. The Flint Hills occupy most of Chase county and extend into the southwest and northwest corners of Lyon county. The wooded hills are in the northeast part of Lyon and are for the most part in the Osage watershed. In central Lyon county and northern Chase county lie the flood plains of the Neosho and Cottonwood rivers, which join in east central Lyon. A small section to the extreme south of the area belongs to the Verdigris watershed. The Flint Hills are devoted almost exclusively to grazing. The flood plains are farmed intensively. Northern Lyon county has general farms and many large pastures. Except in the flood plains there are many springs, from which small streams make their way through rocky gullies. It is among these that the most successful collecting has been done. Forty-four species and subspecies have been taken. Unless otherwise specified, each form has been found in both counties.

Oil and Gas in Marion, Chase, Dickinson, Morris and Geary Counties, Kansas: GEOLOGICAL NOTES

Oil and Gas in Marion, Chase, Dickinson, Morris and Geary Counties, Kansas: GEOLOGICAL NOTES