394 FROCEEDINGS: GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



only accurate to about 1°. (3) The given temperature gradients in 

 oil fields are not uniformly high, but are of all degrees of steepness, and 

 it is only true that of the gradients given the average for oil wells is higher 

 than that for water wells. Perhaps if the gradients for fifty other wells 

 were considered the opposite conclusion might be drawn. (4) The tem- 

 perature of wells in the Appalachian and interior oil fields certainly does 

 not increase nearly so rapidly as would be necessary according to Pro- 

 fessor Koenigsberger for the existence of considerable pools of oil and 

 gas. Measurements taken in western Pennsylvania indicate a rise of only 

 about 1° for 75 to 100 feet. It is possible that chemical changes in oil and 

 coal, especially those which lead to more stable compounds, may gener- 

 ate heat, but whether enough heat could be generated to warm up the 

 outer mile or two of the earth perceptibly is perhaps open to question. 

 Altho it may be to some degree true one feels a hesitancy about accept- 

 ing without further confirmation the conclusion that the presence or 

 absence of oil and other valuable minerals can be foretold by the tem- 

 perature gradients within the earth. 



REGULAR PROGRAM 



Glacial deposits in Roxbury conglomerate: Laueence La Forge. 



Soil movements in Alaska: B. L. Johnson. 



Origin of freshwater lime deposits: Charles A. Davis. 



