ABSTRACTS 



Authors of scientific papers are requested to see that abstracts, preferably 

 prepared and signed by themselves, are forwarded promptly to the editors. Each 

 of the scientific bureaus in Washington has a representative authorized to for- 

 ward such material to this journal and abstracts of official publi-^ations should 

 be transmitted through the representative of the bureau in which they originate. 

 The abstracts should conform in length and general style to those appearing in 

 this issue. 



CHEMISTRY, — Radioactivity of mineral waters. R. B. Dole. U. S. 



Geological Survey, Mineral Resources of the United States, 1913, 



Part II. Pages 433^40. 1914. 

 The radioactivities of several well-known spring waters in Europe 

 and in the United States are given with a brief discussion casting some 

 doubt on the therapeutic value of natural radioactive waters. A select 

 bibliography is appended. R. B. 



GEOLOGY.- — Geology and ground waters of Florida. George C. Mat- 

 son and Samuel Sanford. U. S. Geological Survey Water-Supply 

 Paper No. 319. Pp. 445, with maps, sections, and views. (Prepared 

 in cooperation between the U. S. Geological Survey and the Flor- 

 ida Geological Survey, under the direction of Thomas Wayland 

 Vaughan.) 

 Through a region of low relief the topography of Florida is sufficiently 

 diversified to be interesting. The important topographic features are 

 consequent, superimposed, and extended rivers; lakes occupying basins 

 due to irregularities of deposition or to solution of limestones; a shore line 

 with forms determined by both constructive and destructive agencies. 

 Among the most important and interesting of the shore features are the 

 living and fossil coral reefs bordering the southern end of the Floridian 

 peninsula, and the numerous bars, capes, and sounds produced by wave 

 action along the shore. Pleistocene terraces are extensively developed 

 and occupy a very large percentage of the surface in the state. 



Florida contains the most complete section of upper Tertiary deposits 

 in the eastern part of the United States. Exposures of these formations 

 are limited and consequently can be traced only short distances. This 



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