Il8 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. 



The State of the inquiry into the condition of the atmosphere at 

 the time of the formation of certain gypsum deposits, conducted 

 under the direction of Prof. Julius Stieglitz, is set forth in a com- 

 munication from him. 



The stage of progress of the study into the relations of tidal 

 action to the rotation of the earth, in connection with Professor 

 Slichter and other collaborators, is indicated. 



Bailey Willis, U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, D. C. Grant 

 No. 1 1 6. For geological exploration 171 eastern China. (For first 

 report see Year Book No. 2, p. xxxv.) $12,000. 



At the time of publication of the first report in Year Book No. 2 

 Mr. Willis had just gone into the province of Shan-tung. His 

 present report covers the period of exploration in China and his 

 return to the United States. The itinerary of the expedition is 

 given in Mr. Willis's report, pages 275-291. 



Mr. Willis submitted a summary of contributions to knowledge 

 resulting from the expedition, comprising subjects in geology, geog- 

 raphy, and zoology. Among the geological subjects there are three 

 which are of chief interest : Cambrian faunas, glacial deposits of 

 early Cambrian age, and the history of mountains in China as com- 

 pared with that of mountains in America and Europe. The Cambrian 

 fossils are most interesting, and give data for the correlation of the 

 Cambrian faunas of America and China. The glacial deposit of 

 Cambrian age is an almost unique discovery, equaled in interest in 

 its way only by the extraordinary evidences of glaciation in southern 

 Africa in Carboniferous time. The contribution to knowledge of 

 mountains follows from an application of the principles of the modern 

 science of physiography to new fields, and is one of the most far- 

 reaching results of the expedition in its effect upon broad geological 

 theories. Within a few years we have come to know that North 

 America has, in the latest geological epochs, been the scene of vigor- 

 ous mountain growth, probably not exceeded in activity in any past 

 age. The studies of Davis in Europe and western Asia have indi- 

 cated the existence of similar facts in those regions, and the latest 

 European work is confirming his inferences. Mr. Willis has now 

 extended the area of observations, with like conclusions, across 

 Eurasia to the Pacific, and thus it is shown that in the northern 

 hemisphere the features of the earth's surface express recent activity 

 of vigorous internal terrestrial energy. The effect of such a con- 

 clusion upon the theories of a nearly exhausted earth is important. 



