XXXvi CARNEGIE INSTITUTION 



He proposed to begin his inquiries in the mountain district in 

 Shantung — the Tai-shan — a geological unit of about 4,000 square 

 miles, where a study could be made of the geology from pre-Cam- 

 brian gneisses to the Coal Measures. 



Mr. Eliot Blackwelder, an instructor in elementary geology and 

 paleontology in the University of Chicago, accompanied Mr. Willis. 



Abstract of Report. — Under date of September 30, 1903, from 

 Tientsin, China, Mr. Willis reports that all preparations are com- 

 pleted, that authority has been received from the Chinese and 

 German governments, and that with his associate, Mr. Blackwelder, 

 he is about to leave for the province of Shantung. From Shantung 

 it is propo.sed to go to Liautung. 



Mr. Willis expects to return to Pekin Januar)^ i, 1904, and as soon 

 as may be thereafter to enter upon a trip that will probably con- 

 tinue until the end of June, 1904. 



History. 



Worthington C. Ford, Washington, D. C. Grant No. 28. For an 



examination of the historical archives of Washhigtoii. $2,000. 



For the purpose of studying the historical archives of Washing- 

 ton and ascertaining their extent and their characteristics, Mr. 

 Ford prepared a scheme of inquiry which was arranged in two 

 divisions. The first division included a general statement of the con- 

 tents of each repository of archives, a statement of the place in which 

 it is contained, and the history of the collection ; also a statement of 

 the funds available for the maintenance of the collection and of the 

 conditions under which documents are accessible. The second di- 

 vision referred to the preservation of the collections and the arrange- 

 ments for enlarging them. 



Abstract of Report. — The purpose of this grant was to defray the 

 expense of making a general survey of the archives of the govern- 

 ment and the preparation of a report which would be helpful to 

 historical investigators. Dr. Claude H. Van Tyne and Mr. Waldo 

 G. Iceland began the work in January, 1903, following general sug- 

 gestions offered by Mr. Ford. They have examined the manuscript 

 material in every branch of the government, and have prepared a 

 statement as to the nature and extent of the administrative records, 

 as well as of the more important collections of historical material. 

 This description is now nearly ready for printing. It will make a 



