218 RECORD OF SCIENCE FOR 1887 AND 1888, 



o^'.v ; and many of the educational institutions have dei)artments in 

 which the science of geology is taught not only from text- books, but 

 through original investigation, whereby the science is extended and its 

 field enlarged. So, while the results of individual effort are of inesti- 

 mable value to the growing science of geology, and while any account 

 of the science must deal primarily with the contributions of individuals, 

 it would seem desirable to preface even a short chapter in the history 

 of progress by some notice of the institutions to whi(;h, in conjunction 

 with the individual workers, that progress is due ; and accordingly the 

 following descriptive list of the principal American institutions now 

 promoting geologic science is prefixed to the account of actual progress 

 during recent years, and particularly the biennial period 1887, 1888. 

 The sources of information concerning these institutions are diverse, 

 widely scattered, and not easily accessible, and accordingly the list may 

 not be exhaustive. 



All necessity for incorporating in this record lists of the individuals 

 by which geology has beeii promoted during the biennial period and of 

 the publications containing the contributions is obviated by a contempo- 

 raneous publication. Mr. N. H. Darton is now preparing a bibliography 

 of American geology for the same jjeriod, which will shortly be i)ub- 

 lished by the U. S. Geological Survey. 



INSTITUTIONS PEOMOTING GEOLOGY. 

 GEOLOGIC SURVEYS. 



The Federal Government. — The U. S. Geological Survey was organized, 

 several years ago to prepare a geologic map of the United States, and 

 by implication to prosecute such investigations as are essential to the 

 accomplishment of that task. It is indicative of the recognized impor- 

 tance of geology that during recent years geographic exploration and 

 study have, in this country at least, been carried on largely as a means 

 to geologic investigation. The western States and Territories were in 

 great part explored by geographers and engineers for geologic pur- 

 poses; in many of the States it was found necessary to make geographic 

 and to[)ographic surveys before the geologic investigations could be 

 completed and their results made available to citizens; and the dearth 

 of maps of the country at large is such, that a large part of the energies 

 of the national geologic institution are expended in preliminary geo- 

 graphic surveys. So the scientific corps of the U. S. Geological Survey, 

 whi(;h includes about forty geologists and assistants, about fifteen pal- 

 eontologists and assistants, and seven chemists and physicists with 

 their assistants, comprises also about eighty geographers and topog- 

 raphers with their assistants ; and there is in addition an executive and 

 oifice force of about seventy-five persons. Hon. J. W. Powell is the 

 Director. During the biennial period just closed the institution has 

 published two royal octavo annual reports, three quarto monographs 



