78 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



of affairs was euded by securing a lease of the Hooe iron building, a 

 large fire-proof structure on F street, to which the Survey force, with 

 the exception of the chemists and paleontologists, was removed in Octo- 

 ber. As this building did not offer laboratory facilities, the chemists 

 were permitted, through the kindness of the Director of the National 

 Museum, to occupy the northeast pavilion left vacant by the removal 

 of the Director's ofiflce, while the paleontologists retained their old rooms 

 in the Museum, it being impracticable to separate them from their col- 

 lections, to which constant reference must be made, and which by law 

 are installed in the Museum. As these gentlemen also serve in the 

 capacity of honorary curators in the Museum, this arrangement seems 

 especially appropriate. 



Before taking up the specific items of survey work, it is most gratify- 

 ing to refer to the friendly relation subsisting between the various State 

 surveys and the Geological Survey, and especially to the active co-oper- 

 ation of many of the former with the latter in its efforts to include the 

 whole country in its geologic investigations. 



The detailed statements which follow under the heads of Geography, 

 Geology, Paleontology^ Chemistry, Statistics, Publications, and Collec- 

 tions, indicate satisfactory progress made during the year. 



For purposes of general reference it was found desirable to retain the 

 Divisions of the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Mississippi, 

 South Mississippi, Rocky Mountains, and Pacific. The Division of the 

 Great Basin was abandoned, it being necessary to withdraw Mr. G. K. 

 Gilbert therefrom and place him in charge of the Division of the South 

 Atlantic. For convenience of topographic reference these large areas 

 are again subdivided into districts such as "New England," "Appala- 

 chian," &c. 



GEOGRAPHY. 



In the geographic work of the Survey it is constantly borne mi mind 

 that it is only possible to carry out the intent and purpose of the law 

 requiring the construction of a geologic map of the United States, by 

 first preparing an accurate topographic map which can be placed in the 

 hands of the field geologists. In pursuance of this policy, as soon as 

 the material of the previous season had been reduced to permanent 

 form, active i)reparations were made for field work with an increased 

 and more effective force. As soon after July 1, as i^racticable, 27 topo- 

 graphic parties were organized and took the field under the guidance of 

 their resi)ective chiefs. 



Division of the North Atlantic 



New England District. — Encouraged by the topographic work begun 

 in Massachusetts during the previous season, the legislature of that 

 comwonwealth appropriated the sum of $40,000 for the further prosecu- 

 tion of the work iu couuectiou with the Geological Survey. In view of 



