i894. NOTES AND COMMENTS. 405 



ing from the financial whirlwind that lately swept over Australia, 

 acquits itself right well. The most important work of this nature 

 has been the survey of the well-known goldfield at Charters Towers. 

 A geological map of the field, showing the surface outcrops, was 

 issued early in the present year ; since then the underground 

 structure has been carefully investigated by all the available strength 

 of the Survey, and a fresh edition of the map, embodying this work, 

 will shortly be published. It is safe to say that this will now be the 

 best surveyed goldfield in Australia, and that the detailed maps will 

 be of enormous scientific and practical value. 



In addition to actual surveying and collecting, the officers of 

 such a Survey are continually being asked for information by pro- 

 spectors, miners, agriculturists, and others. And in our colonies, it 

 must be remembered, the officers of the State have to behave far 

 more as the servants of the Public than some of them think it neces- 

 sary to do at home. The Geological Survey of Queensland has 

 recently received many enquiries as to water supply, especially as to 

 the probabilities of finding it through artesian borings. Information 

 is carefully collected and again retailed, which, we doubt not, greatly 

 benefits the enquirer. But, as all who have had anything to do 

 with water supply know well enough, it is an exceedingly difficult 

 matter to advise upon, in the absence of very full and 

 precise information as to the structure of the surrounding country. 

 The circumstances may all point to the likelihood of an artesian well 

 being successful, but an unperceived fault may disarrange the strata 

 and prove the ruin of the whole attempt. Consequently, before a 

 survey can be of that practical service to the community which is 

 hoped and demanded, it is necessary that the whole country 

 be adequately mapped in as great detail as possible. This, 

 of course, is not a task to be undertaken in a hurry or by 

 rule of thumb ; it demands slow collection and collation of facts 

 and prolonged scientific study. Many of the steps necessary 

 for the successful accomplishment of the task are not such as appeal 

 to the uninstructed public, which only regards immediate results. 

 We refer especially to the collection and study of fossils, and the 

 correlation of strata by their means. All this, however, must be 

 done, and men and money must be supplied. The experience of all 

 countries has shown that the investment is one that eventually pays 

 a large interest, and we sincerely trust that, for the sake of the rich 

 and beautiful colony of Queensland, every facility will speedily be 

 given to its Geological Survey to continue the work so worthily begun 

 by Mr. R. L. Jack and his devoted assistants. 



The U.S. Geological Survey. 

 The September- October number of the Journal of Geology, just to 

 hand, contains some observations by Professor R. D. Salisbury, apropos 

 of the work of the United States Geological Survey, which are very 



