GEOLOGY IN EVERYDAY LIFE MANSFIELD 265 



tracts of public land, the administration or disposal of which involves 

 a knowledge of the mineral resources that they contain. Many cities 

 and towns own land from which stone may be quarried, or sand or 

 gravel be removed. 



Geological Survey. — The Federal Government, the largest land- 

 holder, early recognized the need of information regarding its public 

 lands. Thus arose the succession of surveys, which finally led to the 

 establishment in 1879 of the Geological Survey, whose director was 

 charged with "the direction of the Geological Survey and the classifica- 

 tion of the public lands and examination of the geological structure, 

 mineral resources, and products of the national domain." Though 

 many of its activities relate specifically to the public lands, the scope 

 of the organization is broader, and it may do work for public purposes 

 in any of the States, territories or insular possessions. 



Its work has greatly expanded since the early days. The names of 

 its six branches indicate the general scope of its present activities: 



Geologic branch (includes wide variety of geologic studies and related chemical 

 and physical work). 



Topographic branch (topographic mapping, base maps, etc.). 

 Water resources branch (surface and ground water divisions) . 

 Conservation branch (land classification, mineral leasing, power sites, etc.). 

 Alaska branch (geology, topography and mineral resources). 

 Administrative branch (includes library). 



Besides geologists these branches employ many engineers, chemists, 

 and physicists, a clerical staff and laborers. The continuous service 

 of one or more legal advisers is also required. Nevertheless, the 

 central purpose about which the entire organization revolves is the 

 extension of geologic knowledge and the application of this knowledge 

 to public problems involving the mineral wealth of the country, 

 especially the public lands, and laws and regulations relating thereto. 



Other Governmental agencies. — Other Government agencies besides 

 the Geological Survey have need for geologists and geologic advice. 

 Some of them call upon the Survey to do specific pieces of work or 

 carry out special investigations. Thus the Survey has examined 

 many tracts of land for the Forest Service in pursuance of legal 

 obligations placed upon that organization to obtain such examinations 

 prior to the purchase of additional lands for forest reserves. The 

 Indian Service has requested mineral examinations of certain Indian 

 lands prior to opening for settlement or disposal, and that organization 

 and the Bureau of Reclamation have asked for dam site investigations. 

 This last organization and some other bureaus originated in the 

 Geological Survey. The Navy Department has asked for geologic 

 aid iD selection of sites for special structures and of tracts of land for 

 petroleum reserves. The National Park Service has asked for geologic 

 information for administrative purposes and to further the educational 



