64 ANNAL8 NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



PALEONTOLOGY 



The total organic content is much greater than is intended to be in- 

 cluded under "Eeef-huilding organisms." There are immense numbers 

 of splendidly preserved fossil species of organisms belonging especially 

 to the Tertiary series. Probably a great many are ne^y to science. 

 There are probably few places in America or within territory belonging 

 to the ITnited States where the marine Tertiary succession is of more 

 promise than in Porto Eico. This problem or line of investigation is 

 closely related to the next topic, that of Tertiary subdivision. 



TERTIARY SUBDIVISION 



A faunal and structural summary will naturally lead to the establish- 

 ing of subdivisions and the determination of horizons in the younger 

 series of rocks culminating in a statement of the complete Tertiary his- 

 tory of the island. 



SAN JUAN FORMATION 



A study of the characteristics and detail of origin and historical steps 

 associated with the Pleistocene fossil dune sands, referred to as the San 

 Juan formation, is another problem. 



* SUBDIVISION OF PRE-TERTIARY COMPLEX 



A discussion of this kind is one that will properly follow upon the 

 completion of areal work in several of the typical districts. It is, how- 

 ever, one that will necessitate investigations throughout the interior of 

 the island, and will include a summar}^ of the characteristics of all of the 

 prominent local formations. A grouping and correlation can no doubt 

 be made in due time. 



MINERAL RESOURCES 



On account of the interest taken by the people of Porto Eico in the 

 question of possible mineral resources, it is desirable to undertake an 

 investigation of the kinds of products, their origin, distribution and prob- 

 able economic value. In connection with this, because of the small 

 amount of exploratory work that has been done, it would be especially 

 useful if suggestions were made at, the same time about the methods of 

 exploratory development and the people cautioned concerning wasteful 

 methods. This work should be done so as to cover the whole range of 

 mineral possibilities in the island regardless of location. There are 

 known deposits of copper, iron, gold, lead, silver and zinc among the 



