524 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1904. 



One of the first tasks which Doctor Cook imposed upon himself 

 alter his appointment was the preparation of a large octavo volume, 

 accompanied by a portfolio of maps, setting- forth the condition of the 

 knowledge of geology of the State up to the date of publication (1868). 

 In this work he gave a general summary of all his previous work, and 

 upon it we will draw largely for other facts which may be given here. 



Naturally the question of the age and stratigraphic position of the 

 white limestone came up for discussion. He quoted the opinion of 

 Rogers (p. 326), and found reason for differing with him. He wrote: 



In regard to the crystalline limestones he was mistaken. They are everywhere 

 conformable to the gneiss and interstratified with it. His mistake is acknowledged 

 by his former assistant, J. P. Lesley, in the American Journal of Science, LXXXIX, 

 p. 221. The true position and identity in age of the crystalline limestone and 

 gneiss was proved by Vanuxem ami Keating, in the Journal of the Academy of 

 Natural Sciences in 1822, and this view has been sustained by all the observations of 

 Doctor Kitchell and his assistants and can be easily verified by anyone who will 

 visit the localities cited in this report." 



Cook was inclined to regard the magnetic iron ore as of sedimen- 

 tary origin, deposited in beds just as were the gneiss and crystalline 

 limestone, in this respect agreeing with Doctor Kitchell and disagree- 

 ing with H. D. Rogers. 



As early as 1854 Cook had called attention to the gradual subsidence 

 of the coast of New Jersey, and before his death was able to give 

 absolute figures regarding the rate of depression. 



Cook was born in Hanover, New Jersey, in 1818, and educated in the 

 public schools of the State and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 

 whence he graduated in 1839 with the degree of C. E. After gradua- 

 tion he remained at the Institute as tutor, adjunct pro- 

 sketch of cook. fessor, and finally full professor, until 1846, when he 

 removed to Albany, New York, where he was engaged 

 at first in business and latterly as professor of mathematics and natural 

 philosophy, and finally principal of the Albany Academy. 



In 1852 he was sent to Europe by the State authorities of New York 

 to study the salt deposits, with a view of developing those of Onondaga 

 County. In 1853 he accepted a call to the chair of chemistry and 

 natural sciences in Rutgers College, New Jersey, retaining his connec- 

 tion with the institution during the remainder of his life, though after 

 1854 being actively connected with the State geological survey. In 

 L880, moreover, he was made director of the State agricultural exper- 

 iment station, which, indeed, had been established largely through his 

 efforts. 



"Studies by Mr. A. C. Spencer, of the United States Geological Survey, made dur- 

 ing the season of 1904, point to an igneous origin for the gneiss. This view, of course, 

 effectively disposes of the idea that the limestone is conformable with the gneiss and 

 interstratiried with it. 



