AuGustT 18, 1899. ] 
ment of the number of typewritten and 
printed pages handled during the past year. 
The manuscript pages, usually typewritten, 
amounted to 16,263, and proof sheets read 
and corrected during the year to 10,840; 
the latter, as a rule, were read twice. The 
editorial work increases with the growth 
and diversity of the Survey’s work. Thus 
for five years, 1889 to 1894 inclusive, the 
number of manuscript pages edited was 
46,891 and of proof pages read 22,795, 
whereas during the equal period from 1894 
to 1899 inclusive, the corresponding num- 
bers were 65,763 and 35,769. 
The work of the Engraving Division also 
grows from year to year, as the output of 
original maps from the topographic and 
geologic branches is enlarged. The Chief 
Engraver has ingeniously simplified the 
technical processes, and he has organized 
his force on the best models of private busi- 
ness enterprise. The precise cost of each 
item of engraving, correcting, or printing is 
ascertainable, and the efficiency of each 
worker is demonstrated. To a certain ex- 
tent this reacts upon the scientific branches 
of the Survey, since the character of orig- 
inal manuscripts may be such as to facili- 
tate or to impede the work of reproduction. 
But in spite of efficient organization the di- 
vision is not equal to the tasks imposed 
upon it. The publication of topographic 
maps (of which the number is being in- 
creased by cooperation) and the issues of 
geologic folios will be delayed if the appro- 
priation for this work is not materially en- 
larged. ; 
Following the precedents set under King 
and Powell, it has been the policy of the 
present Director of the Survey to secure the 
strongest men available for each branch of 
the work, and to encourage the develop- 
ment of individual members. Among the 
gratifying results of this policy was the 
cordial recognition of the service rendered 
by members of the Geological Survey, 
SCIENCE. 213 
Messrs. Hayes and Davis, attached to the 
Nicaragua Canal Commission under Ad- 
miral Walker. In the last four years the 
geologic personnel has been increased by the 
addition of a number of strong men, recently 
graduated from the leading centers of geo- 
logic instruction. Several of them entered 
through Civil Service examination, and 
others, whose university work succeeded 
practical field experience on the Survey, 
came back to it after their years of study. 
It has been said in the course of discussions 
concerning a National University that the 
Geological Survey at present constitutes the 
geologic branch of such a university, since 
it receives post-graduate students from the 
highest universities in the country and gives 
them opportunity to pursue independent 
researches in geology.* 
BaiLey WIL1Is. 
SCIENTIFIC BOOKS. 
POINCARE’S COURS DE PHYSIQUE MATHIEMA- 
TIQUE. 
Théorie du potentiel Newtonien. Par H. Poin- 
cARE. Rédigées par Epovuarp LeERoy et 
GEORGES VINCENT. Paris, Georges Carré et 
C. Naud. 1899. 8vo. Pp. 366. 
Cinématique et mécanismes, potentiel et mécanique 
des fluides. Par H. Porncar&é. Rédigé par 
A. GUILLET. Paris, Georges Carré et C. Naud. 
1898. 8vo. Pp. 385. 
The fertility in mathematical resources of the 
eminent author of these volumes and the wide 
range of physical questions which he has illumi- 
nated by means of those resources excite at 
once our surprise and our admiration. He has 
proved, in fact, that it is still possible, as it was 
* The preceding article is not intended to present 
a complete catalogue of the activities of the Geolog- 
ical Survey or of its publications. The administra- 
tion, distribution of work and funds, and the assign- 
ment of the personnel, are given in detail in the 
Director’s Annual Report, issued in December of each 
year, and may be had on application to the Director 
of the Geological Survey. Complete lists of the pub- 
lications are kept as nearly up to date as possible and 
may be had on request. 
