12 . NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



oil it may be said that the fields are small and it seems improbable 

 that the industry will ever be extended outside of the three counties, 

 Cattaraugus, Allegany and Steuben, where it has hitherto been 

 confined. 



Another matter that has been repeatedly discussed in connection 

 with previous geological reports and the need of caution emphasized 

 is the recurrent interest shown in the search for precious metals. 

 The favored ground for prospectors is the Adirondack region where 

 immense accumulations of sand and gravel have resulted from glacial 

 wear upon the local rock formations. The same materials are 

 scattered pretty much oyer all the section south of that region. There 

 are no mineralized quartz veins to account for the existence of gold 

 in the sands and wherever tested by the usual processes employed by 

 commercial laboratories nothing more than a trace of gold and silver 

 has been discovered. The subject has been treated so often and at 

 such length as to require only passing mention here. 



As of basic importance to the mining industry may be mentioned 

 tlie geological map, especially the one now in preparation on the 

 large scale of one mile to the inch. With this base there is attained a 

 degree of refinement in denoting the rock formations and their 

 bounds that should correspond to very general needs. Besides the 

 immediate information it affords in regard to the various classes of 

 quarry materials and stratified deposits available within the region 

 mapped, it serves as a ground plan for directing all kinds of explora- 

 tion, such as for oil, gas, water and the metallic ores. Its uses extend 

 also to agriculture, engineering, and many everyday occupations. 



Engineering. The application of geological methods and facts 

 to various lines of engineering not connected with mining is hardly 

 a new development, though it undoubtedly has assumed a broader 

 aspect in the last few years than before. As an outcome of the 

 public demand for service in the combined fields the profession of 

 geological engineer has now a recognized standing, with a consider- 

 able body of practitioners. 



In the location and examination of materials used in engineering 

 construction the geological survey may render material assistance. 

 This work naturally goes in hand with the field study and investiga- 

 tion of building stones, though requiring somewhat special treatment 

 from the different standpoints with respect to physical quality and 

 availability of the materials. The testing of stone for road-making 

 and concrete is, of course, a function of engineering laboratories, yet 

 very useful data in the way of preliminary classification may be 

 had from geological methods, specially when aided by a knowledge 



