458 ANA^ALS XEW TORE ACADEMY OF SCIEXCES 



it^ the actual bearing on the problem of stratigraphy that was set for .this 

 party is not yet ready for statement. 



Mr. Edwin T. Hodge was given the special problem of determining the 

 possible Talue of the oil shales in Porto Eico. Three weeks in June were 

 spent in this investigation, collecting material and making the appro- 

 priate tests. Samples were obtained from 25 different localities^ repre- 

 senting the most promising known occurrences in the island. All of 

 these were investigated for oil content. The results in all cases were 

 negative with the exception of three specimens, which showed simply 

 traces. One of these specimens came from a shale midway between 

 Adjuntas and Lares. Another came from a road between Las Vegas and 

 Mayaguez, between kilometer post 11 and post 15. The third came from 

 the farm of Signor Policarpo Domeneck, near San Sebastian. As a re- 

 sult of the investigation, it is concluded that there is not sufficient evi- 

 dence of petroleum content to encourage investment or exploitation. 



Mr. Hodge spent the rest of the season, July, August and September, 

 in mapping and making a detailed, structural study of the Coamo region. 

 This is a district reaching from the vicinity of Guayama on the east to 

 the Descalabrado Eiver on the west, and inland to Barranquitas. A 

 topographic base map was made and the geolog}* was covered for this 

 area and is being put into condition for publication. It is intended as a 

 detailed study, and, being approximately midway on the south side of 

 the island, is intended to serve as a standard geological study for adjacent 

 districts. 



In addition to the general geological matters, a special study has been 

 made by Mr. Hodge of the thermal springs of the island, based especially 

 on a detailed study of the Coamo spring, and others in the immediate 

 district. Mr. Hodge's results on all these lines will be available for 

 publication before the next field season. 



Mr. D. E. Semmes was given a district on the noith side of the island, 

 immediately opposite the section covered by Mr. Hodge. It extends 

 from San Juan on the east to and beyond Corozal on the west, and inland 

 to the vicinity of Barranquitas to join with the work of Mr. Hodge. 

 This study is intended to serve as a standard investigation of the north 

 side of the island and to make, in connection with that of Mr. Hodge, 8 

 complete, detailed cross-section of the whole island. The same methods 

 of work were followed by Mr. Semmes as were employed on the other 

 districts, so that a more accurate base map has been prepared and the 

 g-eolog}' has been determined. It is expected that the result of this study 

 will be available for publication before the time of the next field season. 



