LHTTHR ()[■ TKANSMHTAL 



To His Ivxcellciicy .loiix W'altku S-Mriii. 



(iovcTuor of ]\Jarvlaii(l and I'lvsidciii ol' the Geological Survey Com- 

 missiou. 



Sir: — I have tlio Ikuku' to present herewith the first volume of a 

 series of reports dealing with the systematic geology and paleontology 

 of Maryland. A clear comprehension of our geological formations is 

 based on a knowledge not only of llie inatL'rials out of which the strata 

 are composed, but also of tlie remains of animal and plant life which 

 are entombed in the rocks themselves. A thorough knowledge of both 

 these factors is essential as a basis for a complete interpretation of the 

 mineral resources of tlie state, -while the educational and scientific 

 value of such information cannot be overestimated. It is the purpose 

 of the Survey to publish a number of similar reports which will embrace 

 the entire sequence of ]\Iar3dand formations. Already much progress 

 has been made in the investigations for the subsequent volumes of the 

 series. I am. 



Very respectfully, 



William Bullock Clark, 



State Geologist. 

 Johns Hopkins University, 



Baltimore, April, 1901. 



