REPORT OF THE STATE PALEONTOLOGIST 1900 9 



from the northwest, the fauna of the central region, i. e. the 

 typical Ithaca fauna, indicates the continuation of the growth 

 and development of the species of the preceding Hamilton stage, 

 perduring through a period long enough for the deposition of over 

 1000 feet of strata. To elucidate the problems connected with 

 the origin and development, variation and outcome of this fauna, 

 and its relations to the faunas adjoining it in the distinct geo- 

 graphic provinces of the time, one on the east^ the other on the 

 west, the former the Oneonta, the laftter the Portage province, 

 to demonstrate them graphically by equipping the state museum 

 with an appropriate representation of the species and their 

 variations in the history of the period, w^as the plan of these in- 

 vestigations. 



The execution of the work presents certain difficulties, as the 

 fossils are rarely favorably preserved. Mr Luther, field assist- 

 ant, entered the field early in the season, and has been occupied 

 continuously wdth this labor to date, having been accompanied a 

 part of the time by Dr Euedemann ; and, as a result of the work, 

 we have thus far received at the state hall a large number of 

 boxes, containing some thousands of specimens. The problem in 

 hand requires material of first grade^ and in the work of col- 

 lecting, inferior material has been punctiliously rejecited. So far 

 as it has been practicable to examine and study the specimens 

 already acquired, it is evident that this undertaking will at least 

 result in an important addition to the resources of our museum; 

 for among the material examined there is much that is new to our 

 collections and a considerable representation of species not before 

 known in our faunas. The provision for the work is sufficient 

 to allow its continuance beyond the present field season. 



Areal survey of Olean and Salamanca quadrangles. With the aid 

 of the legislature the cooperation of the United States geologic 

 survey has been secured in working out the stratigraphy and 

 paleontology of the areas represented on the Olean and Sala- 

 manca quadrangles of the topographic survey. These areas lie 

 in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties and cover the outcrops of 

 the upper Chemung formation with what have been regarded as 



