CONTENTS 



CHAPTER 



Foreword 



i. History 



Early Explorations and Surveys of the Public Domain 



1804-1865 



Geographical and Geological Surveys: 1867-1879 . 

 Establishment of the U. S. Geological Survey, 1879 

 Extension of Operations to the Country at Large . 

 Development of Survey's Functions .... 

 The Survey and the War 



1 



2 



6 



9 



14 



27 



2. Activities 29 



Topographic Survey 31 



Geological Survey 39 



Investigation of Mineral Deposits 43 



Research in Geologic and Related Theory ... 45 

 Compilation of Information Relative to Mineral Deposits 



and the Mineral Industries 49 



Survey of Water Resources 51 



Investigation in Problems of Water Utilization and Con- 

 trol 57 



Examination Under Act of March 1, 191 1, of Land Pro- 

 posed to be Purchased by the Government for Protec- 

 tion of Navigable Streams 58 



Investigation of the Character and Value of Public Lands 



Made Necessary by the Public Land Laws ... 59 



Operation of Lithographing and Engraving Plant . . 71 



3. Organization 73 



Administrative Branch 73 



Topographic Branch 74 



Geologic Branch 75 



Water Resources Branch 79 



Land Classification Board 81 



Publication Branch 83 



Plant 84 



Appendixes 



1. Outline of Organization 85 



2. Classification of Activities 105 



3. Publications 107 



4. Laws no 



5.. Financial Statements 123 



Appropriations: 1880 to 1918, inclusive .... 124 



State Contributions 129 



6. Bibliography 13 2 



