8 
Survey, for which it was specifically prepared, some time 
during the fall or winter. 
It gives me pleasure to acknowledge still further, the obli- 
gation of this Survey to Maj. J. W. Powell, the Director of 
the U. 8. Geological Survey, for the very efficient aid which 
he has also given us in the investigation of the geology of 
the southern part of the State. Mr. L. C. Johnson, of the 
National Survey has spent several months during the past 
year in field work and in the preparation of a report upon 
some of the newer formations of Alabama. This report 
was much needed to make complete the account of the 
geology of the southern part of Alabama, begun by Mr- 
Johnson and myself jointly in 1833. The publication of this 
report has been delayed for two reasons—lIst, that we might 
have a suitable map to illustrate it, and 2nd, that this sup- 
plementary work might be done. 
The report upon the useful and noxious plants of the 
State—the timber trees, grasses and other forage plants, 
weeds, &c., promised by Dr. Charles Mohr of Mobile, has 
not yet been prepared, because of the illness of the Doctor, 
but I am glad to be able to say that we shall probably get 
this most useful report some time during the coming year. 
No one in the country, north or south, is so well fitted for 
this task as is Dr. Mohr. 
Since the publication of the last report of the Survey, the 
following assistants have been employed upon the work of 
the Survey: Prof. Henry McCalley, in examination of the 
iron ore regions of the State; Mr. Joseph Squire, upon the 
map and report on the Cahaba Coal Field; Mr. A. M. Gib- 
son, upon the examination of Murphree’s Valley, and upon 
parts of the Coosa Valley; Mr. J. L. Beeson, upon the chem- 
ical analyses, which are to go with the Cahaba Coal Field 
report, and with the report on the iron ore region. 
It has been found necessary for Prof. McCalley, who has 
heretofore had charge of the chemical work of the Survey, 
to devote his time to field work, and the preparation of his 
reports thereon, and Mr. Beeson was employed to make the 
analyses during the past year, but arrangements have been 
made by which Dr. Wm. B. Phillips, Prof. of Chemistry 
and Metallurgy at the University of Alabama, will hereaf- 
ter be in charge of this work. 
