2S0 Scientific Intelligence. 



II. Geology and Natural History. 



1. Thirty -fourth Annual Me port of the Director of the United 

 States Geological Survey, George Otis Smith, to the Secretary 

 of the Interior, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1913. Pp. 183, 

 2 maps. — During the fiscal year 1912-13, geologic field work was 

 carried on in 45 states and Alaska. Topographic mapping was 

 continued in 26 states, in addition to Alaska and Hawaii, and 

 underground water investigations were prosecuted in 19 states. 

 This field work involved 378 members of the regular Survey 

 staff, besides an even larger number of temporary assistants. 

 The publications for the year include 1 Monograph, 5 Profes- 

 sional Papers, 28 Bulletins, 25 Water-supply Papers, 4 Geologic 

 Polios, and 102 topographic maps. Noteworthy features of the 

 geologic work are the increased attention to coastal plain geol- 

 ogy, and the lack of recognition of physiography. The report of 

 the Chief Geographer shows that 38 - 9 per cent of the United 

 States has been covered by topographic maps. The Land Classi- 

 fication Board, with a personnel of 35, has amply demonstrated its 

 usefulness as scientific adviser to the government in matters relat- 

 ing to the public domain. The public's interest in natural 

 resources is protected, titles are secured more promptly, and large 

 sums formerly expended for field investigation by the Indian 

 Office and the Land Office are saved to the public treasury. The 

 contribution of the Survey to educational and economic needs 

 is indicated by the fact that during the year 1912-13, 375,213 



-books, 40,387 folios, and 648,373 maps were distributed. 



It is discouraging to note that in the face of increased demands 

 on the Survey's time and funds, and the increased value of the 

 organization as an economic and educational factor, the appro- 

 priation for 1913 was less than that for 1912, and that out of a 

 total of §1,497,920, only |236,000 was available for geologic 

 work. The volume and quality of work has been maintained 

 only by exercising rigid economy, by working overtime, cutting 

 out leave of absence and sick leave. The organization is evi- 

 dently undermanned and under-equipped. The Survey force is 

 also underpaid, witb the natural result that 41 geologists have 

 left the service since July, 1909, and have obtained an average 

 immediate financial gain of 149 per cent. h. e. g. 



2. Publications of the United States Geological Survey.— 

 Recent publications of the IT. S. Geological Survey are noted in 

 the following list (continued from vol. xxxvi, pp. 424, 425) : 



Folios. — No. 185. Murphysboro-Herrin Folio, Illinois ; by E. 

 W. Shaw and T. E. Savage. In cooperation with the Geologi- 

 cal Survey of Illinois. Pp. 15 ; 3 colored maps, giving topog- 

 raphy and geology, 13 figs. 



No. 187. Ellijay Folio, Georgia-North Carolina — Tennessee ; 

 by Laurence La Forge and W. C. Phalen. Pp. 17; 4 colored 

 maps, topography and geology, 7 figs. 



