XC REPORTS OF GEOLOGISTS. 



satisfied me that none of the rough methods of survey which are applicable 

 in regions where the geology is simple can be successfully utilized in a re- 

 gion of such complicated structure as this. Mr. Bunsen was also employed 

 as general assistant in the laboratory. Mr. Huppertz has been sent out at 

 different times during the winter to make special investigations, such as are 

 credited to him in the report. 



I desire to express my gratification at the uniform courtesy and energy at 

 all times displayed by every one of my assistants. The zeal and endurance 

 exhibited by each member of this division have had very much more to do 

 with such merit as the report may possess than it is possible to express here. 



Thanks are also due to the large number of citizens in the district who 

 have aided us freely in ways too numerous to recite. The interest manifested 

 by them, and the good will always expressed and practically shown, have 

 added new incentive to the heavy tasks set us in a region much confused, 

 geologically. 



There remains much to be done to make our work complete, although the 

 accompanying report does not contain the largest part of the illustrative ma- 

 terial which has been collected, nor will all the conclusions which are war- 

 ranted be fully understood without much more study in the laboratory than 

 has yet been feasible. Much of the work already done in this way is merely 

 outlined in this preliminary report, but we are in much better shape for 

 attacking the remaining problems by reason of the foundation laid by this 

 outline. * 



Under your instructions, plans have been made for the work of 1890, and 

 it seems probable that we may be able to settle most of the doubtful points 

 before the next Annual Report is issued. 



The idea most prominent in the investigations has been always to gain such 

 a knowledge of the material resources of the country as will give practical 

 men the means of forming a judgment of their value and capabilities of de- 

 velopment. Wherein there is a deficiency in this respect in the report I feel 

 that I may safely claim that it is due to the absolute necessity of first getting 

 a clear understanding of the geologic structure as a basis for calculation. 



In conclusion, let me add that your own constant encouragement and sym- 

 pathy, and the freedom of action granted to me, as well as the invaluable 

 counsel given by you, have been by far the greatest aids in my work, and 

 that to these in large degree must be attributed what may, perhaps, without 

 undue arrogance, be regarded as the success of our labors the past year. 

 With high esteem, very respectfully, 



THEO. B. COMSTOCK, 



Geologist for Central Texas. 



