Geology and Mineralogy. 85 



Bulletin No. 14, Year-Book for 1908 ; H. Foster Bain, 

 Director. Pp. viii, 386, 5 plates, 5 figures. — The Illinois Survey 

 continues to do a large amount of ettective \vori< as indicated by 

 its publications and its plans for the future. Its organization, 

 including the geological section, topographic section, and drainage 

 section, is admirably designed to meet the particular needs of 

 the state. Furthermore, desire to prevent duplication of work 

 is indicated by the fact that the Survey is in active cooperation 

 with the United States Geological Survey, United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, the State Water Survey, the Internal 

 Improvement Commission, the State Conservation Commission, 

 as well as with the University of Illinois and Augustana College. 

 The request for an increase in the annual appropriation from 

 $25,000 to 135,000 is certainlj'- justified by the work accomplished. 



The important classes of work undertaken by the Geological 

 Section are : The study of drill records in connection with 

 stratigraphic work under the direction of Weller, Savage and 

 others, with a view to ultimately making a structural map of the 

 state ; a study of the coal fields preliminary to detailed mapping ; 

 investigation of Portland cement material including clays and 

 shales. The fact that Illinois ranks second in coal production 

 explains the need for stratigraphic and structural work; and the 

 large importation of Portland cement justifies care in investigat- 

 ing local resources. 



The Topographic Section in cooperation with the Geological 

 Survey has mapped 4366 square miles, leaving, however, a large 

 part of the state, 47,847 square miles, still to be covered. The 

 Drainage Section is devoting its attention chiefly to an examina- 

 tion of " bottom lands " because at the present time 90 per cent 

 of these lands are unprotected from floods, and it is estimated 

 that $100,000,000 would be added to farm values of the state if 

 these lands could be reclaimed. Seven special reports are included 

 in this bulletin. h. e. g. 



3. Northern Territory of South Australia : North and East- 

 ern Coasts. Report of Geological Recomiaissance from Van 

 Diemxm Gulf to the Mc Arthur River, etc., made by the Govern- 

 ment Geologist in 1907 ; by H. Y. L. Brown. Government 

 Geologist. Pp. 12, with map. Adelaide, 1909. — Continuing the 

 exploration carried on during 1905, Mr. Brown explored in a pre- 

 liminary way the region along the North Australian Coast line 

 from Van Dieman Gulf to Melville Bay. This region is practi- 

 cally unknown scientifically, a fact which justifies the inclusion 

 of notes regarding the condition of the natives, the character of 

 the coast line, the fauna, flora and climate of the region as well 

 as the geology. In this reconnaissance trip no detailed geologi- 

 cal work was done, but the presence of the pre-Cambrian, Cam- 

 brian, Permo-Carboniferous, Cretaceous, and Tertiary sediments 

 are proven, as well as the presence of basalt, and certain other 

 types of volcanic rock. Valuable gold deposits were found, the 

 presence of tin and bauxite in commercial quantities was demon- 

 strated, and the boring for coal at Mallison Island, Arnheim Bay, 

 and Boroloola is recommended. 



