770 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST. [VoL. XXXIX. 
The report of G. C. Martin on “The Petroleum Fields of the 
Pacific Coast of Alaska,” (Bulletin 250, United States Geological 
Survey) shows that the oil is of high grade and of considerable eco- 
nomic promise. It is evident that the oil, which is derived mainly 
from the Mesozoic strata, contains a high percentage of volatile 
compounds, has a paraffin, base, and a low sulphur content. From 
analyses made of surface seepage samples, the oil seems to be very 
similar to that from Pennsylvania. 
