IOWA ACADEMY OP SCIENCE 
gave it unusual prominence and this paper speedily became an important factor 
in quickening the interest in geology, not only among students of the subject, 
but in the general public to a considerable extent. 
Between 1870 and 1892 numerous individuals prompted by personal interest 
in the general subject, or in some of the many problems it presented, carried 
on investigations in various directions and along various lines, the results of 
which appeared from time to time in articles published in periodicals devoted 
to general science or to geology more specifically and in papers read before 
various scientific associations. Another advantage, more direct perhaps, showed 
itself in the increased efficiency of teachers of the subject .in the high schools 
and colleges of the state. A third benefit of the activity of these earnest 
workers in geology has maifested itself in so broadening and deepening in the 
general public an appreciation of the need of an exhaustive geological survey 
of the state that the legislature of 1892 authorized the establishment of such 
a survey on such a basis that it has been uninterruptedly maintained up to 
the present time with good prospects that it will continue until the state has 
reaped the fullest benefits not only from the geological sandpoint, but from the 
biological as well. 
In accordance with the provisions of the legislature a Geological Board was 
organized, consisting of the Governor, Horace Boies; the Auditor of State, J. A. 
Lyons; the Presidents of the State University and of the Agricultural College, 
Drs. Charles A. Schaeffer and W. M. Beardshear, respectively; and the presi- 
dent of the Iowa Academy of Science, Prof. C. C. Nutting. They at once elected 
Professor Samuel Calvin, State Geologist; Charles R. Keyes, Assistant State 
Geologist and G. E. Patrick, Chemist. Special and temporary assistants were 
selected by Prof. Calvin and Miss Nellie E. Newman was made secretary, a 
position she has held ever since, a fact which strongly testifies to her faith- 
fulness and -efficiency. Field work was begun very promptly. As to the char- 
acter of that season’s work, I quote from Calvin in his first report. “Owing to 
the lateness of the season when work could be begun, it was deemed best to 
devote the short time before winter would put an end to field work, to make 
preliminary reconnoissances for the purpose of settling certain general ques- 
tions respecting the general geology of the state. At the same time the general 
purpose of the survey — the determination of the location and extent of geolog- 
ical deposits of economic value — has been kept in view and a large amount of 
valuable information has already been collected.” 
Before entering upon a necessarily brief consideration of the real value of 
the work of the Survey, I wish to make a further quotation from Calvin’s first 
report, which, if borne in mind by those who have been somewhat impatient' 
with the slowness with which the economic phases of the Survey have been 
developed, will serve as a proper explanation of any seeming failures in that 
direction, especially, if it be remembered that the appropriations have never 
been large and that this work has been done by men who are largely employed 
in other matters. 
“The work of the Survey is now fairly begun. The questions of greatest 
economic interest to the people of the state cannot all be fully settled at once. 
Time will be necessary in order to cover the entire ground. The results along 
-each line will be made ready for publication as rapidly as circumstances permit, 
though only when the Survey is completed will the material resources be fully 
