Review of Recent Geological Literature. 
117 
Some othgr elaborate technical methods were used, adapted to the 
nature of the subjects treated and in preparation for the microtome. 
In his contribution to the morphology of the graptolites the . author 
propounds a classification, recognising three main divisions or groups, 
viz.: Graptoloidea Lapworth, Eetioloidea Lapw. ( Retiolites) and Den- 
droidea Nicholson ( Dictyonema , Dendrograptus). 
Upon the systematic position of the graptolites the following observa¬ 
tions are made: “There are three views which are especially entitled to 
consideration. One is that the graptolites can not be placed in any of 
the groups of existing animals, and in this opinion I unconditionally 
concur. 
“The second view places the graptolites among the hydroids. No hy- 
droid is known which is constructed like a graptolite, and the individu¬ 
als of the first order in the graptolite are bilaterally symmetrical, while 
the corresponding individuals of the hydroids possess a higher grade of 
symmetry. * * * * 
“The third theory connects the graptolites with Rhabdopleura. * * 
The chitin skeleton of the latter has no further similarity to that of 
a graptolite than that it belongs to a colony-forming animal and that 
the individuals are covered with concentric growth-lines.” 
It would seem impossible with present knowledge to assign them a 
place in the system with existing animals. 
As an addendum to his observations the author presents, translated 
into German, the entire paper by Ruedemann on the Growth and De¬ 
velopment of the Graptolite genus Diplograptus, recently published in 
the American Journal of Science, characterizing it as “one of the hap¬ 
piest, perhaps the most interesting of all discoveries among the grapto¬ 
lites.” Dr. Ruedemann’s remarkable observations will be published at 
length and fully illustrated in the fourteenth annual report of the state 
geologist of New York. J. m. c. 
United States Geological Survey, Report of the Director, for the 
Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1895'. Charles D. Walcott. (Extract 
from the Sixteenth Annual Report, for 1894-’95; 130 pages, with a map 
showing condition and progress of topographic surveys.) The appro¬ 
priations for the national geological survey during the year reported 
were $497,990. The amount allotted for topographic work was $159,200: 
for geologic work, $113,700; for paleontologic work, $14,000; chemical 
work, $10,000 ; gauging water supply, $12,500 : preparation of illustra¬ 
tions, $13,000 ; report on mineral resources, $15,000 ; purchase of books 
and distribution of documents, $2,000; engraving and printing maps, 
$65,000; rent, $14,200; for skilled laborers, etc., $13,000; for the en¬ 
graving, printing, and binding of the annual report, monographs, and 
bulletins, $35,000 ; and for salaries of the director, chief clerk, librarian, 
and others (thirty in all, employed in the chief administrative depart¬ 
ment), $31,390. Geologic field work and investigations were in pro¬ 
gress under twenty-seven heads of parties, to whom $100,900 were 
apportioned in sums ranging from $600 to $8,000 for each. 
