270 The American Geologist. April, 1891 
work accomplished and the results that must eventually How from 
it, I feel that there has been no wiser action of the Legislature, of 
late years, than the inauguration of this important piece of work, 
and I feel warranted in urging that it be finished in a proper man- 
ner, especially as it is now so nearly done." 
Prof. Cragin is engaged in the preparation of an illus- 
trated work on the geology of Kansas. It will comprise a strati- 
graphic and general section, a section on economic geology, and 
one on physical geography, in the first of which pakeonjology will 
be made prominent. It will include, as special features, a geolog- 
ical gazatteer of Kansas and list of elevations, much fuller than that 
of Kansas in Macfarlane's Geological Railway Guide, a catalogue 
of Kansas fossils, and a bibliography of Kansas geology. The 
section on physical geography will include faunal and floral lists 
(including invertebrates and cryptogams), and a chapter on the 
climate of Kansas, the latter written especially for the work b}' 
Sergt. T. B. Jennings of the Kansas weather service. The work 
will probably be issued early in 1892. 
The backbone of the Continent within the boundary of the 
United States, or the watershed between the Interior and the Pa- 
cific (approximately 1,850 miles long), consists of a number of 
distinct ranges separated b}- noticeable passes easily approached 
from the eastward or westward, and to which the appellation 
" Roclrv mountains " has been given. This name fades away as 
the true condition of its topograph}- becomes known from actual 
surveys, and each of the several ranges claims a title. Geo. 
31. Wheeler. 
Biennial report of the Missouri Survey is an administra- 
tive report of 53 pages, in which is included a short historical 
sketch of past geological work in the state, a description of the 
progress of the work of this surve} T and a statement of the plans 
for the future ; it will prove of value for purposes of reference. 
The Geological Survey of Missouri, under the management 
of Prof. Arthur YVinslow has made rapid and substantial progress, 
and it promises to be one of the most important and successful of 
the state surveys. It has issued, within the past year four valua- 
ble bulletins viz. : Bui. Xo. 1 containing, besides the administra- 
tive report of the state geologist, reports on the coal beds of La- 
fayette county, building-stones and clays, and mineral waters, and 
a preliminary catalogue of the fossils occurring in Missouri. 
Bui. No. 2. A bibliography of the Geology of Missouri. Bui. 
y>>. -J. Clay, stone, lime and sand industries of St. Louis ; The 
mineral waters of HeniT, St. Clair, Johnson and Benton counties. 
Bui. No. Jf. A description of some Lower Carboniferous crinoids 
from Missouri. 
The state Legislature is now considering favorably a proposed 
enlargement of the appropriation for its maintenance, the sum 
named being $40,000 per year; this being double the original ap- 
