37^ Tlie Afnerica?i Geologist. December, i898 
tion and purposes of the survey. These last are a model of what a 
geological survey should propose to accomplish for the state which 
supports it. The suggestion of the publication of an elementary 
treatise, adapted to the purposes of public instruction is in line with 
the demands of the new geography. Acting upon this suggestion, 
Maryland could enable her youth, without added expense to the state, 
to reap the benefits of her peculiarly instructive physiographic and 
geologic conditions. 
Part II. contains a historical account of all previous investigation 
of the physical features and natural resources of the state. This ac- 
count includes an interesting sketch of the information acquired dur- 
ing colonial days of the physical features of Maryland. 
More or less desultory investigation has been carried on since that 
time by individual scientists, among whom may be mentioned Lyell. 
Official investigation began under the auspices of the First Maryland 
Survey (1834-1841) and was continued by the State Agricultural 
Chemists (1848-1862), the Maryland Academy of Science (1855), the 
Maryland Agricultural College (1856) and Experiment Station (1887). 
and finally by the Geological Department of the Johns Hopkins Uni- 
versity. With Dr. George H. Williams' connection with that insti- 
tution (1883) began the period of most thorough and productive study 
of the geology of the state. The investigation thus inaugurated has 
been continued by Dr. Williams' associates and successors, and is now 
merged into that of the recently organized Maryland Geological Sur- 
vey (1896). 
An outline of the present knowledge of the physical features of 
Maryland is embraced in Part III. This is largely based upon the 
work of Dr. Williams and his associate and successor. Dr. Clark, 
together with the results of work accomplished since the organization 
of the new survey. This summary is free of references, and is a 
most clear and readable presentation of existing information. 
A valuable and exhaustive bibliography and cartography of Mary- 
land comprise Part IV. These were compiled mainly by Dr. E. B. 
Mathews and are rendered more serviceable to investigators by the 
addition of brief statements of the contents of the paper or character 
of the map. 
The volume closes with a report upon magnetic work in Mary- 
land (Part v.), prepared by Dr. L. H. Bauer, formerly of the U. S. 
Coast and Geodetic Survey. The magnetic elements have been de- 
termined at a number of points, and the results of the work will be 
of value to all land surveyors. This report also includes a brief ac- 
count of the history and purpose of a magnetic survey. 
The volume is well illustrated by seventeen lithographic maps and 
views, and the excellence of the typographic workmanship is unusual 
in publications of its kind. Maryland is to be congratulated not alone 
upon the contents, but also upon the prompt appearance and attractive 
form of the first report of her new geological survey. 
