Geo. II. Cook.—SmorL: ' 825 
Wilkesbiin-e meeting of the American Institute of Mining 
Engineers, in May, 1877, "On the southern limit of the last 
glacial drift across New Jersey and the adjacent parts of New 
York and Pennsylvania." A description of this moraine ap- 
peared in his annual reports for the years 1877 and 1878. The 
clew to its existence was in the absence of the characteristic 
red sandstone and red shale in the stratified drift deposits in 
the southern central part of the state ; and starting with this 
hint the southern limits of unsorted drift were followed east- 
ward on Long Island and west of the Delaware to the Susque- 
hanna. This study of glacial formations was fascinating and. 
important, but the intense loyalty of the man to the practical 
interests of the people, for whom and by whom the survey was 
authorized, prevented him from following the subject where its 
application would have been of little real value, although it 
would have given him honor and gratified a natural thirst for 
additional knowledge. 
The most conspicuous work of the geological survey was 
the production of the atlas of topographic maps. They are 
on a scale of one mile to the inch and show the configuration 
of the surface with accuracy and in much detail as to streams? 
roads, &c., and they are sought after by land surveyors, civil 
engineers, miners, and all who have occasion to examine the 
surface or study topography and geology. Geologists who 
have been obliged to use inaccurate maps can appreciate their 
value and give to Dr. Cook the credit of inaugurating the first 
accurate state topographic survey in connection with geolog- 
ical work in our country. And they will serve their highest 
scientific use in the revelations of structure yet to be read in 
these surface lines by the future student who may continue 
the survey of this best mapped state. 
The practical direction of the survey was not confined to 
the above indicated channels, but flowed out wherever it could 
do service and minister to the people. The betterment of the 
soil, through the use of the natural fertilizer, the mapping of 
the forested areas and their description, the drainage of the 
swamp lands, the sources of abundant and wholesome sup- 
plies of water from artesian wells and from the natural reser- 
voirs of the state, the climate and the whole physiography of 
the state were studied. His reports had the rare merit of plain, 
concise vet clear statements of facts which were understood 
