Reviciu of Recent Geological Literature. 387 
fossils found the author concludes that the passage from Devonian 
to Carboniferous in the region (Pyrenees) was made by pelagic for- 
mations. The series of Carboniferous sediments was almost as com- 
plete in the western Pyranees as in the basin of the Donetz, and show 
the same alternation of pelagic and continental conditions, with pre- 
dominance of the latter in the upper stages. G. f. m. 
Steinbruchindiistrie iind Steinbruchgeologie, von Dr. O. Hermann. 
8vo, pp. xvi, 428,6 plates, 17 figures in the text. Berlin, Gebruder Born- 
traeger, 1899. 11 M. 50 pf. 
This is a thorough treatise by an author who is acquainted not 
only with European but also with American works bearing on the use 
of stone for building and all construction. Not only are all rocks 
described in familiar terms, but the tools for quan;ying and the methods 
of stone-cutting are illustrated. The internal structures of rocks and 
their mineral components are fully noted. General descriptions of 
the usual rock-forming minerals precede the discussion of the rocks, 
and the rocks discussed are grouped in systematic classification. For 
the practical German workman this book should become a familiar 
companion. n. h. w. 
West Virginia Geological Survey. By I. C. White, State Geolo- 
gist. Vol. I, pp. 392. Morgantown, W. Va., 1899. 
In the letter transmitting this first report of the stale survey to the 
governor, Prof. White states that his work thus far has been directed 
chiefly to the great resources of West Virginia in petroleum and natural 
gas, because during recent years millions of dollars have been annually 
spent within the state in exploitation and development of these pro- 
ducts. But it is further stated that the active work of the survey must 
cease with the publication of this volume and a preliminarv geological 
map of the state, until a further appropriation shall provide for its con- 
tinuation w'ith accurate topographical and geological mapping. In a 
state having so much undeveloped mineral wealth, it is certainly for 
the financial as well as the educational interests of the people that a 
thorough survey of its mountainous topography and complicated geo- 
logic formations shall be carried forward under the direction of the 
able geologist and successful mining and drilling expert who has 
begun this work. 
The first part of this volume gives, in 26 pages, an account of the 
inception and plans of the survey, much emphasis being laid on the 
need of correct and detailed topographical maps. By co-operation 
with the national geological survey, these maps can be secured, prob- 
ably, as elsewhere, with a large part of the cost of the field work and 
publication l)ornc by the United States. In this connection, an ad- 
dress by Prof. Albert A. Wright, of Oberlin College, on the benefits 
to be derived by the adjoining state of Ohio from such mapping of its 
area, is presented, with a corroborating statement by Dr. Walcott, the 
director of the U. S. Geological Survey, who indicates the probable 
cost of topographic surveying as about $10 per square mile, this being 
