31K The American Geologist. November, 1896 
1895.) The appropriations for tlic fiscal year here reported were $209,- 
200 for topographic work; $55,000 for engraving and printing maps; $83,- 
700 for geologic work; $14,000 for paleontologic work; $8,000 for chemi^ 
cal work; and $89,740 for other purposes, — making a total of $459,640. 
Besides this amount, an additional sum of $35,000 was allotted for ex- 
penditure liy the public printer in the jjublications of the Survey. The 
strictly geologic portion of the Survey was carried forward V:)y twenty- 
five chiefs of divisions and heads of independent parties, whose individ- 
ual administrative reports follow that of the director. 
On June 30, 1894, ending that fiscal year, the directorshifj was resigned 
by major Powell, and Mr. C D. Walcott became his successor. In 
bidding farewell to his collaborators, Powell says: "Under different 
oro-anizations I have had charge of the work for twenty-five j'ears, In 
the beginning it was largely exploratory, but gradually, as the Survey 
expanded, it became more and more administrative, aflfording less time 
for research. The changes made in the personnel of the Survey have not 
been great, but steadily the scientific corps has been enlarged. . . . 
In this severance of our relations, made necessary by painful disability, 
I can not refrain from an expression of profound gratitude for the loyal 
and loving aid which they have given me, ever working together wath 
zeal and wisdom to add to the sum of human knowledge. The roster of 
these honored men is found in ten-score volumes of contributions to 
knowledge, and fifty-scoi-e maps familiar to the scholars of the world. 
May the achievements of the past be crowned with the higher 
achievements of the future! " 
■ This rejjort is accompanied by five special papers or memoirs on 
branches of the field work and investigations of the Survey, which are 
noticed in the following pages. w. u. 
Pre.limiu.av]! report on tit-e Geology of tite L'omiiiou HoacUoftlie United 
States. By Nathaniel Southgate Shalek. (Fifteenth Annual Report, 
U. S. Geological Survey, pp. 25.5-306.) An important indirect benefit 
arisin"' from the invention of the bicycle and its extensive use, especial- 
ly in the large cities and their vicinity, is a demand for imnroved road 
construction. In this paper. Prof. Shaler gives an outline of the history 
of American roads, and treats of the methods of using stone in road 
building, the relative value of road stones, and their distribution or 
sources of supply in the United States. Basalt is found to be much the 
best material for macadam; but, in the great interior region of the Mis- 
sissippi basin and Laurentian lakes, limestones, although relatively poor 
road material, are most used because of their accessibility. w. it. 
The Potomac Forviation. By Lester F. Ward. (Fifteenth U. S. 
Geol. Report, pp. 307-397; with three plates, and four figures in the text.) 
Six members, named, in their ascending order, the James River, Rappa- 
hannock, Mount Vernon, Acquia Creek, Iron Ore, and Albirupean .series, 
make up the Potomac formation. The first two members are classed 
together, in view of the affinities of their fossil plants, as the Basal Po- 
tomac; these and the next two series are united under the term Older 
