266 The American Geologist. October, loos 
All these commissions have their responsible chiefs and one or 
more assistants and among these chiefs are four American special- 
ists, namely, Dr. George T. Adams, in charge of underground waters, 
M. H. Hurd and Chas. W. Sutton for engineering and topographic 
work, and Mr. V. F. Marsters for economic geology. The only non- 
Peruvian technical assistant is Mr. H. T. Stiles, who is under the 
direction of Mr. Hurd. At this time there are at work: 
2 Permanent mining commissions. 
6 Exploratory mining commissions. 
1 Economic geology commission. 
2 Topographic and water-supply commissions. 
1 Underground water commission. 
Generally the names of the permanent commissions are taken 
from the districts in which they are located, e. g., the Cerro de 
Pasco, Yauli lea, Callao, etc. commissions. Each commission is al 
lowed a certain sum of money which is under the direct control 
of the responsible chief. 
The object of the geological commission is to investigate specific 
problems relative to the development of the metallic and non 
metallic deposits of Peru. This department constitutes the first 
official geological survey in the republic. The first problem to be 
considered will be the geology of the oil fields of northern Peru 
(Province of Tumbes.) 
While the "Cuerpo" has been in existence but a little over 
three years some twenty-six bulletins dealing with a wide range 
of subjects have been published. These may be obtained by appli- 
cation to the Director, Sr. Denegeri. 
Lima, Peru, Sept. 12, 1905. V. F Marsters 
Mateo Tepee — A little over a year ago, while going over sev- 
eral new works, the writer was struck by the many ways in which 
the several authors had in spelling the same words. Several in- 
stances were noted, but one of the best illustrations was that of a 
volcanic tower in the northeastern corner of Wyoming — "Mateo 
Tepee," or what is more popularly known as the "Devil's Tower." 
This tower of perpendicular basaltic columns, may be seen to the 
right of the Burlington railroad in going west, between New Cas- 
tle and Sheridan, Wyoming. According to Newton and Jenney, it has 
an elevation of G25 feet from the surrounding country and may be 
seen for many miles around. 
Professors Chamberlin and Salisbury spell it in their new Geol- 
ogy, page 13G, fig. 124, "Matteo Tepee," locality Wyoming. 
Prof. R. S. Tarr, spells it, in his "New Physical Geography," 
fig 231, facing page 127, "Mato Tepee" locality Wyoming. 
In the May number 1904, of the American Geologist, under 
the title of "Editorial Comment, Peleliths," plate 22 facing page 
324, the same name is spelled "Mato Teepee" and the locality given 
as South Dakota. 
In the "Report on the Geology and Resources of the Black Hills 
