tions far in advance of the opening of the field season by including the annual grant of funds in the first appropriation bill passed. Thus, the money has usually become available between the first of January and the middle of February, making it possible to formulate plans and to move supplies during the winter. By this policy the plans could be carried out economically and efficiently. It will be evident that the dispatching of a large number of parties to inaccessible regions of Alaska is not practicable until it is definitely known what funds will be available. As a consequence of the delay in the appropriation for 1912-13 but little could be accomplished, and the projects undertaken could be carried out only at relatively heavy expense. Only three parties out of the twelve eventually dispatched to Alaska had a full season for field work, these being supported up to the end of June from the balance left from funds of the previous year and from then to the time the regular appropriation became available by the temporary grants made by Congress. As funds permitted several other parties were dispatched on the basis of these temporary grants, which were, however, so inadequate that the parties were undermanned and but poorly equipped. Among the important pieces of work which had to be abandoned were an exploration through the western part of the Colville basin to Point Barrow and geologic and topographic reconnaissance surveys in the Talkeetna and Broad Pass regions. In the preparation for the latter undertaking provisions had been dispatched to Valdez Creek, some 300 miles from the coast, at a very heavy expense. A reconnaissance of the Yakataga region and detailed geologic and topographic surveys of the eastern part of the Matanuska coal fields and of the Willow Creek gold district were also planned but could not be carried out. ALASKA RAILROAD COMMISSION. A special contribution was made by the Survey to the work of the Alaska Railroad Commission, which was created by the Sixty-second Congress and charged with the investigation of transportation routes in Alaska. The commission consisted of five members, and the Survey geologist in charge of the investigation of mineral resources in Alaska was named in the statute as one of these members. Alfred H. Brooks was therefore designated by President Taft to serve as a member of the commission and as vice chairman. Mr. Brooks visited Alaska with the other members of the commission, leaving Washington September 3 and returning December 1, 1912. The resulting report was submitted to the President and by him transmitted to Congress January 20, 1913. REPORT ON LAND CLASSIFICATION. A feature of special interest in connection with the year's work was the preparation for publication of Bulletin 537, "The classification of the public lands." This bulletin contains contributions by many authors, including the Director of the Survey, practically all the technical force of the land-classification board, and many of the geologists and engineers of the other branches who are engaged in the field work of classification. The object of this publication was to set forth in compact and usable form the history and origin of the Survey's classification work, the basis of that work in law and in the administration of law, and briefly the processes involved both in the original field investigations and in the office study and disposition of field results. The work has grown from small beginnings to a complete organization and a complete system of procedure. It touches upon public-land problems at many points, so that it seemed desirable, both from the point of view of members of the Survey and from that of the public, to set forth, as compactly and clearly as possible, the general features of the organization and the general principles which govern the work. The preparation of the bulletin involved the diversion of a considerable portion of the energies of the land-classification board staff for a part of one or two months of the fiscal year. FIRE IN THE SURVEY BUILDING. A fire occurred in the basement of the Survey building on Sunday, May 18, the cause of which is unknown, but which may have resulted from the short-circuiting of electrical wires. The destruction of the entire building was at one time seriously threatened, but the fire was fortunately confined to the basement and therefore resulted in the loss of only replaceable property. The fire destroyed about 175,000 copies of the latest topographic maps, destroyed or seriously damaged the entire stock of geologic folios, aggregating about 200,000 copies, and partly or wholly destroyed about 60,000 book publications, most of which were reserve copies, including the older and rarer publications. Among these was the "library reserve," comprising from four to six copies of each publication heretofore issued by the Survey, constituting the only complete sets of Geological Survey publications known to be in existence, except those in libraries. The fire damage is estimated at approximately $100,000 for property which should be replaced, but this estimate does not include a considerable additional damage to material and publications-not sufficient, however, to condemn them as useless. WORK OF THE YEAR. DECREASE IN APPROPRIATION. The appropriations made directly for the Geological Survey showed a decrease of $10,000 as compared with those for the fiscal year 1912, this amount having been temporarily cut off from the appropriation for the investigation of Alaskan mineral resources. This action was taken by Congress on account of the delay in making the appropriation and the belief by Congress that the full appropriation would not be needed. Owing to the extreme lateness in making the appropriation, and therefore providing for working funds, considerable less than the usual amount of field work was accomplished, the field season being on this account thus cut down practically one-half. However, as soon as the money became available parties were rushed to the field and the utmost endeavors were made to turn out something approaching the present standard of work. Parties were kept in the field later than usual in the fall, considerable work being done after snowfall and more than the usual amount of work was done in the early spring. PUBLICATIONS. The work of the Geological Survey is reflected chiefly in the publication and distribution of its printed reports and maps. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1913, the number of reports printed was 253,850 copies and the number distributed was 375,213 copies of these reports and reports previously printed. The reports are sent out only on application. Under the special stimulation of a reduced price because of damage by smoke and water, the geologic folios were sold in large numbers. From May 20, immediately after the fire, to June 30 these sales amounted to more than 27,000 copies, and it is believed that this distribution among teachers, students, business men, and others really desirous of using the publications of this series will make future issues more popular. The publications of the year are listed below. THIRTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT of the Director of the United States Geological Survey to the Secretary of the Interior, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1912. 175 pages, 2 plates. A report on special features of the Survey's work, brief abstracts of publications of the year, and a summary of work by branches and divisions, with maps showing the progress of topographic and geologic surveys. MONOGRAPH LI. Cambrian Brachiopoda, by C. D. Walcott. (In two parts.) 1912. Part I, 872 pages, 76 text figures; Part II, 104 plates. Price $4. A work setting forth the results of a systematic study of the Cambrian brachiopod fauna of the world and its relation to Ordovician and later fauna. This work contains descriptions of 477 species and 59 varieties of Cambrian brachiopods and 42 species and 1 variety of Ordovician brachiopods. Figures of 538 forms are given. The Cambrian Brachiopoda are considered historically, geologically, and zoologically. The historical treatment comprises a bibliography and a table of synonymic reference, giving a completely cross-referenced list of described species with the present generic and specific reference of each; the geologic treatment covers general geographic and stratigraphic distribution, detailed geographic distribution, detailed stratigraphic distribution, habitat, and fossil localities. The zoologic treatment covers the physical characters of the Brachiopoda, their distribution, their evolution, and their classification. PROFESSIONAL PAPER 71. Index to the stratigraphy of North America by Bailey Willis, accompanied by a geologic map of North America compiled by the United States Geological Survey in cooperation with the Geological Survey of Canada and the Instituto Geológico de México under the supervision of Bailey Willis and G. W. Stose. 1912. 894 pages, 1 plate, 19 text figures. This paper is a compilation designed to explain the geologic map which accompanies it. The map is printed in four parts, which together make a wall map 60 by 77 inches, and is excellently adapted to use in classes. It is also sufficiently detailed to be serviceable for close study, for although it shows 42 divisions of rocks that can be studied at close range, the color scheme is so planned that when it is used as a wall map at a distance the minor distinctions merge and the major divisions stand out prominently. The map is therefore indispensable to both teacher and student. The compiler of this volume has assembled the latest or most authoritative statements of fact and opinion, selected according to his best judgment. The material selected comprises discussions of stratigraphy, citations of significant fossils, and views on correlation. The aim has been to state stratigraphic facts as fully as the data available or the scope of the work permit and to include as much as space allows relating to faunas and correlation. Quotation has been preferred, but where it was not practicable an abstract of facts has been made and the reference given. The last chapter is a bibliography of the publications cited in the text of the work. Each of the 19 text figures is a sketch map of North America showing the distribution of the rocks of a certain geologic period represented on the map and the key to references in the text. PROFESSIONAL PAPER 74. Geology and ore deposits of the Butte district, Montana, by W. H. Weed. 1912. 262 pages, 41 plates, 109 text figures. A study of the geology of this important ore-bearing district, which is the greatest mining center in the United States and the second greatest in the world. The book describes in detail the different valuable metals producedgold, silver, copper, and zinc-their mode of occurrence, and the geologic conditions which led to their formation. A discussion of mining conditions indicates that the output of the district will remain constant for some years to come. The illustrations consist of colored geologic maps, halftone plates, and zinc etchings showing plans and cross sections of the mines and veins. PROFESSIONAL PAPER 77. Geology and ore deposits of the Park City district, Utah, by J. M. Boutwell, with contributions by L. H. Woolsey. 1912. 231 pages, 44 plates, 18 text figures. A detailed report on the areal and economic geology of the district surrounding Park City, Utah, with sections on the history and development of its mining industry, mineralogy of its ores, and descriptions of its mines. The Park City district has won high standing as a "bonanza camp" by yielding large amounts of rich lead-silver ore, and its extensive mines rank well among the dividend-paying argentiferous lead mines of the world. Topographic and geologic maps, structure sections, and numerous halftone plates accompany the paper. PROFESSIONAL PAPER 78. Geology and ore deposits of the Philipsburg quadrangle, Montana, by W. H. Emmons and F. C. Calkins. 1913. 271 pages, 17 plates. 55 text figures. This paper treats of the geography, geology, and mineralogy of the district adjacent to Philipsburg, Mont., which contains deposits of silver and gold ore that were once richly productive. The paper includes chapters on the ore deposits, history of mining development, and treatment of the ores. The mines are described in detail and numerous illustrations, including topographic and geologic maps of the district, add to the usefulness of the book. PROFESSIONAL PAPER 79. Recurrent Tropidoleptus zones of the Upper Devonian in New York, by H. S. Williams. 1913. 103 pages, plates, 13 text figures. A study of the paleontology of the Upper Devonian rocks of the Watkins Glen district, near Ithaca, N. Y. The importance of the investigation lies chiefly in its disclosures in regard to the ancient geography and geology of the region, as the disappearance and reappearance of the Tropidoleptus fauna must have been due to diastrophic changes. The illustrations consist of halftone plates of specimen fossils and sections of the rocks showing the stratigraphic position of the subdivisions of the fauna. BULLETIN 471. Contributions to economic geology (short papers and preliminary reports), 1910, Part II, Mineral fuels. M. R. Campbell, geologist in charge. 1912. 663 pages, 52 plates, 15 text figures. Includes 27 brief reports of two classes—(1) short papers giving comparatively detailed descriptions of occurrences of mineral fuels that have economic interest but are not of sufficient importance to warrant a more extended description; (2) preliminary reports on economic investigations the results of which are to be published later in more detailed form. These reports are such only as have a direct economic bearing, all topics of purely scientific interested being excluded. A complete list of the papers included in the volume follows: The Campton oil pool, Kentucky, by M. J. Munn. Oil and gas development in Knox County, Ky., by M. J. Munn. The Fayette gas field, Alabama, by M. J. Munn. The Powder River oil field, Wyoming, by C. H. Wegemann. Geology of the San Juan oil field, Utah, by E. G. Woodruff. Marsh gas along Grand River near Moab, Utah, by E. G. Woodruff. Preliminary report on the geology and possible oil resources of the south end of the San Joaquin Valley, Cal., by Robert Anderson. Coal on Dan River, N. C., by R. W. Stone. Lignite in the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, N. Dak., north of Missouri river, by M. A. Pishel. Geology of certain lignite fields in eastern Montana, by W. R. Calvert. |