APPALACHIAN TROUGH In continuation of his study of the Devonian and lower Mississippian floras of the Appalachian trough, David White examined collections from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY A preliminary study of physiographic features of the Mississippi Valley, from Wisconsin to the Gulf of Mexico, and of the lower valleys of the Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, St. Francis, White, Arkansas, and Red Rivers was made by F. E. Matthes for the purpose of planning a systematic investigation of the regimen, deposits, and geologic history of these rivers. CANAL ZONE A preliminary geologic study of the Madden Dam project, Alhajuela, Canal Zone, was made by James Gilluly at the request of the Governor of the Panama Canal, and a report was prepared and transmitted through the Washington office of the canal. Further examinations being recommended by Mr. Gilluly and desired by the Panama Canal officials, Frank Reeves and C. P. Ross were assigned to the task. The results of their examinations were given to the Panama Canal officials, and a report on the geology of the region has been submitted for publication as a bulletin. PORTO RICO The El Guineo and Matrullos dam sites were examined by T. B. Nolan at the request of the Governor of Porto Rico, and a report on these sites was transmitted through the Bureau of Insular Affairs. GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS Work covering broad fields of geologic research or areas not confined to individual States is in progress by many of the geologists and paleontologists. The following papers giving the results of some of these studies were submitted for publication as professional papers of the United States Geological Survey or through unofficial channels. Lower Triassic ammonoids of North America, by J. P. Smith. Professional paper. The flora of the Frontier formation, by E. W. Berry. Professional Paper 158-H. Gold reserves of the United States, by G. F. Loughlin and others, prepared for the Fifteenth International Geological Congress, held in South Africa, summer of 1929. An abstract of this paper was presented to the section of mining geology, American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. Cycles in metal production, by D. F. Hewett. Published as part of program of committee on production control, American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. Review of manganese reserves, by D. F. Hewett. For subcommittee on man. ganese of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. Determination of anisotropism in metallic minerals, by Edward Sampson. Economic Geology. Fluorspar in the Western States, by E. F. Burchard. Prepared for a joint committee on international control of minerals of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. Alabandite in the Southwestern States. by D. F. Hewett. Economic Geology. The properties and associated minerals of gillespite, by W. T. Schaller. American Mineralogist. Progress in the study of clay minerals, by C. S. Ross, E. T. Wherry, and P. F. Kerr. Proceedings of the Seventh Colloidal Symposium. Is chromite always a magnetic product? by C. S. Ross. Economic Geology. Carbon ratios and oil gravities in the Rocky Mountain region in the United States, by C. E. Dobbin. Bulletin of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Cultures of algae oolites, by W. H. Bradley. American Journal of Science. Neue Beobachtungen über Algen als Urmaterialien der Bogheadkollen und -Schiefer, by W. H. Bradley. Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Palaeontologie. The fuels of the future, by M. R. Campbell. Given before the Eastern States Blast Furnace & Coke Oven Association at Pittsburgh. Some factors for consideration in an appraisal of the oil possibilities of the United States, by David White. Presented at the Second International Conference on Bituminous Coal, at Pittsburgh. The Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain, by L. W. Stephenson, C. W. Cooke, and Julia Gardner. For volume on North America in Geologie der Erde. The glacial epoch in North America, by Frank Leverett. For volume on North America in Geologie der Erde. Pleistocene glaciation of the Northern Hemisphere, by Frank Leverett. Presented at the meeting of Section E, American Association for the Advancement of Science, in New York; published in the bulletin of the association. Mitrospira, a new Ordovician gastropod genus, by Edwin Kirk. Proceedings of the United States National Museum. The status of the genus Mariacrinus Hall, by Edwin Kirk. Proceedings of the United States National Museum. The Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian of Alaska, by Edwin Kirk. Abstract to be published in Bulletin of the Geological Society of America. Pagecrinus, a new crinoid genus from the American Devonian, by Edwin Kirk. Proceedings of the United States National Museum. Known species of Telephus, Glaphurus, and Glaphurina and ages of beds containing them, by E. O. Ulrich. Proceedings of the United States National Museum. Criteria in distinguishing fossil faunas of the Arctic region from those developed in other seas, by E. O. Ulrich. Presented at the annual meeting of the Paleontological Society of America. Triassic and Jurassic of the Arctic region, by T. W. Stanton. Abstract in Bulletin of the Geological Society of America. Cretaceous of the Arctic and subarctic regions, by J. B. Reeside, jr. Abstract in Bulletin of the Geological Society of America. New Carboniferous invertebrates (I), by G. H. Girty. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences. Late geological deformation of the Appalachian Piedmont as determined by river gravels, by M. R. Campbell. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. The geomorphic value of river gravel, by M. R. Campbell. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America. The river system: a study in the use of technical geographic terms, by M. R. Campbell. Journal of Geography. Rainfalls accompanying explosive eruptions of volcanoes, by R. H. Finch. Memorial to Joseph Silas Diller, by A. J. Collier. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America. Thomas Chrowder Chamberlin's contributions to glacial geology, by W. C. Alden. Journal of Geology. Incompleted projects on which work was accomplished comprise a report on the copper deposits of the southern Appalachian region, by C. S. Ross and M. N. Short; a report on the geology of the Great Basin, by D. F. Hewett; studies of Appalachian oil fields by G. B. Richardson; a report on antimony deposits of the world, by F. C. Schrader; investigations of salt-dome cap rock, by M. I. Goldman; studies of the stratigraphy and paleontology of the Appalachian Valley and of the Upper Cambrian trilobites, by E. O. Ulrich; a report on early Paleozoic cephalopods, by Mr. Ulrich and A. F. Foerste; investigations of the Cretaceous formations of the Western Interior province, by J. B. Reeside, jr., including papers on pelecypods of the Eagle sandstone and related formations, ammonites of the Greenhorn limestone, new species of scaphites, and a chapter on the geology of the Rocky Mountains and northern plateau region for Geologie der Erde; studies of Devono-Carboniferous faunas, by G. H. Girty; studies of Paleozoic ostracode genera and a paper on some species of Paraparchites, by P. V. Roundy; studies of the Eocene Foraminifera of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, by J. A. Cushman; research on microchemical methods of ore identification and on certain nickel ores, by M. N. Short; studies on the selenium content of zinc sulphides, by C. E. Siebenthal and R. C. Wells, and on granite for acid towers, by G. F. Loughlin; investigations in connection with the tectonics committee of the National Research Council, by G. R. Mansfield; and earthquake studies, by Arthur Keith. WORK IN CHEMISTRY The work in chemistry was carried on by eight chemists. One chemist, R. K. Bailey, was transferred in August to Roswell, N. Mex., where he collects potash cores and samples and makes qualitative tests. During the year 8,910 specimens were analyzed. The study and experimental work on ore deposition was continued with gratifying results by R. C. Wells. This research included dolomitization, the origin and replacement of minerals, and similar phenomena. Mr. Wells also started an investigation including laboratory experiments on the diffusion of gases through rocks and other slightly permeable materials with a view to explaining the separation and movement of gases through rock formations and their concentration in specific localities. He also made a study and tests of methods for determining small quantities of selenium and for the separation of rare-earth metals. Short researches on a hydrous phosphate from Virginia, phillipsite in manganese ore from Nevada, spadaite from Utah, hydrozine ite from Nevada, ammonium borate from Italy, and the properties of minerals associated with gillespite were made by W. T. Schaller. Besides preparing the manuscripts credited to him in the list of papers given below, Mr. Schaller read the following papers before scientific societies: Crystallography of quartz pseudomorphs after glauberite. Ludwigite group. Ending of chemical adjectives in describing isomorphous minerals. Serendibite from New York. Mineralogy of the cores from the New Mexico-Texas potash field. Additional laboratory work was done on the chemical disintegration of Indiana limestone and the composition of its insoluble residue by George Steiger. Mr. Steiger also made a study with laboratory experiments on the permeability of granite and prepared for the committee on sedimentation of the National Research Council a bibliography of chemical works published during the year having a bearing on the problem of sedimentation. Exhaustive experiments in perfecting a method for determining small quantities of selenium were made by E. T. Erickson. It is now possible to identify definitely as small a quantity of this metal as 1 part in 500,000. A series of dehydration tests on certain clays in a study on the rôle of water in the clay minerals were made by J. G. Fairchild in cooperation with C. S. Ross. In the search for potash 11 cores from wells drilled especially in the interest of this project were received in the Washington laboratory and studied in detail. In addition 5,880 samples of cuttings, which were taken from 56 different wells being drilled for oil, were assayed or otherwise tested for their potash content. Three of the cores came from wells drilled in Crockett, Reagan, and Glasscock Counties, Tex., under the auspices of the Bureau of Mines, with funds appropriated by Congress for the investigation of potash deposits. Numerous beds of salts were encountered that were sufficiently high in their potash content but rather thin to be of economic interest. Excellent showings were made by seven cores taken from wells drilled by private interests in a field in Eddy County, N. Mex. Seventeen wells have been drilled in developing this field, each of which gave good showings for potash-rich salts, but two of those drilled this year deserve special mention. Both wells are in the western part of the field, about a mile apart. The first well pierced seven beds, each over 2 feet in thickness, composed of salts showing a potash content of more than 10 per cent. The second well pierced four beds thicker than 2 feet each, composed of salts containing more than 12 per cent of potash. The following papers were completed during the year: Steiger, George, Indiana oolitic limestone [part of U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 811-C]. - Investigations of chemistry that have a bearing on problems of sedimentation [to appear in annual report of committee on sedimentation, National Research Council]. Schaller, W. T., Borate minerals from the Kramer district, Calif.: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 158-I (in press). The properties and associated minerals of gillespite [to appear in Am. Mineralogist]. Erickson, E. T., The determination of small quantities of selenium in ores [to appear in Washington Acad. Sci. Jour.]. Fairchild, J. G., Base exchange in artificial autunites [to appear in Am. Mineralogist). Henderson, E. P., Gearksutite from Hot Springs, Va. [to appear in Am. Mineralogist]. WORK IN PHYSICS Field observations of deep earth temperatures were made by C. E. Van Orstrand from March 26 to September 12, 1928, and in June, 1929, in Alabama, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, California, Montana, and Wyoming. Some of the observations were made in cooperation with the American Petroleum Institute. Apart from administrative duties, Mr. Van Orstrand devoted his time in the office to the preparation of scientific papers and the review of observations of deep earth temperatures submitted by three research associates of the American Petroleum Institute, working in Texas, Oklahoma, and California. The investigation of the association of water and petroleum with silica and various silicates and with alumina and hydrous ferric oxide was continued by P. G. Nutting, who has applied his results in studies of filtering earths, oil sands, and the formation of asphalt beds. The theory of cohesive pressures in adsorbed films has been further developed and applied. Methods of determining the permeability of oil sands and other rocks have been studied and the results applied to field problems, such as dam seepage and petroleum recovery. Among the papers published that on deformation and temperature gives new formulas for calculating the heat developed by compression in rocks. The following papers were completed during the year: Nutting, P. G., Some geological consequences of the selective adsorption of water and hydrocarbons by silica and silicates: Econ. Geology, vol. 23, pp. 773–777, 1928. Deformation and temperature: Washington Acad. Sci. Jour., vol. 19, pp. 109-115, 1929. Petroleum and the filtering earths: Washington Acad. Sci. Jour., vol. 18, pp. 409-414, 1928. Petroleum recovery by the soda process-III: Oil and Gas Jour., Oct. 18, 1928, p. 146. Internal pressures in adsorbed films [to appear in Washington Acad. Sci. Jour.]. Van Orstrand, C. E., Geothermal surveys in the United States: United States Daily, Feb. 15, 1929. On the detection of inhomogeneities in the crust of the earth by means of deviations in the isogeothermal surfaces [to be published by the National Research Council]. ALASKAN BRANCH PHILIP S. SMITH, Chief Alaskan Geologist ORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL The organization of the Alaskan branch remains unchanged at the end of the year. The force comprises the chief Alaskan geologist, 3 geologists, 1 supervising mining engineer, 2 topographic engineers, 1 coal-mining assistant, 1 draftsman, and 3 clerks. FUNDS * *99 The funds used by the Geological Survey in its Alaskan work are provided in two items in the general act making appropriations for the Interior Department. One of these items reads, "for continuation of the investigation of the mineral resources of Alaska * In the act for the fiscal year 1929 the amount was $64,500, which was later increased $3,000 through the provisions of the deficiency act to take care of salary advances made under the Welch Act. In the similar act for 1930 the amount appropriated was $67,500. Each of these appropriations was made available immediately on the passage of the act in which it was contained. The other item is an allotment made from the appropriation " for the enforcement of the provisions of the acts of October 20, 1914, October 2, 1917, February 25, 1920, and March 4, 1921, and other acts relating to the mining and recovery of minerals on Indian and public lands and naval petroleum *." Allotments under this item are available only during the fiscal year specified. In the fiscal year 1928 an allotment of $14,500 was made for work of this kind in Alaska; in 1929, reserves * * |