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��similar publications. Tlic aecompHuving atlas Bbeets, more than forty in numbei', add much to the value of the reports.
The leading contributors are Prof. T. C. Chamberlin, chief geologist, and Messrs. R. D. In-ing, Moses Strong, B. P. Whitfield, Charles E. Wright, T. B. Brooks, E. T. Sweet, L. C. Wooster, and F. H. King. In connection with lithological determinations and reports, stand the names of Irving, Wicbmann, Pum-
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��� ��pelly, Vao Hise, and Julien. Vol. i. also embraces reports on selected topics in natural liistory, notable among which is King's report on the economic relations of our birds.
A characteristic feature of the publications is the relatively lai^e amount of practical in- formation brought within the reach of the intel- ligent citizen who has little technical knowledge of science. Indeed, the oft-repeated question of which every geolc^st must be weary — ' What is the ohjecl of the survey? ' —would
��hardly lie asked by one familiar with the results of the survey of Wisconsin. In vol. i. appear several chapters of economic import, the express purpose of which is to make easy of comprehension the principles which are in- volved in such every-day matters as the sink- ing of artesian wells, the manofacture of brick, tile, etc., the selection of bullding-stoae, the relations of soil to fertilizers, where and how to search for ore-deposits, — questions concerning which the opinion of the geologist is of prac- tical worth.
Attention baa tlimnghout been di- rected to known mineral resources with a view to thrar future dei'elopment, and particularly In those formation! which, fVom their rclationehiii to pn»-
ticiii'ing formations I'lsewhere, or for other reasons, were thought, from an economic point of view, to merit care- ful investigation. The benefits, boUt |x>sitive and nega^ tive, which have ac- crued to the state as the result of BOdi investig&liona, hara already been con- siderable, and wQl doubtless be stiD greater In time tft. come. Other ral 1-esDurces havitl not beeu □eglectecU'i Attention has bee&l directed to varlowl bull ding -stones of considerable merit; an^l some of them, in consequence, have aire found their way into the market. The subje^rf of artesian wells has received special stady tit 1 the hands of the chief geologist. It is doabt- J ful if the problem of subterranean water-supfdyf over a commensurate aiea of such diversi^ o" character is anywhere better understood.
The survey has done more than assist in tb development of natural resources, .^nditswiMri is to be commended for other than eooncm
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