Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 31.djvu/873

Rh besides being capable of practical use in many ways, will be serviceable in the future for the detection and measurement of whatever changes of levels may take place. The tides have been made subjects of observation, and show peculiarities, particularly in the bays, which indicate that much is yet to be learned about them. The department of "Geological Surveys" is largely occupied by a close study, by Dr. N. L. Britton, of the "Archæan or Primitive Rocks of Northern New Jersey," illustrated by sections and colored maps, and of their minerals. The "Palæozoic Rocks of the Green Pond Mountain Range" are described by Mr. F. J. H. Merrill; the theory of the Triassic rocks receives further discussion; and the "Yellow Gravel" of the region south of the terminal moraine is the subject of a special report. The department of "Economic Geology" includes the reports of the mines and a republication to meet frequent calls for information, of a special report made in 1876, on the greensand marls. An account is given of the successful drainage of the Great Meadows on the Pequest, in Warren County, and their conversion into excellent farming-lands; and a strong presentment is made of the necessity of draining the meadows of the upper Passaic.

work of the Bureau has been prosecuted on the plan of employing scholars trained in the special researches contemplated, to conduct the necessary investigations and present results for publication. Attention has also been given to promoting and guiding research on the part of collaborators not officially connected with the Bureau, and results of value have been gained in this way. The principal researches mentioned in the present report are mound explorations in West Tennessee and Arkansas, under the direction of Dr. Cyrus Thomas; explorations of cave and cliff dwellings in the canons of New Mexico and Arizona; Mr. Cushing's Zuñi researches; Mr. Victor Mindeleff's researches among the Moki; photographs of aboriginal ruins, by Mr. J. K. Hillers; work in linguistics, by Mr. J. O. Dorsey; Mrs. E. A. Smith, Dr. J. W. Hoffmann, and Dr. Washington Matthews; and the compilation, in the office, of papers embodying the collected results of field-work, in which many of the correspondents of the Bureau have participated. Several of these papers are given as "accompanying papers" to the report. They are an elaborate treatise or "Pictographs of the North American Indians," by Garrick Mallory, which is profusely illustrated; "Pottery of the Ancient Pueblos," "The Ancient Pottery of the Mississippi Valley," "Origin and Development of Form and Ornament in Ceramic Art," all by William H. Holmes; and "A Study of Pueblo Pottery as Illustrative of Zuñi Culture-Growth," by F. H. Cushing. The illustrations to the whole volume include eighty-three full-page plates and five hundred and sixty-five figures in the text.

volume contains, besides the accounts of the sessions, reports, and other matters of regular recurrence, twenty-four papers on subjects connected with microscopic science and manipulation. Among the papers of more general interest are the annual address of the president, Thomas J. Burrill, on "Bacteria and Disease"; Mr. R. H. Ward's "Remarks on Making Microscopical Societies Successful," which are of interest to every one concerned in such societies or contemplating the formation of one; Professor H. A. Weber's "Microscopical Examination of Butter and its Adulterations"; Mr. Ernst Gundlach's "Optical Errors and Human Mistakes"; and Mr. Charles E. West's relation of his "Forty Years' Acquaintance with the Microscope and Microscopists."

the operation of an act of Congress permitting the printing of the Smithsonian reports, like those of the heads of departments, previous to presentation to