ADVERTISEMENT. The scientific publications of the United States National Museum consist of two series, the Proceedings and the Bulletins. The Proceedings, the first volume of which was issued in 1878, are intended primarily as a medium for the publication of original, and usually brief, papers based on the collections of the National Museum, presenting newly acquired facts in zoology, geology, and anthropology, including descriptions of new forms of animals and revisions of limited groups. One or two volumes are issued annually and distributed to libraries and scientific organizations. A limited number of copies of each paper, in pamphlet form, is distributed to specialists and others interested in the different subjects as soon as printed. The dates of publication are recorded in the tables of contents of the volumes. The Bulletins, the first of which was issued in 1875, consist of a series of separate publications comprising chiefly monographs of large zoological groups and other general systematic treatises (occasionally in several volumes), faunal works, reports of expeditions, and catalogues of type-specimens, special collections, etc. The majority of the volumes are octavos, but a quarto size has been adopted in a few instances in which large plates were regarded as indispensable. Since 1902 a series of octavo volumes containing papers relating to the botanical collections of the Museum, and known as the Contributions from the National Herbarium, has been published as bulletins. The present work forms No. 109 of the Bulletin series. Administrative Assistant to the Secretary, PREFACE. A work along the lines of the one here presented was projected and begun by the Director of the United States Geological Survey in 1885. In connection therewith a circular, bearing date of April 10 of that year, was issued, from which is made the following abstract: Recent inquiries by the United States Government concerning foreign scientific surveys have demonstrated the desirability of recording in permanent and accessible form all available data relating to the organization, administration, cost, and material results of geologic, geodetic, geographic, mineralogic, agricultural, natural history, and other scientific surveys officially instituted at various times by the several States of the Union. The necessity for immediate action in the collection of such data is manifest, since much valuable information-particularly details of administration and cost-has never been published, but exists only in the memory of men, in private records, and in public records liable to become destroyed or forgotten with the decadence of the present generation. It is accordingly proposed by the United States Geological Survey to collect material for a History of American State Surveys, with a view of publishing it, if possible, during the present year. It was the original intention, in order that the plan might be carried out most expeditiously and accurately, to invite geologists or others especially familiar with the scientific surveys of particular States, to prepare detailed histories in such form that after having served their purpose as material for the general history, they might be published individually under such conditions as the authors might elect. A considerable number of the histories were thus prepared, as is noted later, and a few published. What led to the abandonment of the plan is not known to the present writer. A study of the circular and the manuscripts submitted in response thereto, leads one to infer, however, that the outline was too detailed and comprehensive, and in but few instances was it possible even for those who actually participated in the work to furnish the information desired. The result was that the histories were of unequal length and value, surveys of the least importance often being made to appear as of first magnitude. Concerning what was unquestionably the most important of all the surveys undertaken, not a line was furnished. It was while engaged in the final revision of his Contributions to a History of American Geology,' that the present writer became. Annual Report U. S. National Museum, 1904 (1906). first aware of the existence of these manuscripts. He thereupon applied to the Director of the Survey for permission to refer to them. and, if desirable, utilize any information contained therein. This permission was granted, as shown by the following letter: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, Dr. GEO. P. MERRILL, U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: In accordance with your request of recent date I send you herewith the manuscripts relating to the history of official scientific surveys collected by the survey some years since. These manuscripts contain a large amount of valuable historical data, much of which it would be difficult to replace. You are at liberty to use any material which they contain in any way that you see fit. I should be glad to have you consider the preparation of a history of official scientific surveys in the United States for publication by this Survey, using the material now in hand and such other material as you may be able to obtain in cooperation with the Survey by correspondence and otherwise. Very respectfully, (Signed) CHAS. D. WALCOTT, Director. The proposition made in the final clause of the above was agreed to with a verbal understanding that the work should receive attention only when official and other more pressing duties permitted. Shortly after the withdrawal of Director Walcott from the Survey the matter was brought to the attention of Director George O. Smith, with the results given in the following letter: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, Dr. GEORGE P. MERRILL, Head Curator of Geology, Smithsonian Institution. MY DEAR DOCTOR MERRILL: In reply to your inquiry of November 16 on the subject of the manuscript history of the State surveys, further consideration has simply confirmed my first impression that this material should be turned over to you for publication. I note that Director Walcott in 1902 stated that you were at liberty to use the material in any way that you saw fit, and I can do no less than confirm his action in giving you a free hand in the matter. In fact, however much I might desire to see this work published under Survey auspices, the present superabundance of material awaiting publication makes it impossible for me to use any of the printing appropriation for a publication that is not directly connected with our current work. With this much by way of explanation the present writer feels that no apologies are necessary. The compilation has been carried on at odd times, the manuscript in some instances lying a full year without being touched. Naturally, much desired information is wholly out of reach. The leading participants in these surveys have for the most part gone over to the majority, and the written and published results are lacking in many interesting particulars. Undoubtedly a search through State records would have brought to light more data regarding expenditures, but no funds have been available for the purpose, and the utility of greater detail is perhaps questionable. It has been the writer's custom, in all cases where it was necessary or seemed desirable, to send the manuscript to those now in charge of surveys in the individual States for such information as was available. He takes this opportunity to acknowledge his indebtedness and express his thanks for the aid thus afforded. APRIL, 1907. SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE.-It was the original intention to bring this history down to a date not later than 1885. In but few instances. has this limit been passed. Any seeming desirability of so doing has been anticipated by the publication of Bulletin 465 of the United States Geological Survey in 1911. G. P. M. |