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attention of the state geologist for several years. The first difficulty to be overcome was the lack of a suitable base map. In this we had the aid of the U. S. Survey, in which office was compiled the first base map printed by the survey. As the work progressed numerous alterations and corrections became necessary, and not until 1893 was a satisfactory base map prepared. This map, on a scale of ten miles to the inch, with colors to show the geology, will be ready for distribution in a short time. It will be accompanied by a chart exhibiting the main lithological, economic, topographic and agricultural characters of each of the formations represented, and will embody the results obtained during the past twenty-one years.

Cost.—The cost of the survey during this period of eleven years, 1883-1893 inclusive, has been as follows:

the entire cost averaging about $6,900 per annum. For the whole period of 21 years during which this survey has been active, the aggregate cost of the survey for all purposes has been $90,597, an average of $4,314 per annum.

Economic results.—Since the organization of the survey, the tax rate has been reduced over 50 per cent., without diminishing the revenues. The increase in the value of property in certain sections of the state that has rendered this possible, has been due in the main to the development of the mineral wealth of the state, and to this the survey publications have contributed a certain share, but how much it would of course be impossible to estimate. In this connection, however, it may be proper to say that some of the regions of the state in which the mining of coal and iron have since assumed vast proportions, were practically untouched by the pick of the miner, when our earlier reports directed attention by maps, analyses, and otherwise to their great resources; and very recently the survey has demonstrated the