Page:The Journal of geology (IA journalofgeology21894univers).pdf/351

The state of Georgia has been somewhat unfortunate in the matter of Geological Surveys. That under the direction of Dr. George Little was discontinued before the publication of any extended report upon the work accomplished, and thus the results of a number of years of field work by competent geologists were lost to the state. The survey under Dr. Spencer was from the first heavily handicapped by the action of the Advisory Board in appointing the assistants without consultation with the State Geologist. It seems probable that this action of the Board will have the result of causing the loss to the state of all the work of the assistants so appointed. It is very much to be hoped that the Advisory Board will profit by past experience, and under the new organization will leave the choice of his assistants to the State Geologist, Professor Yeates, who is the successor of Dr. Spencer in this important position. Under no other conditions could a geologist with any justice be held responsible for the conduct and results of a survey.

The present volume records the work of Dr. Spencer in the Paleozoic terrane of Georgia, and a previously published report has dealt with the Tertiary and newer formations of the southern part of the state.

In chapter I, there is a general sketch of the geological structure of northwestern Georgia, in which are discussed in general terms, and in non-technical language, the formation and destruction of rocks; the effects of terrestrial movements on the growth of strata; the disturbances and dislocations of the original beds; the origin of valleys. In chapter II, the formations of northwestern Georgia are given in tabular form, with their equivalents in other states; in general the names first proposed by Dr. Safford for Tennessee find acceptance in