PROGRESS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. Modern trends in the work of the state and federal geological surveys indicate a rapid awakening to opportunities for useful adaptations of their activities to administrative needs of the governments. Another significant trend is toward a closer adaptation of survey work to industrial progress, particularly in the development, use, and perpetuation of natural wealth in soils, rocks, and minerals, and in some states, including Michigan, game life. These more direct services to the government and people are made possible, however, only through investigations of a strictly scientific character and it should not be overlooked by legislatures and governing boards that progress in purely scientific geology and biology is and will ever remain the basis of progress in economic directions. A survey which fails to make the most of its resources in both of these directions fails to discharge the obligations which opportunity and public need place upon it. The Michigan Geological Survey co-operates with other departments of the government which have use for its services. Such co-operation now extends to the Board of State Tax Commissioners in appraising mineral lands and mines for taxation, to the Michigan Securities Commission in the administration of certain phases of the "blue sky" law, to the Public Domain Commission in certain matters affecting the state lands and waters, and to the Mackinac Island State Park Commission in certain work in progress on Mackinac Island. An account of this co-operative work during the biennium is given below: COOPERATIVE WORK. In 1913 Cooperation with the Board of State Tax Commissioners. the Board of Geological Survey entered into co-operation with the Board of State Tax Commissioners, at the request of the former, in making appraisals of mines and mineral lands for taxation. The results of this co-operation are fully accounted for in the current biennial report of the Board of State Tax Commissioners. The appraisal of mines and mineral lands for taxation is an important responsibility and demands the best efforts and professional skill of the Survey. The permanent record of this work during the biennium is embraced in two annual reports to the Board of State Tax Commissioners comprising several volumes of typewritten matter, plats, statistical tables, reports of the mining companies, and a number of communications on special subjects. REFORTS OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST TO THE BOARD OF STATE TAX COMMISSIONERS. 1914. Volume 1. Contains formally executed general and financial statements of owners and operators of iron mines for the five years preceding January 1, 1914. 510 pages. Volume 2. Contains complete record of appraisals of iron mines and iron ore bearing lands, and appraiser's descriptions and discussions of the properties. 484 pages. Volume 3. Contains complete statistical tables for reference. 36 pages. Volume 4. Contains statements of tonnage and value of ore in stock at the mines. 146 pages. 1915. Volume 1. Contains formally executed general and financial statements of owners and operators of iron mines for the five years preceding January 1, 1915. 620 pages. Volume 2. Contains complete record of appraisal of iron mines and iron ore bearing lands, and appraiser's descriptions and discussions of these properties. 560 pages. Volume 3. Contains complete statistical tables for reference. 37 pages. Volume 4. Contains complete statistical tables for iron mines, 1906-1915 inclusive. 128 pages. Mr. O. R. Hamilton, Mining Engineer, has rendered efficienct service throughout all of the work of mine appraisals. Co-operation with the Public Domain Commission. The resources of the Survey and the services of some of its members have been utilized by the Public Domain Commission in various ways, more especially in comparative valuations of lands involved in exchange with private parties in furtherance of its policy of consolidating the state lands and forests. The State Geologist has also acted for the Commission in investigation of trespass of sand and gravel dredgers in Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake St. Clair, and in consideration of royalty rates on sand and gravel dredged from waters wholly or partially under control of the state. On a number of occasions the State Geologist has attended meetings of the Commission, and has at all times endeavored to assist in those matters wherein his services are requested. Co-operation with the Michigan Securities Commission. The general work of the Geological Survey and the services of some of its members are useful to the Michigan Securities Commission in the administration of the "blue sky law," particularly in considering applications of mining companies and, in some cases, land companies, for permission for sale of stocks and bonds in Michigan. Some of the matters on which advice is asked by the Commission from time to time demand very careful treatment involving investigations extending over a considerable time. In such cases the cost is borne by the applicant and paid to the individual charged with the work, who, under the regulations of the Board of Geological Survey, has the option of relief from duties without pay while engaged in such work or a corresponding reduction in vacation and sick leave. During the biennium ending June 30, 1916, reports on the applications of the following companies were rendered to the Michigan Securities Commission: Date. Name and Address of Company. Report by. 1914. Nov. 17 Jan. 9 Regal Collieries, Ltd., Taber, Alberta, Canada. White Pine Extension Copper Co.. Central Michigan Clay Products Co., Williamston, Michigan. Minook Gold Dredging Co., Seattle, Wash. April 3 Assets Realizing Mines Corporation.. April 25 Jerome Victor Extension Copper Co. of Arizona. April 27 May 5 Wisconsin. May 9 June 9 June 29 Butte-Elk Park Extension Mining Co. of Montana. Plattville Consolidated Lead Zinc Mining Co., Beloit, Silica Brick Co., Detroit, Mich. Breitung Hematite Mining Co., Ltd. R. C. Allen. R. C. Allen. R. C. Allen. R. C. Allen. R. A. Smith. L. P. Barrett. R. C. Allen. R. C. Allen. R. C. Allen. R. C. Allen. R. A. Smith. R. C. Allen. Co-operation with the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. The following is quoted from my last biennial report: "Probably no other locality in Michigan holds more of historical interest than the Island of Mackinac. Its natural beauty combined with its location have made it the most popular of Michigan's summer recreation grounds. A considerable part of the island is under the administration of the |