E. MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY. 129 



ceding Legislature. Since the work was resumed, however, 

 as the result of renewed appropriations by the Legislature 

 of 1869, the survey has been carried on as rapidly as the na- 

 ture of the service would allow. 



Among the points particularly engaging the attention of 

 the state geologist was the completion of the topographical 

 map of California, it being readily understood that this must 

 be a necessary preliminary to a geological map. The survey 

 of Central California was considered especially interesting 

 and important, embracing, as it does, that portion of the 

 state from Owen's Lake on the south to Lassen's Peak on the 

 north, or between 36 and 40 30' north and south, and 117 

 30' and 123 east and west, the whole area comprising about 

 one third of the state, with probably ninety-five per cent, of 

 the population residing in it. 



Of the portion included within these limits, represented 

 upon four maps, three are entirely drawn and partially en- 

 graved, while the fourth is two thirds drawn, with the field- 

 work of the remaining third yet to be done. A preliminary 

 map, however, of the whole of California, on a scale of eigh- 

 teen miles to an inch, has been drawn, in compliance with the 

 wish of the community, and will soon be ready for distribu- 

 tion. 



Besides these, other works connected with the same subject 

 are reported by the state geologist, being the new editions 

 of the Yosemite Guide-book, and the publication of the first 

 volume of the " Ornithology of California," which is char- 

 acterized as a work exquisitely illustrated and admirably 

 printed. The remaining volumes of the series of reports are 

 so far completed as only to wait the continuance of appropria- 

 tions to place them in hand and secure their early appearance. 



Arrangements have also been made with Mr. Lesquereux 

 to work up the fossil plants of California, and with Dr. Leidy 

 and Professor Meek in regard to the fossils. Professor Brew- 

 er, of the survey, is well advanced in the work on the botany 

 of California, which, when completed, will doubtless be used 

 extensively as a text-book. It is much to be hoped that very 

 liberal appropriations will be made for these important ob- 

 jects, since its chief and his assistants are known to be among 

 the very best specialists in America, and their work has com- 

 manded the highest respect among naturalists at home and 



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