276 SIR RODERICK I. MURCHISON'S ADDRESS. [May 23, 1859. 



is brought out (as will very shortly be the case), the public will be 

 much struck with the value of maps in which every bed of coal is 

 marked with precision; and I therefore trust that in the coming 

 year the number of surveyors in Scotland will be so increased as to 

 place that country on the footing of the English and Irish surveys. 

 Commencing their labours in the mountainous regions of the 

 west of England and Wales, my coadjutors in England are now 

 extending their works to the south-east ; and seeing the great 

 desirableness of completing as soon as possible the survey around 

 the metropolis, I have brought about a concentration of work, 

 which will ensure a speedy settlement of all questions respecting 

 the subterranean drainage, sewerage, and water supply of this 

 densely peopled tract. 



Geological Survey of the West Indies. — Whilst the Government of the 

 United States causes geological surveys to be made not only of their 

 long settled territories, but also of tracts beginning only to be peopled, 

 the mother country still proceeds on the old principle of never stirring 

 till her colonists call out for scientific aid. Following the good 

 example of their neighbours of the United States, our North American 

 colonies of Canada appointed their own geologist, Sir William Logan, 

 and every one versed in the sister science knows how well that 

 able man is conducting the survey of that country. After this, the 

 legislatures of India, the Cape of Good Hope, the Australian 

 Colonies, and lastly, of Tasmania, have each asked for and obtained 

 geological surveyors, most of whom had either been brought up in 

 the establishment which I direct, or recommended by my predecessor 

 or self: already geological maps and surveys of large portions of 

 these countries have been constructed. 



Two years ago the legislatures of the principal West India islands 

 under British rule, requested the Government to send out geological 

 surveyors, the half of whose expenses were to be borne by the 

 colony explored, the other moiety by the Imperial Government. 



The island of Trinidad was the first to be examined, and Mr. 

 G. P. Wall, a distinguished pupil of the Government School of Mines, 

 and Mr. Sawkins, were selected for that purpose. As their survey 

 is completed, and has been placed in my hands for publication, I 

 have no hesitation in saying that it is a work which will be of signal 

 advantage to the inhabitants, and will be much approved by men of 

 science. 



Seeing that the only map of the island was very inaccurate, the 



