28 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 



Deferring the fitting up of a laboratory, and the engaging of a special assist- 

 ant in the chemical department, until a suitable permanent place could be pro- 

 vided in the State Museum building, Mr. Ashburner went East in the spring of 

 1862 and commenced the examination of some of the ores and minerals of the 

 State in the laboratory of the Sheffield Scientific School of Tale College, under 

 the direction of Professor Brush, who has charge of the metallurgical depart- 

 ment of that institution. The reduction of the appropriation to fifteen thous- 

 and (15,000) dollars for the year, made it necessary to suspend this work soon 

 after it was commenced, in order that the whole force of the Survey might be 

 concentrated on the field operations. 



A small sum has been allowed to Mr. F. H. Storer, of Boston, for a chemi- 

 cal investigation of the bituminous substances found in different parts of the 

 State. His researches will probably be embodied in the first or second volume 

 of the annual reports. Qualitative examinations, as well as a few quantitative 

 ones, have been made at the office of the Survey, of specimens which have been 

 collected. A considerable number of coals have been analyzed. Information 

 in regard to ores and minerals has been given to a large number of persons who 

 have applied for the same by letter or otherwise, as will always be done when 

 practicable. 



If the survey is continued, it will be necessary to fit up a complete laboratory, 

 in which the important questions constantly arising, both in regard to the compo- 

 sition and metallurgic treatment of our ores, may be carefully and systematically 

 investigated. 



No provision has yet been made by the Legislature for the arrangement and 

 exhibition of the collections made by the Survey. These are already quite ex- 

 tensive, embracing many thousand specimens of rocks, fossils, miuerals, ores, all 

 of which are of importance in illustrating the Natural History, the geological 

 structure and the mineral resources of the State. Such as have not been re- 

 quired for study remain packed in boxes, and are stored at the office of the 

 Survey in Montgomery Block, San Francisco. 



Of course it is highly desirable that a permanent, fire-proof building should 

 be provided for the State collections, the proper disposition of which is a sub- 

 ject of great interest, not only as connected with the welfare and progress of 

 the survey, but as influencing the educational and material progress of the State. 



The only official step thus far taken in this matter is the appointment, by the 

 last Legislature, of the State Geologist, the State Superintendent of Public 

 Instruction, and the State Surveyor-General as a Board of Commissioners " to 

 report to the Legislature, on or before the second Monday of December, 1863, 

 upon the feasibility of establishing a State University, embracing an Agricul- 

 tural College, a School of Mines, and a Museum, including the geological col- 

 lections of the State." 



A considerable number of specimens, some of them of value, have been 

 already given to the State by individuals ; and there can be no doubt that many 

 interesting and valuable articles would be contributed, provided it were demon- 

 strated that they would be properly exhibited, and well taken care of. It is 

 believed, that when the State Museum is once established, and a suitable building 



