SCIENTIFIC SURVEY. 5 



We regard ourselves fortunate in being able to present commu- 

 nications from J. W. Dawson, LL. D., Principal of McGill College, 

 Montreal, and from E. Billings, F. 0. S., Palaeantologist, of the 

 Canada Survey, respecting new species of fossil plants and animals 

 discovered in the State. These gentlemen kindly volunteered their 

 aid in this department, and the former one visited the localities in 

 person, thereby with his experienced eye gaining more information 

 in a few days respecting this ancient flora of Maine than we could 

 have done in as many weeks. We hope also to be able to present 

 a valuable letter about the microscopic remains of animals and 

 plants found in the "polishing powder" of our peat-bogs from 

 Prof. L. W. Bailey, of the University at Frederickton, N. B., who 

 has inherited in this department the skill of his lamented father, the 

 late Prof J. W. Bailey, of West Point. 



We have been much gratified with the favorable reception our 

 Preliminary Report has found, both within and without the State, 

 and in foreign countries, as well as in the British Provinces on our 

 own continent. You are earning for yourselves a reputation for 

 wisdom, skill and liberality across the water. In a review of the 

 report of last year in the Daily Edinburgh Bevieio of July 1, 1862, 

 your example is commended to the chiefs of the Geological Survey 

 of Great Britain ; not that science is not cultivated there, but that 

 too little effort is there made to popularize scientific details and to 

 present their practical bearings to the people. Of the fruits of the 

 survey this writer says : "We can only say that they are well 

 fitted to stimulate the chiefs of surveys on this side of the Atlantic." 

 Also : " We cannot, too, but commend the wisdom of the Legis- 

 lature's ' Resolve.' Great activity and enterprise are being thrown 

 into agricultural and mining operations. Science might direct 

 these energies. Geology might point out the connection between 

 the characteristic rocks of a district and its soil," etc. "Zoology 

 and Botany might also do much if their researches were set in 

 popular and directly practical aspects. Maine has made the 

 attempt, and the success is most marked. It will do a great deal 

 more for the social comfort and morality of its people than the 

 notorious 'Liquor Law' of that State ever could." 



The estimate in which the report is held in the British Provinces 

 may be seen in the following extract from the Canadian Naturalist 

 for June, 1862 : " The survey of Maine was commenced last year 

 by Mr. Hitchcock, and his report shows a most praiseworthy dili- 



