ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 7 



the pans in positions better suited to more extensive work with 

 less handling, and in the pumping apparatus for ti'ansferring the 

 brine from one pan to another. These improvements were so 

 eflFective that their introduction reduced the cost for wood one- 

 half, and also greatly lessened other necessary expenses. 



After tlie destruction of the salt works Professor Kerr 

 returned to North Carolina and was appointed State Geologist 

 of North Carolina by Governor Vance in 1864. This office he 

 held — quoting his own words — '^during tiie last year of the war, 

 nominally y and icithout pay, and with special instructions to look 

 after certain chemical and mineral manufactures in which the 

 people of the State were vitally interested." Under circum- 

 stances like these there was, of course, neither time nor money 

 for the ordinary work of a geological survey, and the time of 

 the nominal State Geologist was fully occupied in advising and 

 directing in connection with the manufacture of salt, saltpeter, 

 copperas, sulphur, sulphuric acid, medicinal extracts from plants, 

 and various other substances needed for purposes of w^ar or 

 home consumption. And subsequent to this came the closing 

 scenes of the war, when all was confusion and disorganization, 

 and even the nominal geological survey disappeared from view 

 until April, 1866, when it was revived and Professor Kerr 

 re-appointed State Geologist by Governor Worth. 



The work with which the name of Professor Kerr is to be 

 permanently associated is that done in connection with the Geo- 

 logical Survey of North Carolina. He begun this work in his 

 mature maidiood, and devoted to it the best years of his life. 

 His more important scientific work was done during this time, and 

 as far as these are known to me, all his scientific papers were 

 ])ublishcd during his connection with the survey. From the 

 time of his appointment as State Geologist (April, 1866), he 

 contimied his connection with the survey without interruption 

 until August, 1882, when he resigned to accept the position of 

 geologist on the United States Geological Survey. And when 

 declining healtii compelled him (in September, 1883) to resign this 

 latter position, he returned to North Carolina, and, in part. 



