46 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



and thorough geological and mineralogical survey by scientific men, if it should 

 not result in any immediate discoA'eries of moment, would at least have the 

 effect of aiding individuals in their future researches on their own lands. Much 

 labor has been expended and money wasted in the search after metals and 

 minerals, which a knowledge of those substances and the relative position they 

 uniformly occupy woiild have shown to be useless. 



The geological character of a country indicates its topographical features, and 

 a geological map would serve as a guide in the examination and selection of 

 routes for railroads and canals and internal improvements of every kind, the 

 location of which depends on the topical features of the country through which 

 they pass. A survey of the kind referred to would furnish every individual 

 with sxich information respecting his possessions as would guard him against 

 the wiles of prowling speculators. IMuch labor has been bestowed on this 

 subject, and much information collected by individuals in different sections of 

 the State, and it is important that this information should be embodied and 

 preserved. The expense would be trifling, and bear but a very small propor- 

 tion to the benefits which may be deriAcd from it. This is a subject in which 

 the whole community has a deep interest, and it is recommended that imme- 

 diate measures be taken for its accomplishment. Similar surveys have been 

 already had in some of the States, and the attention of others is turned to the 

 subject. Let us not be deficient on our part. We have heretofoi'e furnished, 

 and we can still furnish, our full quota to those economical and scientific 

 researches which seem to be the order of the day. 



In accordance with this leconimendation, the following resolutions 

 were introduced and passed: 



Resolved, That the governor bt^ and is hereby authorized to appoint a commit- 

 tee of suitable persons to make a geological survey of the State of Connecticut 

 and to report the same to the general assembly at their May session of 1S36. 



Resoh-ed, That the i>roperty of such survey shall be in and belong to the State 

 and shall be disposed of as the general assemblj' may direct. 



Pursuant to these resolutions, the Governor made the necessary ap- 

 pointirsents, as below :* 



Henry W. Edwax'ds, governor of the State of Coniiecti<?ut, to .James Gates 

 Percival and Charles IJpbnm Shepard, greeting: Pursuant to resolves passed by 

 the general assembly of Connecticut, at Hartford, in May, 1S25, I do appoint 

 you, said Percival ajid Shepard, a committee to make and complete the survey 

 and report in said resolves, to perform the duties thereof, and obey the instruo 

 tions from time to tinie received from the proper authority. 



Given under my hand and official seal at New Haven, this 15th day of June, 

 A. D. 1885. 



Hknry W. I'^DWAKns. 



Field work under these authorizations appears to have been be- 

 gmi at once, and a preliminary report rendered to the legislature of 

 1836. This was accepted and the necessary authority granted for 

 continuing the survey another year, publication to be delayed until 

 the necessary researches were completed. 



»It is said (Bull No. 7, Conn. Geo\. and Nat. Hist. Surv., 1907) that tbe charge of tho 

 survey was first offered to Professor Slllimnn, who declined. Percival and Shepard also at 

 f5rst declined, hut finally accepted at the urgent request of Governor P^dwards. 



