GEOLOGICAL AND NATUKAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 58 



Adiriinistration. — Under the authority granted the commissionei-s 

 named in the act of establishment, Dr. J. C. Booth was appointed 

 State geologist in the spring of 1837. No assistants or subordinates 

 were employed. Doctor Booth's salary was at the rate of $1,000 a 

 year, and continued for but two years. From a somewhat superficial 

 survey of the State he decided that, since of the 2,200 square miles 

 included in the State area, 2,000 square miles were devoted chiefly 

 to agriculture, his principal efforts should be directed to this feature 

 of the work. To quote his own words he devoted his time " chiefly 

 to the assumed duties of a traveling instructor in agriculture, with- 

 out exhibiting the formality of teacher among the people to be 

 taught." The fertilizing resources of the green sand and shell marls 

 were, as a result, given a major share of his attention. No museum 

 nor library was provided for. Such fossils as were collected were 

 placed in the hands of Timothy Conrad and others for identification. 



Expenses. — The total cost of the survey, as already noted, was 

 $3,000, of which $2,000 was for salary of Doctor Booth and $1,000 

 to pay the cost of publication of the report. 



Puhlication. — The rei^ort comprised but a single volume of 188 

 l)ages, a few hundred copies only being issued, the same being dis- 

 tributed gratis by the commissioners. 



Benefits. — The chief benefits of the survey, as stated by Doctor 

 Booth, were : 



After li;ivia.g surveyed the St:ite with sutFicieiit minuteness to describe its 

 geological features, and to point out the then and probable future value of thp 

 different geological formations, I devoted the larger portion of the time remain- 

 ing for the completion of the survey (more than one-half of the whole survey 

 period of two years) to traversing the State in every direction, and personally 

 communicating information on agricultui*e, and especially on the development 

 of agriculture in each district, by means of the geological advantages offered by 

 such district. I regarded such a result as more impoi'tant and of greater value 

 to the State than any additions to natural science; and after the experience 

 and reflection of 50 years in tlie same line of thought, I perceive no good ground 

 or reason to change my views. 



FLORIDA. 



Until the establishment, in 1907, of a State survey, under the di- 

 rection of E. II. Sellards, Florida can scarcely be said to have under- 

 taken any systematic geological work at Stjitc expense. In the re- 

 ports of the assembly for 1852-53 is found an act, approved by the 

 governor on January 8, 1853, establishing the oiUce of State engineer 

 and geologist. The act need not be quoted entire. It is sufficient to 

 note that it authorized the general assembly, by joint vote, to elect 

 a State engineer and geologist, who should hold office for the term of 

 two Years. The duties, as outlined in the act. were the making of 



