170 BULLETIlNT lOy, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



various localities, and the middle and lower divisions are more par- 

 ticularly described in their distribution over Drummond Island. 

 The fossils, he says, are " chiefly polyparia, embracing several spe- 

 cies of the genera Calamopora, Catenipora, Lyringopora, Aulopora, 

 and Strombodes, together with several species of Orthocera." 



These upper and lower limerocks, he thinks, furnish abundant 

 material admirably adapted for use as a building stone, and also 

 for the manufacture of quicklime. He points out the high bluff at 

 the eastern extremity of Drummond Island as a specially favorable 

 locality, and gives a detailed stratigraphical description of the ex- 

 posure. He indicates, also, the easterly side of Great Bay du Noquet 

 as a locality of the " upper group," which may be made to furnish 

 an inexhaustible supply of good building stone. Gypsum, he says, 

 " forms thin veins in the middle and upper portions of the upper 

 group of limestones. He mentions the St. Martins Islands and 

 several points on the coasts westerly from Mackinac " (p. 24). 



The reference to the Lower Peninsula contained in this report 

 furnishes a description of the kidney iron ore deposits of Branch 

 County and contains an allusion to the gypsum at the Rapids of the 

 Grand River, of the value of which he speaks with much confidence. 



The report of the State topographer, dated January 12, 1840, 

 covers 18 pages and is accompanied by a map of Wayne County in- 

 tended to illustrate the scale and style adopted for the county maps 

 of the State. These maps were to be completed from the linear 

 survey plats, with such topographical and geological data laid down 

 as might be collected by geologists in the field. Even to this day 

 we seldom see maps executed with equal finish, clearness, and full- 

 ness of physiographic detail. Had Doctor Houghton's plans been 

 carried into complete execution the map of Michigan would still 

 stand the peer of the best work which the union of modern science 

 and modern art has been able to produce. Mr. Higgins reports that 

 the topography of 16 counties is completed, or nearly so, and a 

 general demand is arising for the completion of the engraving. 

 Other points treated by the topographer are the following : Map of 

 lands donated by the United States : extent of donated lands ; addi- 

 tional number of Peninsula lakes, the total number of meandered 

 lakes being now 2,297 and the final probable number not less than 

 3,000; roads and highways; the Chicago turnpike or trail; natural 

 woods of Michigan; variation of the magnetic needle; diurnal 

 variation: errors arising from, incorrect observations; decrease of 

 elevation in the waters of the lakes; future prospects of the 

 Peninsula, 



The report of assistant geologist C. C. Douglass is dated Jan- 

 uary 12, 1840, and «overs 23 pages. He supplies a geological account 



