194 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



fully tested the last season, and its utility satisfactorily established. The whole 

 work is performed at the expense of the General Government, under the direc- 

 tion of the State geologist, pursuant to a contract by that oflieer with the sur- 

 veyor general. 



Thus the first geological survey of Michigan appears to have ex- 

 pired for lack of sustenance, like several others inaugurated nearly 

 at the same time, conducted with distinguished ability while funds 

 lasted, and finall}'^ crushed beneath the widespread financial dis- 

 asters of the times. 



Doctor Houghton had long feared this and long struggled in hope 

 of carrying througli his cherished enterprises. But, finding the dis- 

 aster inevitable, he had for two years meditated the project to which 

 Governor Barry refers in the passage above quoted. 



This plan was fully set forth in a paper prepared and read by him 

 before the Association of American Geologists at Washington in 

 1844. The advantages of such a combination were at once compre- 

 hended, and the project was warmly endorsed. The land commis- 

 sioner, however, fearing the ordinary surveyors would not possess 

 sufficient geological information, hesitated until Doctor Houghton 

 himself offered to take the contract. This contract was signed June 

 25, 1844, and the remainder of that season and the season of 1845 

 were occupied in completing preparations and carrying on the work. 



NINTH YEAR OF THE SURVEY, 1845. 



Doctor Houghton, though for two years receiving no aid from the 

 State, was still recognized as State geologist His contract with 

 the surveyor general was nearly completed Avhen the lamentable 

 event occurred which put an end to his zealous and useful activity in 

 the development of the natural resources of his adopted State. The 

 notes and maps of three townships were in Doctor Houghton's pos- 

 session at the time of his death, and were never recovered.* These are 

 T. 58 N. 29 and 32 W ; and T. 59 N. 29 W., near the extremity of the 

 Keweenaw Point, on the north shore. 



The administrators of Doctor Houghton's estate (Henry N. 

 Walker and Samuel T. Douglass) provided for a careful inspection 

 of the field notes and the preparation of reports to be transmitted to 

 the survej^or general, Lucius Lyon. Their communication covering 

 these reports bears date February 16, 1846. One of the reports was 

 prepared by William A. Burt, the inventor of the solar compass, 

 who had been Dr. Houghton's principal assistant in the field during 



' See Reports on the I-inear Surveys with reference to Mines and Minerals in the 

 Northern Peninsnia of Michigan in the years 1845-4G. Octavo. Washington (printed 

 1840> : Annual Message and Accompanying Documents, Part 3, pp. 802-842, also pp. 

 923-935. 



