GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 203 



the world. Whatever wealth has accrued to individuals or to the 

 State, whatever renown has come to the State as one of the world's 

 chief centers in metallic production, whatever impulse has been felt 

 in the progress of settlement and improvement of a remote northern 

 section, all springs originally from the genius which planned the 

 first geological survey, and the energy which conducted it in the face 

 of formidable obstacles and under depressing financial circumstancei? 

 during niue laborious years. 



SECOND SURVEY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ALEXANDER WINCIIELL, 1859- 



1860 AND 1869-1871. 



The first geological survey of Michigan expired by limitation in 

 1842; but Dr. Houghton was officially recognized as State geologist 

 during 1843, and some moderate expenditures were incurred under 

 official sanction. But in 1844 the State geologist had entered into a 

 contract vrith the General Government for prosecuting geological 

 explorations in the Upper Peninsula, in connection with the linear 

 surveys. The work was continued for one year after Doctor Hough- 

 ton's death in October, 1845, when a separate geological survey 

 was instituted by authority of Congress; and this was continued 

 rmder the directorship of Dr. C. T. Jackson during 1847 and 1848 

 and of Messrs. Foster and lATiitney during 1849 and 1850. 



THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN 1859, 



On the establishment of a separate chair of geology, zoology, and 

 botany in the university, in 1855, and the appointment thereto of 

 Alexander AVinchell, attention was again turned to the subject of a 

 State geological survey. No definite action, however, was under- 

 taken until 1857, when a few petitions for the reinauguration of the 

 survey were presented to the legislature, and a bill was introduced, 

 which failed to pass. When the legislature of 1859 convened, IG 

 years had passed since the State had suffered its survey to fail; 

 and it was eight years since official work had ceased in the rapidly 

 developing regions of Lake Superior. Both the recent progress of 

 industrial development and the improved financial condition of the 

 State prompted to the reorganization of the geological survey. Ac- 

 cordingly, during the legislative session of 1859, petitions were 

 numerously addressed to the legislature, calling for a renewal of 

 geological work. These were referred, in the House of Representa- 

 tives, to a committee who called on Prof. Alexander Winchell for a 

 presentation of the public benefits anticipated fi-om a survey. These 

 were communicated with some fullness.* A bill was passed which re- 

 ceived the signature of Gov. Moses Wisner, February 15, 1859. 



» House Document No. 29, Legislature of 1850, p, 10. 



