GEOLOGICAL AND NATUR.\L HISTORY SURVEYS. 213 



as it was on February 7, said : " I have some reason for believing that 

 this entire series is somewhat saliferoiis." Also, in his report to the 

 governor in April, 18G0, he said the sandstones below the salt group 

 yielded the principal volume of brine at East Saginaw. The follow- 

 ing passage from the same report is an interesting illustration of the 

 value of scientific judgments in relation to industrial enterprises: 



Near the close of the season (November, lSu9), I visited Saginaw County 

 wifli special reference to the prospect of obtaining salt in that vicinity. After 

 Laving become acquainted with the geological succession in other parts of the 

 i^tnte I was enabled to predict with great confidence the depth at which the 

 saliferous stratum would be pierced, and I have the satisfaction of kuowiug 

 that salt was found within two feet of the depth which I had foretold, 



THE GEOLOGICAL SUR^^:y IN 18(.0. 



In extending a general reconnoissance over the northern portion of 

 the Lower Peninsula the increased expense of outfit and transporta- 

 tion led to a consolidation of the workers in one traveling party. 

 After an examination of the valley of the Cass River all expenses of 

 the survey were disbursed directly by the State geologist. The con- 

 solidated party now proceeded by Mackinac coast to an exploration 

 of the lake shores. From the mouth of the Saginaw River they 

 coasted eastward to the vicinity of Forestville. Then, returning to 

 the mouth of the river, the survey was extended to all the coasts of the 

 mainland and islands as far as Cockburn's Island on the east, Lake 

 Superior on the north, and Northport, in Grand Traverse Bay on 

 the west. 



Administration. — TliC following was the field staff for 18G0: Alex- 

 ander Winchell, State geologist, $1,000; Manly Miles, assistant, $750; 

 Albert D. White, subassistant, $30 a month; Newton H. Winchell, 

 subassistant, $30 a month ; two voyageurs, each, $30 a inonth. 



The geological survey made an exhibit of economic minerals at 

 the State agricultural fair at Detroit, in September. Geologists 

 who have taken a hand in such exhibitions will understand how 

 large a waste of time they involve. 



After the close of the field Avork for the season attention Vt^as 

 directed to the elaboration of reports. The disturbed condition of 

 the country croated a presentiment that years would elapse before 

 another report Avould appear, and the State geologist determined 

 therefore to draw up a concise general sunmiary of results attained. 

 With his characteristic enterprise, Mr. Henry Barns of the Detroit 

 Tribune sought and obtained, in advance of publication, a digest of 

 the contents of this report, so far as they related to the industrial 

 interests of the State. As tlie public printers did not ]H-esent the 

 complete report for general use, until November 1, ISGl, the advance 



