242 BULL,iiTI2v 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



geology of some of the north-central counties of the State. It was 

 owing to the discoveries of Mr. Eames that the gold fever centering 

 on Vermilion Lake rose in speculative mining circles. This pre- 

 vailed for about two years and subsided after the legislature refused 

 further appropriations for the geological survey. Mr. Eames was 

 assisted by his brother, K. E. Eames. 



The notes and observations of Col. Charles Whittlesey made in 

 Minnesota at various times, sometimes for parties at private expense 

 and sometimes for the United States Government, were i^rinted at 

 the cost of the State of Minnesota and issued at Cleveland, Ohio, as 

 a " report of explorations in the mineral regions of Minnesota during 

 the years 1848, 1859, and 1864," dated 1866. As a geological report 

 this unpretentious brochure is, according to Professor Winchell, of 

 more value than all the previous reports issued under the auspices 

 of the State combined. 



Mr. N. C. D. Taylor, who was authorized by act (see p. 241) of 

 the legislature to make surveys for copper in the valley of the St. 

 Croix and the Kettle rivers, made a brief report occupying about 

 one octavo page, which was printed in the executive documents (for 

 1866?), giving an account of his operations and quoting the verbal 

 opinion of Prof. James Hall. 



In 1870 Prof. A. Winchell was appointed by the governor to ex- 

 amine and report on the reputed salt springs at Belle Plaine with a 

 view to ascertaining the propriety of appropriating money to aid iu 

 the development of the same by the State legislature. The pub- 

 lished report is an octavo pamphlet of 16 pages and was the last 

 work of the kind done through the instrumentality of the State 

 before the beginning of the survey of 1872-1888. 



SECOND GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY UNDER N. H. 

 WINCHELL, 18 72-1SS8, 



The law which organized this survey was drawn up by President 

 William W. Folwell, of the University of Minnesota. This, before 

 it was offered in the State legislature, was shown to some geologists 

 and educators who miglit have opinions or advice to offer as to its 

 provisions. There is no question but one of the prime motives was 

 to introduce another auxiliary force into the State university, by 

 making it the center whence should radiate information concerning 

 the natural features of the State, and toward which should gravitate 

 all collections of natural history that should otherwise be brought 

 to light. It would furnish information, perhaps to the body of 

 students through its officers, to the State at large, and to the country 

 through its reports, and in its museum would be seen the outward 



