GEOLOUIC.VL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 375 



Among the discoveries in paleontology the most interesting was the 

 insectivorous mammal, 'Drotnatherium sylvestre^ found in the Trias- 

 sic (older Mesozoic) coal measures of Chatham County. 



THIRD SURVEY UNDER W. C. KERR, 1S04-1S82. 



The survey under W. C. Kerr was in reality a continuation of that 

 begun under Emmons in 1852. Doctor Emmons died in October, 

 1863. Tlie assistcUit geologist, E. Emmons, jr., resigned April 1, 1864, 

 at whicli date tlie appropriations for the expenses of the survey were 

 discontinued, 



Organkation. — Kerr was appointed State geologist in 1864 (exact 

 date not known), but no appropriation was made for tlie expenses 

 and no geological Avork w-as undertaken. His time Avas fully occu- 

 pied in advising and directing in connection Avith the manufacture 

 of salt, saltpeter, copperas, sulphur, sulphuric acid, medicinal ex- 

 tracts from plants, and various other substances needed for purposes 

 of home consumption or for purposes of Avar. After the close of the 

 war (April, 1865) even this nominal connection appears to have 

 been given up. and the surAey discontinued for a year. 



On April 1, 1866. Kerr Avas reappointed State geologist by Gov- 

 ernor Worth, and the survey was reorganized under the same laAv 

 as formerly. From this date the Avork continued without any serious 

 interruption until August, 1882, Avhen Kerr resigned the director- 

 ship to accept a position as geologist on the United States Geological 

 Survey. From the latter date to September, 1883, the active work 

 of the survey Avas suspended, though Mr, William B. Phillips acted 

 as State geologist in the performance of office duties. In September, 

 1883, Kerr, owing to ill health, resigned his connection with the 

 Jiational survey, and from this date to the time of his death in 

 August, 1885, he held a semiofficial position under the direction of 

 the board of agriculture of North Carolina, and devoted such time 

 as his declining health would jDermit to collecting the materials for 

 the completion of his final report (vol. 2, Geology of North Caro- 

 lina), From the date of Kerr's death until 1891 the geological sur- 

 vey had not cA'^en a nominal existence.^ 



Organized under the same laAv, the Kerr survey had in vieAv the 

 same general functions and purposes as that of Emmons, which 

 had preceded it, namely, investigations into the general geology and 

 natural history aiid the natural resources of the State, 



» Soe Amerlcau Geology, pt. 6, p. 93. 



« The law permitting the appointnieut of a geologist nnd the prosecution of geological 

 work under the direction of and at the expense of the board of agriculture was not 

 abollBhed until 1887, but nothing was undertaken by the board except in connection 

 with the preparation of the geological report (vol. 2). 



