GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTOllY SURVEYS. 401 



tho county treasuiy. As an alternative, several counties miglit join 

 hands in the work, all to make annual reports to the State geologist. 

 The bill as amended passed the senate, but the attempt to make the 

 geological survey of the State of Ohio other than a State matter was 

 deservedly frustrated by the refusal of the house to accede to this 

 bill "to provide for the appointment of a State and county geolo- 

 gist." 



From financial c(msiderations no attempt was made to renew the 

 effort to have the survey recommenced until 1868. Then Gov. J. D. 

 Cox, in his annual message, advised the completion of the su.rvey of 

 the State in detail, "showing not simply the large general features 

 which are already pretty well known, but the minutest facts of its 

 geological and natural history," feeling sure that the citizens would 

 be amply repaid by resources developed and by the attraction of de- 

 sirable newcomers. Added to that, a horticultural society had called 

 attention to the necessity of a full investigation into the nature and 

 habits of certain injurious insects, representing reasonably enough that 

 such investigation could not be undertaken b}^ individuals, but that 

 public advantages required that it be done at public cost. 



As part of tlie coruplete survey of ttie geology and natural history of the 

 State the topic is worthy of your attention, and I am persuaded that such a 

 work carefully performed would be a most profitable investment of the cost by 

 encouragement and assistance which would be thereby rendered to the great 

 producing interests of the State. 



This portion of the governor's message was by resolution referred 

 to a select connnittec of the house. The committee reported by bill 

 which, after its second readings, was referred to the committee on 

 finance. That committee reported by a joint resolution authorizing 

 the governor to inquire into the practicability of securing the serv- 

 ices of a competent and skillful geologist for the purpose of making 

 a geological survey of Ohio. The bill, report of committee, and reso- 

 lution were referred to the committee on judiciary and there engulfed. 



During the 30 j^ears that had now elapsed since the suspension of 

 the first survey the resources of the State had been slowh' developing. 

 Investigations into the geology and economic value of certain districts 

 of the State were entirely the work of private parties, and as such 

 lacked the unity essential to rapid progress. Without doubt more 

 money was expended during this interval upon surveys of mining 

 properties, analyses of coal, iron, etc., made at private cost, than 

 would have sufficed to complete the first survey. Information gained 

 from private experience w^as monopolized by those who paid for it. 

 Instead of being used to inform the landowner as to the mineral 

 wealth underlying his possessions, such knowledge was made sub- 

 servient to the speculator and enabled him to buy up such land at a 



