r,EOL(J(;iCAL AND NATURAL HISTOKY SlTFtVEYS. 471 



succeeding governor, the legislature. '' during a part of the tiitie," 

 neglected to provide for his salary. Hence, no tigiues that may be 

 considered exact can be given. 



TEXAS. 



FUIST SUUVEV LiNDKU IJ. F. SHUMARD AND F. MOOUK, JU., ISoS-lSGl. 



The first systematic attempt at a geological survey of Texas under 

 State authority was made under an act approved February 10, 1858. 

 The innnediate motive, as given in this act, was to have made as 

 speedily as possible a thorough and complete geological survey of the 

 State so as to determine accurately the quality and characteristics of 

 the soil and its adaptation to agricultural purposes, its mineral re- 

 sources, its water power, and generally everything relating to the 

 geological and agricultural character of the State. The survey was 

 entirely independent of any other institution and was to be sustained 

 by annual appropriations. The following is the text of the law: 



An !ict lo provide lor a soologioal and a:j,i-ieiiliural suivi>y of tlio State. 



SixTioN ]. Jie it rnnclrfl by ilie Lcgislalitrc uf I he Htalv of 'J'c.fus. That the 

 goveruor is hereby uuthorized t<i appoiut, :is soon ns possible, some suitable 

 and competeut persou as State geologist, who s^hall hold his office for two 

 years, and until his successor shall be appointed and (lualified, unless removed 

 by the governor for neglect to perform the duties of his ofiice, or for malfeas- 

 ance in office, and who shall perform the duties herein prescribed, and duriug 

 the period of his service shall hold no other office. And before entering upon 

 the discharge of the duties of his office he shall enter into bond, with security, 

 (o be approved by the governor, in the sum <>f .$20,000, conditioned for 1h(^ 

 faithful discharge of (he duties of his office. 



Skc. 2. That said State geologist shall, as speedily as possible, make a 

 tliorough i'.ud complete geological survey of the State, so as to determine ac- 

 curately the quality and characteristics of the soil, and its adaptation to agri- 

 •niltural purposes; the species of produce to which the soil, in different sectiois, 

 is best adapted; its mineral resources, their location, and the best means for 

 their development; its water powers, their localities and capacities; and gen- 

 erally everything relating to the geological and agricultural character of the 

 Stjite. And for the purpose of carrying out the in-ovisicnis of this act siud 

 geologist shall have iwwer to appoint assistants, with the appiobatiou of the 

 governor: Provided. That not move (ban two assistants shall be appointed. 



Sec 3. That said State geologist shall keep his office at the city of Austin, 

 but shall not be required to remain in said office except as his duties allow ; and 

 shall keep in said office such specimens as he shall deem necessary to convey to 

 such office. He shall also forward to the governor, from time to time, during the 

 progress of the surve.v, specimens of rocks, ores, coals, soil.s, fossils, and other 

 mineral substances as may be uecessi-.ry and i)roi)er to form a complete cabinet of 

 sjiecimons of the geology jind mineralogy of the State: and the governor shall 

 cause the same to be deposited, in proper order, in some convenient room at the 

 capilol of the State, there to be preserved for jmhlic inspection. .Vnd said geolo- 

 gist shall make a reixn-t to the legislature, at its regular sessions, of his surveys. 



