GEOLOGICAL AND NATUFxAL HLSTOKY SUIIVEYS. 473 



AV. P. Riddell; topographer, A. E. Roesslcr; meteorologists, Prof. 

 Caleb G. Forshey, at Rutersville, and Swante Palm, at Austin. 

 These, according to section 2 of the law, were appointed by the 

 geologist, with the approbation of the governor. 



Salaries. — Salaries, as provided by section 4 of the law, were: 

 For the State geologist, $3,000; assistant geologist, $1,500. Other 

 salaries not given. 



Methods. — Realizing that the climatological and meteorological 

 conditions existing in Texas were of primary importance, one of the 

 first acts of Shumard was to purchase a set of chemical and physical 

 apparatus for the equipment of analytical laboratories and of meteor- 

 ological stations at the two points mentioned above. 



The geological corps proper was divided into field parties, and in 

 January, 1859, entered upon their duties. One, under George G. 

 Shumard, constructed a section of the country between Austin and 

 the Red River, in Grayson County. Shumard also made surveys 

 of Grayson, Fannin, and Cass counties, and partial surveys of 

 Bowie, Red River, and Lamar counties. In addition, he made 

 explorations of the Red River from Coke County to the Louisiana 

 boundary. Professor Riddell Avas engaged in making surveys of the 

 counties of Caldwell, Guadaloupe, McLennan, and Bosque. B. F. 

 Shumard, himself, made detailed surveys of Burnet and Rusk 

 counties and partial surveys of Travis, Bastrop, Washington, Fay- 

 ette, and Young counties. His methods, as given in his first annual 

 report, were as follows : 



lu making these preliminary surveys careful sections of the strata have been 

 made at all points of outcrop vsithin reasonable distances of the route traveled, 

 and the thickness, stratigraphical order, dip, and mineral and fossil characters 

 of the various beds have been determined with as much precision as possible. 

 * * * In some counties sections of the strata have been measured at more 

 than 1.^0 localities. * * * we made frequent barometrical observations to 

 ascertain the elevation of the counti'y above tidewater, and much attention has 

 been directed to obtaining a correct knowledge of the topographical features. 



We have also determined, with as much accuracy as possible, the amount and 

 quality of timber in each county, proportion of timber and prairie, elevation of 

 hills, depth and width of valleys, and the amount of available water power fur- 

 nished by the streams. 



A large share of attention has also been devoted to the agricultural capabili- 

 ties of these counties. The different varieties of soils and subsoils have been 

 carefully examined, numerous specimens have been collected for future study 

 and analysis, and we have spared no pains to ascertain the most advantageous 

 methods of cultivating and improving them. 



Particular search has been made for minerals of economical importance and 

 all mines, whether of prospective or known value, have been examined with 

 special care and the probable amount, richness, and quality of the ores deter- 

 mined. Samples of ores and their accompanying minerals, coals, limestones. 

 marbles, clays, mineral waters, etc., have been collected, and are now deposited 



