GEOLOGICAI. AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 509 



2. Be it further enacted, That the said board of public works sliall have 

 authority to allow to the geologist who may be employed under the provisions 

 of this act such compeusation as they may deem reasonable, to be paid out of 

 any unexpended moneys in the treasury: Provided, That such compensation 

 shall not exceed the sum of $1,500. 



3. This act shall commence and be in force from the passing thereof. 



Under this bill Prof. William B. Rogers, then teaching in Willianj 

 and Mary College, avus employed to make the reconnoissancc pro- 

 vided for, and submitted his report to the house of delegates in Janu- 

 ary, 1836. This was favorably received and led to the passage of the 

 following law providing for a systematic geological survey: 



An act to provide for a geological survey of the State, and for other purposes, passed 



February 29, 1836. 



!. Be it enacted by the general assembly. That the president and directors 

 of the board of public works be, and they are hereby, required, as speedily as 

 may be, to cause a complete and detailed geogrr.phical survey of the entire ter- 

 ritory of this State to be made and executed, and u careful and accurate chemi- 

 cal examination and analysis of the various soils which may be found in dif- 

 ferent parts thereof, as also of the principal ores, marls, saline and mineral 

 waters within said territory. 



2. Be it further enacted, That for the purpose of making such survey and 

 analysis it shall be lawful for the said president and directors to employ a 

 competent and skillful geologist, and an assistant geologist, if need be; and may 

 also engage the services of or employ a topographical surveyor, whose duty it 

 shall be to make such observations and admeasurements as may be found neces- 

 sary in the preparation and construction of the geological map of the State 

 hereinafter provided for, and to perform such other labors connected with the 

 general purposes hereby intended as the geologist may from time to time pre- 

 scribe and direct. In addition to the duties before mentioned to be performed, 

 tlie geologist who may be employed by virtue of this act shall also ascertain by 

 accurate barometrical observations the height of the principal mountains in the 

 State; and in the progress of the surveys and examinations hereby directed, 

 shall collect and preserve all such specimens of rocks, fossils, ores, mineral 

 compounds and organic remains, as shall tend to exemplify the general geo- 

 logical structure of the State, or be in any wise useful or interesting. The 

 Ki»ecimeus, so far as practicable, shall be collected in suilicient number to 

 .•authorize a distribution of a suite thereof to the principal institutions of learn- 

 ing in the State, if it shall hereafter be found expedient to make such dis- 

 tribution. 



3. Be it further enacted, That said geologist shall annually, and before the 

 lOth day of January in each year, make report to the president and directors 

 of the l)0ard of public works of his progress in the work hereby authorized and 

 required, accompanying said reports with such profiles and niaps, together witli 

 a glossary of scientific or technical terms, as may be useful in illustrating the 

 same; which reports, profiles, and maps it sh:ill be the duty of the said presi- 

 dent and directors to lay immediately before the general assembly. 



4. Be it further enacted. That for the purpose of defraying the expenses which 

 may be incurred under this act a sum not exceeding $.5,000 per annum be, and 

 the same is hereby, appropriated, to be apportioned among the several persons 



