Geological Reports. : 189 
ricultural, economical and social view, they are of extreme i 
tance, and not less so are the conclusions so ably and lucidly pre-~ 
sented by the gentlemen charged with the examination of these dis- 
tricts. 
Tn passing over them repeatedly in travelling to and fro, in former 
years, our attention has been arrested by many of the facts set forth 
by the geologists of these districts; we allude, particularly, to the 
abundance and antiquity of the organic bodies, and we are forcibly im- 
pressed with the momentous importance of the practical, as well as 
theoretical results to which their observations have conducted them— 
particularly as regards the geological antiquity of the stratified rocks— 
the sandstones—the limestone and the slates, depressing them so deep 
in the series as to preclude the hope of discovering profitable beds of 
coal in the State of New York, a hope which we believe has never 
been relinquished. We have no space to display the importance of 
all the reports and especially of these two districts; they will be at- 
tentively studied by American geologists, while they will not neglect 
to peruse the whole of this valuable document. We are strongly 
impressed with the vast importance of the geological survey of this 
State, and with the conviction that it has been confided to able hands. 
The investigation is one of great responsibility, demanding not only 
vigor of mind, but extensive knowledge, acquired by the previous 
expenditure of much time, money and effort. We have therefore 
from the first, observed, with no small pain, the narrowness of the 
allotted compensations, still farther diminished by being charged with 
all personal expenses, and in some cases, they are docked of a few 
hundreds more, because certain individuals engaged in the survey 
chanced to have an academic employment, but one not materially in- 
terfering with the full discharge of their geological duty. __ 
His excellency the Governor has very properly recommended to 
the Legislature, the granting of an enlarged compensation—for that 
now accorded is unworthy the dignity, wealth, intelligence, and high 
character of the State of New York, and is wholly disproportioned, 
even in its aggregate, to the vast interests involved ; for, the results 
of this survey will add millions to the resources of this State. Its en- 
lightened Legislature, when they view the whole ground, will doubt- 
less make more ample provision. 
These remarks are substantially applicable to other States, not 
ing the one where we write, which however possesses not 
the vast resources of its colossal neighbor. We should not have 
