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116 Association of American Geologists and Naturalists. 



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He thought it of exceeding importance that the government should 

 at once put in operation some plan for obtaining geological information 

 through the agency of these surveys, and considered the subject in a 

 practical point of view at some length. Its influence upon the cause of 

 science would be of great importance — would give us information at 



home and character abroad. 



He then referred to a report from the late Secretary of the Treasury, 

 Mr. Spencer, made to the House of Representatives in answer to a call 

 upon this subject He felt much gratified with the character and spirit 

 of this report, expressing as it does in the most decided terms the con- 

 victions of the Secretary that a connexion of these surveys " is not only 

 practicable, but of easy accomplishment, and that it is highly desirable 

 in every point of view in which it can be regarded." 



He then stated that he had brought this subject before the Association 

 as one which interested every one of its members, and he hoped that 

 some means might be devised by which the object sought could be 

 obtained. 



Prof. Hitchcock remarked that he was struck with the impor- 

 tance of the subject presented by Dr. Houghton. He alluded to 

 the action of the English government in connecting with the 

 ordnance survey of that kingdom a full and minute geological 

 survey, under the direction of Sir Henry De La Beche, and sug- 

 gested whether it was uot within the scope of this Association 

 to recommend to the general government some attention to this 

 subject. 



Prof Rogers hoped that Prof. Hitchcock would make a mo- 

 tion for a committee of the Association to be appointed to me- 

 morialize government on a subject so important to the great in- 

 terests of the community as well as to science. 



The following resolution was then adopted: 



Resolved, That a committee be appointed on behalf of this Associa- 

 tion to memorialize the proper department of the government, on the 

 importance of connecting geological surveys with the surveys of th e 

 public lands. 



Dr. Douglass Houghton, Prof Edward Hitchcock ', Dr. John 

 Locke, Prof H. D. Rogers, Dr. Amos Binney, Prof Walter 

 R. Johnson, Dr. Henry King, were appointed a committee m 

 conformity with the above resolution. 



Dr. J. Lawrence Smith, of Charleston, S. C, made a com- 

 munication on some fossil bones from the vicinity of Charleston. 

 The bones noticed were fragments of a rib, resembling that of 

 the Manatns, and of a marine turtle and ray. The character ol 



