204 Appendix. — Geological Specimens and Surveys. 



Greenough, Conybeare, and Phillips, have added many new ob- 

 servations to this map, and have rendered it still more worthy of 

 confidence. France, at the present time, is engaged in constructing 

 an accurate geological map of her territory, and the direction of the 

 work is confided to the care of two of her most learned and industri- 

 ous geologists, Messrs. L. Elie de Beaumont and Dufrenoy, who 

 are aided by the members of the Ecole des Mines, and the research- 

 es of the members of the Geological Society of France. This map, 

 when complete, will be the most accurate and comprehensive work 

 . of the kind, ever executed. 



To Massachusetts belongs the honor of having made the first geo- 

 logical survey of an entire state, under the authority of its govern- 

 ment, and the public are greatly Indebted to Prof. Hitchcock, for 

 the faithful manner in which he has executed the task assigned to 

 him. It cannot be supposed, however, that he has exhausted the 

 subject, nor does he by any means pretend that he has presented all 

 the interesting details. They remain to be discovered by continued 

 research. Since the publication of his valuable report, he has him- 

 self discovered many very remarkable facts, concerning the new red 

 sandstone, of the Connecticut valley. Other geologists have also 

 added some important discoveries, to enrich the geology of the state. 

 Anthracite has been found at Mansfield, within the limits of the state, 

 associated with the usual fossil plants of the coal measures, and some 

 which appear to be new species. All the discoveries which are made 

 concerning our geology, should become incorporated in the state re- 

 port, a new edition of which will hereafter be called for. Speci- 

 mens of all the rocks and minerals, as they are discovered, should 

 also be preserved for the use of the state. 



I should think it also advisable, to extend the observations in the 

 economical department of the work, and specimens of our metallic 

 ores which are wrought should be accompanied by the ores in their 

 various states of reduction, and the metal in its various states of re- 

 finement. Slags produced in smelting ores, with fluxes, should also 

 be preserved. A suite of economical mineralogy would thus be 

 formed of great value to practical workmen. 



An imperfect collection of this kind is kept in the School of Mines 

 at Paris, which is found to be valuable in teaching. 



In making the above remarks, 1 have no intention of depreciating 

 the valuable report of Prof. Hitchcock, but merely suggest additions 

 which, in my opinion, will make the work of greater practical use. 



