186 Miscellanies. 
mont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island,* among the New Eng- 
land States, have not yet acted, but we trust they will ere long 
follow the example of their immediate neighbors, as well as of 
the more remote sister States. New York, New Jersey, Penn- 
sylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Michigan and Indiana, 
are now in the full career of successful investigation under able 
corps, or able individuals, whom we have either already named, 
or expect to name in appropriate notices. Kentucky has taken 
the first step in authorizing a reconnaissance, and making @ com- 
mencing appropriation of money, while the movements and 
demonstrations by colleges and other institutions, and the current 
of remark in the prints and in conversation, indicate a state of 
public feeling which almost assures an extension of geological 
exploration, as well as of kindred research in other departments of 
natural history, which we may confidently expect will eventually 
pervade the American Union. The popular sentiment, influ- 
enced by individual cupidity, or more enlarged views of public 
advantage as regards physical resources, is raising this subject 
almost contentions of party, and is almost a solitary 
point of agreement among those who can agree on nothing else. 
Almost half the States in the Union have authorized surveys by 
law, and the number will doubtless be yearly augmented. 
In this view, science (not regardless however, of positive ad- 
vantage to individuals or the community in gainful discoveries) 
still exults more peculiarly, in the extension of her sway, and in 
the discoveries that are constantly made, thus extending or cot- 
recting our elementary knowledge. The outlines,}+ once ably and 
correctly drawn, the fillings up will be always in progress, until 
detailed descriptions of particular districts, and even of individual 
mines and quarries, will accumulate in the treasuries of local and 
economical geology. 
* Notwithstanding many valuable observations made in each of these States, and 
published by various individuals. Prof. Olmsted, now of Yale College, then of 
the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, deserves to be teeitioned S00 
honor, for having several years ago, brought to light many very interesting and 
valuable facts respecting that State. We have also various reports on the Gold 
—— of the southern and southwestern States, and many other detached facts 
and observations from States and Territories not hitherto explored by public au- 
paid ; and of these, not a few may be found recorded in the various volumes of 
t The services of William Maclure on this subject, will never be forgotten. 
