192 Miscellanies. 
gypsum, &c. The red sandstone of the graywacke group rises 
at the pictured rocks on Lake Superior, in a mural precipice of 
two hundred to three hundred feet high. Gypsum appears above 
the surface, and probably exists in large masses in Kent county. 
There are numerous salines and salt springs in Michigan, and 
a copious table is annexed, exhibiting their contents, and com- 
paring them with those of salt waters in New York, Ohio and 
the Atlantic ; it is obvious from this comparison, that the salines 
of Michigan may hereafter prove very valuable, but as yet they 
have been little developed. The temperature of the different 
springs was from 48° to 51° Fah.,* while that of fresh water in 
the vicinity was usually about 50°. In Michigan, as elsewhere 
in the west, the Indians were acquainted with the salines, and 
extracted the salt in a rude manner. The wild animals also 
found their way to these licks, (as they were called,) and their 
paths often gave the first information of the existence of the 
Springs. 
Nearly the whole western coast of the peninsula next to the 
lake, is bordered by a succession of sand dunes or hills of loose 
sand, not a attaining a considerable altitude, partly 
naked, and in part covered by dwarf pines and cedar, and should 
these be thoughtlessly removed, the sands might drift, and prove 
a serious evil. 
Marls are common, especially in the northern parts of St. Jo- 
seph’s, and the adjoining counties. Bog iron ore exists in vast 
quantities near Kalamazoo and Detroit, and other places. There 
are sulphureous springs in Monroe county ; and near Havre there 
is a spring of this description, whose circumference is one hun- 
dred and fifty feet, its depth thirty five, and the stream is suffi- 
ciently copious to turn a mill. 
Topographical maps of the several counties are in the course of 
preparation, and the geological survey will be prosecuted, we 
trust, with vigor and success. 
In addition to Dr. Houghton, the corps consists of Ab’m. Sager, 
principal assistant in Zoology and Botany ; S. W. Higgins, To- 
pographer and Draftsman ; Columbus C. Douglass, Sub-Assistant; 
Hubbard, Subs Aubintont | William P. Smith, Sub-Assistant, 
in charge of Mechanical Zool oBy. 
* In one case, 46°. 
