348. Geological Survey of the State of Ohio. 
cinnati Medical College, that of botany and zoology. Dr. John — 
Locke of Cincinnati, was in Europe at the time of his appoint- 
ment, and did not return in season to enter upon the duties of the 
survey. 
Prof. C. Briggs, Jr., of New York was appointed fourth assis- 
tant. J. W. Foster, Esq., of Zanesville was appointed acting as- 
sistant, and associated with Mr. Briggs in the survey of the dis- 
trict between the Scioto and Hockhocking rivers. T’o Col. Charles 
Whittlesey of Cleveland, was assigned the topographical depart- 
ment of the survey. 
Such is the present organization of the board; and from the 
reputation of the several gentlemen employed, we doubt not that 
their labors will be instrumental in stimulating the industry, and 
developing the resources of a great and growing state. With 
ese prefatory remarks, we proceed to notice the several reports, 
embraced inthis document. 
The report of Prof. Mather, comprises a description of the prin- 
cipal formations in the State—the value, range and extent of the 
coal and iron deposits—the best method of fluxing ores,—the 
chemical composition, and mechanical texture of soils—the appli- 
cation of marls as a manure, and a variety of interesting details, 
which our limits will not permit us to particularize. Coal is one 
of the most valuable and widely diffused minerals in the eastern 
section in the State. In reference to this, he says :— 
“From the reconnaissance of the past season, it is estimated that about 
12,000 square miles of the state, are undoubtedly underlain by coal, and 
5,000, by workable beds of this valuable mineral. In many places, se’ 
eral successive beds of the coal are superposed one over the other, with 
sandstone, iron ore, shale and limestone intervening. The coal beds are 
favorably situated for working, as they are found in the hills and ravines, 
where they can be drained with little expense, and without deep shafts 
and expensive machinery, like those of Europe, or some parts of our own 
country. It is impossible, with the data as yet ascertained, to estimate 
the amount of workable beds; but probably a mean thickness of six feet 
of coal capable of exploration over 5,000 square miles, is a moderate esti- 
mate of our resources in this combustible. Our citizens are not yet aware 
of the prospective value of coal lands; and it is, perhaps, only by Bete: 
ting their practical utility before them, that ey will appreciate the im- 
portance of mineral on their estates.” 
ery square mile, containing two yards in thickness of gan? 
coal, will yield about 6,000,000 tons, which is an abundant annual 
