Miscellanies. 3 77 



cimens collected for the state in 1836-7 and 8 ; they exceed sixteen 

 hundred in number and are arranged and ticketed. There are also ten 

 other collections for the colleges, academies, and societies provided for by 

 law. There is an introduction of 14 pages, containing a sketch of ele- 

 mentary geology as far as Maine is concerned. Under the head of Dilu- 

 vial Deposit, it is said that there are abundant proofs of a cataclysm in 

 every part of Maine — the course being from north towards the south, 

 sweeping with it all loose materials and depositing thera flir from their 

 parent beds; the record of facts in the state "is so legible that he who 

 runs may read." A letter of 10 pages is prefixed to the Report and ad- 

 dressed to Gov. Fairfield, explaining the progress and results of the survey. 



To a highly practical people, having more in view the immediate pe- 

 cuniary advantages of the survey than the higlier claims of science, Dr. 

 Jackson has thought it necessary to address strongly their love of emolu- 

 ment, public and private. This is a prominent and pervading object in 

 the report, nor can we censure it, '*^ince it is probable that no other argu- 

 ment would have prevailed with the legislature to continue the survey, 

 especially absorbed as it has been with the din of diplomatic and minis- 

 terial conflict, and the more ominous belligerent movements of armed 

 bands on its disputed frontier. But as these clouds of war have rolled 

 away, leaving a clear sky, we trust that the legislature will no longer hes- 

 itate to sustain their zealous and able geologist, until his laborious and 

 responsible duty shall be consummated. In the letter to Gov. Fairfield, 

 it is stated that immense quantities of limestone have been discovered^ suitable 

 for agricultural and common uses, and which may be afforded for twenty 

 five to fifty cents a cask, instead of from two to four dollars, the present 

 price in particular districts. 



Eighteen pages are occupied by tabular results of the analysis of many 

 varieties of soils, and five more by that of limestones applicable to agricul- 

 ture as well as to other purposes. This important subject is strongly and 

 deservedly urged upon the state as being of the highest importance to its 

 agricultural interests, and we trust that Dr. Jackson's labors on this sub- 

 ject will be the beginning of a new era in the husbandry of Maine. 



Black oxide of manganese has been discovered in immense beds on the 

 Piscataqua river, and will doubtless be applied to great use in bleaching. 



Extensive resources exist within the state for the manufactures of iron 

 and glass^ and the roofing slate on the Piscataqua will probably, on this 

 side of the Atlantic, supersede the use of that of Wales. 



Impressions of fern leaves with drooping fronds and of fuci, on the 

 Waterville slate, geologically too ancient hx the coal formation, indicate 

 that the former plants *'were brought down by some ancient river from 

 l^igher land at the time when the present slate rocks were the bottom of 

 some ancient sea." 



Vol. xxxvxi, No, 2.— July-October, 1839. 48 ^^ 



