54 MR. EMERSON'S REPORT. April, 



upon the herbaceous Plants ; leaving to me the Trees and larger 

 Shrubs. 



This arrangement having necessarily occupied considerable time, 

 and made it somewhat late in the summer before any one could enter 

 upon the survey of his department, the gentlemen of the commission 

 soon came to the conclusion that it would be impossible for them to 

 make a full and final report within the year, but hoped to make such 

 progress as to satisfy your Excellency of the earnestness with which 

 they entered upon the work. 



We trust that the reports presented, however incomplete, will be 

 satisfactory upon that point. It has been the aim of all the commis- 

 sioners, to comply with the spirit of the resolve authorizing the sur- 

 vey, in having especial reference to the practical utility of their inves- 

 tigations. With this view, the commissioner on the Mammalia, 

 aware that most of the native quadrupeds are objects of scientific 

 rather than economical interest, has thought it within the scope of 

 his commmission, to give his chief attention to our domestic animals. 

 He has also given accurate descriptions, accompanied by highly 

 characteristic figures, of some of the least known and most interest- 

 ing native quadrupeds. 



The great importance of the Fisheries to the Commonwealth, and 

 the fact that most of our fishes have been very imperfectly described, 

 have led the commissioner upon that department, to give unwearied 

 attention to his work, in the purpose of presenting an accurate scien- 

 tific description of every fish, and making its history accessible to 

 our fellow citizens. With that view he will continue his work, in 

 the same spirit, if the Legislature authorize the continuation, until it 

 shall be complete. 



The commissioner on Ornithology has himself so fully shown the 

 importance of an acquaintance with our native birds, to the agricul- 

 tural interests of the State, as to render it unnecessary for me to say 

 any thing. He hopes that farther time will be allowed him to com- 

 plete his report. 



The commissioner upon Insects, from his great stores of observa- 

 tion upon animals of this class, for many years, has presented only 

 such as will at once be recognized as of obvious practical utility, in 

 their bearing upon the culture of the trees, cereal plants and culinary 



