Report of the State Geologist. 22Z 



geological features of the State, and in the main to their true order of 

 succession. But an intelligent community can not now rest satisfied 

 with so imperfect and incomplete a work as the map published in 

 1843. Since that time great progress has been made in geological 

 investigation; many points which were then obscure and unsettled 

 have been cleared up. The b^sis and nomenclature given in our 

 old map have been a foundation for better results. The work of our 

 neighbors in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Canada has 

 shown us the necessity, of a revision. Each one of these States, though 

 having published a geological map about the same period, or later, 

 than our own, has, nevertheless, organized a second geological survey, 

 and has published, or is publishing, a revised geological map of its 

 territory. The same condition is true of every country where geologi- 

 cal investigations were made and maps published so long ago as our 

 own. The same condition is equally true with regard to all geo- 

 graphical as well as geological maps. 



In our own case, the State Geologist has been for a long time col- 

 lecting information for the correction of the geological map. This 

 work has been done almost wholly at his own personal expense. His 

 own work, combined with thai which he has been able to obtain from 

 all other sources, is represented on the map accompanying this report, 

 which is pi'esented for publication. In the explanation of the map, 

 due credit has been given to every person contributing information. 



The deficiencies shown in the geological map of New York demand 

 further exploration and investigation; and no time should be lost in 

 providing the means for completing the^ap in a creditable manner. 



A good geological map of the State is of incalculable value in 

 every respect. Its scientific accuracy is an important considera- 

 tion ; for we have proposed a geological nomenclature which it is 

 incumbent on us to sustain by continued investigation and publication 

 until every point of doubt and difficulty shall have been settled, and 

 that we may be able to show the exact areas and order of succession 

 of all the formations in every part of the State. I conceive that this 

 is due from the State to the entire community, not only of this State, 

 and the United States, but of the whole scientific world. I believe 

 that at this moment the State could offer no more acceptable publi- 

 cation to the scientific, the educational, and the economic interests of 

 the people than a completed geological map. 



Its economic value would lie in the fact that the limits of all the 

 geological formations being known, the areas of those furnishing 

 materials of value, and the kind of each, could be designated; as, for 

 example, all granites, limestones, sandstones, and other materials for 



