Natural Histojy. 155 



and trifling object of study, it has lately begun to 

 be viewed as dignified in its nature, and most in- 

 teresting in its relations. It is now regarded as a 

 valuable and indeed necessary handmaid to Medi- 

 cine, Agriculture, and a large portion of the ma- 

 nufactures, which supply the conveniences, com- 

 forts, or luxuries of human life. Mineralogy has, 

 therefore, within a few years past, been culti- 

 vated with great diligence and success by almost 

 all the nations in Europe, especially in Germany 

 and Sweden, where splendid mineral riches parti- 

 cularly invited inquiry and application. Societies 

 have been formed for extending and improving 

 the science; travellers have explored foreign coun- 

 tries for the same purpose; distinguished eminence 

 in this branch of knowledge has been rewarded 

 by public esteem, and by civil honours; and the 

 most effectual methods used to direct general at- 

 tention to the subject. 



The mineral treasures of our own country have 

 been hitherto but little explored. It were to be 

 wished that some of our countr}^men, who have 

 leisure and talents for. the purpose, might be in- 

 duced to undertake this interesting task. That 

 the United States abound in Coal, Gypsum, Mar- 

 ble, Metals, and other mineral riches, which would 

 abundantly reward the diligence of our naturalists 

 in seeking for them, we have already had satisfac- 

 tory evidence. Professor Mitchill was commis- 

 sioned, several years since, by the Agricultural 

 Society of New- York, to travel through a consi- 

 derable part of the State, with a particular view to 

 mineralogical investigation. The result of his 

 tour has been published,' and affords at once ho- 

 nourable testimony of his talents, and strong in- 



ftr See a Sketch of the Mineralogical History of the State of NexvTork m 

 i^e Miditat He^ouiory^ vols. i. and iij. 



