26 



there exhibited, reveal the connection or prove the separation of 

 certain strata and groups of rocks, the student of nature after 

 examining them in the State Cabinet can at once repair to the 

 localities where the rocks abound and thus familiarize himself in 

 a short time with the Geology of the State. The wide range of 

 animal and vegetable life* which belongs to Vermont will also 

 present a wide field for scientific examination and the State 

 Cabinet ought in time to possess specimens of all animals and 

 vegetables which have lived or grown in Vermont, and each speci- 

 men presented or collected should be carefully preserved and named 

 and the locality of each properly noted and all specimens calcu- 

 lated to illustrate the Ornithology, Erpetology, Icthyology and 

 Entomology of the State should have a " local habitation and a 

 name," in such a State Cabinet as the resolution contemplates. 



Since the adoption of this resolution, the Sergeant-at-arms has 

 prepared the room assigned to the department of Natural History, 

 under the advice of the late State Naturalist with the view to exhi- 

 bit until a more spacious room is procured, such specimens as are 

 in readiness for the State Cabinet. 



The minerals and other objects collected by the State Geologist 

 and State Naturalist which have been too long locked up and there- 

 by rendered comparatively useless for any pratical purpose will 

 upon being properly prepared, labelled and arranged be greatly 

 enhanced in value. The duty of such a preparation and arrange- 

 ment has been intrusted to my assistant Albert D Hager, Esq., of 

 Proctorsville, Vermont, whose experience and skill fit him for the 

 thorough and acceptable execution of this important trust and I 

 respectfully submit to your perusal Mr. Hager's Report which is 

 appended to this communication and bespeak for the suggestions 

 contained therein a thoughtful consideration. 



I take also this opportunity to express my grateful acknowledg- 

 ment to my friend George F. Houghton, Esq., of St. Albans, Ver- 

 mont, to whom I have issued a commission as Assistant State Na- 

 turalist and who has rendered me important service in the course 

 of my labors as State Naturalist. 



I have thus presented to your Excellency, in as brief a manner 

 as the number and nature of the topics alluded to in this commu- 

 nication would permit, the several facts which tend to indicate the 

 present condition of the Geological Survey. Although the Stat- 



