31 



them into my custody under your directions and forwarded them to 

 Montpelier. They consist of the following articles : sixty-three 

 boxes for holding and packing minerals, one hundred trays for 

 holding and assorting minerals, one table, one anvil and block, five 

 maps, fifty sections of maps, two chairs, two sledges, six hammers, 

 one drill, one iron bar, one box chisel, one tape measure, and a 

 valuable barometer. Sixty-two boxes and seventeen trays filled 

 with minerals and fossils, were forwarded from Burlington and 

 delivered at the State House. 



In pursuance of the Joint Resolution of the Legislature passed 

 in 185c, the Sergeant-at-Arms has fitted up room numbered four- 

 teen in the State House, under the advice and suggestions received 

 from Prof. Thompson in his lifetime. This room is assigned for 

 the " use of the State Naturalist, and for the deposit aud arrange- 

 ment of the specimens collected and to be collected in the geologi- 

 cal, botanical and zoological survey of the State." 



In the arrangement of the cases as made by order of the late 

 State N aturalist, it is apparent that they were intended for the re- 

 ception of specimens of the birds, fishes, reptiles, insects and other 

 objects calculated to illustrate the Natural History of Vermont, 

 as well as for the reception of Vermont minerals and fossils. 



I have accordingly arranged the geological specimens in the 

 division originally designed for their reception thinking it high- 

 ly probable that the State of Vermont might at no distant day 

 procure if possible the very valuable private collection of the pro- 

 ducts of the State, which Prof. Zadock Thompson had taken pains 

 to collect during the last thirty years of his life, and which col- 

 lection is now in the possession of Mrs. Thompson, his widow, at 

 Burlington. This being exclusively a Vermont collection, and 

 embracing objects in all departments of Natural History, ought to 

 be preserved entire, and it has occurred to me that the most ap- 

 propriate place for its exhibition and preservation would be at the 

 State House. 



In room numbered thirty-seven I found about twenty-five hun- 

 dred geological and mineralogical specimens trimmed and number- 

 ed a due proportion of which I have removed to room numbered 

 fourteen and arranged in the case prepared under the direction of 

 Prof. Thompson ; but the case being insufficient for the reception 

 of the entire number of specimens, another case was made at my 

 suggestion which will be soon filled with specimens. 



