characteristics of New York and the western States ; 

 and this distinction is more or less observable in all 

 the three kingdoms of nature in the rocks and min- 

 erals, in the vegetables, and in the animals. 



The geology and mineralogy of Vermont have, 

 during- a few years past, received considerable atten- 

 tion. At the commencement of the geological surveys 

 in the neighboring States, there were in Vermont a 

 few individuals who were sufficiently acquainted with 

 those subjects to be able to form a just estimate of the 

 importance of such surveys, not only for advancing the 

 cause of science, but for developing the resources of the 

 country ; and they no sooner saw them in the course 

 of successful prosecution abroad, than they began to 

 urge upon the Legislature of Vermont the advanta- 

 ges of a like survey of their own State. But a majority 

 of our legislature, being unable to comprehend these 

 advantages, or to foresee any benefits which would 

 justify the expenditure that would be required for 

 such a survey, refused for six or seven years to make 

 any provision for it, although the subject was, in the 

 mean time, urged upon their attention at each annual 

 session of the Legislature. 



At length, in 1844, a bill was passed, by a small 

 majority, directing the Governor to appoint a State 

 geologist to conduct a geological survey of the State, 

 and making a small annual appropriation ($2000,) 

 for three years, to defray the expense. A geologist 

 was appointed, and the work was zealously prosecu- 

 ted during the continuance of the appropriation ; and I 

 think I may say, without fear of contradiction, that as 

 much labor was performed and as much investigation 

 effected as were ever accomplished, with the same 



