iv DEDICATION. 



the world, and the illustrations will compare favorably with any similar work 



elsewhere published. 



Hoping that this volume may commend itself to your Excellency and prove 



acceptable to the students of science, and not unworthy of a place in the series 



of works comprising the Natural History of the State of New York, 



I have the honor to be. 



With great respect, 



Your obedient servant, 



JAMES HALL, 



State Geologist. 

 Albany, November, 1885. 



