PREFACE. 3a 



In 1813, an address was delivered before this Society, " On the MineralogicaJ 

 Resources of the United States, by T. Romeyn Beck, M. D.", which was publish- 

 ed in the third volume of its Transactions. This address contains a notice of the 

 most important mineral productions at that time known to occur in this State. 



Professor Cleaveland's Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy and Geology ap- 

 peared in the year 1816, and it afforded abundant and gratifying proofs of the 

 attention which had been paid to the study of American minerals. The rapid 

 sale of this edition, and the publication of a new and enlarged one in 1822, show 

 the general interest which this science excited. It is much to be regretted that 

 the demand for this work, which has long been out of print, has not been met by 

 new and improved editions. Notwithstanding many later works on mineralogy 

 have appeared, Cleaveland's Treatise is still referred to as one of the standard 

 authorities both in Europe and America. 



In 1818, Dr. Mitchill published an edition of the popular "Elementary Intro- 

 duction to Mineralogy, by William Phillips," with notes and additions on Ameri- 

 can articles. The object of this reprint was, as stated by the editor, to fur- 

 nish a more cheap, portable and compendious manual than Cleaveland's work, 

 and which seemed to be demanded in consequence of the increasing attention to 

 this department of science. 



During the same year, Professor Silliman commenced the American Journal 

 of Science and the Arts, and which has been continued by him until the present 

 time. This work has probably done more than any other for the diffusion of 

 science in the United States. Of course. Mineralogy has always held a promi- 

 nent place among the subjects discussed in it, and several of the volumes contam 

 valuable papers relating to the minerals of this State.* 



" The Lyceum of Natural History of New- York," which was also formed 

 during the same year, contributed much to promote the cause of mineralogy. 

 A fine cabinet was soon formed by the liberahty and industry of some of the 



• A list of these papers, up to 1836, will be found in Gen. Dix's Report on the Geological Survey of New- York. Docu^ 

 nUs of the NevyYork legislature, 1836. 



