16 [ Senate 



With this time of Eaton arose the second set of pioneers, as they 

 have been named ; active and enlightened, laborious and success- 

 ful, in their efforts in this extensive field. Among them it was my 

 privilege to act a humble part, making some tracks in the pathway 

 of the science, or following the tracks of others. Many of them 

 have followed the first pioneei-s to the grave ; but some remain, 

 widely known on both sides of the Atlantic for their developments 

 of natural science in our State, and in other States ; some of them 

 to unite in this joyous festivity. Their familiar but furrowed faces 

 need not designation by me. 



In 1836, twenty years from the last era, another and numerous 

 body of naturalists was spread over the land. For in twenty years 

 of our history, a new set of colaborers in all the branches of na- 

 tural science come to fill our horizon, while many of the preceding 

 continue in full activity. For, among the great and efficient workers 

 in our own State Survey were several from the school of Eaton, 

 or who had felt his influence, who have far outstripped their 

 teacher ; but, to-day they find themselves surrounded with the 

 active, energetic minds of a younger generation. 



Geological surveys of several States had been begun, or were 

 already completed. The earliest survey, under legislative authority, 

 was of North-Carolina by Prof. Olmsted, the excellent Report 

 being printed in 1824-5. 



In 183.6 began the Geological Survey of the State of New -York, 

 on a grander scale, and over a grander series of rocks. To-day, it 

 is our privilege and joy to inaugurate the results in that noble, 

 if not perfect, edifice, the Geological Hall. Appropriate is this 

 designation, however numerous and important the departments in 

 it. Let it not be called Zoological Hall, or Mineralogical or Agri- 

 cultural J/a^/, but Geological Hall in the widest and truest sense; 

 since the objects in the several departments form the earth, or 

 spring from the earth, or are nourished by the earth, or operate on 

 the earth, or support the creatures of the earth, or decorate the 

 earth, the mother of all : Geological Hall now, and Geological 

 Hall forever ! 



By the statute for the Survey, the Legislature appropriated 

 26,000 dollars a year for four years of explorations ; amounting 

 to 104,000 dollars for the survey, the collections, and the general 



