No. 109.] 17 



and annual reports. The Legislature afterwards extended the 

 Survey for two years more, at the same rate. The whole country 

 was astounded at the sum ; an amazing, unheard of sum for the 

 expense of the Natural History of the State ! There became ne- 

 cessary, a Geologist for each of the four great districts of the State, 

 a Mineralogist and Chemist, a Botanist, a Zoologist, with their 

 assistants; a Surveyor of its agriculture, and a Palaeontologist for 

 its fossils. For the statute required a "Complete Geological 

 Survey of this State," which was to " furnish a full and scientific 

 description of its rocks, soils and minerals, and of its botanical 

 and zoological productions, together with specimens of the same." 

 There must be many workers ; and they have not introduced an 

 object which was not contemplated in the law. While the statute 

 was framed with apparent wisdom and great care, it contemplated 

 magnificent results. These it has produced, in the estimation of 

 the scientific world. 



Consider merely the points in the Survey, in connection with 

 the results. 



1. The general provisions in the law embraced all the three 

 kingdoms of nature in this State. 



2. The law required extensive collections of the objects. "While 

 the most important and extensive collection fills and adorns the 

 Geological Hall, a large collection in mineralogy and geology was 

 given to each college in the State, and to some other literary in- 

 stitutions. 



3. It required descriptions of all the specimens, and figures 

 especially of the new or rare. 



4. It required a widt range of publications. Already the geo- 

 logical map of the State, and nineteen volumes quarto have been 

 published. These have been spread among our citizens and literary 

 institutions with generous liberality; and many copies have gone, 

 in the true national spirit, to other States, or been given to the 

 institutions of Europe. To the two volumes on palaeontology, so 

 highly illustrated by plates, three more are to be added to com- 

 plete the Natural History of the State. The next volume is to 

 appear early in 1857. 



5. The Survey has been magnificent in its cost, already exceeding 

 600,000 dollars. Such has been the liberality and wise foresight 



j Senate No. 109.] 2 



