AMERICAN GEOLOGY DECADE OF 1850-1859. 483 



changed from grains of quartzose sand to impalpable silica, and the 

 greater part of the oxide of iron, manganese, and other impurities 

 carried out in solution from the pores of the rock, leaving nearly 

 chemically pure silica behind." Such changes are practically incon- 

 ceivable, and the best authorities to-day regard the novaculites as 

 siliceous replacement of limestone. 



A large number of soil analyses were made by Doctor Peter "'with 

 a view to settle that very important question' 1 whether such can be of 

 utility to the agriculturist in showing the relative fertility of soils 

 and the loss sustained by cultivation. In Owen's opinion such utility 

 was established "in the most incontrovertible manner." 



Owen, it should be noted, died in 1860, and before the publication of 

 the second report, which was brought out under the direction of. his 

 brother Richard." 



Prof. Lewis Harper, whose work in Mississippi has been already 

 referred to (p. 441). was succeeded as State geologist by K. W. Hilgard, 

 under whose efficient direction there was brought about the first and, 

 thus far, only systematic survey of the entire State. 

 sur Z ve r vof Geo!ogical His Report on the Geology and Agriculture of the 

 i857-i S 860.' State of Mississippi appeared in 18(10. It contained a 



systematic and fairly detailed account of the various 

 formations of the State, together with a table of the formations, as 

 shown on next page, the classification and terminology adopted being 

 that of Safford and Tuomev. 



"According to Brainier (Journal of Geology, II, 1894, p. 826) the appropriations 

 for this survey were vigorously combated by some of the legislators, one of whom, 

 in his attempts to defeat the bill, introduced the following amendment: 



Sec. 12. The same amount which is appropriated to the State geologist shall 

 likewise be appropriated to a phrenologist, and a like amount to an orni- 



thologist and their several assistants, who shall likewise lie appointed by the gov- 

 ernor, and shall continue in office fifty-four years * * *; and the secretary of 

 state shall forward one copy of each report to the governor of each State in the 

 Union except such as may be known to be Mack republican governors; also, one 

 copy to the Queen of England and to the Emperors of France and Russia; also, a 

 copy to the Queen of Spain: provided that government will sell Cuba to the United 

 States on reasonable terms. 



Sec. 14. It shall be the duty of the phrenologist to examine and report upon the 

 heads of all the free white male and female citizens in the State, and their children, 

 except such as may refuse to have their heads examined. 



