GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS OF OHIO. 505 



was a modest, unpretending man, but very clear and decided in 

 his opinions and judgments on the geological facts with which 

 he had to deal. 



The first survey had thus brought together some of the best 

 scientific talent and training of the State. Its work was begun 

 in 1837, k" u t so ^e m the season as to preclude extensive inves- 

 tigations. Still, a report of much value and interest was furnished 

 to the Governor in December of that year, and issued by the 

 State early in 1838 under the designation, "First Annual Report 

 of the Geological Survey of the State of Ohio, by W. W. Mather, 

 Principal Geologist, and the several Assistants." It consisted of 

 134 pages, and contained reports from Professor Mather, Drs. 

 Hildreth and Kirtland, Professor Briggs and Col. Whittlesey. 

 Professor Mather gave special attention to the coal of the State, 

 endeavoring to convince his readers of its practical value and 

 comparing it with charcoal in iron manufacture. He also dis- 

 cussed our native ores with reference to the iron supply of the 

 State, and called attention to the soils of Ohio. The services of 

 a geological survey to agriculture had been strongly insisted on, 

 in the discussions leading to the organization. Dr. Hildreth also 

 discussed the Coal Measures of Ohio, and pointed out partic- 

 ularly some of the leading stratigraphical elements in the series. 

 He also discussed at some length the sources of salt that were 

 known in the State. Professor Kirtland pointed out the advan- 

 tages to be derived from botanical and zoological knowledge, 

 calling special attention to the possible medicinal properties of 

 our native plants. Professor Briggs gave the results of a recon- 

 noissance of the country between the Hocking and Scioto rivers, 

 in which, among other things, he pointed out the geological 

 order of what we now know as the Subcarboniferous System. 

 Col. Whittlesey's report was confined to questions pertaining to 

 the mapping of Ohio. 



The next summer, viz., that of 1838, found all the members 

 of the geological corps promptly in the field, and busy, each 

 with the task that had been assigned to him. A chemical 

 laboratory had been equipped by Dr. Mather, and analysis of 



