THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS OF ARKANSAS. 



The Owen Survey. — The subject of a state geological survey 

 of Arkansas was first brought to public attention by Governor 

 Elias N. Conway in his message to the legislature in 1856. Upon 

 his recommendation the matter was taken into consideration and 

 the first geological survey of the state was begun under an act 

 passed January 4, 1857. This act provided for the appointment 

 of a state geologist by the Governor, and an appropriation of 

 $4,800 per annum, out of which all expenses were to be paid. 

 Dr. David Dale Owen, then state geologist of Kentucky, was 

 appointed state geologist of Arkansas, and entered upon his 

 duties October I, 1857. The results of the work done in 1857 

 and 1858 are given in Owen's " First report of a geological recon- 

 noisance of the northern counties of Arkansas," Little Rock, 1858. 



In his message to the legislature of 1858-9 Governor Conway 

 recommended more generous support of the survey. There 

 were those in the legislature, however, to whom the collecting of 

 fossils and the examination and location of rocks seemed a ridic- 

 ulous occupation for state officers to say nothing of its being a 

 waste of the state funds, and every effort was made by them to 

 defeat the appropriation bill. 1 



1 Some idea may be had of the ridicule heaped upon it from the following extracts 

 from amendments offered to the survey bill. 



"Mr- * * * offered to amend by adding the following after section 1 1, viz : 



"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 

 ornithologist, and their several assistants who shall likewise be 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 black 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." 



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