Reports on the Geology of the State of Maine. 143 



Prof. B. Silliman, — Deal- Sir — In a recent communication 

 in your Journal, on the application of Electro-Magnetism as a 

 mechanical agent, I alluded to the invention of Mr. Sturgeon of 

 England, as being the first to establish this interesting branch of 

 science. I owe an apology to our distinguished countryman. 

 Prof. Henry, for the injustice done him in that communication, 

 and it gives me great pleasure in correcting my mistake, to con- 

 cede to that gentleman, the honor which he justly merits, of hav- 

 ing produced the first invention which led to the investigation of 

 this interesting subject, and laid the foundation of a new branch 

 of science. Yours truly, C. G. Page. 



Art. XXI. — Dr. Jackson's Reports on the Geology of the State 

 of Maine, and on the public lands belonging to Maine and 

 Massachusetts. 



The history of geological investigations having for their object 

 the advancement of the arts and the improvement of agricul- 

 ture, carried on by liberal appropriations of the State Legislatures, 

 as well as by the General Government, furnishes an unequivocal 

 proof of the healthy and progressive state of the public mind. 

 And it should not be forgotten, that geology, aside from its 

 economical and practical bearings, viewed solely as an intellec- 

 tual and ennobling branch of physical inquiry, is now receiving 

 a larger share of attention than at any former period. This has 

 resulted mainly from our system of popular lectures, lyceums, 

 &c., by which facilities have been given to the dissemination of 

 knowledge, rarely, if ever equalled by any other people. 



The credit of proposing and carrying into practical execution, 

 the first geological State survey, belongs, we believe, to the le- 

 gislature of North Carolina.* Though but a few years have since 

 elapsed, the example has been followed to some extent by nearly 

 every Slate in the Union ; and researches have also been made into 

 the distant territories of Missouri and Arkansas. From the vari- 

 ous reports of the geologists employed, much information has 

 been obtained towards the preparation of an accurate geological 



* The survey of North Carolina did not, we believe, embrace the whole State. 

 In Vol. XXII, p. 1, note, we stated our belief, that Massachusetts was " the first 

 example in this country of the geological survey of an entire State." — Eds. 



