206 Appendix. — Geological Specimens and Surveys. 



and arranging duplicates, and the cost of transportation of the spe- 

 cimens. Each state should also send several copies of their descrip- 

 tive catalogues bound up separately, and copies of their reports on 

 their respective districts. • 



Each state should then provide ample accommodations for their col- 

 lections of objects of natural history, and a museum' on a liberal scale 

 would be formed. A large and commodious building should be pur- 

 chased or erected for this purpose. If a new building should be erect- 

 ed, then it might be formed into very ample and convenient galleries or 

 halls, where the specimens should be all put up, in separate glazed 

 cabinets, to protect them from dust and from injury. The most ap- 

 propriate arrangement would evidently be according to the states ; 

 beginning with the northern states, and arranging the cabinets accord- 

 ingly. The subordinate arrangement may, however, be systematic, 

 according to any respectable authority. 



Some scientific society should be entrusted with the care of the 

 state collection, and it should be their duty to arrange the specimens 

 in order. The capital of every state has, I believe, some such scien- 

 tific association, and they would gladly avail themselves of the privi- 

 lege of superintending the great state museum. A cabinet keeper 

 should, however, be employed by the government to keep the rooms 

 in order, and to remain in the museum during visits, to prevent mis- 

 chief, and to explain the arrangement or to supply the visitors with 

 catalogues to be used in viewing the collections. 



Whoever reflects on the value and importance of science to the 

 rising generation, will duly appreciate the utility of such an institu- 

 tion as I have described ; it will be a practical school where our 

 children will, at all times, be able to learn to read the book of nature 

 thus opened before them. 



The stranger, who visits our country, will find in the capital of 

 each individual state, an entire collection of the curious and useful 

 objects of natural history from every part of the Union, and will con- 

 template with admiration, the liberality and intelligence of a people 

 who have provided such ample means of instruction, surpassing in 

 extent and utility, the far famed cabinets of European monarchies. 



When we visit a foreign land, we are naturally interested in the 

 objects peculiar to that country ; and it would certainly be delight- 

 ful, to see its various natural productions all arranged in order for 

 our observation, constituting a sort of epitome of the whole state ; 

 presenting the materials forming its rocks, mountains, soils, and val- 



