186 Miscellanies. 



mont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island,* among the New Eng- 

 land States, have not yet acted, but we trust they will ere long 

 follow the example of their immediate neighbors, as well as of 

 the more remote sister States. New York, New Jersey, Penn- 

 sylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Michigan and Indiana, 

 are now in the full career of successful investigation under able 

 corps, or able individuals, whom we have either already named, 

 or expect to name in appropriate notices. Kentucky has taken 

 the first step in authorizing a reconnaissance, and making a com- 

 mencing appropriation of money, Avhile the movements and 

 demonstrations by colleges and other institutions, and the current 

 of remark in the prints and in conversation, indicate a state of 

 public feeling which almost assures an extension of geological 

 exploration, as well as of kindred research in other departments of 

 natural history, which we may confidently expect will eventually 

 pervade the American Union. The popular sentiment, influ- 

 enced by individual cupidity, or more enlarged views of public 

 advantage as regards physical resources, is raising this subject 

 almost above the contentions of party, and is almost a solitary 

 point of agreement among those who can agree on nothing else. 

 Almost half the States in the Union have authorized surveys by 

 law, and the number will doubtless be yearly augmented. 



In this view, science (not regardless however, of positive ad- 

 vantage to individuals or the community in gainful discoveries) 

 still exults more peculiarly, in the extension of her sway, and in 

 the discoveries that are constantly made, thus extending or cor- 

 recting our elementary knowledge. The outlines,! once ably and 

 correctly drawn, the fillings up will be always in progress, until 

 detailed descriptions of particular districts, and even of individual 

 mines and quarries, will accumulate in the treasuries of local and 

 economical geology. 



* Notwithstanding many valuable observations made in each of these States, and 

 published by various individuals. Prof. Olmsted, now^ of Yale College, then of 

 the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, deserves to be mentioned with 

 honor, for having several years ago, brought to light many very interesting and 

 valuable facts respecting that State. We have also various reports on the Gold 

 Regions of the southern and southwestern States, and many other detached facts 

 and" observations from States and Territories not hitherto explored by public au- 

 thority ; and of these, not a few may be found recorded in the various volumes oi 

 this Journal. 



+ The services of William Maclure on this subject, will never be forgotten. 



