348 Geological Survey of the State of Ohio. 



cinnati Medical College, that of botany and zoology. Dr. John 

 Locke of Cincinnati, was in Europe at the time of his appoint- 

 ment, and did not return in season to enter upon the duties of the 

 survey. 



Prof. C, Briggs, Jr., of New York was appointed fourth assis- 

 tant. J. W. Foster, Esq., of Zanesville was appointed acting as- 

 sistant, and associated with Mr. Briggs in the survey of the dis- 

 trict between the Scioto and Hockhocking rivers. To Col. Charles 

 Whittlesey of Cleveland, was assigned the topographical depart- 

 ment of the survey. 



Such is the present organization of the board ; and from the 

 reputation of the several gentlemen employed, we doubt not that 

 their labors will be instrumental in stimulating the industry, and 

 developing the resources of a great and growing state. With 

 these prefatory remarks, we proceed to notice the several reports, 

 embraced in this document. 



The report of Prof. Mather, comprises a description of the prin- 

 cipal formations in the State — the value, range and extent of the 

 coal and iron deposits — the best method of fluxing ores, — the 

 chemical composition, and mechanical texture of soils — the appli- 

 cation of marls as a manure, and a variety of interesting details, 

 which our limits will not permit us to particularize. Coal is one 

 of the most valuable and widely diffused minerals in the eastern 

 section in the Siate, In reference to this, he says : — ■ 



" From the reconnaissance of the past season, it is estimated that about 

 12,000 square miles of the state, are undoubtedly underlain by coal, and 

 5,000, by workable beds of this valuable mineral. In many places, sev- 

 eral successive beds of the coal are superposed one over the other, with 

 sandstone, iron ore, shale and limestone intervening. The coal beds are 

 favorably situated for working, as they are found in the hills and ravines, 

 where they can be drained with little expense, and without deep shafts 

 and expensive machinery, like those of Europe, or some parts of our own 

 country. It is impossible, with the data as yet ascertained, to estimate 

 the amount of workable beds; but probably a mean thickness of six feet 

 of coal capable of exploration over 5,000 square miles, is a moderate esti- 

 mate of our resources in this combustible. Our citizens are not yet aware 

 of the prospective value of coal lands ; and it is, perhaps, only by set- 

 ting their practical utility before them, that they will appreciate the im- 

 portance of this mineral on their estates." 



" Every square mile, containing two yards in thickness of workable 

 coal, will yield about 6,000,000 tons, which is an abundant annual supply 



