Association of American Geologists and Naturalists. 237 



of the number and frequency of the reports, to notice them all ; 

 especially as it was an agreeable duty to remark upon such valu- 

 able labors, where there was so much to commend and so little 

 that merited criticism. 



Foreign geologists may not be aware, that frequent reports, 

 usually annual, on the geology of those states that are under sur- 

 vey, are either prescribed by their respective legislatures, or are 

 deemed necessary by the geologists, to sustain the popular confi- 

 dence and public spirit until a long continued labor, perhaps of 

 several years, shall have been consummated ; otherwise, there 

 might be danger that the necessary annual appropriations of 

 money would be withheld, and that thus an important enterprise 

 might be defeated ; this danger has been encountered in several 

 cases, and has been realized, we trust only temporarily, in more 

 than one. 



We confide however in the intelligence and patriotism of our 

 citizens ultimately to carry out these great undertakings, even in 

 those states whose resources are the most embarrassed ; and we 

 have already expressed our confidence, that sooner or later every 

 state and territory will be faithful to itself, in exploring its own 

 resources by geological surveys, under public authority. 



We can readily believe, that it might have been more agreea- 

 ble to the state geologists to hold back their annual reports, until 

 their entire labor should have been accomplished ; for, a mature 

 view of the whole ground might, very possibly, modify early and 

 partial conclusions. For these ultimate results, we must patiently 

 wait until the final reports in the different states are made. That 

 of Prof. Hitchcock on the geology of Massachusetts, is already 

 before the public in a third edition, revised and enlarged by the 

 author, under the authority of the state, and the last edition is in 

 two large quartos, expensively illustrated by numerous plates and 

 figures. Distinct reports have also been made in the state of 

 Massachusetts on all the departments of natural history. 



It was stated last year by Prof. Hitchcock, that the final report 

 on New Jersey, by Prof. H. D. Rogers, with a geological map and 

 sections of the state, was published in 1840. In the same year 

 Dr. Jackson's final report on Rhode Island appeared, including 

 agriculture, with a geological map and sections. 



Prof. Charles U. Shepard in 1839, published a report upon the 

 economical mineralogy of Connecticut, and his colleaguej Dr. 



