t 



INETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE REGENTS, 



.JLUUl - 



vvledge of the character of our buildmg materials. Specimens 

 every such material in the State should be brought into one 

 nf di'pository, and subjected to careful comparison and the 

 lorouo-h examination. The beginning of a collection has 

 n made, and it will be continued to the extent of the means at 

 the disposal of the Eegents. In selecting materials for the great 

 "work proposed, the owners of quarries should be invited to fur- 

 nish *ipecimens of their stone, and these should be deposited for 

 futuri' reference and use in the Cabinet. Science, though of ines- 

 timtible, value in its abstractions, should in every possible way be 

 placed under contribution for advancing civilization and contrib- 

 uting to the development of natural resources. 



Dr. Torrey's Flora of the State does not includ(e the Musci, 

 Hcijatic^ce'ee, Lichenes, Alg^ and Fungi. To complete the Flora 

 these 5:>f ders must be added. The Eegents are happy to know 

 that oqr State has several zealous and successful students of the^e 

 several 'orders, particularly of the first two named, and that they 

 wil i ' ready to the extent of their means to encourage and aid 



them. , 



rharles H. Peck, of Albany, has furnished valuable lists of 

 iw v; ./fises and Hepaticacese of the State, which we herewith sub- 

 v^'^ We have reason to expect that Mr. Peck will make yearly 

 ;.. ms to these lists. 



4 



. i^V\' ,also annex hereto a second paper, by one of the Eegents, 



entitled " Facts and Observations toiiching the Flora of the State." 



ressor Hall's contributions, to Palaeontology, intended for the 



last Eeport, but unavoidably omitted in the 'printing, have been 



very considerably extended, and are herewith commmiicated. 



That veteran observer, Prof. Dewey, has continued his *' Mete- 

 orolpgical Eesults." . Several other papers on that subject are also 

 adde^. 



Ifxplorations in Natural History can never be pronounced com- 

 plete. There is always reason to expect new discoveries in all its 

 dopi^'tments. There are details of our State Geology, such are 

 the peculiar limits and connections of its strata and formations, 

 wjjiich,ai'e probably not yet absolutely determined. The numer- 

 ous additions to our Flora, contained in Mr.,Paine's Catalogue of 

 •' Plants of Oneida County and its Vicinity," invite further search, 

 a^d promise other valuable discoveries. Observers and explorers 

 are few and scattered, and greatly need a leader and center of op- 

 ei^jb^tions. Until they are increased in number, animated by the 



