THE IMPORTANCE OF GEOLOGY AND GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS. 



I supposed that the importance of geology and geo- 

 logical surveys was so well known and acknowleded that 

 it would not be proper here to say anything about their 

 usefulness. Nor should I allude to these things, had I 

 not a few weeks ago, heard one who was called a leading 

 member of the late Constitutional Convention, state in a 

 public speech to that body, that "Greology is a humbug 

 and he knew it to be so." 



It is strange that all the leading universities, colleges 

 and schools of the civilized world have been teaching a 

 humbug for the last 46 years; and still more strange, that 

 all civUized countries, including every one of the United 

 States, excepting Florida, have had or are having geolog- 

 ical surveys made of their domains; also, the United 

 States Government, during ,the last 15 years or more, has 

 had and stiU continues to have geological surveys made of 

 its territories. These things nave cost much toij. and 

 money. Has the labor' been useless and the money 

 wasted ? 



Far from it. The States where these things have been 

 done are the most prosperous and have the largest incomes 

 in agriculture and manufactures of any in the world. 



The State of New York in 1836 appropiated $104,000 for 

 a geological and natural history survey of that State, 

 in 1842 a further sum of $26,000 was appropriated, since 

 which other sums have been appropriated for its geolog- 

 ical and natural history survey, making the entire 

 amount given for this purpose about $500,000. The first 

 act for the survey was passed by its House of Representa- 

 tives unanimously. Last year, 1875, $20,000 was appro- 

 priated for its State museum and geological survey. 



The United Kingdom of Great Britain, with a territory 

 at home less than that of Texas, has more productive 

 wealth than all the cotton States. This arises from her 

 superior agriculture and manufactures, joined with min- 

 eral wealth and sufficient intelligence to make the most of 

 every natural advantage. Her mines are being developed 

 at depths of from a few hundred to more than two thou- 

 sand feet. In 1874, she appropriated 206,697 pounds 

 sterling for the advancement of science and art, as fol- 

 lows : 102,442 to the British Museum, 17,862 to Kew 



