STATE GEOLOGIST. 1 



is ■" 

 speaks of the aid afforded by the observations made at this time 



in tracing the fragments of copper to their place in the rock. 



Nothing further was attempted at elucidating the mineral 

 resources of any portion of .the territory, until the admission of 

 Michigan into the Union in 1836, when the 'government at once 

 proceeded to the organization of a general, systematic survey. 



The original act for the organization of the geological survey 

 of the State was approved by Gov. Mason, February 23d, 1831.* 

 It provided for a geological, zoological, botanical and topo- 

 graphical survey. Under this act the following corps of officers 

 was appointed. f 



Douglas Houghton, Geologist. 



Abram Sager, Principal Assistant, in charge of Botanical 

 and Zoological Departments. 



S. W. Higgins, Topographer and Draughtsman. 



Columbus 0. Douglas, Sub-Assistant. 



Bela Hubbard, Sub-Assistant. 



William P. Smith, Sub-Assistant in charge of Mechanical 

 Zoology. 



Messrs. Douglas and Hubbard, during the following years, 

 were First Assistants. 



On the 26th of January, 1838, Dr. Houghton presented his 

 First Annual Beport, a document of 31 pages, in which, after 

 alluding to the topography of the State, he notices the several- 

 geological features of the Lower Peninsula under the following 

 heads : " Upper Sandrock of the Peninsula," " Gray Limestone," 

 "Lower Sandstone or Graywaclc Group'' "Gypsum," "Brine 

 Springs," "Clay," "Sand," "Marl," "Bog Iron Ore," "Mineral 

 Springs." Several pages are devoted to the Brine Springs, and 

 numerous interesting analyses of the saline waters of Michigan 

 are for the first time published. 



On the 22d of March the G:vernor approved a new act, re- 

 organizing the survey in more comprehensive terms, and with 

 more detailed provisions J 



* Senate Journal 1837, p. 189. For the Act, see " Laws of Michigan." 1837, p. 14 

 t Report, 1838. 

 t«Laws" 1837-8, p. 119. 



