1841.] for the North- Western Provinces. 787 



fit and use. In process of time, when specimens and information 

 had accumulated to such an extent, that the resources of the 

 different districts whence they had been procured were duly re- 

 presented by them, it would be practicable to construct a map of 

 these Provinces, from which would be gathered at once, the extent of 

 means available for Public Works in any given localities, and much 

 aid afforded to officers deputed to conduct such works, to whom the 

 districts might be unknown. Beyond the simple facts of rocks having 

 been extensively used as materials for different purposes in our Public 

 Works, and having in several instances been found most useful, we 

 possess no farther information regarding them. No definite details of 

 their physical or chemical properties, of their power of cohesion, adhe- 

 sion or absorption ; of their mineral characters, geological relations or 

 component, parts have ever been furnished, and till we know something 

 of these, we can form but very indefinite estimates of the real economic 

 value of any materials we may have at command. To accumulate 

 information on the points just mentioned, and to encourage farther 

 investigation, so that the sites of new materials may be discovered, will 

 be regarded as objects of higher moment, when it is borne in mind, how 

 intimately the agriculture, and consequently the revenue of these 

 provinces is dependant on the facilities, with which works for the 

 purpose of irrigation can be executed, and how extensively the 

 materials alluded to, are employed in the execution of these works. In 

 like manner, the interests of trade afford a motive for encouraging 

 investigations, relative to the materials for the construction of roads, 

 so that viewed generally, the prosperity of the country is intimately 

 connected with the effective illustration of this department of the 

 Museum. The properties possessed by sandstones, limestones, or 

 dolomites, fit them best for the purposes of building, and those possessed 

 by rocks of igneous origin, as trap, or basalt, for road-making; hence 

 both classes become of economic importance, and ought to have place 

 in the Museum. For the illustration of the mortars and cement, 

 specimens of the materials employed in their formation, from the pure 

 limestone, to the impure argillaceous kunker, together with models 

 of the best forms of kilns for burning, and of mills for crushing, 

 ought to be provided, and would, I think, complete this department of 

 the Museum. 



