28 REPORT OF THE 



Deeming that a popular exhibition at the State Fair of the 

 economical results of the survey, thus far attained, would con- 

 duce to the diffusion of information relative to our resources, 

 and the awakening of increased interest in the survey, I made 

 for this purpose a selection from such specimens as had been at 

 that time unpacked, and drew up, on a large scale, an outline 

 map oi*the geology of the State to accompany the specimens 

 in the exhibition. This undertaking appeared to be highly ap- 

 preciated, the vicinity of the collection being continually 

 crowded with interested observers and inquirers. The appre- 

 ciative notices of the press were also of a very gratifying 

 character. I have reason to believe that the exhibition, though 

 very hastily got together, and very incomplete, was productive 

 of considerable good. 



In September, 1859, I issued a circular addressed to Ccunty 

 Surveyors, and ©thers throughout the State, the ©bject of which 

 was to procure reports from competent persons, on the topo- 

 graphy of the various counties; the localities of rocks and min- 

 erals ; the nature of the soil ; the distribution of timber, &c. 

 Several responses were promptly made to this circular, and I 

 feel confirmed in the opinion that the county surveyors or former 

 surveyors of the State, or in case they will not act, the private 

 surveyors and engineers of the various counties, have it in 

 their power to contribute to the prosecution of the geological 

 survey, some of the most valuable information. Localities of 

 rock exposure must almost always come to the knowledge of 

 the linear surveyor, and, by communicating this knowledge to 

 the geologist, great expense and delay may be saved, in trav- 

 ersing territory barren of geological indications. I would take 

 this opportunity to urge upon surveyors and others, the im- 

 portance of the service they are thus able to render to the geol- 

 ogist, with very little extra trouble to themselves. 



The only communications actually received to this time in 

 response to the above circular, are the following : 



1. Kent county, and the region west and north-west. By 

 John Ball, of Grand Rapids. 



