6 



While the general work of my department of the survey has 

 been progressing in these investigations, the collecting of fos- 

 sils from the various rocks, etc., I have been giving more 

 especial attention to the preparation of the report upon the 

 lead region. According to the plan heretofore proposed, my 

 report will embrace a general sketch of the geology of the 

 State, showing the relations of the lead bearing rode to the 

 other formations of the State, and the whole in relation to 

 the geology of the adjacent country, so far as now known. 

 This will be followed by the special report of Mr. Whitney on 

 the geology, mineralogy, mining, etc., of the Lead Region 

 with illustrations and diagrams, besides two large maps. 

 The concluding part of the report will be the descriptions of 

 fossils, or the palaeontology of the Lead Region, which will 

 make the work complete for that part of the State. 



The maps for this report, with some other of the illustra- 

 tions, will be engraved from money derived from the surplus 

 of the previously unappropriated fund, directed by the law of 

 the last Legislature to this object, after completing the con- 

 tract with Messrs. Whitney and Whittlesey. I have, however, 

 made no arrangement for the printing of any definite number 

 of these maps or illustrations, beyond what may be necessary 

 as examples of the work. 



In order, therefore, to accomplish the printing of these, I 

 require further means and authority. 



The entire report on the lead region will be sufficient to 

 make a large octavo volume of 600 or 700 pages, with several 

 maps, and at least thirty or more plates of fossils. The 

 work of engraving may be so far completed that the text of 

 this volume will be ready for the press by the beginning of 

 April next. I mention this time because nothing would be 

 gained by commencing the printing sooner, since the engrav- 

 ing and printing of the plates and maps could not be ready 

 sooner than in time for the letter press, if begun at that date. 



I have spoken and written to your Excellency upon the sub- 

 ject of the printing, which I hope may be done in a better 

 style than the ordinary documents. The report will be a final 

 one upon that portion of the State, and a volume of much 

 value and importance. I hope the Executive and Legislature 

 of Wisconsin will not be satisfied with anything below the 

 standard of the Iowa Report. I may, perhaps, be permitted 

 to mention here, that the style and size of the Iowa report 

 has been adopted in the Illinois survey, as I am informed by 

 the State Geologist, and that the forthcoming report will be 

 .printed in that form. 



