NOTES. 
We have received the report of the House Committee on Public 
Lands concerning the geographical and geological surveys west of 
the Mississippi. The Committee conclude that the ‘“surveys, so 
far as the same are necessary for military purposes, should be con- 
tinued ; that all other surveys for geographical, geological, topo- 
graphic and scientific purposes, should be conducted under the De- 
partment of the Interior.” The Committee also recommended the 
consolidation of Powell’s with Hayden’s survey, under the Depart- 
ment of the Interior. This has since been done, and Congress 
has voted $75,000 for the continuance of Hayden’s, and $15,000 
for that of Powell’s survey. The continuance of Lieut. Wheeler’s 
survey was previously provided for, $30,000 having, we believe, 
been voted for its expenses. We are glad to see that a step has 
been taken towards a consolidation of the geological and geograph- 
ical surveys of the territories of the west. We believe that the 
scientific interests of the country will be thus furthered, and 
greater unity, economy and scientific accuracy be secured. 
The work should not stop here, and we look forward to a coöp- 
eration between the national government and the states in carry- 
ing on the survey of the states; in fact, it has partially been 
begun. This is extremely necessary in the preparation of a 
general map, geographical and geological, of the United States. 
More than this, it would be, if we mistake not, a wise and econom- 
ical measure to unite the work of the Coast Survey and the 
Signal Bureau with that of the national geographical and geo- 
logical surveys. When this has been brought about, as it may be 
thought necessary to do at a future not far distant, all these 
bureaus might still farther be united under a Science Department, 
equivalent to the Department of State, of War, the Navy or the 
Interior, with the officer at the head a member of the Cabinet, to 
be perhaps appointed by the President under the advice of the 
heads of the respective bureaus of the Science Department ; 
these bureaus to be those of Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, 
Geology and Mining, Meteorology, Geography, Biology and 
Agriculture, Anthropology and Education, etc., etc. 
Such an organization of the scientific forces of the country is 
already foreshadowed in that of the Smithsonian Institution, 
; (445) 
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