Vlll PREFACE. 



that year; consequently the work has been in progress not 

 quite four years. 



The plan of the Survey, according to the requirements of 

 the Act by which it was originally organized, demanded 



"AN ACCURATE AND COMPLETE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE 



State," and a Report, containing "a full and scientific de- 

 scription of its rocks, fossils, soils, and minerals, and of its 

 botanical and zoological productions." Provision was also 

 made for the collection of specimens in all departments of 

 Geology and Natural History, which specimens were to be 

 deposited "in such place as shall be hereafter provided for 

 that purpose by the Legislature." 



Under this Act, the Survey was carried on, with greater 

 or less vigor, according to the varying amounts appropriated 

 by each successive Legislature, until the spring of the pre- 

 sent year, when the Act expired by constitutional limitation ; 

 the Legislature of California having no power to create an 

 office which shall last over four years. 



By an Act of the last Legislature, however, approved 

 April 4 th, 1864, the office of State Geologist was again 

 created, and filled by the same person who had thus far 

 held it, while the course of investigation to be pursued, 

 under the new Act, was less distinctly marked out than in 

 the previous one, leaving more to the discretion of the State 

 Geologist, and the chances of smaller or greater appropria- 

 tions from the next Legislature; but requiring him "to 

 complete the Geological Survey of the State, and to prepare 

 a Report of said Survey for publication, and superintend the 

 publication of the same;" farther adding, that "such Report 



