I 



Division of th& Report. 



3 



Professors Dewey, Webster, and the Danas, I should not have been 

 able to accomplish this object, with any confidence in the correctness 

 of the results. And as it is, I am aware that the map may need sev- 

 eral minor alterations ; though I feel quite confident of the correctness 

 of its leading features. To obtain such corrections before the comple- 

 tion of the contemplated map of the State, is one strong inducement, 

 thus early, to present this Report, and the accompanying map. For, 

 should the Report in any way be made public, I shall hope that gen- 

 tlemen of intelligence, in different parts of the State, will do me the 

 favor to communicate any errors or omissions which they may no- 

 tice. 



I propose to divide my Report into four parts. The first part will 

 embrace the Economical Geology of the State ; or an account of 

 our rocks, soils, and minerals, that may be applied to useful purposes, 

 and thus become sources of pecuniary profit. 



The second part will embrace our Topographical Geology ; or 

 an account of the most interesting features of our scenery. 



The third part will consist of our Scientific Geology ; or an 

 account of our rocks in their relation to science. 



The fourth part will consist of catalogues " of the native minera- 

 logical, botanical, and zoological productions of the Commonwealth," 

 so far as they can be obtained ; agreeably to a resolve of the Legisla- 

 ture, approved by your Excellency, February 2, 1831. Several gen- 

 tlemen, distinguished for their attainments in natural history, have gen- 

 erously offered to furnish these lists in those branches with which they 

 are most familiar. 



To illustrate the first and third parts of the Report, I have in ac- 

 cordance with directions from your Excellency, collected specimens 

 of every variety of rock I could find in the Commonwealth ; and in 

 all cases where a rock is quarried, or might be quarried in several 

 places, I have endeavored to obtain specimens from each locality. I 

 have collected likewise all the ores of importance found in the State, 

 as well as the other simple minerals, which could be obtained without 

 much difficulty or delay. I did not suppose that my instructions au- 

 thorized me to be at much expense and trouble in procuring every 

 rare mineral that has been described as occurring in the State : al- 

 though this object may still be accomplished, if I have mistaken the 

 intentions of the Government. The collection which I have made for 

 the use of the Government contains about 1 200 specimens. I do not 

 know to what use the Government intends to devote this collection. 



