GEOLOGICAL 



SOCIETY 



OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



411 



part of the society, generally, to diffuse, as far as possible, 

 a correct knowledge of geology and other important 

 branches of physics. 



" Although the society can date its existence no farther 

 back than the month of April 1832 (less than three 

 years), when it consisted of seven members only, it now 

 numbers more than two hundred resident or correspond- 

 ing members and four in the honorary class. The list 

 includes some of the most distinguished individuals in 

 Europe. The efforts of the society are seconded also by 

 several local institutions, which have been established in 

 some of the counties of the state, for the promotion of a 

 general state survey." 



By reference to the above report, it will be perceived 

 that the committee on the geological state survey have 

 not relaxed in their efforts to accomplish this all-import- 

 ant measure ; but this society has again to regret its fur- 

 ther postponement, by the state legislature. During the 

 recent session, discussions relative to the political state 

 of our country, generally, appear, in too many instances, 

 to have occupied the attention of the members, to the 

 exclusion of measures of permanent utility. 



In the mean time, the legislatures of our sister states 

 have shown increased interest in obtaining a correct 

 knowledge of the mineral wealth of their respective states. 

 In addition to those portions of our country whose legis- 

 latures have already availed themselves of the scientific 

 labours of native geologists, as mentioned in the first 

 part of these Transactions; we are now enabled to add 

 the states of Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Connecti- 

 cut and Maine, where active measures are at present in 

 operation to secure complete geological surveys. 



