No. 161.] 
" At the late session of the geologists, the board deemed it expe° 
dient to recommend that a palcBontoIogist be appointed, in connec- 
tion with the geological survey of the State. There are several 
reasons that influenced them in their decision. Similar fossils are 
found in each of the geological districts; each geologist, therefore, 
is obliged to pursue those researches in fossil remains, that would, 
by the proposed arrangement, fall upon one individual, who would 
devote his whole attention to it, and thus do better than those who 
should attend to it less. Such an arrangement has already been 
made in the department of mineralogy, and this science is as inti- 
mately connected with geology, as fossil remains can be. All the 
branches of natural history, and many of the other sciences, clus- 
ter around geology, and lend. to it and each other a mutual sup- 
port. No man can make great advances in all the branches of ge- 
ology; the proper course to be pursued, is for each individual to 
become acquainted with the great outlines of the subject, and then 
devote his attention to some particular branch of enquiry. It is 
by such a division of labor, that geology has advanced so rapidly 
within a few years. Physical geology and palaeontology are dis- 
tinct branches of enquiry. The palaeontologist must necessarily 
be minutely familiar with the various branches of natural history, 
to distinguish the minute shades of difference in the species of fos- 
sils, and he must consult many authors to know what has been de- 
scribed and figured by others. The geologist must have the results 
of such labors, before he can draw definite conclusions on some 
points of geology. The board fully concur in the opinion, that 
this division of labor will facilitate the perfection of the work, by 
enabling each individual to devote more attention to his specific 
branch of enquiry. The increase of expense will be comparative- 
ly trifling; and to diminish this, the palaeontologist who is recom- 
mended by the board, will make all the drawings of fossil re- 
mains, and thus save an annual expense of at least #500." 
This recommendation of the persons employed in the survey, is 
submitted to the Legislature, for the purpose of receiving their di- 
rection as to the propriety of its adoption. 
The expenditure upon the survey has amounted to $7,769.74. 
This sum has been principally expended in paying the salaries of 
the persons employed in the work, at the rate of compensation be- 
fore specified. The remainder of it has been disbursed for inci- 
dental expenses. The vouchers for the payments have been ren- 
dered to the Comptroller, and filed in his oflice. 
