12 
[Assembly 
system of rocks which occupies the territory of this State, is more 
complete than in any other country known. The number of fossils 
contained in our transition rocks, or those of the silurean system, is 
three times as great as in the same rocks in Europe, and it is only by 
a knowledge of the organic remains that the true position of rocks can 
be learned. 
No country affords a better developed region of the primary rocks 
than our own, and in no country are they more prolific in useful metals. 
Iron, which marks the degree of civilization of every country, is found 
in our State, in perhaps greater quantities than in any other equal ex- 
tent of territory in the world. Lead is already wrought abundantly, 
and it is probable that we do not yet know a twentieth part of the loca- 
lities of this valuable ore. Copper has been found in many places, and 
offers fair inducements to mining, though as yet little has been wrought. 
Several other metals have been found, in small quantities, and will 
doubtless, at some future time, be discovered more extensively, and 
some sections of the State abound in the beautiful and rare minerals, 
many of which are useful in the arts. 
The Zoological and Botanical reports will also present a mass of va- 
luable information in those departments, which will be of great practi- 
cal utility. 
Your committee do not believe that the advantages of this survey 
will be confined simply to the information diffused by the final report. 
A spirit of inquiry will be awakened in reference to this subject among 
the whole people. An increased attention to geology and its kindred 
subjects, will be given by our schools and seminaries of learning. 
The materials for study are scattered all over the face of the earth, 
as well as buried beneath its surface, and directions for their discovery 
will be within the reach of every citizen. But a few years will elapse 
oefore the useless searching for mines and minerals in every rock in- 
discriminately, will give place to scientific and certain knowledge. 
Hidden wealth will be brought to light and new sources of individual 
and national prosperity developed. 
A knowledge of geology in all its departments will be especially 
interesting and useful to the agricultural population of our State. In 
fact, no step can be taken in this survey without benefiting agriculture^ 
If the existence or character of a rock be pointed out, or the occur- 
