48 
[Assembly 
It is a matter worthy of consideration, whether the volume would 
not be more useful and illustrative if all the plates were colored. 
Volume IV. 
Insects, 
There are in the Geological Rooms, three thousand printed impres" 
sions each, of six plates of insects. The full edition of three thou- 
sand copies of plate No. 1 is colored. 
There are also twelve additional plates of insects engraved, and 
in the possession of the engraver ; but no printed proofs have been 
received. 
To complete this volume, it will require the engraving of thirty- 
two plates, the printed impressions of forty-four plates, and the let- 
ter press for the volume. 
From the preceding statements it will be seen that quite an amount 
ot labor has been performed and expenditure incurred on each of the 
several volumes necessary to complete the publication in the depart- 
ments of Palseontology and Agriculture. A reference to the report 
of the select committee of the Legislature of 1849 (Assembly docu- 
ment No. 9), on the publication of the Natural History, will furnish 
data for estimates of the time that will be required and the amount 
of expenditure necessary, to complete the unfinished portions of the 
publication of the Natural History. 
The following materials, the property of the State, have been re- 
ceived in the Geological Rooms since the tenth day of April, 1850, 
and up to the date of this report : 
17 steel plates, illustrating Palaeontology. 
6 steel plates. Insects. 
24 steel plates. Fruits. 
187 original colored drawings of Fruits. 
23 original colored drawings of Vegetables. 
12 original colored drawings of Grains. 
6 original colored drawings of Insects. 
575 original drawings of Fossils. 
125 wood engravings of Fruits. 
