The Mississippi Siirz'cy. — Hilgard. 2gi 
neither position can be fully or satisfactorily filled by bim. Either the 
classes in this department must sufifer in his absence, or the survey in 
the field be neglected to give them proper attention. 
3. The funds of the University are not sufficient to justify it in be- 
stowing a portion of them on a work, however important and valuable 
to the State, that is not legitimately a portion of its business. 
The appropriation by the State of $3,000 annually for the geological 
survey, pays no more than the salary of the principal and assistant 
■geologists; and the outfit and traveling expenses, &c., amounting to as 
much more, have to be provided for out of the college funds. This is 
unjust to the University, and the divided time of the State Geologist be- 
tween the University and the field, operates injuriously both to the in- 
terests of the University and the State. I would not be understood by 
this, nor would the Board of Trustees, as casting any reflection upon 
the learned gentleman who now fills the place of State Geologist, and 
whom they and myself believe to be well and highly qualified for the 
duties of that station, nor would we have it imderstood, and the Boarl 
of Trustees would not, that we detract in the slightest measure from the 
great interest and importance to the State of having a geological survey 
thoroughly and efficiently prosecuted. The object is to place it in the 
hands of the State and under the direction of her authority, where it 
properly belongs, and to have it vigorously prosecuted to completion at 
the earliest day. I therefore recommend to the Legislature, to place it 
in this position and to provide the means necessary to accomplish this 
object. It is believed that an appropriation annually, for three years of 
$6,000, will be sufficient to complete the entire work within that period. 
The report of Professor Harper, herewith submitted, contains much 
valuable information — shows a high degree of scientific attainment on 
his part, and gives evidence that when the work is completed, it will be 
one of great value to the public. The present report is only preliminary 
and partial and is not designed for publication at this time, but is to be 
embodied and published in the general report when completed." 
The suggestion of the governor was not, however, favora- 
bly acted upon by the legislature: the matter was left in statu 
quo. but with the understanding that a vigorous prosecution 
of the work should pave tlie way to more satisfactory legisla- 
tion at a succeeding session. 
After passing the winter at Oxford in the arrangement of 
the collections and preparations for analytical work, I pro- 
ceeded in April, 1856, to make a detailed exploration of the 
northeastern portion of the state, where the geological struc- 
ture seemed most complex and varied. In the course of this 
expedition, made with the same outfit that had served the 
year before, I determined the character, stratigra])hical rela- 
tions and limits of the carboniferous, cretaceous and tertiary 
