A. I. Levorsen
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
Bulletin 109
CONTRIBUTIONS TO A HISTORY
OF AMERICAN STATE GEOLOGICAL AND
NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS
EDITED AND COMPILED BY
GEORGE P. MERRILL
Head Curator of Geology, United States National Museum
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1920
ADVERTISEMENT.
The scientific publications of the United States National Museum
consist of two series, the Proceedings and the Bulletins.
The Proceedings, the first volume of which was issued in 1878, are
intended primarily as a medium for the publication of original, and
usually brief, papers based on the collections of the National Mu-
seum, presenting newly acquired facts in zoology, geology, and
anthropology, including descriptions of new forms of animals and
revisions of limited groups. One or two volumes are issued annually
and distributed to libraries and scientific organizations. A limited
number of copies of each paper, in pamphlet form, is distributed to
specialists and others interested in the different subjects as soon as
printed. The dates of publication are recorded in the tables of con-
tents of the volumes.
The Bulletins, the first of which was issued in 1875, consist of a
series of separate publications comprising chiefly monographs of
large zoological groups and other general systematic treatises (occa-
sionally in several volumes), faunal works, reports of expeditions,
and catalogues of type-specimens, special collections, etc. The ma-
jority of the volumes are octavos, but a quarto size has been adopted
in a few instances in which large plates were regarded as indis-
pensable.
Since 1902 a series of octavo .volumes containing papers relating
to the botanical collections of the Museum, and known as the Con-
tributions from, the National Herbarium, has been published as bul-
letins.
The present work forms No. 109 of the Bulletin series.
WILLIAM DEC. RAVENEL,
Administrative Assistant to the Secretary,
In charge of the United States National Museum.
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 15, 1920.
PREFACE.
A work along the lines of the one here presented was projected and
begun by the Director of the United States Geological Survey in
1885. In connection therewith a circular, bearing date of April 10
of that year, was issued, from which is made the following abstract :
Recent inquiries by the United States Government concerning foreign scien-
tific surveys have demonstrated the desirability of recording in permanent and
accessible form all available data relating to the organization, administration,
cost, and material results of geologic, geodetic, geographic, mineralogic, agricul-
tural, natural history, and othfcr scientific surveys officially instituted at various
times by the several States of the Union.
The necessity for immediate action in the collection of such data is manifest,
since much valuable information particularly details of administration and
cost has never been published, but exists only in the memory of men, in pri-
vate records, and in public records liable to become destroyed or forgotten with
the decadence of the present generation.
It is accordingly proposed by the United States Geological Survey to collect
material for a History of American State Surveys, with a view of publishing it,
if possible, during the present year.
It was the original intention, in order that the plan might be car-
ried out most expeditiously and accurately, to invite geologists or
others especially familiar with the scientific surveys of particular
States, to prepare detailed histories in such form that after having
served their purpose as material for the general history, they might
be published individually under such conditions as the authors might
elect. A considerable number of the histories were thus prepared,
as is noted later, and a few published. What led to the abandon-
ment of the plan is not known to the present writer. A study of the
circular and the manuscripts submitted in response thereto, leads
one to infer, however, that the outline w r as too detailed and compre-
hensive, and in but few instances was it possible even for those who
actually participated in the work to furnish the information desired.
The result was that the histories were of unequal length and value,
surveys of the least importance often being made to appear as of
first magnitude. Concerning what was unquestionably the most im-
portant of all the surveys undertaken, not a line was furnished.
It was while engaged in the final revision of his Contributions
to a History of American Geology, 1 that the present writer became
1 Annual Report U. S. National Museum, 1904 (1900).
IV PREFACE.
first aware of the existence of these manuscripts. He thereupon
applied to the Director of the Survey for permission to refer to them.
and, if desirable, utilize any information contained therein. This
permission was granted, as shown by the following letter:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,
Washington, D. C., October 28, 1902.
Dr. GEO. P. MERRILL,
U. 8. National Museum,
Washington, D. C.
DEAR SIR: In accordance with your request of recent date I send you here-
with the manuscripts relating to the history of official scientific surveys col-
lected by the survey some years since. These manuscripts contain a large
amount of valuable historical data, much of which it would be difficult to re-
place.
*******
You are at liberty to use any material which they contain in any way that
you see fit.
I should be glad to have you consider the preparation of a history of official
scientific surveys in the United States for publication by this Survey, using the
material now in hand and such other material as you may be able to obtain iu
cooperation with the Survey by correspondence and otherwise.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) CHAS. D. WALCOTT,
Director.
The proposition made in the final clause of the above was agreed
to with a verbal understanding that the work should receive atten-
tion only when official and other more pressing duties permitted.
Shortly after the withdrawal of Director Walcott from the Survey
the matter was brought to the attention of Director George O. Smith,
with the results given in the following letter :
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,
Washington, D. C., February 6, WVs.
Dr. GEORGE P. MERRILL,
Head Curator of Geology,
Smithsonian Institution.
MY DEAR DOCTOR MERRILL : In reply to your inquiry of November 16 on the
subject of the manuscript history of the State surveys, further consideration has
simply confirmed my first impression that this material should be turned over
to you for publication. * * * I note that Director Walcott in 1902 stated
that you were at liberty to use the material in any way that you saw fit, and I can
do no less than confirm his action in giving you a free hand in the matter. In
fact, however much I might desire to see this work published under Survey
auspices, the present superabundance of material awaiting publication makes it
impossible for ine to use any of the printing appropriation for a publication
that is not directly connected with our cur'rent work.
*******
Cordially, yonrs,
(Signed) GEO. OTIS SMITH,
Director.
With this much by way of explanation the present writer feels that
no apologies are necessary. The compilation has been carried on at
odd times, the manuscript in some instances lying a full year with-
out being touched. Xaturally, much desired information is wholly
out of reach. The leading participants in these surve3 T s have for the
most part gone over to the majority, and the written and published
results are lacking in many interesting particulars. Undoubtedly a
search through State records would have brought to light more data
regarding expenditures, but no funds have been available for the
purpose, and the utility of greater detail is perhaps questionable. It
lias been the writer's custom, in all cases where it was necessary or
seemed desirable, to send the manuscript to those now in charge of
surveys in the individual States for such information as was avail-
able. He takes this opportunitj' to acknowledge his indebtedness
and express his thanks for the aid thus afforded.
APRIL, 1907.
SUPPLEMENTAL XOTE. It was the original intention to bring this
history down to a date not later than 1885. In but few instances
has this limit been passed. Any seeming desirability of so doing
lias been anticipated by the publication of Bulletin 465 of the United
States Geological Survey in 1911.
G. P. M.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
[The omission of the name of a State or Territory indicates that no public survey of the
locality was undertaken during the period covered by this history. The subject ar-
rangement is alphabetical, by States.]
ALABAMA.
Page.
M. Tuomey's appointment iu the University of Alabama : Act of 1848
appointing him State geologist ; Act of 1854 ; Personnel of survey ; Ex-
penses of survey; Second survey under E. A. Smith 1873-1882; Organi-
zation; Act of 1873; Supplemental act of 1877; Personnel of survey of
1873-1882; Publications; Third survey under E. A. Smith; Act of
establishment; Personnel; Methods and results; Expenses: Present
fonditou 1
ARKANSAS.
Organization; Act of 1857; Appointment of David D. Owen State geolo-
gist ; Act of 1859 ; Second appointment and death of David D. Owen ;
Salaries of director and assistants; Results; Act discontinuing the
survey ; Act for the benefit of St. John's College ; Disposition of mate-
rial; Second geological survey under W. F. Roberts, 1871; Act of
March 28, 1871 ; Personnel and results ; Third geological survey under
George Haddock and others, 1873-74; Act of April, 1873; Organization,
personnel, and expenses of third survey; Fourth geological survey
under J. C. Branner, 1887-1893 ; Act of March, 1887 ; Organization and
personnel; Act of March 29, 1889; Reappointment of Branner State
geologist; Laws relative to printing and distribution of reports; Eco-
nomic results of the survey; Expenses and publications 13
CALIFOBNIA.
First geological survey under J. B. Trask, 1850-1856; Joint resolution
establishing; Supplemental act; Publication of report; Act of 1854;
First, second, and third reports of Trask ; Expenses of Trask's survey ;
Second geological survey under J. D. Whitney, 1860-1873 ; Act of estab-
lishment ; Organization ; Act of 1864 continuing the work of the survey ;
Difficulties encountered; Act of 1870 providing for unpaid expenses;
Act of 1870 continuing the survey; Act of 1872; Failure of appropria-
tions and discontinuance of survey; Personnel; Disposition of collec-
tions ; Act to provide for the preservation of material ; Resolution with
reference to collections; Expenses; Publications; Acts relative to dis-
tribution of reports; Results; Cause of failure; Establishment of a
State mining bureau in 1880; Act providing for; Personnel: Expenses
and appropriations; Publications; Museum and Library 27
COLORADO.
Act of 1872 45
Vm TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CONNECTICUT.
Page.
Message of Governor Edwards relative to survey in 1835 ; Report of Com-
mittee on Geological Survey, 1837 ; Appointment of Percival aud Shep-
ard; Shepard's report on economic geology of Connecticut; PercivaFs
methods and difficulties; Resolution of the assembly relative to Per-
cival's report; Expenses of survey 45
First systematic attempt at a geological survey; Act of 1837; Administra-
tion of: Expenses; Publication; Benefits 51
Appointment of State geologist in 1853 ; Appointment of J. Kost in 1886 ;
Resolution relative to a survey, 1889 53
GEORGIA.
Survey of Burke and Richmond counties by John Ruggles Cotting ; Senate
resolution of 1836; Act of 1840 abolishing the survey; Resolution of
1840 continuing the survey ; Second geological survey under George
Little, 1874-1879 ; Act of establishment ; Personnel ; Amendments to act
of establishment of 1875 ; Organization ; Resolution of 1881 abolishing
the survey; Expenses of survey; Publications; Third survey of 1889-
1900, under J. W. Spencer and W. S. Yeates ; Act of establishment :
Administration; Museum: Publications: Expenses 55
ILLINOIS.
Act of 1851 establishing first survey; Amendatory act of 1853; Act of
1872 providing for publication and distribution of reports ; Amendatory
act of April 29, 1873 ; Act of 1877 establishing a State historical and
natural history museum; Administration and personnel; Salaries:
Publications; Benefits of .survey: Exi>enses___ <>4
Act of 1837 providing for a geological survey ; Appointment of D. D.
Owen State geologist; Joint resolution of 1850 relative to mineral
lands; Joint resolution of 1852 relative to survey; Second geological
survey under D. D. Owen and Richard Owen, 1859-1861; Act of estab-
lishment ; Death of D. D. Owen ; Administration ; Museum ; Expenses ;
Publications; Methods; Third geological survey under E. T. Cox and
others, 1869-1900 ; Act of 1869 ; Act of 1879 revising the previous one ;
Act of 1881; Administration and personnel; Salaries and expenses;
Publications. __
First geological survey under James Hall, 1855-1857 ; Acts of establish-
ment and continuation ; Administration ; Publications ; Resolutions pro-
viding for printing of reports ; Discontinuance of the survey ; Expenses ;
Second geological survey under C. A. White, 1866-1870 ; Acts of estab-
lishment and completion ; Act providing for publication of report ; Per-
TA15I,E OF CONTENTS. IX
Tage.
sonnel of survey; Museuui and library; Expenses; Publications; Third
geological survey under Samuel Calvin, 1892-1900; Act of establish-
ment; Administration and personnel; Salaries and expenses; Publi-
cations 85
KANSAS.
First geological survey under B. F. Mudge, 1864; Act of establishment;
Administration ; Personnel ; Expenses ; Second geological survey under
G. C. Swallow, 1865 ; Act of establishment ; Administration ; Personnel ; y
Results; Publications; Third geological survey in connection with State
University, 1889-1900; Expenses 97
KENTUCKY.
Preliminary remarks; Joint resolution concerning geological survey; Re-
port of W. W. Mather; Memorial from Kentucky Historical Society and
Agricultural Association; Mather's geological examination of proposed
Lexington & Big Horn Railway ; Act establishing geological survey
under direction of David Dale Owen ; Death of Owen ; Resolution con-
cerning geological survey ; Expenses ; Personnel ; Establishment of mu-
seum and library ; Benefits of survey ; Survey of 1873-1893 under N. S.
Shaler and J. R. Proctor ; Acts of establishment and continuation : Ad-
ministration and personnel; Withdrawal of Shaler and appointment of
J. R. Proctor; Combination of Survey with Bureau of Immigration;
Establishment of museum ; Results of survey ; Expenses ; Acts of
1892-93 100
LOUISIANA.
Preliminary explorations by J. B. Robertson, Richard Owen, and Eugene
W. Hilgard; Act providing for topographical and geological survey;
Administration and personnel ; Publications : Reconnoissance by R. H.
Loughridge 124
MAINE.
First survey under C. T. Jackson, 1836-1839; Act of establishment;
Resolution of 1837-38 with reference to same; Administration and per-
sonnel; Reports; Collections and Library; Resolutions relative to dis-
tribution of reports; Benefits and results; Second survey under direc-
tion of board of agriculture, 1861-62; Act of establishment; Adminis-
tration and personnel ; Instructions with reference to field work ; Publi-
cations; Collections and library; Expenses 129
MARYLAND.
First inception of survey, 1833; Resolution relative to State map; Reso-
lution relative to geological survey; Act of 1834; Administration and
I>ersonnel; Outline of work; Abolition of office of engineer and geolo-
gist, 1842 ; Publications ; Expenses ; Act of 1847 providing for appoint-
ment of a State agricultural chemist; Reestablishment of survey in
1896; Administration; Acts extending the scope of survey 137
X TABLE OF CONTENTS.
.MASSACHUSETTS.
Page.
("'a uses leading to establishment of first survey; Resolutions providing
for survey; Resolutions relative to distribution of reports; Resolution
providing for printing new edition of reports; Appointment of Edward
Hitchcock, State geologist; Administration and personnel; Ex-
penses ; Publications ; Resolution of 1837 providing for renewal of sur-
vey and for publication and distribution of reports ; Administration ;
Expenses; Benefits; Resolution relative to survey of public lands of
Maine and Massachusetts 14tt
MICHIGAN.
First survey under Douglass Houghton ; Act of establishment, 1837;
Act with reference to improvement of salt springs, 1842; appointment
of Douglass Houghtou ; First year of survey, 1837 ; Personnel ; Second
year of survey, 1838 ; Salaries and personnel ; Financial statement rela-
tive to salt wells ; Proceedings relative to salt spring lands ; Summary
of report of 1838 ; Third year of survey, 1839 ; Summary of reports :
Fourth year of survey, 1840; Abolishment of zoological and botanical
departments ; Summary of report ; Fifth year of survey, 1841 ; Resolu-
tions relative to internal improvements and copper smelting ; Summary
of report ; Sixth year of survey, 1842 ; Financial statement ; Seventh
year of survey, 1843 ; Message of Governor Barry with reference to ;
Summary of annual report ; Eighth year of survey, 1844 ; Message of
Governor Barry relative thereto ; Failure of appropriations to support
survey ; Plans for lineal survey in cooperation with the National Gov-
ernment ; Ninth year of survey, 1845 ; Failure of appropriations ; Sum-
mary of reports; Financial statement; Survey after 1845; Governor's
message relative thereto ; Report of committee ; Resolution of 1846 rela-
tive to mining operations and to collections made by survey ; Criticisms
by- Alexander. Winchell ; Importance of Houghton's work: Survey of
1859-60 under Alexander Winchell; Act of establishment; Joint reso-
lution of 1869 ; Amendment of act of 1869 ; Administration and person-
nel ; Appointment, of Alexander Winchell as State geologist : Salaries ;
Summary of results; Survey in 1860; Personnel and salaries; Sum-
mary of results ; First biennial report of progress ; Financial statement
for 1859-60; Survey from 1SG1-1869; Recommendations of Governor
Wisner; Financial statement of 1861; Itinerary of the State geologist;
Appropriations for 1863-64 with reference to salt borings; Reference
in 1865 by Governor Crapo to survey ; Address of Winchell before the
State legislature; Before State Agricultural Society; Work by Winchell
in the Grand Traverse region ; Bill for reestablishment of survey ;
Geological survey of 1869 ; Reference by Governor Baldwin to work of
survey; Appointment under act of March 26, 1869; Appointment of
John H. Forster to investigate the copper region ; Appointment of T. B.
Brooks to investigate the iron regions ; Summary of report of progress
for 1869 ; Personnel and expenses, 1869 ; Geological survey in 1870 ; Plan
of operations; Forster replaced by R. Pnmpelly : Hostility to Pumpelly;
Geological survey in 1871; Recommendations by Governor Baldwin
relative to survey; Bill relative to appropriation for publications; In-
fluences unfavorable to work of survey ; Reports of committees relative
to survey ; Directorship of survey placed in hands of geological boar<l ;
TABLE OK rONTKN T>. XI
Page-
Fourth survey under board of directors, 1871-1900; Appointment of
Carl Rominger, director ; Personnel of survey ; Methods and results
obtained; Progress during seasons of 1S80-18S4; Salaries and ex-
penses ; Distribution of publications ; Museum ; Survey under adminis-
tration of Charles Wright ; of M. E. Wadsworth ; Personnel of survey
under Wadsworth ; Wadsworth succeeded by L. L. Hubbard ; Hubbard
.succeeded by A. C. Lane; Salaries and expenses ; Connection of survey
with other institutions; Museum 158
MINNESOTA.
First efforts toward establishment of survey; Joint resolution of 1864;
Appointment of A. H. Hanchett as State geologist ; Hanchett replaced by
H. n. Eames ; Act of 1S65 continuing the survey ; Act to enable N. C. D.
Taylor to continue geological explorations; Summary of reports of
Eames and Taylor ; Appointment of Alexander Wiuchell to examine re-
port on salt springs: Geological and natural history survey of 1873
under N. H. Winchell ; Act of establishment, 1872 ; Remarks on ; Act of
March 10, 1873, relative to state salt lands; Act of February 24, 1885,
transferring custody of salt lands to University of Minnesota; Ad-
ministration and personnel of survey under Winchell; Salaries; Mu-
seum and library; Expenses; Publications; Act of 1885 relative to pub-
lication of final report; Benefits from the survey 239
MISSISSIPPI.
Origin and act of establishment, 1850; Amendment of act in 1852;
of 1854 ; Act of 1857 repealing and amending act of 1850 ; Act of 1860
authorizing employment of assistant geologist; Appointment of John
Millington ; Appointment of B. L. C. Wailes; of Lewis Harper; of E. W.
Hilgard : Administration and personnel; Methods of procedure; Con-
nection with university found unsatisfactory; Remarks of the governor
relative thereto; Work of survey during 1856: during 1857; Intrigues
of Harper; Legislative investigation of survey in 1859; Work of Hilgard
in 1859; Appointment of George Little as assistant geologist in 1866;
Resignation of Hilgard and appointment of Little as State geologist
in 1868; Resignation of Little in 1870; Appointment of Eugene A.
Smith as assistant geologist in 1868; Work of Smith during 1869, 1870.
and 1871 ; Resignation of Smith in 1871 ; Appointment of R. IT. Lough-
ridge, assistant geologist; Survey appropriation withheld and work
stopped in 1872; Expenses: Salaries; Publications; Benefits 255
MISSOURI.
Survey of 1853-1862 ; Events leading to establishment ; Act of establish-
ment ; Connection with other institutions ; Appointment of G. C. Swal-
low ; Administration ; Personnel and salaries ; Aims of survey ; Ex-
penses; Publications; Survey of 1870-71 under A. D. Hager; Dis-
organization caused by Civil War ; Recommendations of board of agri-
culture ; Authorization of publication of first survey ; Memorial of St
Louis Academy; Recommendations of Gov. J. W. McClurg; Act of
establishment of survey March 24, 1870; Personnel and salaries:
Expenses : Publications ; Survey of 1872-1874 under Raphael Pumpelly ;
Amendment to law of 1870: Administration and personnel ; Plan of
II TABLE OF CONTKNTS.
Page.
survey ; Survey of 1873-74 under G. (J. Broodhead ; Personnel ; Dis-
continuance; Expenses; Publications; Survey of 1889-1900 under
Arthur Winslow ; Organization ; Act of establishment ; Administration ;
Expenses; Reports and cost of publication; Museum 274
No surveys prior to 1901; Attempt of 181 7__. 290
NEVADA.
Act for establishment of survey, March 20, 18G5; Effect of; Act estab-
lishing State mining school, March 9, 1866 ; Act creating office of State
mineralogist, March 1, 1869 ; Act abolishing the office of State mineral-
ogist, February 1, 1877; Administration of office of State mineralogist
under act of 1866 ; Personnel ; Methods of procedure ; Expenses ;
Museum ; Publications 291
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Survey of 1839-1840 under C. T. Jackson; Events leading to establish-
ment ; Act of June 24, 1839 ; Administration and personnel ; Methods
of procedure; Expenses; Publications; Survey of 1868-1878 under
C. H. Hitchcock ; Act of establishment ; Administration and personnel ;
Methods of procedure ; Expenses ; Publication and distribution ;
Benefits 299
NEW JERSEY.
Survey of 1835-1837 under H. D. Rogers; Events leading to establish-
ment; Act of establishment; Administration; Methods of procedure;
Expense; Publications; Survey of 1854-1856 under William Kitchell;
Message of Governor Price relative to survey ; Act of 1854 establishing
survey; Administration and personnel; Methods of procedure and work
accomplished; Expenses; Death of Kitchell; Survey of 1864-1900
under George H. Cook and J. C. Smock; Events leading to establish-
ment; Act of establishment; Amendment and supplemental act; Ad-
ministration and personnel; Work accomplished; Collections; Publica-
tions; Death of Cook; Act of 1890 supplementing act of 1864; Act
establishing a museum; Second supplementary act with reference to
survey; Third supplementary act; Appointment of J. C. Smock; Ad-
ministration and personnel ; Results ; Economic work ; Topographic
work; Scientific and educational work; Salaries and expenses -- 307
NEW YORK.
Events leading to the establishment of survey: Act of 1827 for the en-
couragement of mineralogical research ; Memorial of Albany Institute ;
Report of Secretary of State relative to survey ; Act of 1836 ; Appoint-
ments of Conrad, Emmons, Hall, Mather, and Vanuxem; Salaries;
Work during 1836; Report of investigating committee, 1840; Acts of
1840, 1842, 1843; Contracts with Emmons and Hall; Act of 1847;
Report of investigating committee, 1849-50; Expenses to 1840; Ex-
penses to 1849; Correspondence relative to survey; Acts relative to
distribution of reports ; Removal of survey headquarters ; Correspond-
TABLE OF CONTEXTS. XIII
Page.
ence between Hall and Logan ; Benefits of survey ; Letter of S. B.
Woohvorth; Hall appointed curator of State cabinet; Acts of 187O-71
relative to State cabinet natural history ; Letter of Hall to De Witt
Littlejohn ; Act of 1883 ; Letter of Hall to Governor Cleveland ; State
museum made part of State university ; Expense of surveys, 1839-1887 ;
Museum staff and salaries, 1888 327
NOKTH CABOLIXA.
References to early surveys; Work of Olmsted and Mitchell, 1824-182S;
Letter of Olmsted relative to establishment of survey; Renewal of
Olmsted proposition in 1823; Act of establishment of survey; Person-
nel of survey ; Functions and purposes of survey ; Connection with
other institutions; Museum and cabinet; Salaries; Expenses; Publi-
cations; Benefits; Discontinuance of survey and death of Mitchell;
Emmons' survey of 1852-1864 ; Act of establishment ; Personnel ; Sal-
aries; Administration; Methods of procedure; Museum or cabinet;
Expenditures; Publications; List of unpublished manuscripts; Geo-
logical map ; Benefits ; Survey of 1864-1882 under W. C. Kerr ; Organi-
zation and methods of procedure ; Act of 1872 ; Repealing of sections
1 and 3 of Act of 1851 ; Reappointrnent of Kerr as State geologist in
1879 ; Laws governing the survey of 1883-1887 ; Survey, how sustained ;
Administration ; Personnel ; Salaries ; Methods of procedure ; Library
and collections ; Expense of survey ; Benefits ; Unfinished work and
death of Kerr 3(33
Events leading to the establishment of survey; Resolution of 1836; Act
establishing first survey under Mather, 1837; Resolutions relative to
publications and property of the survey ; Administration and personnel ;
Methods of procedure; Expenses; Failure of appropriation; Attempts
to revive survey; Collections; Second survey under J. S. Newberry.
1869-1884; Events leading to establishment; Resolutions relative to
reports; Act supplementing bill of 1869; Administration and person-
nel; Expenses for 1869; Publication of first annual report; Resolu-
tions relative to publication ; Museum ; Expenses during 1870 ; Publica-
tion of second annual report ; Work of 1871 ; Expenses during 1871 ;
Act of 1872 extending time limit; Salaries; Administration; Message
of Governor Noyes relative to survey in 1873 ; Appropriation for 1872-
1874; Publication of volume 1 of final report; Publication of third
annual report and volume 2 of final report ; Appropriations and resolu-
tions relative to publications ; Expenses during 1874-75 ; Publication of
volume 3 of final report ; Expenses during 1875-76 ; Progress during
1877; Expenses during 1877; Appropriation for 1878; Proceedings dur-
ing 1879; Expenditures in 1879; Publication of atlas; Expenditures
during 1880 ; Message of governor relative to publication ; Publication
of volume 4 of final report ; Act of 1882 providing for completion of
volume 5, State reports; Supplemental act of 1883; Second supple-
mental act, 1884; Amendment to act of 1883; Survey of 1882-1899
under Edward Orton ; Administration ; Methods of procedure and ex-
penses ; Act of 1885 providing for the extension of the geological sur-
XIV TABLE OF CONTEXTS.
Page.
vey; Supplemental act relating to the same; Second appointment of
Orton as State geologist; Message of Governor Hoadley ; Expense of
surveys from 1836 to 1886, inclusive ; Act of 1889 making appropriations
for renewal of survey; Third appointment of Orton; Personnel; Death
of Orton ; Appointment of Edward Orton, jr., State geologist 387
PENNSYLVANIA.
Organization of Geological Society of Pennsylvania ; Survey of 1836-184::
under H. D. Rogers ; Act of establishment ; Supplemental act of 1836
and 1838; Resolution relative to collections; Administration and per-
sonnel ; Methods of procedure ; Museum ; Expenses ; Annual reports :
Completion of final report ; Act relative to publication of final report ;
Second geological survey under J. P. Lesley, 1874-1888 ; Causes leading
to the establishment; Act of establishment; Acts of 1874, 1876, 1877,
1879, 1881, 1883, and 1885 ; Joint resolution relative to publications, 1875 ;
Acts of 1877 and 1878 relative to distribution of publications; Joint
resolution of 1878 relative to publications; Joint resolution of 1879
relative to survey of coal regions ; Act of 1879 relative to publications ;
Act of 1883 relative to disposition of collections; Act of 1885 relative
to publications ; Administration ; Appointment of board of commission-
ers; Salaries; Appropriations; Personnel; Progress of survey; Publi-
cations ; Distribution ; Benefits and results ; Completion of work of
survey in 1890 428
KHODE ISLAND.
Resolution, of 1838 relative to geological survey; Resolution of 1839 by
the general assembly ; Act of 1839 establishing geological survey ; Ap-
pointment of C. T. Jackson as State geologist ; Resolution of 1840 rela-
tive to distribution of reports ; Resolution of 1875 relative to survey ;
Report of committee with reference to survey ; Resolution of 1895 450
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Act of 1824 relative to geological work; Report of committee on gover-
nor's message, 1825 ; Work of Vanuxem ; Report of committee on agri-
culture with reference to governor's message, 1842 ; Resolutions of com-
mittee relative to survey ; Adoption of resolutions by house and senate ;
Appointment of E. R\iffin, agricultural surveyor; Geological and agri-
cultural survey under M. Tuoiney ; Administration and personnel ;
Expenses ; Publication ; Geological and agricultural survey under Oscar
M. Lieber; Report of committee on agriculture, 1855; Resolutions of
general assembly ; Appointment of Lieber as State geologist ; Personnel ;
Expenses; Resolutions relative to printing and distribution of reports 459
TENNESSEE.
First survey of 1831-1850 under Gerard Truest ; Act of establishment;
Resolutions of 1833 and 1836; Administration; Reports; Expenses;
Surveys of 1848 to 1900 ; Appointment of James M. Safford in Cumber-
land University ; Act of establishment of geological survey, 1854 ; Act
TABLE OF CONTENTS. XV
Page.
abolishing survey ; Resolution relative to publication and distribution ;
Act of 1871 reestablishing the survey ; Administration ; Methods of
procedure; Publications; Expenses __________________________________ 464
TEXAS.
Survey of 1858 under B. F. Sliumard; Act of establishment; Administra- *
tion aud personnel ; Salaries ; Methods ; Museum ; Change of director ;
Suspension of survey; Resolution of 1861 relative to survey; Publica-
tions of survey ; Expenses ; Survey under J. W. Glenn and S. B. Buck-
ley; Act of establishment; Administration and personnel; Results of;
Expenses; Publications; Survey of 1888 to 1892 under E. T. Dumble;
Act of establishment ; Administration and personnel ; Preliminary work ;
Results accomplished from year to year; Expenses ___________________ 471
VERMONT.
Events leading to establishment of first survey ; Act of establishment,
1844; Act for completion of survey, 1853; Appointment of Charles B.
Adams; Administration and personnel; Salaries; Resolution relative
to survey property; Death of Adams and appointment of Zadock
Thompson ; Death of Thompson and appointment of Augustus Young ;
Expenses; Survey under Edward Hitchcock, 1856-1860; Act of estab-
lishment ; Administration ; Publications ; Results ; Expenses ; Survey
under Hager, Cutting, Perry, and Perkins, 1864-1900 __________________ 496
VIRGINIA.
Events leading to establishment of survey; Act of establishment; Or-
ganization ; Appointment of W. B. Rogers ; Administration ; Expenses ;
Publications _______________________________________________________ 507
WISCONSIN.
First survey under Daniels and Percival; Act of establishment; Adminis-
tration ; Personnel ; Expenses ; Survey of 1857-1860 under James Hall,
Ezra Carr, and Edward Daniels ; Act of establishment ; Administration ;
Unsatisfactory conditions; Supplemental act of 1860; Hall made chief
of commission; Employment of Charles Whittlesey; Repeal of law
establishing survey; Expenses; Publications; Hall correspondence;
Survey under Lapham, Wight, and Chamberlin, 1873-1879; Act of
establishment ; Administration aud personnel ; Methods of procedure ;
Amendment to act of 1873; Expenses; Collections and museum; Acts
relative to publication and distribution of final report: Acts relating
to reports __________________________________________________________ 512
APPENDIX 1.
Summary of principal items relating to State surveys, including tabular
statement giving dates, names of chief geologists, and expenses of all
State surveys existing prior to 1900 _________________________________ 537
The Northern Transcontinental Survey under Raphael Puinpelly _________ 539
Iiulwc ------------- 545
LIST OF PORTRAITS.
PLATES.
1. Alabama: Facing page.
Michael Tuomey 1
Eugene A. Smith 1
2. Arkansas: J. C. Brainier 13
3. California: J. D. Whitney and collaborators - 27
4. Connecticut :
J. G. Percival
C. U. Shepard
5. Delaware: J. C. Booth
6. Georgia:
George Little 5.".
W. S. Yeates 55
J. W. W. Spencer 55
7. Illinois:
J. G. Norwood 64
Amos Worthen 04
H. Engelmanu 64.
F. B. Meek 64
Leo Lesquereux 04
S. Indiana:
Richard Owen 72
E. T. Cox 72
John Collett 72
0. Iowa:
C. A. White 85
R. Emery 85
O. St. John 85
S. Calvin 85
10. Kansas:
F. B. Mudge 97
G. C. Swallow 97
11. Kentucky :
D. D. Owen 100
12. Kentucky :
N. S. Shaler 110
J. R. Proctor 110
13. Maine: C. T. Jackson 129
14. Maryland :
J. T. Ducatel 137
W. B. Clark 137
15. Massachusetts: Edward Hitchcock 149
16. Michigan:
Alexander Winchell 203
17. Michigan:
Carl Rominger 231
T. B. Brooks 231
C. E. Wright . 231
13607520 2 xvn
XVIII LIST OK PORTRAITS.
is. Minnesota: Facing pase.
H. H. Eames 239
It. E. Eames 239
X. H. Wlnchell W
19. Mississippi:
John Millingtou 2o.~
E. W. Hilgard :r.r.
2". Missouri:
G. C. Broadhead 274
Raphael Purnpelly 274
Arthur AVinslow 274
i_'l. New Hampshire:
C. H. Hitchcock 290
G. W. Hawes 299
22. New Jersey : George H. Cook 314
23. New York:
Timothy A. Conrad 327
Ebenezer Emmous ::2 r
W. W. Mather 327
Lardner Vannxem 397
24. New York:
James Hall 345
2.". North Carolina :
Denison Olmsted ">0'>
26. North Carolina:
Elisha Mitchell 37o
W. C. Kerr 375
J. A. Holmes 375
27. Ohio:
J. S. Newberry 400
28. Ohio:
Edward Orton 419
29. Pennsylvania:
H. D. Rogers 428
30. Pennsylvania :
J. Peter Lesley 434
31. South Carolina :
Michael Tuomey 4o!)
Oscar M. Lieber 459
32. Tennessee:
Gerard Troost 464
J. M. Safford 464
33. Texas:
B. F. Shumard 471
E. T. Dumble 471
34. Vermont:
C. B. Adams 496
Zadock Thompson 496
35. Virginia: W. B. Rogers 507
36. Wisconsin:
Edward Daniels 512
I. A. Lapham 512
37. Wisconsin:
T. C. Chamberlain 527
R. D. Irving 527
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. I
CONTRIBUTIONS TO A HISTORY OF AMERICAN STATE
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS
EDITED AND COMPILED BY
GEORGE P. MERRILL
Head Curator of Geology, United States National Museum
ALABAMA. 1
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER MICHAEL TUOMEY, 1848-1856.
Organization. Upon the appointment in 1847 of Michael Tuomey
to the professorship of geology in the University of Alabama it was
made a part of his duty to spend a portion of his time, not exceeding
four months of each year, in making such explorations in connec-
tion with his department as the trustees might consider to be for
the advantage of the State. Such extracts from his reports to the
trustees as were considered of general interest were published from
time to time in the newspapers of the city of Tuscaloosa.
In January, 1848, the State legislature made recognition of these
efforts by appointing Professor Tuomey state geologist. The follow-
ing is the text of the act :
Whereas Michael Tuomey, professor of mineralogy, geology, and agricultural
chemistry, in the University of Alabama, is required by an ordinance of the
board of trustees of the university to devote a portion of his time and labor in
making geological explorations and examining into the natural resources of
the State;
And whereas it would be both interesting and useful to the general assembly
and to the people to examine the reports which he may make from time to time :
Therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of Alabama, in
General Assembly convened, That Michael Tuomey, professor of geology, etc., in
the University of Alabama, be, and he is hereby, appointed State geologist.
Be it further resolved, That said State geologist be, and he is hereby, required
to lay before the general assembly of the State, at its biennial sessions, and as
often as from time to time may be thought expedient, a full report of his geo-
logical surveys and explorations, and his examinations into the mineral and
other natural resources of this State.
1 See also Geological Surveys In Alabama, by Prof. E. A. Smith, Journal of Geology,
vol. 2, No. 3, 1894, pp. 275-287.
1
2 BULLETIN 10!>, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEL'M.
Thus vras begun the first geological survey of Alabama. Profes-
sor Tourney's first report, a biennial, was presented to the legislature
in 1849. and printed in 1850. The geological map prepared was
not. however, ready for distribution with the report and was issued
separately. Professor Tuomey continued his explorations, at the ex-
pense of the University, until 1850, the State having made no appro-
priations for the work. In 1854 this defect was remedied through
the passage of the following :
An act to provide for a geological and agricultural survey of the State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted &// the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of Alabama, in General Assembly convened, That the governor is hereby
authorized to appoint, as soon as possible, a State geologist, who shall perform
the duties herein prescribed, and during the period of his service shall hold no
other office in this State.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That said State geologist shall as speedily as
possible make a complete and thorough geological survey of the State, so as to
determine accurately the quality and characteristics of its soil and their adapta-
tion to agricultural purposes, its mineral resources, their location and the best
means for their development; its water powers and capacities; and generally
everything relating to the geological and agricultural character of the State.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That said State geologist shall make a full re-
lort of his surveys and explorations into the mineral and other natural resources
of the State, accompanied by illustrative maps, charts, and drawings, to tho
next session of the general assembly, and the said report shall be the entire and
exclusive property of the State.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That said State geologist, for the performance
of said services, shall receive an annual salary of $2,500, to be paid to him quar-
terly after his appointment, and the further sum of $10,000 is set apart and
appropriated to aid the said State geologist in the performance of his duties by
employing assistants and defraying the incidental expenses of his office, to be
drawn for by him as needed, and his vouchers for all expenditures made from
this fund shall be filed with the comptroller, to be laid before the general
assembly.
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That in the event of a vacancy of the office
of State geologist occurring from any cause before the completion of the survey
the governor is authorized and required to appoint some suitable person to fill
the place.
Approved, February 3, 1854.
Personnel. Under this law Professor Tuomey was again ap-
pointed State geologist (by Governor Winston), and resigned from
the university in order to devote his whole time to the survey. Dur-
ing the following two years he, however, according to Prof. E. A.
Smith, retained his office rooms at the university and delivered lec-
tures to some of the classes. He was assisted by Prof. E. Q. Thorn-
ton, O. M. Lieber, and others, and in 1855, Prof. J. W. Mallet was
appointed chemist to the survey. The results of the labors of Pro-
fessor Tuomey and his assistants were brought together by him in a
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 3
report submitted to the legislature in November, 1855. This, owing
largely to the negligence of the State printer, was not published
until more than two years later.
The appropriations being exhausted. Professor Tuomey resumed
his work at the university in 1856, though with the intention of de-
voting his leisure time to the survey as before. His work was un-
fortunately cut short by his death, which took place on March 30,
1857. After his death Dr. J. W. Mallet undertook the task of edit-
ing and bringing out the long-delayed report. It was found that
part of the manuscript was missing, some of it was incomplete, and
thus a large amount of valuable material was lost to the State and to
science. In September, 1858, the report, the second biennial, ap-
peared, accompanied by another map of the State more detailed than
the first. The survey was discontinued after Professor Tuomey's
death.
Expenses. By law the salary of the State geologist was fixed at
$2.500 a year, and an appropriation of $10,000 was made for assist-
ance and incidental expenses, thus bringing the total cost of the
survey, during the two years of continuation after the passage of the
act, up to $15,000.
SECOND GEOLOGICAL STJKVEY UNDER EUGENE A. SMITH, 1873-1882.
Organization, Upon the reorganization of the University of
Alabama in 1871 the board of regents again took the initiative in re-
establishing the survey by requiring the professor of geology to de-
vote as much time in traveling over the State, and making exami-
nations and collections in geology, as would be consistent with his
other duties. In pursuance of this ordinance, Prof. Eugene A.
Smith, then professor of geology in the university, at his own ex-
pense, passed a part of his vacation in 1871 in the examination of
ertain Tertiary deposits in Clarke, Washington, and Choctaw
counties. The subject of a State geological survey was brought
before the legislature of 1872-73, and the following act passed:
An act to revive and complete the geological and agricultural survey of the State of
Alabama.
Whereas by an act of the general assembly approved January 4, 1848, and
an act approved February 3, 1854, a geological and agricultural survey was
instituted and prosecuted for some years, with great advantage to the people
of the State; and
Whereas the said survey was left incomplete by the death of Prof. Michnel
Tuomey, State geologist ; and
Whereas Dr. Eugene A. Smith, professor of mineralogy and geology in the
University of Alabama, is required, by ordinance of the board of regents of
said university to devote a portion of his time and labor to a geological ex-
4 BULLETIN 10 (
1-iloration of the State, and to an examination of it* mineral and agricultural
resources ; therefore
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Alabama, That Eugene
A. Smith, professor of mineralogy and geology in the University of Alabama,
be and he is hereby appointed State geologist.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the said State geologist shall make to the
governor an annual report of the progress of his surveys and explorations of
the mineral, agricultural, and other natural resources of the State, and upon
the completion of the survey he shall make a full report of his labors, includ-
ing surveys and explorations of mineral deposits, their location, and the best
and most economical methods of development; of the qualities of soils, and
their adaptation to agricultural purposes, together with analyses of soils, ores,
minerals and mineral water, with maps, charts and drawings; which said re-
port shall be printed, and shall be the exclusive property of the State.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the said State
geologist to make collections of specimens, illustrative of the geological, agri-
cultural, and mineral features of the State, one suite of which shall be de-
posited in the cabinet of the University of Alabama, a second suite in tlit 1
cabinet of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, and a third in the office
of the commissioner of industrial resources, in the State capitol at Montgomery.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That for the outfit of the said survey there
shall be appropriated out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appro-
priated first, the sum of eight hundred dollars (.$800) for the purchase of
chemicals and the necessary apparatus of a laboratory for the analyses of
soils, ores, minerals, and mineral waters; second, the sum of two thousand
two hundred dollars ($2,200) for the purchase of an ambulance and team, and
other equipments; third, an annual sum of five hundred dollars ($500) to pay
the traveling and incidental expenses of the said State geologist during such
time as he is engaged in the field work of the survey. The auditor shall, on
the requisition of the said State geologist, when approved by the governor,
draw his warrant on the treasury for the said sums as they shall be needed
for the purpose of said survey as herein set forth ; and the vouchers of said
State geologist, for all expenditures made from this fund, shall be filed with
the auditor, to be laid before the general assembly.
Approved April 18, 1S73.
In 1877 a supplemental bill was passed making biennial appro-
priations of $200 for the purpose of preparing maps and other illus-
trations, and in 1879 still another, of which the following is a
t rsin script:
An act to provide for printing and distributing the report of the State geologist, and for
color plates, and printing the maps of the counties of Fayette, Marion. Walker, and
Winston, which accompany said report.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Alabama, That the
State printer be. and he is hereby, required to print 1,000 copies of the report
of the State geologist, made to the general assembly at the present session, one-
half of which shall be sent to the State geologist for distribution.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the secretary of
state to procure, from the lowest responsible bidder, color plates, and have
printed 1,000 copies each of the maps of the counties of Fayette, Marion,
Walker, and Winston, which accompany said State geologist's reports, which
maps shall be turned over to the State printer and bound with said report.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 5
SKC. 3. Be it further enacted, That in order to pay the expense of providing
color plates and printing said maps the auditor be, and he is hereby, authorized
and required to draw his warrant on the treasurer in favor of the State printer
for (he amount of the actual expense of such color plates and printing, in no
event to exceed the sum of $250.
Approved February 12, 1879.
Personnel. During the 10 years from 1873 to 1882, inclusive. Dr.
E. A. Smith devoted the greater part of the three months of each
summer vacation to geological excursions, receiving, however, no
compensation in the way of salary, the cost of traveling and sub-
sistence being paid, together with other contingent expenses, out of
the appropriation of $500. During the summers of 1878 to 1882,
Henry McCalley. assistant in the chemical department of the uni-
versity, served as a volunteer assistant in the field, his actual ex-
penses only being paid. Prof. W. C. Stubbs also voluntarily as-
sisted in making chemical analyses, and T. H. Aldrich in prepar-
ing a sketch of the early coal-mining industry in the State. This
was published in the report for 1875.
Publications, During this period of 10 years there were pub-
lished four annual reports, namely, for 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1876,
and three biennial reports, namely, for 1877-78, 1879-80, and 1881-82.
With the exception of that upon agriculture (1881-82) these were
of the nature of preliminary or reconnoissance reports, and dealt
chiefly with the economic features of the State. The report for 1873
was simply a statement of the plan of the work proposed. That of
1874 was concerned with the crystalline region, and particularly with
the copper-bearing strata. At the time when the examinations were
made there, the whole section was greatly interested in the subject
of copper, just as it has since become in gold. The next report (1875)
treated of the same subject, but the greater part of it was devoted to
the examination and classification of the formations of Jones
Valley and the great Coosa Valley region. Professor Tuomey had
recognized the occurrence in these valleys of the Silurian, Devonian,
and Subcarboniferous formations, without undertaking the subdi-
vision of the same, except in the case of the Clinton and Trenton.
During the summer of 1875 Doctor Smith established the practical
identity of the=e formations with what had already been so clearly
described in Tennessee by Professor Safford, and also the fact of
the existence in Alabama of the Ocoee, Chilhowee, Knox Sandstone,
Shale, and Dolomite, the Lower and Upper Subcarboniferous with
their respective minor divisions. The report for 1875 contained also
Mr. Aldrich's sketch of the early history of coal mining in Alabama,
to which reference has been made above; and there were also pre-
sented the records of the borings by diamond drill in the different
6 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
parts of the Warrior Field together with an attempt at correlating
the same. The report contained also many details of the occur-
rence and composition of iron ores and limestones of this district.
The report for 1876 continued the examination of the valley re-
gions, and contained a paper on the Alabama fresh water shells
by Dr. James Lewis, contributed by Mr. Aldrich.
In 1877-78 attention was turned to the Warrior coal field, till
then comparatively unknown, and maps were published of Walker.
Fayette, Marion, and Winston counties, which were practically un-
derlaid with coal measures. Notwithstanding the fact that no coal
was mined at that time in all this region, and it was not possible with
the means at the disposal of the survey to open the seams so as to
show their true value, the publication, especial!}* of the maps, turned
the attention of investors to these counties, and the next few years
witnessed great developments.
In 1878-79 a movement was set on foot to secure an appropri-
ation from Congress for the purpose of making navigable the Up-
per Warrior River to develop the coal seams along its course, and
Doctor Smith, with Henry McCalley and Joseph Squire, ran a line
of levels from the forks of the Warrior down to Tuscaloosa, and made
special reexamination of the coal seams within available distances
from the river. The expense of this survey was borne chiefly by the
War Department, but the map and report were published by the sur-
vey. In this document the details of the coal seams were given with
a much greater degree of fullness than heretofore, together with many
facts bearing upon their stratigraphical relations. There was also
given by Mr. McCalley a continuation of the description of the Ten-
nessee Valley, begun the year before, together with the analyses of
some 50 coals from the Warrior field.
Expenses. The cost of printing the reports of the survey wa.-
paid out of the general printing fund of the State. This amounted
to $6,750, which, added to the $8.000 appropriated, gives a total of
$14,750 for the 10 years' work, or an average of $1,475 a year.
As will be noted, the survey had no official connection with any
other organization, though in 1880 Doctor Smith prepared for the
Tenth Census a report on cotton culture in Alabama and Florida,
the results of which, so far as Alabama was concerned, were published
in the survey report for 1881-82. In addition to the special descrip-
tive matter, this report contained a general discussion of the com-
position, mode of formation, and properties of the soil, and the
changes produced by cultivation. The maps were prepared for the
census work, but the survey was given the privilege of using the
plates. The other illustrations were prepared by the survey.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 7
Benefits. The results accomplished by the surve}* during this
period, as given by Doctor Smith, are as follows :
1. Every county in the State was visited, and the main features of
the geology and resources of each were ascertained; descriptions
were published of each of these counties, in some cases giving much
detail; the main subdivisions of the geological formations in the
State were established; the mode of occurrence and general dis-
tribution of the most important mineral resources were described and
illustrated by many analyses; and the agricultural features of the
entire State were given with an approach to completeness, thanks to
the cooperation of the Tenth Census.
2. The experience and the knowledge of the territory acquired by
the State geologist during this long period have unquestionably
since been of benefit to the State, for without such experience on his
part the disbursing of large sums and the directing of the work of the
enlarged survey, so as to secure the best results and to avoid inju-
dicious expenditures, would have been attended with many perhaps
insurmountable difficulties. It might be added further that the cost
to the State of this preliminary work, as shown above, was small.
3. On the other hand, while at the beginning of the work these
preliminary reports supplied in a measure the information then de-
manded, it can not be denied that the progress of the State in the
development of its great resources, especially in the latter part of
this period, created a demand for much more detailed and special
information in certain directions than the survey could supply
without some greater expenditure of money.
THIRD SURVEY UNDER EUGENE A. SMITH, 1882-1900.
In accordance with the idea expressed in the last paragraph above,
the following bill was introduced and passed by the general assem-
bly during the winter of 1882-83 :
An act to amend an act to revive and complete the geological and agricultural survey of
Iho State of Alabama.
SECTION 1. fie it enacted by the General Assembly of Alabama, That the
act entitled "An act to revive and complete the Geological and Agricultural
Survey of the State of Alahama," approved April 18, 1873, be amended so as to
read as follows :
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Alabama, That Eugene
A. Smith, professor of chemistry and geology in the University of Alabama,
he, and he is hereby, appointed State geologist.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the said State geologist shall make to
the governor a biennial report of the progress of his surveys and explorations
of the mineral, agricultural, and other natural resources of the State; and
upon the completion of the survey he shall make a full report of his labors,
including surveys and explorations of mineral deposits, their location, and the
8 BULLETIN 109. UX1TEL) STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
best and most economical methods of development; of the qualities of the
soils, and their adaptation to agricultural purposes, together with analyses of
soil, ores, marls, minerals, and mineral waters, with maps, charts, and draw-
ings, which said report shall he printed and shall be the exclusive property
of the State.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the said State geolo-
gist to make collections of specimens illustrative of the geological, agricultural,
and mineral features of the State ; one suite of which shall be deposited in the
cabinet of the University of Alabama, a second suite in the cabinet of the State
Agricultural and Mechanical College at Auburn, and a third suite in the office
of the commissioner of agriculture at Montgomery, should such an officer be
hereafter appointed and in case such an officer is not appointed then in the
office of the secretary of state.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That for the purpose of prosecuting expedi-
tiously and thoroughly the work of the geological survey, the said State geolo-
gist shall have power to appoint, with the approval of the governor, such local
and other assistants, including a competent chemist, and for such periods und
with such compensation as he may deem necessary to the best interest of the
survey. And to carry out the provisions of this act there shall be appropriated,
out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of
$5,000 per annum for the next 10 years. Upon the requisition of the said
State geologist, when approved by the governor, the auditor shall draw his
warrant on the treasurer for the amount appropriated in such sums as may
be needed from time to time for the purposes of said survey as herein set fortli :
and for all expenditures made under the provisions of this act, except for the
payment of the salary of the State geologist, as herein specifically set forth,
the consent or approval of the governor shall be obtained, and the vouchers
of the said State geologist for all expenditures made from this fund shall be
filed with the auditor; and a statement of his receipts and expenditures shall
be printed in each biennial report of the State geologist. Of the amount
annually appropriated there shall be expended
First. For the salary of the State geologist, $200 per month during such
time as he may devote to the work of the survey, not to exceed the sum of
$1,000 per annum.
Second. For the contingent expenses of the survey, including compensation
of all temporary and permanent assistants ; traveling expenses of the geological
corps ; purchase of materials for making the chemical analyses ; other necessary
expenditures for outfit; expenses incurred in providing for the transportation,
arrangement, and proper exhibition of the geological and other collections made
under the provisions of this act, and the engraving of maps, and sections to
illustrate the biennial reports, $4,000: Provided, That nothing herein contained
shall be construed as abridging the right of any subsequent general assembly to
discontinue, diminish, or enlarge the amount of the appropriations herein made.
SEC. 5. Be it further enacted. That in the event of a vacancy in the office
of the State geologist, by reason of death, resignation, or other cause, the
governor is hereby authorized and required to fill such vacancy by appointment,
and to fix the compensation of said appointee, to be paid out of the unexpended
balance of the appropriation; and the tenure of office of said appointee shall
continue till the next subsequent meeting of the general assembly.
SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with
the provisions of this act be, and the same are hereby, repealed.
Approved February 19, 1883.
GEOLOGICAL AXD XATVRAL HISTORY SI'RVFA'S.
In 1891. or before the expiration of the 10-year limit mentioned in
Section 4 above, the amount of the annual appropriation was in-
creased to $7.500. this amount to continue until otherwise ordered by
the general assembly, the purport of the bill being to avoid the neces-
sity of renewed legislation at every session. Under these laws assist-
ants were appointed and assignments made as follows:
Personnel. Henry McCalley to work in the Warrior coal field and
the valley regions: Joseph Squire, in the Cahaba coal field; A. M.
Gibson, in Murphree's Valley and the coal measures adjacent thereto.
and afterward in the Coosa coal field. Doctor Smith, with D. W.
Langdon. T. H. Aldrich, and L. C. Johnson, undertook the examina-
tion of the Cretaceous and Tertiary formations of the Coastal Plain,
although a large part of the time of the director was occupied in ad-
ministrative and editorial work. Later Dr. George Little made an
examination of the clays of the Lower Cretaceous: Dr. W. B.
Phillips began an investigation of the gold region, which was con-
tinued by W. M. Brewer; and K. M. Cunningham demonstrated the
existence of true chalk deposits in the Alabama Cretaceous.
Methods and results. The results accomplished up to 1900, given
in Doctor Smith's summary, are as follows :
McCalley's report on the Warrior coal field, published in 1886. con-
tained detail sections of all the exposures of coal seams in the basin
division of this field, together with Mr. Gibson's account of part of
the plateau division. This report also contained the first approxi-
mately full columnar section of the measures of this field. McCal-
ley's report on the plateau region of the Warrior field. Avith map and
colored section, appeared in 1891.
Squire's report and map of the Cahaba coal field appeared in 1890.
The document purports to be the outcome of some 30 years' work,
during which time Mr. Squire had been continuously engaged in this
field, either in active mining or in making instrumental surveys for
individuals or corporations, all the results of which were incorporated
in his report. The map, it is claimed, showed accurately the surface
outcrops of all the important seams of coal and a number of carefully
constructed vertical and horizontal sections of the field. It exhibited
ulso the geology of the adjacent valleys.
The existence of phosphatic nodules and marls in the State was
discovered in 1884. The distribution, quality, and quantity of these
were investigated by Mr. Langdon and the director, the report of
progress being incorporated in Bulletin No. 2, 1892. Mr. Gibson's
report on the geology and resources of Murphree's Valley did not ap-
pear until 1893. His report on the coal measures of Blount Mountain
was issued in 1894, and his preliminary report on the Coosa coal field
in 1895.
10 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The preliminary report of Dr. William B. Phillips, who undertook
the examination of the gold region, was issued in 1892 as Bulletin
No. 3 and was concerned with the lower part of the gold belt. The
upper part was undertaken by Mr. William M. Brewer, and his re-
port thereon was published as Bulletin No. 5 in 1896. This report
includes also notes on the microscopical characters of the crystalline
rocks of this section by Dr. J. Morgan Clements and Alfred H.
Brooks.
The State survey entered upon a plan of cooperation with the
United States Geological Survey shortly after the consolidation of the
various United States surveys into one organization under the direc-
tion of Clarence King. The results of this cooperation were mani-
fested in Bulletin No. 4 of the State survey, published in 1892, and
entitled A Eeport on the Geology of Northeastern Alabama and Ad-
jacent Parts of Georgia, by C. W. Hayes; and Bulletin No. 43 of the
United States Survey, published in 1887. This last-named bulletin
treats of the" Cretaceous an'd Tertiary formations of Alabama along the
Tuscaloosa, Tombigbee. and Alabama Rivers, under the joint author-
ship of Director Smith and L. C. Johnson. The investigation of
the Alabama Coastal Plain was continued by the Alabama survey
and extended so as to embrace all the territory out to the Chatta-
hoochee River, and the results were published in 1894 by the Alabama
survey under the title, The Geology of the Coastal Plain of Ala-
bama. In this investigation Dr. Daniel W. Langdon was associated
with Director Smith, having immediate charge of the territory ea.-t
of the Alabama River. It was while engaged in this work that Mr.
Langdon made the discovery of the series of Post-Vicksburg Marino
Tertiary formations, to which he gave the name " Chattahoochee/'
The credit of this discovery has been greatly diminished by the intro-
duction of a number of new formation names and the restriction of
the name Chattahoochee to the lowermost only of the formations which
Mr. Langdon first brought to the attention of the geologists.
In the same year (1894) was published a geological map of the
State on the scale of 1 inch to 10 miles. This map was accompanied
by an explanatory chart of the same size as the map, on which weiv
given, in columns, details concerning the several formations, as fol-
lows: 1, Names, Synonyms, Classifications, and Common Fossils; 2.
Thickness. Lithological and Topographical Characters. Area and Dis-
tribution; 3, Useful Products; 4, Soils, Characteristic Timber Growth,
and Agricultural Features; o, Geological Reports containing mo-t
important details.
About this time Dr. William B. Phillips undertook the study of
the conditions surrounding the manufacture of iron in the State.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 11
and the first edition of his report on iron making in Alabama was
issued in 1896. This book was so much in demand that an enlarged
edition was brought out in 1898, and a third was in manuscript a
year or two later, though not yet published. 1
For many years Henry McCalley, chief assistant, devoted his whole
time to the investigation of the Paleozoic formations of the State,
and the results of his work were published under two heads, (1) The
Geology and Resources of the Appalachian Valleys, and (2) A
second report on the Warrior Basin.
The first of the two reports above indicated appeared in two parts,
namely, the Valley Regions of Alabama, part 1, Tennessee Valley,
issued in 1896 ; part 2, Coosa Valley Regions, issued in 1898, and in-
cluding folding plate with numerous cross sections illustrating the
geological structure.
The report on the Warrior Basin appeared in 1900. This report
is illustrated by a large folding map, and by many vertical sections
of the measures embracing the coal groups from the Brookwood
down to and including the Black Creek. These reports include a
mass of detailed information and will be an enduring monument to
the untiring industry of Mr. McCalley. His later years were de-
voted to the study of the crystalline area, but he did not live to bring
this report to completion.
A Preliminary Report on the Clays of Alabama with Chemical
Analyses and Physical Tests of the More Important Varieties, by
Dr. Heinrich Ries. was published in 1900. This report contains also
a chapter on the Geological Relations of the Alabama Clays, by
Dr. E. A. Smith.
The work of the survey was not limited exclusively to geology
but included general natural history as well. The published reports
along this line are, however, as yet confined to botany. In 1879 the
botanical collections made by Doctor Smith were submitted to Dr.
Charles Mohr, of Mobile, for classification, with the request that he
would take charge of the future investigation of the flora of Alabama
in connection with the Geological Survey. In 1880 a list of the
combined collections of Doctors Mohr and Smith was published
under the title A Preliminary List of the Plants Growing Without
Cultivation in Alabama. In this list were enumerated about 1,500
species and varieties of native flowering plants and ferns. From
this time on until his death, in 1901, Doctor Mohr was engaged in
the study of Alabama flora under the auspices of the "State survey
and of the National Department of Agriculture, and a report on
the Plant Life of Alabama, was in manuscript by the year 1900,
and was published jointly as a report of the Alabama Geological
1 This was finally issued in 1912.
12 Ijri.LKTIX I"'', rXlTED STATES NATIONAL -MUSEUM.
Survey, and as volume 6. Contribution from United States National
Herbarium, by the United States Department of Agriculture. The
proposed companion volume to this flora which Avas to have been de-
voted to the Economic Relations of the Alabama Flora, because
of the untimely death of Doctor Mohr. was never completed.
The activities of the Alabama geological survey in the examination
of water powers, underground water resources, cement materials,
etc., extending over many years, did not find expression in the pub-
lished reports until after the year 1900.
Expenses. The appropriations for the >urvcy expenses under
Doctor Smith's administration have been as folloAvs :
1873-1883, $500 a year for 10 years 5,000
1873, for equipment 3,000
1883-1891, $5,000 a year for 8 years 40,000
1S91-1900, $7.500 a year for 9 years 07,500
$115, 500
Xot including cost of publication and incidental expenses, which,
up to 1900, amounted to about $28,000.
Present condition of the survey. The annual appropriation of
$7.500 for the general expenses of the survey continues. The print-
ing and illustrations of the geological reports are paid for out of the
general fund of the State on the order of the governor and upon the
recommendation of a committee consisting of the governor, the secre-
tary of state, and State geologist. This committee decides as to the
number of copies, the style of printing and binding, and the illustra-
tions of the geological reports as they are announced to be ready for
publication by the State geologist. By the Code of 1907 the com-
pensation of the State geologist also is paid out of the general fund
of the State, and not out of the survey appropriation as heretofore.
ADDENDA, 1910.
Very recently a handsome building (Smith Hall) has been erected
at the university for purposes of the geological museum, offices of the
geological survey, and the departments of geology and biology of the
university. The main exhibition hall, about 100 feet by 60 feet, with
gallery 13 feet wide and with skylight about 30 feet by 70 feet, pro-
vides for the exhibition and storage of the geological and natural his-
tory collections of the survey.
The existing laws relating to the geological survey are given in
Bulletin Xo. 465, United States Geological Survey.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 2
JOHN CASPER BRANNER
STATE GEOLOGIST OF ARKANSAS, 1887-92.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 13
ARKANSAS. 1
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY' UNDER DAVID D. OWEX, 1856-1859.
Organization. R\IQ subject of a State geological survey of Ar-
kansas was. according to Professor Branner, first brought to public
attention by Governor Elias N. Conway in his message to the legis-
lature of 1856. Upon his recommendation the matter was taken into
consideration and an act passed on January 4, 1857, of which the fol-
lowing is a transcript :
An act to provide for a geological survey of the State of Arkansas.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas,
That the governor be authorized and empowered to appoint a State geologist,
to continue in office until the close of the next general assembly.
SEC. 2. Re it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the State geologist
to make reconnoissance of the State, noting the mining and mineral lands, their
geographical position, extent, character, and geographical distribution; to ex-
amine and collect specimens of the ores of lead, iron, and other metals, of the
marbles, granite, limestones, slates, and all other rocks of economic value, as
well as the saline and mineral waters of the State; and to make a report of
the result of his investigations, suitably illustrated, to the next regular session
of the legislature.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted That a suitable room in the statenouse shall
be net apart by the secretary of state, for the use of the State geologist, and
the necessary cases and other furniture be furnished, sufficient to deposit speci-
mens of all his collections on minerals and fossils, illustrating the different
geological formations of this State.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That the State geologist shall receive a salary
at the rate of $1,800 per annum, payable quarterly by the State treasurer, and
he shall be authorized, under the direction of the governor, to employ the neces-
sary assistance and provide the necessary outfit, and the expenditures of such
assistance and outfit, as well as traveling expenses and transportation, shall
likewise be paid to him by the State treasurer, from time to time, as such
expenses are incurred, upon a certified account of such disbursement, to be
filed by said geologist, which shall be done under oath, accompanied by a
statement of his accounts, with the original vouchers as near as can be obtained,
and an account of items, to be filed with the auditor of the State.
SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That the sum of $4,800 per annum be appro-
priated, out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, for
the payment of the salary of the geologist and all other expenses incurred.
SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, This law shall take effect and be in force from
and after its passage.
Approved, January 15, 1857.
Under the provisions of this act Dr. David Dale Owen, then State
geologist of Kentucky, was appointed State geologist, entering upon
his duties October 1, 1857.
1 See also Geological Survey of Arkansas, by J. C. Branner. Journal of Geology, vol. 2,
1S04. p. 826.
2 Compiled in part from manuscripts by Richard Owen.
14 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL .MUSEUM.
The results of the work accomplished during this and the fol-
lowing year are given in Owen's First Report of a Geological Recon-
naissance of the Northern Counties of Arkansas, an octavo volume
of 256 pages, bearing the date of 1858.
In his message to the legislature of 1858-59 Governor Conway rec-
ommended a more generous support of the survey a recommendation
which, in spite of some vigorous opposition, found expression in the
following act, approved February 21, 1859 :
An act to provide for tbe further prosecution of the geological. mineralogicaL and chemi-
cal survey of the State of Arkansas, in connection with an agricultural and botanical
survey of said State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted b// the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas.
That the State geologist shall, in the further prosecution of the geological
survey of the State, connect therewith an agricultural and botanical survey of
said State, according to the plan hereinafter provided for by this act.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That so soon as the geological reconnoissamv
of the State, now commenced, shall be sufficiently advanced to enable the
geologist to decide upon which tracts of land demand a thorough detailed
survey, there shall be instituted a minute and detailed survey of said tracts,
commencing with those which hold out the best prospect of valuable dis-
coveries, and said geologist shall employ, for the prosecution of the same, such
force as the appropriation hereinafter provided for shall justify.
SEC. 3. It shall further be the duty of said geologist and his assistants to
make collections of all ores, coals, building materials, hydraulic and other
limestones, marls, clays, salts, soils, fossils, and other materials of economical
value and scientific interest, to form a State collection.
SEC. 4. It shall further be the duty of said geologist and his assistants to
make full and complete examinations, assays, and chemical analyses of all
ores, minerals, and other useful materials, in order to determine their eco-
nomical value, their durability, and their chemical constitution ; and to test
the mineral and natural waters of the State, and make analyses of those
deemed of sufficient interest, especially those thought to be possessed of
medical properties, or supposed to contain deleterious principles.
SFC. 5. That it shall further be the duty of said geologist and his assistant*
to make a collection of the various soils of the State, especially those char-
acteristic of the different geological formations of the State : and shall con-
stitute a minute analyses of such soils, so as to exhibit the composition and
properties of the various soils, and ascertain their applicability to particular
crops and their comparative fertility.
SEC. 6. That it shall be the duty of said geologist and his assistants to give
information to the citizens in the country through which they may pass in
regard to the existence of minerals, especially to the owners of land on which
valuable minerals may be found.
SEC. 7. Be it further enacted, That the botanical survey shall have special
reference to growths peculiar to the various geological formations and the
congeniality of these (particularly the useful plants) to the soils derived from
the different geological formations.
SEC. 8. That it shall be the duty of the said State geologist to prepare a re-
port on the progress of said survey, on or before October 10, 1860, to be ad-
dressed to the governor of the State, and accompany said report with sections.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 15
maps (and) drawings, to illustrate the text: also with specimens, to be de-
posited in the State cabinet.
SKC. 9. Be it further enacted, That the State geologist, or such of his assis-
tants as shall be authorized by said State geologist, shall have access to records,
of all documents, notes, profiles, plats, maps, and field books of all surveys of
roads, rivers, railroads, or any other public surveys, with full authority to
make such copies or extracts of the same as shall be deemed necessary or useful
for facilitating and expediting the geological survey of the State.
SEC. 10. Be it further enacted, That for the purpose of carrying into effect
the provisions of this act the governor be, and he is hereby, authorized, from
time to time, to appoint a State geologist, who shall receive a salary at the
rate of $2,500 per annum, payable quarterly out of the State treasury, and a
sufficient sum to pay the same is hereby appropriated out of any money in, or
which shall be in the State treasury, not otherwise appropriated.
SEC. 11. Be it further enacted, That the State geologist shall be authorized,
under the direction of the governor, to employ the necessary assistance and
outfit, as-well as traveling expenses and transportation, which shall be paid to
him out of the geological appropriations, from time to time, as such expenses
shall be incurred, as well as the expenses of the chemical department and other
expenses which shall be deemed necessary to accomplish the objects of this act ;
and all such expenditures shall be stated in the accounts of the State geologist,
which he shall file with the auditor under oath ; and that $6,000 per aimuin
for two years be appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated, for carrying on the geological survey of the State of Arkansas;
and all other acts of appropriation for said purpose are hereby repealed.
SEC. 12. Be it further enacted, That this act shall take effect and be in force
from and after its passage.
Approved February 21, 1859.
Personnel. Under this net Dr. David Dale Owen was again
appointed State geologist, but. dying before the convening of the
Legislature, his Second Report of a Geological Reconnaissance was
edited by his brother, Richard Owen, and J. P. Lesley. This report
was printed in Philadelphia under date of 1860. and forms an octavo
volume of 433 pages. 1
Doctor Owen was assisted by E. T. Cox, afterwards State geolo-
gist of Indiana, Joseph Lesley, Drs. Robert Peter and Elderhorst,
chemists, and Leo Lesquereux, paleobotanist. The appointments,
according to the manuscript notes of Richard Owen, were all dic-
tated by Dr. D. D. Owen.
Salaries. According to the terms of the bill establishing the sur-
vey, Doctor Owen's salary was at the rate of $2,500 a year. Prof.
Richard Owen, in the manuscript note referred to, writes that the
salary of Mr. Cox and that of the other assistants was $1,200 a year ;
1 Concerning this Prof. Richard Owen writes (MS.) : " Mr. Cox says the first volume
was so badly printed by the State printer that Governor Conway had a second edition
printed (I think in Philadelphia) at his own expense. All arrangements had been made
by my brother for printing and engraving the second volume. Professor Lesley bad also
undertaken to read the proof."
13607520 3
16 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
and that of the subassistants was at the rate of $40 per month. None
of the officers received salaries from other institutions.
Result*. According to Professor Branner, Doctor Owen's effort-,
were devoted entirely to the work of reconnaissance, the first report
treating the region north of the Arkansas River, and the second that
south of the river. In the main his ideas of the geological structure
of the State were correct, and his facts have been of great service in
working out the details of the structure and the areal geology.
Errors were made, but they were few and unimportant, especially
when we take into consideration the limited time and small means
at the disposal of the survey. It may be well (quoting Doctor Bran-
ner) to mention the more fundamental of these errors, because they
have so long been current :
1. It was thought that the Arkansas coals belonged to the Lower-
Coal Measures. Coal does occur in the Lower Coal Measures north
of the Boston Mountains, and the generalization was made from
these beds. The coal of the Arkansas Valley is in an altogether dif-
ferent position near the top of the Coal Measures.
2. It was thought that the novaculites, now known to be Silurian,
were Carboniferous. No fossils had then been found in or near the
novaculites.
3. The theory of northeast-southwest metalliferous veins across the
State, although advanced only as " probable," led to much searching
for silver and lead, much loss of time and money, and to much dis-
appointment.
The Civil War broke out shortly after the publication of Owen's
second report, and the survey was discontinued through the follow-
ing act:
An act to repeal the one hundred and sixty-eighth chapter of Gould's Digest.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas,
That the law providing for the appointment of a gelogist of this State, and for
a geological survey of this State, as provided for by chapter 168 in Gould's
Digest, be, and the same is hereby repealed : and that this act take effect nn<l
be In force from and after its passage.
Approved, January 21, 1861.
The books and specimens collected during the period of these sur-
veys were disposed of according to the following:
An act for the benefit of St. John's College.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, That the
geological and mineralogical specimens on deposit in the office of the secretary
of state be turned over to St. John's College and placed in its cabinet, for the
use of the faculty, students, and others, and that the miscellaneous books ou
deposit in the office of the secretary of state be turned over to the said college,
to be placed in their library for the use of the faculty, students, and others:
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 17
Provided, That said college shall return the whole of said books and specimens
hereby deposited with them when called for by the State officers.
Approved, January 21, 1861.
The material thus disposed of would appear from the notes of
Richard Owen to have been largely duplicates. He writes:
I believe duplicate specimens were forwarded to Little Rock for a State
museum. * * * On arriving at New Harmony [Owen's headquarters] all
[that is, the specimens] were placed in one room of the laboratory, designated
as the Arkansas room. * * * Some of the duplicates went to the Indiana
State University. No special zoological collections were made and no library
was formed.
SECOND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER W. F. ROBERTS, 1871.
In 1866 a bill providing for a second geological survey was passed
by the senate of the general assembly, but was rejected by the house.
In his message to the assembly of 1868 Gov. Clayton Powell recom-
mended the continuation of the survey, but the committee to whom
the matter was referred, reported that, " owing to the unsettled con-
dition of the country and the lack of funds to prosecute the above
work," the bill should be indefinitely postponed. In the assembly
of three years later the subject received more favorable considera-
tion, and the following bill was passed:
An act entitled An act to authorize the Governor to appoint a State geologist to develop
the mineral resources of the State of Arkansas, and for other purposes.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas,
That the Governor be and he is hereby authorized to appoint a State geologist,
who shall hold his office for the term of two years.
SEC. 2. Any person who shall have been appointed under the provisions of this
act shall, on receiving his commission, proceed to make a geological examination
of the State, and report to the Governor the result of his explorations and dis-
coveries once in three months.
SEC. 3. The State geologist appointed under this act shall be authorized to
employ one or more assistants, who shall be under his supervision, and he shall
be entitled to receive a salary of $2,500 per annum, all traveling and other neces-
sary expenses.
SEC. 4. There shall be set apart in the office of the secretary of state a proper
place for a mineral cabinet, and it shall be the duty of the State geologist to
select choice specimens of all minerals that he may discover and deposit the
fame, properly labeled, in the mineral cabinet.
SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That the sum of $15,000 is hereby appropriated
out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated to carry this act
into effect.
SEC. 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved March 28, 1871.
Personnel and results. Under the act Gov. P. A. Hoadley ap-
pointed W. F. Roberts, sr., State geologist on June 5, 1871. The
records in the office of the secretary of state do not show how long
Mr. Roberts held office, but in his message to the assembly in 1873
18 BULLETIX 10f), UNITED STATES NATIOXAJ. MUSEUM.
the governor mentions the fact that Mr. Roberts returned to Penn-
sylvania the preceding July, and had not since been heard from.
Dr. George Haddock, of Arkadelphia, had been appointed Roberts'
assistant, and accompanied him through the westerly part of the
State. With what results is not definitely known, since Roberts'
report was never published, the manuscript, according to the author's
statements, being deposited in a bank because the State Avas unable
to print it. A series of articles, however, was subsequently pub-
lished in the Age of Steel of St. Louis in 1887-88, and it is regarded
by Professor Branner as probable that these represented his views
of the geology of the State, though they are largely a repetition of
results given by Owen. In 1873 Dr. George Haddock published a
pamphlet of 66 pages, entitled : Reports of a Geological Reconnais-
sance of a Part of the State Arkansas Made During the Years
1871-72. This was likewise of little importance and added nothing
to the work of Owen.
THIRD GEOLOGICAL SUKVEV UNDER GEORGE HADDOCK AND OTHERS,
1873-1874.
In the general assembly of 1873 the matter of a renewal of the
survey was taken up and a bill passed as follows :
An act entitled An act to authorize the governor to appoint a State geologist to develop
the mineral resources of the State of Arkansas, and for other purposes.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted 6j/ the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas,
That the governor be and he is hereby authorized to appoint a State geologist,
who shall hold his office for the term of two years, except he be removed as
hereinafter provided.
SEC. 2. Any person who shall have been appointed under the provisions of
this act shall, on receiving his commission, proceed to make a geological ex-
amination of the State, and report to the governor the results of the explora-
tions and discoveries once every 12 months.
SEC. 3. The State geologist appointed under this act shall be authorized to
employ one or two hands, who shall be under his supervision ; and he shall be
entitled to receive a salary of $2,500 per annum, all traveling and other neces-
sary expenses.
SEC. 4. There shall be set apart, in the office of the secretary of state, a
proper place for a mineral cabinet, and it shall be the duty of the State geolo-
gist to select choice specimens of all minerals that he may discover and deposit
the same, properly labeled, in the mineral cabinet.
SEC. 5. The governor shall be authorized and shall have full power to remove
the said State geologist whenever in his opinion the interests of the State may
require it, and in that event the salary of the State geologist shall cease from
the date of his removal.
SEC. 6. The sum of $15,000 is hereby appropriated to carry this act into effect.
SEC. 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved April 25, 1873.
Under this act the following geologists were appointed : George
Haddock, appointed May 15, 1873. and removed from office January
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 19
14, 1874. Mr. Haddock, who is said to have been a Scotchman, had
been assistant geologist under Mr. Roberts the year before ; he made
no report except the one published under a former appropriation and
mentioned above. William C. Hazeldine, appointed January 14,
1874, and removed June 29, 1874. Mr. Hazeldine was an English-
man by birth, and had been a member of the State legislature from
Richmond, Little River County, in 1871. Later he was circuit judge
of the second district of Arkansas, and lived at Augusta, Woodruff
County. As State geologist he made no report, and, so far as can be
ascertained, did no field work. Arnold Syberg was appointed June
29, 1874. and remained in office to the end of the term. Mr. Syberg
was a native of Prussia; was at one time a captain in the Regular
Army of the United States; afterwards State engineer of the State
of Arkansas, and still later engineer in the Confederate Army. He
made no report, and the only work done was to receive and examine
specimens sent or brought in from various parts of the State.
The total amount appropriated for the 1873-74 survey ($15,000)
was spent, and, in addition thereto, the legislature voted $2,386 in
a deficiency bill.
The failure of the surveys for the years 1868 to 1875 to yield any
geological results must be attributed to the general demoralization of
the State government during the reconstruction period.
No further efforts were made to carry on a geological survey until
the year 1881, when bills for such work were defeated in both
branches of the general assembly.
In the assembly of 1883 the only legislation passed relating to
geological work was a senate concurrent resolution " authorizing and
directing the governor to make application to the Secretary of the
Interior of the United States for a geological survey of the State
of Arkansas." * Nothing seems to have come of this effort to obtain
help from the National Government.
FOUKTII GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER JOHN C. BRANNER, 1887-1893.
The fourth geological survey of the State was undertaken under
the suggestion of Gov. Simon P. Hughes, in his message to the gen-
eral assembly in January, 1887. The following is the text of the act
of authorization :
A bill providing for a geological survey of Arkansas.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas:
SECTION 1. That the governor is hereby required to appoint, by and with the
advice and consent of the senate, a State geologist, who shall be a person of
known integrity and competency, having n practical and scientific knowledge of
the sciences of geology and mineralogy, who shall hold his office for the term
J . Journal of Geology, vol. 2. 1894, pp. 829-830.
20 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
of two years from the time lie enters upon the duties of his office: Provided,
That he shall be at all times subject to removal by the governor for incompe-
tency or gross neglect of duty. That said geologist shall, upon consultation with
and approval of the governor, appoint one or more suitable assistants, not ex-
ceeding three in number, one of whom shall be a skillful, analytical and agri-
cultural chemist; the said geologist and assistants to constitute a geological
corps, whose duty it shall be to make a complete and thorough geological, agri-
cultural, and mineralogical survey of each and every county in the State.
SEC. 2. The said survey shall have for its objects: First, an examination of
the geological structure of the State, including the dip, magnitude, order, and
relative positions of the several strata, their richness In coal, clays, ores, min-
eral waters, building stone, and other useful material for economic purposes,
and their accessibility for mining, or manufacture; second, an accurate chemi-
cal analysis and classification of the various soils of the State, with the view
of discovering the best means of preserving and improving their fertility, and
of pointing out the most beneficial and profitable modes of cultivation ; also, a
careful aualj'sis of the different ores, rocks, peats, marls, clays, saline, and all
mineral waters within the State; third, to ascertain by meteorological obser-
vations the local causes which produce variations of climate in the different
sections of the State; also, to determine by strict barometrical observations the
relative elevation and depression of the different parts of the State.
SKC. 3. It shall be the duty of said geologist, in the progress of the examina-
tion thereby directed, to collect such specimens of rocks, ores, soils, fossils,
organic remains, and mineral compounds as will exemplify the geology, min-
eralogy, and agronomy of the State; and he shall deposit said specimens, accu-
rately labeled and classified, in a room to be provided by the State laud com-
missioner, who shall carefully preserve and keep the same under his super-
vision.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of said geologist on or before the first Monday in
December of each year during the time occupied in said survey, to make a
printed report to the governor of the results and progress of the survey, accom-
panied by such maps, profiles, and drawings as may be necessary to exemplify
the same, which reports the governor shall lay before the general assembly.
SEC. 5. When the survey shall be fully completed the said geologist shall
make to the governor a final report, including the results of the-entire survey,
accompanied by such drawings and topographical maps as may be necessary to
illustrate the same, and by a single geological map, showing by colors and other
appropriate means, the stratification of the rocks, the character of the soil, the
localities of the beds of the mineral deposits, and the character and the extent
of the different geological formations.
SEC. 6. That the salary of said geologist shall be $3,500 per annum, and the
salaries of his assistants not more than $1,800 per annum each, which salaries
shall be paid at the time and in the manner now prescribed by law for the pay-
ment of the other State officers.
SEC. 7. That for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act there
is hereby appropriated out of any money now in the treasury of the State
not otherwise appropriated, for chemicals and for contingent expenses of the
survey, including the actual and necessary traveling expenses of the geological
corps and hire of local assistants, $10,000, which sum so appropriated shall
be expended under the direction of the governor upon the certificate of said
geologist, and approved by the governor, which certificate and approval shall
alone authorize the auditor of the State to draw his warrant upon the treasurer
for the amount so certified and approved.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 21
SEC. 8. No money shall be paid for the purposes of said survey until said
geologist shall have entered upon the discharge of his duties as prescribed by
this act.
SKC. 9. The survey shall be commenced as soon after the appointment of said
geologist and his assistants as practicable, and shall be completed within two
yenrs from and after the time of its commencement. To facilitate said survey
the geologist and his assistants shall have access to the field notes and maps of
the public surveys in the office of the commissioner of State lands free of
charge. When, at any time during the progress of such survey, said geologist
shall discover any considerable deposits of mineral, metals, ores, clays, coals, or
anything else of value, situated upon the land or lands of any citizen or citi-
zens of this State, he shall forthwith notify the owner or owners of such dis-
covery or discoveries; and should any such discovery or discoveries be upon any
land or lands belonging to the State, he shall fit once and without delay notify
the governor thereof; and the governor, upon the receipt of such notice, shall
forthwith cause all such lands to be withdrawn from sale or donation until
otherwise provided by the general assembly.
SEC. 10. That all laws in conflict herewith are hereby regaled, and this act
shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved March 5, 1887.
Personnel. Under this act, Dr. J. C. Branner, then professor of
geology in the University of Indiana, was appointed State geologist,
entering npon his duties June 24, 1887. Assistants in special lines
of investigation were from time to time appointed as follows: T. B.
Comstock, to report on mines of gold and silver; R. A. F. Penrose,
on those of manganese ; L. S. Griswold, on novaculite ; T. C. Hopkins,
on marbles ; and J. F. Williams, on the igneous rocks. R. N. Brockett
served as chemist. Mr. Comstock resigning at the end of the first
season, that of 1887, Mr. Arthur Winslow was appointed in his place.
Volunteer assistance along various lines was furnished by O. P. Hay,
of Butler University, Indiana; C. H. Bollman, of the University of
Indiana: F. V. Coville, of Cornell University; F. W. Simonds, of
the Arkansas Industrial University ; R. T. Hill, of the United States
Geological Survey; J. II. Shinn, of Little Rock, Arkansas; and G. D.
Harris, of Jamestown. New York. Charles E. Taft served as topo-
grapher.
At the meeting of the general assembly in 1889 there was violent
opposition to the continuation of the survey, due chiefly to the ex-
position of certain fraudulent claims regarding gold mines in the
western part of the State. This opposition, was, however, unsuccess-
ful, and the following bill passed. As will be noted, it was so
worded that it was unnecessary for the subsequent assemblies to do
more than vote the necessary appropriations.
An act providing for a geological survey of Arkansas, approved March 5, 1887, and ap
propriatlng ton thousand dollars to defray tbe expenses of said survey.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas:
SECTION 1. That section 1 of an act providing for a geological survey of
Arkansas, approved March 5, 1887, be amended so as to read as follows, to wit:
22 BULLETIN 10:>, UNITE!-) STATES NATIONAL .MUSEUM.
That the governor is hereby required to appoint, by and with the advice and
consent of the senate, a State geologist, who shall be a person of known integ-
rity and competency, having a practical and scientific knowledge of the science
of geology and mineralogy, who shall hold his office for the term of two years
from the time he enters upon the duties of his office: Provided, That he shall
be at all times subject to removal by the governor for incompeteucy or gross
neglect of duty. That said geologist shall, upon consultation with and approval
of the governor, appoint one or more suitable assistants, not exceeding four in
number, one of whom shall be a skillful, analytical, ami agricultural chemist;
the said geologist and assistants to constitute a geological corps. wl;ose duty it
shall be to make a complete and thorough geological, agricultural, and miner-
alogical survey of each and every county in the State.
SEC. 2. That section 6 of said act be amended so as to read as follows, to wit :
That the salary of said geologist shall be $3,500 per annum: the salaries of three
of his assistants shall be .$2,000 per annum ; and the salary of one of
his assistants not more than $1,800 per annum, which salaries shall be paid at
the time and in the manner now prescribed by law for the payment of the other
State officers.
SEX;. 3. That for the purpose of carrying out the pn.visii.ns of rhis act there
is hereby appropriated out of any money now in the treasury of the State not
otherwise appropriated, for chemical and contingent expenses of the survey,
including the actual and necessary traveling expenses of the geological corps
and hire of local assistants, $10,000, which sum so appropriated shall be ex-
pended, under the direction of the governor, upon the certificate of said geolo-
gist, and approved by the governor, which certificate and approval shall alone
authorize the auditor of State to draw his warrant upon the treasurer for the
amount so certified and approved.
SEC. 4. That all laws in conflict herewith are hereby repealed, and this act
shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved March 29, 1889.
Under this bill Doctor Branncr was again appointed State geolo-
gist. The assembly of 1891 made the same appropriation as for each
of the two previous years, but with the stipulation that the survey
should be brought to a close by the end of March, 1903. This, so
far as the field work was concerned, was practically accomplished
and further appropriations asked only sufficient to complete the
preparation of the reports. The sum of $4.000 was appropriated for
this with the understanding that Doctor Branncr should prepare the
reports without expense to the State beyond the assistance he might
need in office and clerical work, and that the printing, binding, and
engraving of the reports should be paid for. as before, out of the gen-
eral appropriations for the State.
The reports, as issued, are mainly in the form of monographs, and,
in the case of that of Penrose on manganese, by no means limited to
deposits within the State limits. Annual reports alone were pro-
vided for, and for this reason the volumes, instead of being numbered
consecutively, are given in this form and divided into volumes, of
which each one is as a rule given up to a single subject.
o;.-.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 23
The following laws were passed from time to time relative to the
distribution of these reports:
[Act of 1889.]
SEC. 3. That there shall be printed by the proper contractor, annually, 2,000
copies of the report of the State geologist to the governor: Provided, That,
with the approval of the board of public contracts, a larger uuniber of said
reports, or of any special reports of said State geologist, which may be of sp'ecial
value to the people of this State, may be printed : and, provided further, That
the governor, with the approval of the board, may cause to be published any
reports of the State board of health, or other important reports of State officers
or agents, not provided for in chapter 123 of Mansfield's Digest.
An act to regulate the printing and distribution of tbe reports of the geological eun
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas:
SECTION 1. The edition of the reports of the geological survey hereafter pub-
lished shall be 4.000 copies. The distribution of these reports shall be made by
the secretary of state, as follows ; 50 copies to the governor ; 10 copies to each
of the members of the senate; 10 copies to each of the members of the house of
representatives; 10 copies to each of the following State officers: The secretary
of state, the treasurer, the auditor, the superintendent of public instruction and
the land commissioner ; 300 copies to the State geologist, who shall distribute
them to professional geologists in this country and abroad, and to persons ren-
dering material aid to the geological survey ; 200 copies to the State librarian
for exchange with other States and Territories. Of this number he shnll also
send a copy to each of the colleges of this State, and one copy to the library of
the State university of each State in the Union. He shall distribute one copy
to each of the following scientific societies of the United States maintaining
libraries: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Cal. ; Connecticut
Academy of Arts and Sciences, New Haven, Conn. ; Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D. C. ; Indiana Academy of Sciences, Indianapolis, Ind. ; Davenport
Academy of Natural Sciences, Davenport, Iowa; Iowa Academy of Sciences,
Iowa City, Iowa; Boston Society of Natural History, Boston, Mass.; Museum
of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass. ; Peabody Academy of Sciences,
Salem, Mass. ; Worcester Natural History Society, Worcester, Mass. ; Minnesota
Academy of Natural Sciences, Minneapolis, Minn. ; Academy of Science, Wash-
ington University, St. Louis, Mo. ; American Geological Society ; American Geo-
graphical Society, New York, N. Y. ; American Institute of Mining Engineers,
New York, N. Y. : American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, New
York, N. Y. ; New York Academy of Sciences, New York, N. Y. ; Vassal- Brothers'
Institute, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. ; Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society, Chapel Hill,
N. C.; Cincinnati Society of Natural History, 108 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio;
Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.; American Philosophical So-
ciety, Philadelphia, Pa. ; Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pa. ; Lackawana In-
stitute, Scranton, Pa.; Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, Wilkes-
Barre, Pa.
The remaining volumes, with the exception of 10 copies, which shall be re-
tained in the State library, shall be sold by the secretary of state and the
receipts covered into the State treasury. The price of the separate volumes
shall be fixed by the printing board in such a manner as to have them cover as
nearly as possible the average cost of printing, engraving, paper, binding, and
necessary clerical work. Each volume may be sold soparately, but a map shall
24 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
not be sold separately from the volume of the report which it is intended to
accompany, or the volume separately from its map or maps.
SEC. 2. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with this act are hereby
repealed, and this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved April 1, 1889.
An act to regulate the distribution of the geological reports of the State.
Whereas there remains in the State library a large number of the geological
reports of 1888; and
Where?! s a much greater number is now in the hands of the public printer and
will soon be issued ; and
Whereas the principal object in making a geological survey of the State, and
having the same published :-,t a heavy cost, was to make known to scientists and
capitalists the vast mineral resources of the State and induce an early develop-
ment of the same ; and
Whereas many applications for the geological reports of State are made by
the citizens of other States and countries desiring to invest labor and capital in
developing the mineral resources of this State; Therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas:
SECTION 1. That the secretary of state is hereby authorized and directed to
distribute the geological reports of 1888, 1889, and 1890, as follows :
Report of 1888: To each member of the general assembly of 3891, 2 copies;
to each State officer, 2 copies; to the State geologist (J. C. Branner), 100 copies;
to the secretary of state for distribution in scientific institutions, scientists and
capitalists in this and other States seeking information us to our mineral re-'
sources, 250 copies.
Report of 1889 and 1890 : To each member of the general assembly of 1891,
5 copies; to each State officer, 5 copies; to the State geologist (J. C. Branner),
250 copies; to the States and Territories, 50 copies; to colleges and high schools
of this State and universities and scientific institutions in other States and Ter-
ritories, 100 copies; to the secretary of state for distribution to scientific insti-
tutions, scientists, and capitalists in this and other States seeking information
as to our mineral resources, 350 copies.
SEC. 2. That the residue of said reports be retained in the State library fur
sale, at such price as the printing board may fix.
SEC. 3. That this act take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved April 8, 1891.
An act to regulate the distribution of the geological reports of the State of Arkansas.
Be it enacted by tJie General Assembly of the State of Arkansas:
SECTION 1. That the secretary of state is hereby authorized and directed to
distribute the geological reports of this State for the years 1888, 1889, 1890,
1892, and all subsequent reports as follows: To the State geologist (Prof. J. C.
Branner), 150 copies each of all volumes hereafter published; to the States and
Territories, one copy each of volume 1, 1891, and volume 2, 1892, and one copy
each of all volumes hereafter published; to colleges and high schools of this
State and universities and scientific institutions in other States, one copy each
of all volumes published subsequent to volume 3, 1890; to the secretary of state,
for distribution to scientists and capitalists, 150 volumes each of volumes 1, 2, 3,
and 4 of 1888 ; 150 copies each of volume 2 of 1889 ; 150 copies each of volumes
1, 2, and 3 of 1890; 250 copies each of volume 1, 1891; 250 copies of volume 1,
1892; 250 copies each of all volumes hereafter published. To the members of
the goner;il assembly as follows: reiK>rts of 1888, one copy each; reports of
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 25
1889, one copy each; reports of 1890, volumes 1 and 2, one copy each; reports
of 1890, volume 3, three copies each ; reports of 1891, three copies each ; reports
of 1S92, three copies each ; of all volumes hereafter published, five copies each.
SEC. 2. That before the secretary of state shall be authorized to distribute any
of the reports to scientists or capitalists as provided for in section 1, he shall
require the applicant to state in writing " that he is a scientist or a capitalist,"
and that he wishes the reports to aid him in investigating the mineral resources
of the State.
SEC. 3. That the secretary of state shall not be authorized to distribute any
of the reports to scientists or capitalists until the postage or express charges on
same have been paid.
SEC. 4. That the residue of said reports be retained in the State library for
sale at such price as the printing board may fix.
SEC. 5. That all acts in conflict herewith be, and they are hereby, repealed,
and that this act take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved April 6, 1893.
Results. The following are some of the general economic results
of the survey's work as given by Professor Branner:
1. The areal and structural geology of the State in so far as the
subdivisions are known. (The exact parting between the Carbon-
iferous and Lower Carboniferous along the southern margin of the
Carboniferous is not know 7 n; indeed it is not known whether the
Lower Carboniferous comes to the surface south of the Arkansas
River.)
2. Reporting upon the reputed gold mines of the State.
3. Outlining the coal area.
4. Determining and pointing out the adaptabilities of the various
coals, and the best methods of mining and marketing them.
5. Showing the extent, value, and method of locating manganese
deposits.
6. Mapping and calling attention to the character, extent, and dis-
tribution of the marbles and other limestones.
7. Discovery of chalk, giving its distribution, and suggesting uses
to which it may be put.
8. Chemical analyses of the mineral waters.
9. Showing the character of the iron ores.
10. Discovery of bauxite and giving its distribution.
11. Pointing out the character, distribution, and availability of the
clays of the State.
12. Determining by te?t. the character of the granites and giving
their distribution.
13. Analyses and distribution of the zinc ores.
Some of the more comprehensive geologic problems that yet re-
main to be solved relate to
1. The paleontology of the State.
2. The physical geography.
3. Quaternary history.
26
BULLETIN 101), UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
4. Relation of the paleozoic beds to those of the other parts of th
continent and to those of the world.
5. The divisions of the Silurian beds.
Expenses of publications. Summary of appropriations and pub-
lications.
Term.
Geologist.
Appro-
priation.
Reports published.
3.|"~
Maps.
1857-1858
D D Owen
$4 800
First survev
1 256
!>..,;.. IM-.O
do
12 000
1 431
1
1871-1873
W. F. Roberts, Sr ..
' 15,000
Haddock's pamphlet. .
1 ! 63
1873-4874
Geo. Haddock
W. C. Hazeldine
1
\ 17,386
None
I
..., . .
A.Syberg
1
1
Total
{49 186
3 1 750
i
1
TOTALS OF BRANNER SURVEYS.
1887-1889
1889-1891
I. C. Branner
do
$27,800
32,600
Reports for 1887-1888 1 5
Reports for 18S9-1S90. . . 5
1,105
2 373
21
1891-1893
.do
32 600
Reports for 1891-1892. 1 4
887
5
1S93-1895
.do
4 000
2 000
38
Total
$97 000
18
6,365
69
1
1 Doctor Branner writes that but $10,700 of this amount was expended, the remaining
$4,800 being carried over to the next survey. For the latter $17,380 was appropriated,
but $19,628 expended. The extra $2,242 was presumably paid from the sum carried ov<n
as above.
2 As given In Professor Branner's history of the Arkansas Survey, in the second
volume of the Journal of Geology for 1894.
8 About that amount.
Engraving, printing, and binding are not included in the total for
the period 1887-1895. These items and the cost of fuel, lights, sta-
tionery, and postage would probably bring the total expenditures of
the Branner survey up to about $120,000, and the total cost of all the
State geological surveys up to $171,428.
Concerning the volumes mentioned as in preparation. Professor
Branner furnishes the following information:
1. The Zinc and Lead Regions of North Arkansas, by J. C. Branner. Pp.
xiv-f395 and atlas. Little Rock, 1900. (This was finally culled a part of the
report for 1892, because the active work was supposed to have ended in 1892.)
2. Report on the Coal Deposits of Arkansas, by Arthur Winslow, J. C.
Branner, and others. This report was prepared, but no appropriation was ever
made for publishing it. After much delay I finally asked the United States
Geological Survey to publish it. The subsequent history appeared in Science,
October 2G, 1006, volume 24, pages 532-537, and December 7, 1906, volume 24,
pages 722-728. * * * The results of subsequent work by members of the
United States Geological Survey staff appeared as Bulletin 326. My o\vn more
detailed report with large scale maps remains unpublished.
3. Report on the Clays, Kaolins, and Bauxites, by J. C. Branner. The publi-
cation of this report was never provided for by the State. Part of it was pub-
lished by the United States Geological Survey as Bulletin 351.
4. The Geology of the Lower or Barren Coal Measures of Arkansas--, by J. C.
Branner, J. H. Means, and G. H. Ashley. This report was likewise never pro-
vided for. Dr. Ashley's part on the region south of the novaculite area I had
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 3
I!
00
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 27
published by the American Philosophical Society in its Proceedings, volume 36,
pages 217-318. The parts by Means and myself were never published.
Other reports were also in preparation, one of which, on the Phosphate Rocks
of Arkansas, by J. C. Branner and J. F. Newsom, the director of the Arkansas
Experiment Station was induced to publish in 1902 as Bulletin 74.
There is also a lot of unpublished matter on the general geology and paleon-
tology of the State and on the mineral resources.
CALIFORNIA.
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDO* Dlt. J. li. TRASK, 1850-1 8. Hi.
Organization. Leaving out of consideration the purely geographi-
cal explorations of Capt. J. C. Fremont in 1844. and Maj. W. H.
Emory in 1846, and also the private work of Philip T. Tyson in 1850,
the history of scientific surveys in California under public that is
State auspices may be said to have begun with the appointment of
Dr. John B. Trask as State geologist in 1853. 1 Doctor Trask, it
would appear, had, of his own volition acquired a certain amount of
information regarding the geology of the State, which, through a
joint resolution of the legislature, was published as a State document
in the form of a pamphlet of 31 pages entitled: A Report on the
Geology of the Sierra Nevada, or the California Range.
On the 6th of May of this same year a joint resolution passed the
assembly authorizing further geological examinations of some parts
of the Sierra Nevada and Coast Mountains. The following is a tran-
script of this resolution :
Resoh-ed, That the senate and assembly of the State of California do hereby
authorize Dr. John B. Trask to report more fully and especially on the unoccu-
pied mineral lands lying upon the eastern borders of the valleys of the Sacra-
mento and San Joaquin, and alluded to in his report of April 6, 1S53, on the
Geology of the Mineral District of Sierra Nevada, and contained in section 2
of said report, under head of " Mineral Resources " ; said report to comprise,
as near as possible, the area of such lands in each county in said valleys, and
the facilities they offer, and requisitions necessary to insure their occupancy
and improvement.
Resolved, That an examination of the coast range, as far as practicable, and
as far as the means within his power will admit of, be made, and that a full
report be prepared and furnished the next legislature.
Resolved, That the amount of money which the legislature may appropriate
s-hall be a compensation for the information already obtained, and that which
shall be embodied in the report to be made the next legislature.
The day following a supplemental act was passed, the purport of
which was to reimburse Doctor Trask for previous outlay, and to
1 In 1852, at what was the third session of tlie legislature of the new State of Cali-
fornia, a resolution was reported calling for immediate attention and action on the part
of Congress, " not only for the purpose of more speedily developing the mineral resources
of this State, but to enable the agriculturalist to predicate the success of his labors upon
a sure data, and not be entirely dependent upon rains to susioin and mature his crops."
Nothing seems, however, to have come of this.
28 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
enable him to continue the work. The wording of this act was as
follows :
An act to compensate Dr. John B. Trask for his report on the Geology of the Mineral
Districts and to enable him to make further examinations.
The people of the State of California, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The comptroller is hereby required to draw his warrant, in favor
of Dr. John B. Trask, on the treasurer of State, for the sum of $2,000, to be
paid for the geological report furnished by said Trnsk, and to enable him to
prosecute further investigations relative to the same subject, under authority of
certain resolutions passed by the senate and assembly.
Approved, May 7, 1853.
Under this act Doctor Trask again took the field and presented to
the assembly of 1854 his second report, entitled : A Report on the.
Geology of the Coast Mountains and part of the Sierra Nevada,
Embracing their Industrial Resources in Agriculture and Mining.
This was printed in the form of a pamphlet of 95 pages. The re-
sults would appear to have been satisfactory to the legislature, for
on May 15 of that year (1854) the following act was passed:
An act to authorize and enable Dr. John B. Trask to complete his geological examination*
of parts of the State of California.
The people of the State of California, represented in senate and tuixembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The sum of $5,000 is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys
belonging to the general fund, to enable Dr. John B. Trask to complete his geo-
logical survey of the unexamined portions of the Coast Mountains, south of the
thirty-fifth degree of north latitude, and certain parts of the Sierra Nevada.
and report the same to the next legislature.
Publications. The first report of Doctor Trask, a pamphlet of 31
pages, contains a sketch of the geology and mineral resources of the
eastern valleys of the Sacramento and San Joaquin and to the coast
line within the forty-first and forty-second degrees of north latitude.
It is founded, as already noted, on personal observations made dur-
ing the years 1850-1852. Doctor Trask's first report, in his capacity
of State geologist, appeared in 1854 in the form of Senate Document
No. 9, a pamphlet of 95 pages. This contained a description of the
geology of the Monte Diablo range, Salinas Valley, from Point
Pinos to the Nacimiento River, Santa Cruz Mountains; structure
of the valleys of Sacramento and San Joaquin: review of the geo-
logical changes in the coast mountains and Monte Diablo range;
classification of the rocks of the coast mountains and Monte Diablo
range; position and relation of the volcanic rocks to the Tertiaries;
volcanic rocks preceding the Tertiary era; most recent volcanic
rocks of the coast mountains; changes of level and river terraces;
soils of the valley Santa Clara and shores of the Bay of San Fran-
cisco; valley of the Salinas: soils of the Salinas; Pajaro Valley;
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 29
Livermore Valley ; mineral resources of the coast mountains ; mineral
districts, embracing parts of the counties of Nevada, Placer, El
Dorado, and Calaveras; quartz veins, and their relative age in Cali-
fornia; character and position of the older veins below the surface;
present government of metallic veins; descriptions of mines, with
list of gold mines.
His second report appeared in 1855, forming Senate Document
No. 14, a pamphlet of 94 pages, entitled : Report on the Geology of
the Coast Mountains, Embracing their Agricultural Resources and
Mineral Productions, also Portions of the Middle and Northern
Mining Districts. It contained a description of the physical geog-
raphy of the coast mountains; geology of the coast mountains;
Tertiary rocks of the coast mountains; primitive rocks of the coast
mountains; volcanic rocks of the coast mountains; geology of the
San Bernardino Mountains; stratified rocks of the San Bernardino
chain and plains of Los Angeles; extent of the infusorial group;
plains of Los Angeles; artesian borings; soils and productions of
Los Angeles; mineral productions of Los Angeles; country north of
the American River ; mineral district of the upper Sacramento Val-
ley; geology of the northern coast mountains; Carboniferous lime-
stone of the eastern part of Shasta County ; Trinity County ; struc-
ture of the Sacramento Valley; Tertiary rocks and other deposits
of the Sierra Nevada; placer mining; quartz veins; quartz mines,
with descriptions of mines, and statistics.
The third report, forming Assembly Document No. 14, of the ses-
sion of 1856, comprised 66 pages. This contained a description of
the physical geography of the region lying in the coast mountains
north of the Bay of San Francisco ; geological structure of the coast
mountains; mineral character of the primitive rocks of the coast
mountains ; soils of Petaluma County ; plains west of the Sacramento
River; San Bernardino; geology of Table Mountain, Tuolumne
County ; Carboniferous rocks of the northern district ; salines of the
upper Sacramento Valley; Mammoth Mines, Seventy-six, Jamison
Creek; descriptions of mines, etc.; analyses of saline waters from
Lick Springs, Shasta County; gold mines in operation in 1855, and
table of altitudes.
Expense. The total expense of the Trask survey would appear
to have been the $7,000 appropriated by the legislature of 1853-54.
SECOND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER JOSIAH D. WHITNEY, 1860-1873.
Following the work of Trask, the next official survey of Califor-
nia was undertaken by Prof. J. D. Whitney, in virtue of the follow-
ing act :
30 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
An act to create the office of State geologist and define the duties thereof.
The people of the State of California, represented in senate and assembly,
do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. .1. D. Whitney is heivb/ appointed State geologist, whose duty it
shall be, with the aid of such assistants as he may appoint, to make an accurate
and complete geological survey of this State, and to furnish in his report of the
same proper maps and diagrams thereof, with a full and scientific description of
its rocks, fossils, soils, and minerals, and of its botanical and zoological produc-
tions, together with specimens of the same, which specimens shall be properly
labeled and arranged, and deposited in such place as shall be hereafter provided
for that purpose by the legislature.
SEC. 2. Said State geologist shall, as near as may be, at the beginning of each
session of the legislature, present to the governor, who shall lay the same before
the legislature, a report of progress, in which the operations of the geological
survey during the preceding year shall be set forth and its more important
practical results made public. He shall also furnish such estimates as he shall
deem proper of the amount of the appropriation which shall be required for the
continuation of the survey. His report shall also embrace the amount of ex-
pense incurred up to that period.
SEC. 3. On the completion of the .survey the State geologist shall prepare and
present to the governor a full and comprehensive report, embodying the results
of the entire survey, with proper maps, diagrams, and drawings of the same;
and the secretary of state is hereby directed to obtain the copyright for the
same, as also of the annual reports of said geologist for the benefit of this State.
SEC. 4. Whenever one or more volumes of the geological survey herein pro-
vided for shall be published, the governor and secretary of state may cause such
books to be sold upon the most advantageous terms to the State; and any
moneys derived from such sales shall be placed to the common school fund of
the State.
SEC. 5. The said geologist shall prepare for and superintend the publication
of his reports of the final results of the survey provided for in this act, and he
shall present to the legislature an estimate of the cost of such publication.
SEC. 6. The State geologist shall receive for his compensation the sum of
?6,000 per annum, payable monthly, and his assistants shall receive such com-
pensation as shall be determined upon by the governor and said geologist,
which, together with the salary of the State geologist, shall be audited by the
State controller, and paid out of ine amount herein appropriated, or out of such
appropriation as shall hereafter be made for that purpose : Provided, That the
compensation herein allowed shall be paid only from the time they shall enter
upon the performance of their duties.
SEC. 7. Whenever the said J. D. Whitney shall notify the governor of his
acceptance of the appointment herein made, the governor shall cause to be
issued to said Whitney his commission under the .seal of State ; and if the said
Whitney shall decline, to serve us said geologist, or die, or become unable to
prosecute said survey, the governor of this State is hereby authorized to appoint
some suitable person to prosecute said survey.
SEC. 8. The sum of $20.000 is hereby set apart out of any moneys in the State
treasury not otherwise appropriated, as a special fund for the payment of the
expenses incurred by said surveyor.
Six:. 9. This act shall take effect from and after its passage.
Approved April 21, 1860.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 31
Under these apparently favorable auspices 1 a party, consisting of
Prof. J. D. Whitney, W. H. Brewer, and William Ashburner, sailed
from New York on October 22, 1860, arriving in San Francisco the
14th of November following. In order that field work might be car-
ried on during the winter, the party repaired almost at once to the
southern part of the State, where, during the time intervening from
December 12 to February 7, a reconnoissance was made of a portion
of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.
Brief reports were rendered from time to time, from which the
following facts are largely gleaned. As announced in a notice of
progress up to May, 1863,* the survey was governed by two principal
ideas: First, to make as rapidly as possible a reconnoissance of the
State with the view of acquiring a knowledge of its general geologi-
cal structure, the age of the various formations which occur in it,
and as complete a general idea as possible of their range and ex-
tent, so that a foundation might be laid for the detailed work which
would follow the preliminary examination ; second, at the same time
that the general examination was going on, to work up in detail
certain more important districts, so that the public might have light
on questions of economical interest, and at the same time be able to
form an idea of what the work might be, if ever carried to comple-
tion. Besides this, a natural history survey was to be carried on and
material collected to form a State museum.
The survey authorized under the act of April 21, 1860, expired by
constitutional limit on the same day of the same month of 1864. To
enable the continuance of the work the following act was passed:
An act to create the office of "State geologist and to define the duties thereof.
The people of tlic State of California, represented in senate and assembly, do
<>nact as follows:
SECTION 1. J. D. Whitney is hereby appointed State geologist. He shall be
commissioned by the governor, and it shall be his duty, with the aid of such
assistants as lie may appoint, to complete the geological survey of the State, and
prepare a report of said survey for publication, and superintend the publication
of the same. Such report shall be in the form of a geological, botanical, and
zoological history of the State, and the number of volumes and the number of
copies of each volume to be printed, and the style, form, maps, diagrams, or
illustrations to be contained therein or to be published separately, shall be
determined by the State geologist; and said report, when published, shall be
1 " No State geological survey was ever more auspiciously Inaugurated, wisely provided
for, or fraught with more interesting scientific and practical problems." American Jour-
nal of Science, vol. 30, 1860, p. 157. And again, on p. 424 : " No similar enterprise in
the United States has ever been set on foot on a more liberal and enlightened basis or
opened under more favorable auspices as respects either the importance of the work to be
done or the ability of those charged with the duty."
Proc. California Acad. Sci., vol. 3. 1863.
13607520 4
32 BUT .T.F.TIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
sold upon such terms as the governor and secretary of state may decide upon,
and the proceeds of such sales shall be paid into the common school fund of
the State.
SEC. 2. It is hereby made the duty of the State geologist and his assistants
to devote the time not necessarily required in the preparation and superin-
tendence for publication of the reports provided for in section 1 of this act, to a
thorough and scientific examination of the gold, silver, and copper producing
districts of this State, and to make such scientific and practical experiments as
will be of value in the discovery of mines aud the working and reduction of ores.
SEC. 3. The following sums of money are hereby appropriated, out of any
money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the prosecution of
the geological survey of the State, and for the sixteenth and seventeenth fiscal
years : For salary of the State geologist, $9,000, to be drawn monthly on the last
day of each month ; for salary of two assistants, $6,600, to be drawn in the same
manner as the salary of the State geologist ; for publication of two volumes of
report, $6,000; for office rent and expenses of survey in mining districts, and
experiments in ores and all incidental expenses of work, $10,000, to be drawn
one-half each fiscal year.
SEC. 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
R. BUBNEIX, President of the Senate pro tern.
WM. H. SEARS, Speaker of the Assembly.
Approved April 4, 1864.
FEED. F. Low, Governor.
Notwithstanding the favorable conditions under which the Whit-
ney survey was organized, it early became evident that there was a de-
cided lack of sympathy between the legislature and the director of
the survey. This is shown in the annual reports of Mr. Whitney and
the numerous lectures which he delivered before the assembly. It is
also evident from the fact that, as noted in his annual report dated
1869, while a committee of the assembly visited the survey and made
a critical examination of the collections and publications, reporting
unanimously in favor of the continuation of the work, nevertheless
no definite action was taken by the legislature and a bill authoriz-
ing its continuation failed to pass the senate; still another, making
appropriations to pay the outstanding debts of the survey and au-
thorizing the executive to take possession of the property in the hands
of the State geologist, met a similar fate.
Whitney was, nevertheless, unwilling to discontinue the work,
even under these conditions, and, trusting in a more favorable ac-
tion by future legislatures, continued it on a small scale. In this way
a deficit, which at the close of 1867 had amounted to some $8,500,
was increased to about $11.500 at the termination of the session of
the legislature of 1867-68, at which time the field work was entirely
suspended, leaving the work of publication still progressing, though
the valuable collections were still unprovided for.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 33
Up to December, 1867, there had been appropriated for the support
of the survey the sum of $124,600. Two reports had been published
and one large map, while five volumes of reports were in process
of publication.
The adjournment of the legislature without taking any definite
action in regard to the continuation of the survey left the whole of
this work in the hands of the State geologist, who had entered into
various contracts for printing, engraving, and for preparation of ma-
terials for the press. It therefore became a serious question with
him whether the work should be stopped altogether, or he should
endeavor to carry on the work at his own risk and expense and trust
to another legislature to pass favorably upon the question of resum-
ing the field work and completing the survey according to the original
plan, the latter course being finally decided upon. That in so doing
Whitney had not overestimated the possibilities of the case is shown
by the following act passed by the legislature of 1869-70 :
An art to settle and pay the unpaid expenses of the State geological survey.
The people of the State of California, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The board of examiners are authorized and directed to examine,
and, if found correct, to allow all unpaid accounts of the State geologist for the
expense of said survey up to April 30, 1868, and all expenses that have been
incurred by or under the direction of the governor since that time for the pres-
ervation and protection of the property of said survey ; but nothing herein con-
tained shall authorize the payment of any salaries or expenses of said survey
since April 30, 1808, except those authorized by (the) governor as aforesaid.
SEC. 2. All the proceeds from sales of the publications of said survey shall be
applied, under the direction of the governor, to the completion of the unfinished
publications of said survey.
SEC. 3. A sum not exceeding $25,000 is hereby appropriated, out of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the payment of said accounts,
when allowed by said board of examiners; but no money shall be paid under
this act until all the property of every kind and description properly belonging
to the State or to the survey, including instruments, specimens, preparations,
and all other effects, shall have been first surrendered to the governor or such
person as he shall authorize to receive the same.
SEC. 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved March 16, 1870.
A few days later the following bill was passed to enable the con-
tinuation of the work for two years longer :
An act to continue the geological survey of the 'State of Callfoi-nla.
The people of the State of California, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to proceed, and with all
reasonable diligence, complete geological survey of this State and the publication
of the results thereof.
34 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
SEC. 2. The sum of $2,000 per month, payable monthly, for the period of two
years, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise
jippropriated to pay the expenses of said survey and publication.
SEC. 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved March 25, 1870.
Under the conditions of this act steps were taken toward the com-
pletion of the map of central California, which was intended to em-
brace the region from Owens Lake on the southern limit to Lassens
Peak on the north, thus including about one-third of the area of
the State. The sheet was not completed owing to the failure of ap-
propriations.
In his report covering the operations for the years 1870-71 Whit-
ney announced that of the 11 or 12 volumes contemplated in the
regular series of volumes of the report, four had already been pub-
lished, four more were under way. two only awaited the favorable
action of the legislature to be at once put in hand, while two that had
been begun had been suspended for want of means.
March 13, 1872, the following act was passed :
An act to continue the geological survey of the State of California.
The people of the State of California,, repn tented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to proceed and with all
reasonable diligence complete the geological survey of this State and the pub-
lication of the results thereof.
SEC. 2. The sum of $2,000 per month, payable monthly for the period of two
years from and after the 25th day of March, A. D. 1872, is hereby appropriated,
out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to pay the ex-
penses of said survey and publication, and the controller is hereby directed to
draw his warrants upon the treasurer and in favor of the State geologist
therefor.
SEC. 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved March 13, 1872.
Whitney, apparently becoming fully convinced by this time that
no further moneys than those appropriated by the act of March 13
would be forthcoming, announced in his reports of the operations
of the survey for 1872-73 that he had determined to close his office
in connection with the State as soon as the maps and volumes had
been completed, and that he would by no means retain the office of
State geologist beyond the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 1875. He
estimated that an amount of money not less than $100,000 would be
required to complete the work already begun and in process of pub-
lication. This sum included the cost of completion of the map of
central California and those in the vicinity of the Bay of San Fran-
cisco, and the most important mining districts, as well as the cost
of publication of seven additional volumes on geology, ornithology.
GEOLOGICAL AKD NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 35
botany, and fossil plants, together with a folio atlas. This sum the
legislature did not see fit to grant, and the survey passed out of
existence simply through lack of funds.
Personnel. The original party that sailed from New York com-
prised only Prof. J. D. Whitney, director, and W. H. Brewer and
William Ashburner. assistant geologists. In 1861 C. H. Hoffmann be-
came attached as topographer ; Dr. J. G. Cooper, zoologist ; and Wil-
liam Gabb as paleontologist. In 1862 the force was increased through
the volunteer services of A. Remond and the employment of W. V.
Wackenreuden as topographer. In 1863 it was still further in-
creased by the volunteer services of Clarence King and James T.
Gardiner.
In 1866 there were added F. E. Brown, H. N. Bolander, C. R.
Brinley, A. Hartwig, A. W. Keddied, A. D. Wilson, and R.
d'Heureuse. In 1870 Amos Bowman. W. A. Goodyear, and Alfred
Craven were added to the force.
Beginning with 1862. F. B. Meek, of Washington, undertook the
examination of the invertebrate fossils older than the Triassic and
J. S. Newherry that of the fossil plants. The vertebrate fossils were
referred to Joseph Leidy. of Philadelphia: the diatoms to A. M.
Edwards: the mollusks to P. P. Carpenter: and the, fishes to Theo-
dore Gill.
Prof. S. F. Baird ultimately edited Doctor Cooper's ornithological
notes, while F. H. Storer and S. F. Peckham, of Boston, received small
allotments for chemical work on the hydrocarbons. Chester Averill
acted as barometric observer throughout the existence of the survey.
Disposition of collections. Section 1 of the act of 1860 provided
for the collection of specimens which should be deposited " in such
place as shall be hereafter provided for that purpose by the legisla-
ture." No such provision was. however, made during the life of the
survey, although in 1863 it was
Resolved, by the assembly, the senate concurring, That Prof. J. D. Whitney,
State geologist; John Swett, State superintendent of public instruction; and
J. F. Houghton, surveyor general, be, and they are hereby, constituted a board
of commissioners to report to the legislature, on or before the second Monday of
December, 1863, upon the feasibility of establishing a State university, embrac-
ing an agricultural college, a school of mines, and a museum (including the
geological collections of this State), and that said board report such facts and
considerations as they may deem important in connection therewith.
In obedience to this resolution an elaborate report was submitted
recommending the establishment of a State polytechnic school and
the placing of the collections of the survey in a suitable fireproof
building, in which should be ample accommodations for displaying
and showing them, as well as room for a library, laboratory, and an
office for the survey.
36 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
So far as can be learned from the annual reports no action was
taken by the legislature on this recommendation, and it was not
until 1874, on the discontinuance of the survey, that final steps were
taken by the passage of an act, a transcript of which is given below :
An act to provide for the preservation of the material of the geological survey of Cali-
fornia.
The people of the State of California, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to deliver to the presi-
dent of the University of California, Berkeley, in this State, all instruments,
accoutrements, furniture, property, maps, books, drawings, manuscripts, notes,
engravings, lithographic stones, wood cuts, field notes, and other material of
every description and nature belonging or appertaining to the geological survey
of California ; such surrender and delivery to be made without delay.
SEC. 2. The regents of the University of California shall safely keep and pre-
serve, at the said university, all the property and material referred to in section
1 of this act, until such time as the legislature may direct otherwise.
SEC. 3. The sum of $5,000 is hereby appropriated out of any money in the
general fund not otherwise appropriated, to pay the necessary cost of arrang-
ing, packing, transporting, and delivering the said property and material; and
the controller shall draw his warrant or warrants for such purpose, not to
exceed said sum of $5,000, when directed to do so by the State board of ex-
aminers, and the treasurer shall pay the same.
SEC. 4. The regents of said university shall keep on hand and offer for salt'
all volumes of reports and maps published by said geological survey; they may
also, as soon as the present supply of reports and maps is exhausted, cause any
portion of the same to be republished and sold at the prices now provided or
that may be hereafter provided by law ; Provided, That said republication shall
be done without cost to the State; Provided further, That the proceeds of the
sale of all such maps and reports, over and above the cost of publication, shall
be paid in to the State treasurer and by him credited to the school fund of the
State.
SEC. 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved March 27, 1874.
This act was preceded by the following:
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 60, requesting Professor Whitney to return to Cali-
fornia all specimens collected by him. Adopted March 25, 1874.
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That Professor Whitney, late
State geologist, be and he is hereby requested to return to the State of California
all specimens collected by him during his official term as such State geologist,
and that they be placed in possession of the faculty of the State University, for
the use and benefit of State University.
Expenses. The appropriations for the survey, as made by th
various legislatures, were as follows. 1860, $20,000; 1860-61, $15,000:
1861-62, $15,000; 1862-63, $20,000; 1863-64, $24,600; 1865-66,
$30,000; 1867-68, nothing; 1869-70, $73,000; 1871-72, $48,000; total,
$245,600.
To which must be added the $13,000 mentioned by Whitney in his
report for 1871 as having been received from the sale of publications.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 37
bringing the total cost for the 13 years up to $258,600, an average of
$19,892.30 per year.
Publications. At the time of the discontinuing of the survey
that is up to 1874 there had been. published, in addition to the brief
annual reports, two volumes on paleontology, one on geology, and
one on ornithology. The remaining volumes constituting the re-
ports of the survey were published under Whitney's direction, in
Cambridge, Massachusetts, permission to this effect having been
granted by the board of regents of the State University, in whose
hands the matter had been left.
As originally planned by Whitney, the entire report was to com-
prise from 13 to 15 volumes, with an atlas and folio. The act of
April 4, 1864, provided that these reports should be sold upon such
terms as the governor and secretary of the state might decide, the
proceeds of such sales to be paid into the common-school fund of the
State. By the act of March 16, 1870, this ruling was changed, so that
the proceeds of all such sales might be applied to the completion of
unfinished publications. The amount thus rendered available up
to November, 1871, as stated by Whitney in his report for that
year, amounted to about $13,000. Subsequent acts relative to the
distribution of publications were as follows :
An net. to authorize the distribution of the reports of the State geological survey.
The people of the State of California, represented in senate and assembly, do
t-naet as follotcs:
SECTION 1. On the application of any consul residing in the city of Sau
Francisco and representing a European government, to the governor of the
State of California, requesting a set of the reports of the State geological sur-
vey, to be deposited in some well known and established scientific or literary
institution under the control of the government of which he is the accredited
representative, an order may be issued from the governor to the secretary of
state or the State geologist, as the case may be, directing them to furnish one
such set of reports only to each nation having a consul residing in San Fran-
cisco ; provided further, that the State superintendent of public instruction shall
he furnished, on demand on the secretary of state and the State geologist, with
one set for the State Normal School, two sets for the State University, and two
sets for the State Library.
SEC. 2. The secretary of state or the State geologist on the presentation of
such order, shall deliver to the party therein named such set or parts of set
of the reports of the State geological survey as may be designated, taking his
receipt therefor. They shall annually, on the first day of September of each
year, report to the governor the number of volumes so issued, at whose request,
and to what institution presented.
SKC. 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved February 2, 1872.
38 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
An act supplementary to an act entitled An act to authorize the distribution of the report*
of the State geological survey, approved February 2, 1872.
The people of the State of California, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Of each of the volumes and maps of the State geological survey
already published, or which may be hereafter published, 100 copies shall be
deposited at the office of the secretary of state by the State geologist, subject
to the order of the governor, for gratuitous distribution to the various State
and Territorial libraries, to public libraries, and to the libraries of universities,
colleges, and learned societies in the United States.
SEC. 2. One hundred copies of the same may be distributed by the State
geologist to public libraries and learned institutions in foreign countries, to the
officers of other geological surveys, and to persons who may have rendered
special services to the geological survey of California.
SEC. 3. On application by the county clerks of the respective counties to the
State geologist, one copy of each of same shall be given to each county in the
State of California, to be deposited and kept with the county records, and to be
accessible at all reasonable hours for inspection by the general public, the
county clerk being held responsible for the safe keeping of the same.
SEC. 4. The secretary of state and the State geologist shall each keep a record
of the volumes and maps thus distributed, specifying the names of the insti-
tutions or individuals to whom the same are given, and the State geologist
shall biennially communicate such record as kept by him to the office of the
secretary of state, where a complete record of the distribution herein provided
for shall be preserved.
Approved April 1, 1872.
Results. As before noted, the reports of this survey are embodied
in three volumes on geology and paleontology, published by the
State, and two volumes on the auriferous gravels, published by the
Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard after Whitney's re-
tirement. It was announced by the statement of progress for 1872-7B
that a geological map of the whole State had been colored, but it
seems not to have been issued. The first volume, or Report of Prog-
ress and Synopsis of Field Work for 1860-1864, appeared in 1865.
This was a quarto of 498 pages. It contained a great amount of
descriptive matter relating to the areal geology of various parts of the
State, particularly of the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada, with a
chapter on the mining regions. It was announced on the discovery
of a single shell in the rocks of Alcatraz Island that the socalled San
Francisco was of undoubted Cretaceous age. The serpentines of
Mount Diablo and the San Francisco Peninsula were considered to
be metamorphic sediments a mistake repeated by later observers.
Whitney was decidedly pessimistic regarding the probability of the
occurrence of petroleum on the Pacific coast, and unhesitatingly dis-
couraged the promoting of enterprises of this nature. It was due to
his stand regarding this particular project that arose, according to his
own account, much of the antagonism to the survey from speculators
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 39
and promoters, whose efforts at selling stock were thereby checked.
" Petroleum is what killed us. By the word ' petroleum ' understand
the desire to sell worthless property for large sums and the impolicy
of having anybody around to interefere with the little game," he
wrote.
All those chains or ranges of mountains in California which had
been uplifted since the deposition of the Cretaceous were considered
to belong to the Coast Ranges; those which were elevated before the
Cretaceous, to the Sierra Nevada. The slates of the western slope in
Mariposa County were identified as of Jurassic age, and the calcare-
ous slates of Plumas County as Triassic. The limestones in the Gray
Mountains had been previously referred by Trask to the Carbonifer-
ous, and to this Whitney agreed. The peculiar dome-shaped con-
centric structure of the granite in the Sierras was dwelt upon with
considerable detail, and the curved structure of the sheets thought to
have been produced by the contraction of the material while cooling
or solidifying. The Yosemite Valley itself Whitney thought to be
due to a differential movement, the half dome seeming beyond a doubt
to have been split asunder in the middle, and one-half to have gone
down in what he called "the wreck of matter and the crush of
worlds." In other words, lie considered the valley as due to the
downward drop of an enormous fault block.
The first volume of the palentological reports appeared in 1864.
This comprised 243 pages, with 32 full-page plates of fossils. Con-
cerning the work thus far done. Whitney wrote, in the American
Journal of Science for November, 1864:
Perhaps the most striking result of the survey is the proof we have obtained
of the immense development of rocks, equivalent in age to the upper Trias of
the Alps, and paleontologically closely allied to the limestones of Hallstadt nnd
Aussee, and the St. Cassian beds, that extremely important and highly fossiJ-
iferous division of the Alpine Trias. * * * Enough fossils have been found
to justify the assertion that the sedimentary portion of the great metalliferous
belt of the Pacific coast of North America is chiefly made up of rocks of Jurassic
and Triassic age. While we are fully justified in saying that a large portion of
the auriferous rocks of California consist of metamorphic Triassic and Jurassic
strata, we have not a particle of evidence to uphold the theory * * * that
all or even a portion are older than the Carboniferous. * * * We are able
to state * * * that this metal (gold) occurs in no inconsiderable quantity
in metamorphic rocks belonging as hish np in series as the Cretaceous.
The second volume of the paleontological reports, published in
1869, comprised 299 pages with 36 full-page plates, and was given up
wholly to descriptions of Tertiary and Cretaceous fossils. In the
introductory note the statement is reiterated concerning the age of
the gold-bearing rocks, and the absence of rocks older than Carbonif-
40 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATION AL MUSEUM.
erous not merely in California but in the whole region west of the
one hundred and sixteenth meridian.
The topographic work of this survey, under the direction of Hoff-
mann, has been claimed verbally by Prof. W. H. Brewer to have
been considerably in advance of any heretofore undertaken. He
introduced a system of rough triangulation well adapted to the needs
of the survey, but his contours were indicated by hachures.
As to the exact cause of the failure of the survey under Whitney
opinions may differ. It was a by no means unusual fate in the his-
tory of State surveys, and reasons of one kind and another are easy
to find. Taken all in all that given by Dr. Rossiter W. Haymond *
seems in the light of present knowledge to best fit the case :
It happened that, when a question of a further appropriation was pending,
the only report which had been issued by the survey (Whitney's) was a volume
on paleontology; and an opponent of the appropriation carried the house with
him by simply reading random extracts from that dry and technical treatise,
as samples of the character of the work which had been done at the public
expense up to that time. The appropriation was refused, and the valuable work
of Bowman and others, on the old river channels of California and their gold-
bearing gravels and cements, was thereby barred from publication for several
years. For this result Prof. J. D. Whitney, the distinguished head of the sur-
vey, has often been blamed, on the ground that he expended money and time in
a preliminary topographical and geological survey without attacking problems
of immediate industrial interest. Personally I think there is some foundation
for this criticism. Professor Whitney, with a lofty and serene regard for the
logical sequence of science, and an equal disregard for the clamor of industrial
interests, had begun his work with the topographical reconnoissance necessary
as a basis for accurate geological deductions and correlations; and, in the
course of this preliminary labor, his field parties had made incidentally many
interesting paleontological observations, undoubtedly significant in their bear-
ing upon the geology of the State. Professor Whitney had also started inves-
tigations of more immediate and evident practical importance, but unfortun-
ately, in his plan of a permanent and monumental scientific achievement, these
were not of prime importance and were advancing slowly. Probably the
thought never occurred to him that it would make any difference what he
published first as the fruit of his work for the State, and thus he made the
profound mistake in policy of issuing, merely because it was ready, a learned
book on palaeontology for the benefit of a limited outside public of specialists,
and to the profound dissatisfaction of the people who had paid him and were,
reasonably or unreasonably, expecting something else for their money.
ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE MINING BUREAU. 1880-1900.
By an act of the legislature, approved April 16, 1880, there was
created a State mining bureau and in conjunction therewith the
office of State mineralogist. The wording of the act was as follows :
1 In a footnote to a Biographical Sketch of J. D. Hague, Ball. No. 26. Amer. Inst. Mln.
Ensrs.. 1909, p. 118.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 41
Assembly bill No. 415. approved April 16, 1880. An act to provide for the establishment
and maintenance of a mining bureau.
The people of the State of California, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. There shall be and is hereby established in this State a mining
bureau, the principal office of which shall he maintained in the city of San
Francisco, at which place there shall be collected by the State mineralogist
and preserved for study and reference, specimens of all the geological and
mineralogical substances, including mineral waters, found in this State, espe-
cially those possessing economic or commercial value, which specimens shall
he marked, arranged, classified, and described, and a record thereof preserved,
showing the character thereof and the place from whence obtained. The State
mineralogist shall also, as he has opportunity and means, collect, and in like
manner preserve at said office, minerals, rocks, and fossils of other States,
Territories, and countries, and the collections so made shall at all reasonable
hours be open to public inspection, examination, and study.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the governor to appoint a citizen of this State
having a practical and scientific knowledge of mining and mineralogy to the
office of State mineralogist, to hold his said office for the term of four years, or
until the appointment and qualification of his successor, who shall take and
subscribe the oath of office prescribed by the constitution, and who shall re-
ceive for his services a salary of $3,000 per annum, to be paid as other officers
of the State are paid, and shall also receive his necessary traveling expenses
when traveling on the business of his office, to be allowed and audited by the
State board of examiners, the whole to be paid out of the mining bureau fund
hereinafter provided for, and not otherwise.
SEC. 3. In addition to the collection, classification, arranging, and preserva-
tion of specimens, as provided in the first section of this act, it shall be the
duty of the State mineralogist to make analytical assays as required; and,
when the funds in the mining bureau fund are sufficient therefor, to provide and
maintain a library of works on mineralogy, geology, and mining ; to arrange in
cases such specimens as he may collect; to procure and preserve models and
drawings of mining machinery, and of milling machinery used in the reduction
of ores ; to correspond with established schools of mining and metallurgy, and
obtain and preserve for public inspection and use such information respecting
improvements in mining and mining machinery as will be of practical value
to the people of this State ; to visit the several mining districts of each county
of the State from time to time, ascertain and record their history, describe
their geological formation and altitudes, the character of the mines and ores,
and the general development of the district. At the close of each year he shall
make a report in detail to the governor, showing the amount of disbursements
of the bureaii under his charge, the number of specimens collected, and giving
such statistical information in reference to mines and mining as shall be
deemed important.
SEC. 4. The State mineralogist may, from time to time and as the funds in
the mining bureau fund will permit, appoint such assistants as he may deem
necessary and proper for the carrying out of the objects of this act, and the effi-
cient provision and maintenance of a bureau of mining information and statis-
tics, and may procure and maintain the necessary rooms and furniture for the
office and uses of the bureau in San Francisco; but the entire expenses of the
bureau for salaries, assistance, rents, furniture, fuel, and all other things per-
42 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
taining to the bureau must not, in any one year, be greater than can be paid
out of the mining bureau fund herein provided for.
SEC. 5. For the pui-pose of establishing a fund for the maintenance of said
mining bureau it shall be the duty of the tax collectors in the several counties
in this State, and of the license collector of the city and county of San Francisco,
on the second Monday in January, April, July, and October, in each year, to
transmit by express to the State treasurer all moneys collected by them from
mining corporations, or from corporations formed for milling ores, or for sup-
plying water for mining purposes, under or by virtue of the act entitled "An act
imposing a tax on the issue of cetificate.s of stock corporations," approved April
1, 1878, and to forward to the State controller by mail a certificate showing the
amount of money so forwarded to the Stnte treasurer and the date when the
same was transmitted, and also showing the names of the several corporations
from which the same was received and the amount received from each. The
State treasurer shall receive the amounts so transmitted and give duplicate re-
ceipts therefor, one of which shall be filed with the State controller and tin-
other shall be returned by mail, or return express, to the collector from whom
the money was received; and after paying out of the money so received the
charges for the traasmission thereof, the amount of which shall be noted on the
receipt filed with the State controller, he shall retain the remainder in his hands
as a separate fund, to be known as the mining bureau fund, to be used only In
payment of drafts made for the expenses of the mining bureau established under
this act, and out of which all the expenses of said bureau shall be paid.
SEC. 6. Such tax collectors and license collector shall hereafter be required to
pay into the county treasuries of their respective counties only that portion of
the moneys collected by them under the act of the legislature mentioned in the
last preceding section which is collected from corporations other than those
mentioned in section 5 of this act.
SEC. 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Under this act Mr. Henry G. Hanks was appointed State mineral-
ogist and served until May 13, 1886, when he was succeeded by
William Irelan, Jr. Soon after the institution of the bureau it had
become evident to the State mineralogist that the fundamental act
was radically defective, and in 1885 a supplemental act was passed,
as follows :
An act supplementary to au act entitled "An act to provide for the establishment and
maintenance of n mining bureau," approved April 10, 1880.
The People of the State of California, represented in Senate and A
do enact an follows:
SECTION* 1. All proi>erty of this State pertaining to said mining bureau and the
money and financial affairs thereof shall be vested in nnd be under the direction
and control of a board of trustees of said bureau.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the governor of the State to appoint five citizens
and residents of this State to be such trustees.
SEC. 3. The appointees herein mentioned, when assembled, shall constitute
the board of trustees of the State mining bureau, three of whom shall constitute
a quorum. The board shall have power, by said name, to sue and defend. They
shall keep a record of all their proceedings, and they shall elect one of those so
appointed to be president of the board, and shall hnve the ri?ht to appoint a
custodian of the museum and other employees. The State mineralogist shall be
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 43
the director of the museum, and shall have the right to appoint a custodian of
the museum and other employees, subject to the approval of the board of trus-
tees, and it shall be his duty to consult the board in all matters of importance.
SEC. 4. Said board shall make rules for its own government, for regulating
the custody and disbursement of funds, and the mode of drawing the same from
the State treasury.
SEC. 5. The board of trustees shall, annually, report to the governor of the
State the condition of the bureau, with a statement of the receipts and expendi-
tures in detail, which report shall be published in the annual report of the State
mineralogist provided for in the act to which this is supplementary.
SEC. 6. The trustees are hereby empowered to pay out of any moneys coming
into their hands the amount advanced by Wells, Fargo & Company, shown in the
financial statement of the State mineralogist and published in his report.
SEC. 7. The board of trustees shall be empowered to receive, on behalf of the
State, bequests or gifts, legacies and devises, real estate and other property, and
to use the same in accordance with the wishes of the donors ; and if no instruc-
tions are given, to use their discretion for the best interests of the State
museum.
SEC. 8. The board of trustees may, with the assistance of the State mineral-
ogist, prepare a special collection of ores and minerals of California, to be sent
to any World's Fair or exposition at which they may deem it desirable to dis-
play the mineral wealth of the State.
SEC. 9. All acts or laws in conflict with this net are hereby repealed.
SEC. 10. This act shall take effect immediately.
Under this act William Irelan, jr., S. Heydenfeldt, jr., J. I.
Davis, W. E. Dean, and George Hearst were appointed trustees.
The bureau, as organized under this law, had for its immediate
motive the collection and preservation, for study and reference, of
materials pertaining to economic geology, and to make assays and
furnish information relative to the resources of the State and their
utilization. It was to be sustained in part by a tax on the issue of
certificates of stock corporations. In addition, appropriations for
geological work were from time to time made by the State legislature.
Under these conditions the bureau fund was a somewhat variable
quantity, rarely amounting to more than $2,000 or $3.000 annually,
while the legislative appropriations were some $10,000, $15,000 or
$25,000. for the running expenses of the bureau and for field work.
Personnel. The term of office of the State mineralogists was by
the original act limited to four years, or until the appointment and
qualification of his successor. The various incumbents and their
periods of service were as follows: Henry G. Hanks, 1880 to May
10, 1886; William Irelan, Jr., from 1886 to September 15, 1892; J. J.
Crawford, 1892 to 1896; and A. S. Cooper, 1896 to 1900, the latter
being in turn superseded by L. E. Aubrey. The following list com-
prises the names of those who have from time to time served as field
assistants, and who, according to the terms of the law (sec. 4), were
appointed by the State mineralogist. The salaries of the assistants
44 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
was left discretionary, that of the State mineralogist alone being
fixed by law at $3,000 a year.
Assistants on California State mining bureau : C. H. Aaron. Mel-
ville Atwood, Myron Angell, C. C. Van Blarcom, A. Blanc, Stephen
Bowers, J. A. Brown, K. E. Browne, J. H. Grossman, H. De Groot,
W. H. Fairbanks, L. P. Goldstone, J. F. O. Gorman, W. A. Good-
year, J. B. Hobson, "W. D. Johnson (Chemist). Samuel Locke, A.
McGregor, J. A. Miner. W. P. Miller, F. C. Mathyas, J. H. Means,
C. A. Ogden, E. B. Preston, L. C. von Pelersdorf, T. J. Quimby,
L. Silver, W. H. Storm, J. H. Tibbett, F. F. Thomas, W. L. Watts,
H. A. Whiting, F. H. Wheeler, E. A. Wiltsee, Charles G. Yale.
Expenses and appropriations.
October 1, 1880, to September 1, 1882 $20, 858. 60
September 1, 1882, to June 1, 1883 3,087.25
May 15, 1880, to May 15, 1884 41,941.17
May 15, 1884, to May 15, 1885 7,818.82
April 16, 1885, to July 13, 1886 25,664.44
July 13, 1888, to July 1, 1887 36,893.90
July 1, 1887, to July 1, 1888 35,044.60
October, 1889, to October, 1890 54, 653. 05
October 1, 1890, to July 1, 1891 5, 228. 80
July 1, 1891, to July 1, 1892 , 30, 128. 05
July 1, 1892, to July 1, 1893 28, 102. 00
July 1, 1893, to July 1, 1894 27,480.00
July 1, 1894, to July 1, 1895 27, 361. 80
July 1, 1895, to July 1, 1896 26,908.70
July 1, 1896, to July 1, 1897 25,000.00
July 1, 1897, to July 1, 1898 25, 000. 00
July 1, 1898, to July 1, 1899 25, 000. 00
July 1, 1S99, to July 1, 1900 25,000.00
Total i. $471, 171. 23
PvMicoMons. Annual and biennial reports were issued, and, in
addition, up to 1900, 20 bulletins, including the last issued under
the Cooper administration and bearing the date 1901. The subject
matter of all these is largely of an economic nature and much of
necessity of only transient value. The tenth annual report, it should
be noted, issued during the administration of William Irelan, Jr.,
contained a colored geological map of the State.
The bureau is still in active existence at the time this publica-
tion goes to press.
Museum and library. An extensive museum and valuable library
have been built up under the organization, the same being at present
housed on the second floor of the Ferry Building, at the foot of
Market Street. The library, in the report for 1907, was said to con-
tain upwards of 4,000 to 5,000 volumes and many pamphlets.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 4
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 45
COLORADO.
Within the limits of this history no successful attempt at the es-
tablishment of a geological survey seems to have been made. It is
true that in 1872 the territorial legislature showed a slight realiza-
tion of the possible value of such a survey, and a willingness to profit
by it provided it cost them nothing. The following is the text of an
act passed with this in view :
Be it enacted 6y the council and house of representatives of Colorado Ter-
ritory:
SECTION 1. That the governor of the Territory is hereby authorized and em-
powered to appoint, by aud with the advice and consent of the legislative coun-
cil, a territorial geologist, who shall be commissioned by the governor, reside in
the Territory, and hold his office for the term of two years from the date of his
appointment.
SEC. 2. No compensation for services, nor for any expenses whatever, shall be
paid by the Territory to or for the said territorial geologist.
SEC. 3. The territorial geologist shall report the result of his surveys and ob-
servations, made under and by virtue of the commission provided for in section
1 of this act, to the governor of the Territory, to be submitted to the next
legislative assembly, on or before the first day of January, A. D. 1874.
SEC. 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved February 9, 1872.
It is said 1 that under this law J. Alden Smith was appointed
State geologist in 1874 and 1881; Ernest LeNeve Foster in 1883;
J. Alden Smith again in 1885; Fred G. Buckley in 1887; George E.
Kedzie in 1889 and 1893 ; Thomas A. Eicard in 1897 and 1899 ; John
W. Finch in 1901 and 1903 ; and B. A. Langridge in 1906. Naturally,
in view of section 2, however able may have been the various officials,
little was accomplished. Three or four brief reports are said to have
been published, but these have long since passed out of print, and are
unavailable for reference.
CONNECTICUT.
SURVEY UNDER J. G. PERCIVAL AND C. U. SHEPARD, 1835-1842.
In the annual message of Governor Edwards of Connecticut to
the State legislature of 1835 there occurs the following relative to the
establishment of a geological survey :
The mineralogical treasures which have been developed within a few years
and which are constantly coming to light in different parts of our country give
us reason to believe that we have not as yet availed ourselves to the extent that
we might of this source of wealth, and suggests the expediency of a more syste-
matic examination than has hitherto taken place. In some instances this has
been done under the public patronage and by public authority. An examination
of the kind in our State might lead to some important discoveries. An accurate
1 Bulletin 465, U. 8. Geological Survey, 1911, p. 24.
46 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
and thorough geological and mineralogical survey by scientific men, if it should
not result in any immediate discoveries of moment, would at least have the
effect of aiding individuals in their future researches on their own lands. Much
labor has been expended and money wasted in the search after metals and
minerals, which a knowledge of those substances and the relative position they
uniformly occupy would have shown to be useless.
The geological character of a country indicates its topographical features, and
a geological map would serve as a guide in the examination and selection of
routes for railroads and canals and internal improvements of every kind, the
location of which depends on the topical features of the country through which
they pass. A survey of the kind referred to would furnish every individual
with such information respecting his possessions as would guard him against
the wiles of prowling speculators. Much labor has been bestowed on this
subject, and much information collected by individuals in different sections of
the State, and it is important that this information should be embodied and
preserved. The expense would be trifling, and bear but a very small propor-
tion to the benefits which may be derived from it. This is a subject in which
the whole community has a deep interest, and it is recommended that imme-
diate measures be taken for its accomplishment. Similar surveys have been
already had in some of the States, and the attention of others is turned to the
subject. Let us not be deficient on our part. We have heretofore furnished,
and we can still furnish, our full quota to those economical and scientific
researches which seem to be the order of the day.
In accordance with this recommendation, the following resolutions
were introduced and passed :
Resolved, That the governor be and is hereby authorized to appoint a commit-
tee of suitable persons to make a geological survey of the State of Connecticut
and to report the same to the general assembly at their May session of 1836.
Resolved, That the property of such survey shall be in and belong to the State
and shall be disposed of as the general assembly may direct.
Pursuant to these resolutions, the Governor made the necessary ap-
pointments, as below :*
Henry W. Edwards, governor of the State of Connecticut, to James Gates
Percival and Charles Upham Shepard, greeting: Pursuant to resolves passed by
the general assembly of Connecticut, at Hartford, in May, 1835, I do appoint
you, said Percival and Shepard, a committee to make and complete the survey
and report in said resolves, to perform the duties thereof, and obey the instruc-
tions from time to time received from the proper authority.
Given under my hand and official seal at New Haven, this 15th day of June,
A. D. 1835.
HENRY W. EDWARDS.
Field work under these authorizations appears to have been be-
gun at once, and a preliminary report rendered to the legislature of
1836. This was accepted and the necessary authority granted for
continuing the survey another year, publication to be delayed until
the necessary researches were completed.
l lt is said (Bull No. 7, Conn. Geol. and Nat. Hist. Surv., 1907) that the charge of the
survey was first offered to Professor Silliman, who declined. Percival and Shepard also nt
first declined, but finally accepted at the urgent request of Governor Edwards.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 47
Professor Sliepard, to whom was assigned the economical and
mineralogical part of the work, submitted his report to the legis-
lature of 1837. This gave rise to the following:
Report of the committee on the geological survey.
The joint committee on the geological and mineralogical survey of the State,
ro whom was referred the special message of the governor and the accompany-
ing papers relating to the mineralogical department of said survey, having had
the same under their consideration, report :
That Professor Shepard has brought his examination into the mineralogy of
the State to a close and the results of his labors have been before us in a highly
interesting and valuable report. This report, embracing the statistics of all our
present mineral resources, the condition of our mines, quarries, and diggings of
every description, and suggestions as to the most profitable manner of working
them both to the proprietors and the public, all of which are capable of imme-
diate application, your committee recommend should be immediately published.
This rei>ort will attract public attention to the mineral wealth of the State,
which is shown to be most abundant, and only stands in need of capital and
enterprise to be profitably developed. It will apprise landed proprietors of re-
sources of which in many instances they are now ignorant, and in others will
afford them information how to turn to increased account such as they already
know to exist. It teaches what things may be expected in certain districts of
the State, points out the mode of searching for them, and the way to identify
them when found.
Another consideration which should determine its immediate publication is,
that it may receive the supervision of Professor Shepard while passing through
the press a supervision altogether necessary from the nature of the subjects
treated of, and which it may not be in his power to extend after this summer.
For this reason, too, your committee recommend its being published at New
Haven, where Professor Shepard resides, and where publishers are more accus-
tomed to this kind of work than elsewhere in the State.
The document will constitute an octavo volume, or pamphlet, of 150 pages,
and if published in the style in which these surveys are done in other States
will cost about 25 cents a copy. Your committee, therefore, recommend an
appropriation of a sum of money not exceeding $500, or such less sum as his
excellency the governor may contract for, for the publication of 2,000 copies.
That of this number the governor be authorized to distribute copies in the
following manner:
Two copies to the Library of Congress ; two copies to the governor of every
State in the Union; two copies to the library of Yale College of Washington
College, and of the Wesleyan University of this State, and to each of the State
officers ; one copy to each of the judges of the supreme court ; one copy to each
of the judges of the county court and to each probate judge of this State, who
are not members of this legislature ; one copy to each member of the two houses
of the present legislature ; one copy to the town clerk of very town in the State ;
50 copies to remain at the disposal of Professor Shepard, and the same number
at the disposal of his excellency the governor. And the governor is further
authorized to furnish any bookseller such number of copies, to be disposed of
on such terms as his excellency may deem proper, for the benefit of the State.
13607520 5
48 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
This disposition of this report which your committee have recommended, in
case it should be published, will only reach about one-half the number proposed
to be printed, and will leave 1,000 copies to be taken up by private sale, or
disposed of by the next general assembly.
With these considerations your committee would respectfully recommend the
adoption of the accompanying resolution. All of which is respectfully sub-
mitted.
JAMES BEKBE, (.'liainnan.
The above report was accepted and the following resolution passed
relative to the publication of the same :
Resolved by this assembly, That 2,000 copies of Professor Shepard's report
on the mineralogy of the State be published under the superintendence of the
author, and that a sum of money not exceeding $500 be appropriated to defray
the expenses; and that the comptroller of public accounts is hereby authorized
to draw an order on the treasurer for such sum, not exceeding $500, to be paid
out of any money not otherwise appropriated ; and his excellency the governor
is hereby appointed commissioner to see the object of this resolution effected.
This report, as issued in 1837, comprised 188 octavo pages. It
was divided into three parts: 1 Economical, 2 Scientific, and 3 A
descriptive catalogue of the rock and mineral collection made dur-
ing the work, comprising 595 names.
Percival's report, owing to the author's disposition to go into
minute details, was delayed from year to year, finally appearing in
1842 in the form of an octavo volume of 495 pages, with a geological
map of the State in black and white. According to Shepard, Percival
was a martyr to literary and scientific conscientiousness. Xot being
fully satisfied in his own mind, he refused to make his report to the
legislature when such was demanded, but asked for an extension of
time. He thus continued his labors from year to year upon a sti-
pend scarcely adequate to cover expenses. Instead, however, of
nearing the goal, he only receded from it. New difficulties met him
in the work; fresh questions arose in the progress of geology itself
that called for re-examinations. His notes swelled to volumes and
his specimens increased to thousands. He was in danger of being-
crushed under the weight of his doubts and materials. At last the
people clamored for the end of the work. The legislature became
peremptory and forced Percival to acquiesce. In 1842 (seven years
from the commencement of the survey) he rendered an octavo report
of 495 pages, in the introduction to which he observes :
I regret to say I have not had the means allowed me for additional investiga-
tions, nor even for a proper use of my materials, either notes or specimens.
The number of localities from which I have collected specimens I have esti-
mated at nearly 8,000; the records of dips and bearings are still more numerous.
The report which follows is but a hasty outline, written mainly from recollection,
with only occasional reference to my materials and under circumstances little
calculated for cool consideration.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS.
Percival's account of his methods of procedure are not without in-
terest. He says : *
I had twice surveyed the whole State on a regular plan of sections from east
to west, reducing the intervals in the last survey to an average distance of 2
miles, thus passing along one side of each of the nearly 5,000 square miles of
the State. * * * I had examined all objects of geological interest, particu-
larly the rocks and those including minerals, with minute attention. I scarcely
passed a ledge or point of rock without particular examination. I had com-
pleted 11 manuscript volumes, amounting to nearly 1,500 pages, very finely writ-
ten in abbreviation. I had collected specimens from at least 8,000 localities,
according to a very reduced calculation from actual enumeration of one town,
and several specimens from each locality, each specimen intended to illustrate
something peculiar and noticed in my notes; all my specimens marked on the
papers enclosing them and checked in my notebooks, so that I know their precise
locality and could again trace them to the spot where I found them. In all
these researches, from the commencement, I had had in view the determination
of the geological system of the rocks of the State. All these researches had
been a continued process, not only of particular examination, but of comparison
and reflection, all tending to the determination of the great system. I say with
the confidence of conviction of that conviction which arises from long-con-
tinued devotion to the subject that I have determined in my mind the system
of arrangement; that it is a new system with me, the result of my own un-
assisted observation, one which I have not traced in my reading, and one which
I believe to be of the highest importance, not only to science, but for economical
purjwses. * * * Besides this more general plan of the survey, I had espe-
cially explored and traced out the trap, both connected with the primary and
secondary, and determined a new and important system of arrangement, ap-
parently applicable to both, and one, too, of which I have found no traces in my
reading. * * *
Up to the session of 1840, I had employed five years on the survey and had
received $3.000, averaging $600 per annum, out of which I had defrayed all
expenses, traveling expenses included. * * * I was then required to prepare
a report, cut off from all resources, deprived of that pittance of $500, which I
might have secured two years before almost without additional labor, if I had
regarded my own interests only.
According to Professor Dana, 1 'Percival, on entering upon his
duties, saw before him two great problems :
First, the character and origin of the trap ridges of the State, such as East
and West Rocks near New Haven, the Hanging Hills of Meriden, and other
similar heights to the north and south, * * * and, secondly, the characters
and origin of the granitic series of rocks which prevail through all the rest of
the State.
Percival's observations pro\ 7 ed :
that there had been not one long-continuous fracture through the State from
New Haven to the regions of Mt. Tom and beyond, for the injection of liquid
trap rock, but instead, a series of openings along a common line, and that thei'e
wore several such lines running a nearly parallel course over a broad region
of country. He also found that the ridges which compose a range do not
always lie directly in the same line, but that often the parts which follow one
1 Life and Letters of J. G. Percival, by J. IT. Wood.
50 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
another are successively to the east of one another, or to the west, en echelon
(as the French style it) ; and, further, that the parts of the component ridges of
a range were often curved, or a succession of curving lines. He discovered, too,
that in the region of the Meriden Hanging Hills the trap ridges take a singular
east and west bend across the great central valley of the State a course
wholly at variance with the old notions.
The work which he accomplished was, in the first place, an extended topo-
graphical survey of this portion of the State, and, secondly, a thorough exami-
nation of the structure and relations of the trap ridges, with also those of the
associated sandstone. And it brought out, as its grand result, a system of
general truths with regard to the fractures of the earth's crust, which, as
geologists are beginning to see, are the very same that are fundamental in the
constitution of mountain chains. For this combination of many approximately
parallel lines of ranges in one system, the composite structure of the several
ranges and the en echelon, or advancing and retreating arrangement of the
successive ridges of a range, are common features of mountain chains. The
earth's great mountains and the trap ranges of central New England are results
of subterranean forces acting upon the earth's crust according to common laws.
The State of Connecticut, through the mind and labors of Percival, has con-
tributed the best and fullest exemplification of the laws yet obtained, and thus
prepared the way for a correct understanding of the great features of the
globe. * * *
Percival pursued his second subject, that of the granitic rocks, with similar
fidelity, and mapped out with care the several formations. * * * His labors
were not without practical results, for he was the first to explain correctly the
origin of the iron-ore beds of Kent and similar beds in the Green Mountain
range. 1
The receipt of this report gave rise to the following resolution :
At the general assembly of the State of Connecticut, holden at New Haven in
said State, on the first Wednesday of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty-two.
Resolved by this assembly. That not less than 1,000 copies of Dr. James (!.
Percival's report on the geology of Connecticut be published under the superin-
tendence of the author, and that a sum not exceeding $1,500 be appropriated to
defray the expenses of printing and superintending, and that the controller of
the public accounts be hereby authorized to draw an order on the treasurer for
such sum, not exceeding $1,500, to be paid out of money not otherwise appro-
priated; and his excellency the governor and Hon. Henry W. Edwards are
hereby appointed commissioners to see the object of this resolution effected.
And be it further resolved, That the commissioners before named be author-
ized to cause the copyright of the said report to be secured to the State and to
permit any additional number of copies to be published and disposed of in such
1 Messrs. Gregory and Robinson, of the present survey (1907), In like manner render
appreciative testimony : " Percival's Report on the Geology of Connecticut is not a read-
able book; it does not contain theories and Inferences and bits of lively description, but
merely dry facts grouped geographically. It Is about the last book which a poet, one of
the most celebrated of his time, would be expected to write. Accuracy and keenness of
observation and distinctness of representation are, however, prime requisites for lasting
scientific work, and in these qualities Percival excelled. The more the modern geologist
becomes familiar with the involved structures and exasperating variations found within
the metamorphic rocks of the State, the more respect and admiration he has for Percival's
discrimination and skill of delineation. It Is doubtful if ever a more accurate discrimina-
tion of the various members of a complicated series of crystalline rocks on field evidence
alone was ever accomplished."
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
JAMES CURTIS BOOTH
STATE GEOLOGIST OF DELAWARE, 1839-41.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 51
manner and on such terms as they may deem proper, for the benefit of the
iiuthor: Provided, That no additional expense be thereby incurred by the State
over and above the sum of $1,500 aforesaid.
Expeiise, The resolution establishing the survey makes no refer-
ences to expenses or appropriations. Nothing is stated as to amount
paid Professor Shepard for services, but in the bill of 1837, $500
was appropriated for the publication of his report. Percival, in his
lamentations, writes of having received $3,000 in salary, and, as above
noted, $1,500 was appropriated for publication. The expense of the
survey can then be placed at $5,000, exclusive of Professor Shepard's
salary, which it is safe to say was small, if indeed he received any-
thing.
By an act approved June 3, 1903, a second survey, geological and
natural history, was established under control of a board of commis-
sioners, with Prof. William North Rice, superintendent. This sur-
vey is still in progress. 1
DELAWARE. 2
The first and only systematic attempt at a geological .survey of
Delaware was made in 1837, in virtue of an act of the legislature,
of which the following is a transcript :
An net to provide for a geological and mineralogical survey of this State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the
State of Delaware in general assembly met, That Thomas Stockton, of New
Castle County ; Jonathan Jenkins, of Kent County ; and Dr. Henry F. Hall, of
Sussex County, be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to procure to
be made a geological and mineralogical survey of this State. And it shall be
the duty of the said commissioners, as soon as practicable after the passage of
this act, to appoint a State geologist of talents, integrity, and suitable scientific
and practical knowledge of his profession, who shall also be a scientific and
practical mineralogist.
SEC. 2. And it shall be the duty of the said State geologist immediately to
commence and carry on with as much expedition and despatch as may be con-
sistent with minuteness and accuracy, a geological and mineralogical survey of
the State, with a view to determine the order, succession, arrangement, relative
position, and the dip or inclination, and also the comparative magnitude of the
several strata, or geological formations, within the State, and to discover and
examine all beds and deposits of ores, coals, clays, marls, and such other
mineral substances as may be deemed useful or valuable, together with such
other duties as may be necessary to make a full and complete geological and
mineralogical survey of this State.
SEC. 3. And it shall be further the duty of the said State geologist, on or
before the first day of January in each and every year during the time neces-
sarily occupied by the survey, to make a report of the progress of the survey,
accompanied with such maps, drawings, and specimens as may be necessary
1 See Bulletin 4G5, IT. S. Geological Survey, 1911.
* Compiled in part from manuscript, by ,T. C. Booth.
52 BULLETIN 100, UNITED STATES NATIONAL Ml'SKUAI.
and proper to exemplify and elucidate the same, to the secretary of the State
of Delaware, who shall lay them before the legislature, at their next meeting
thereafter.
SEC. 4. It shall further be the duty of the said commissioners to employ such
suitable assistants as may be necessary and proper for the full performance of
the duties imposed upon the said State geologist, and also to procure to be made
a correct map of this State, and cause to be marked thereon, by colors and other
appropriate means, the various areas occupied by the different geological forma-
tions in the State, together with the beds or deposits of the various mineral
substances discovered ; and on the completion of the said .survey to compile, or
cause to be compiled, a memoir of the geology and mineralogy of the State,
comprising a complete account of the leading subjects and discoveries which
have been embraced in the survey, which memoir they shall transmit to the
secretary of the State of Delaware, to be by him laid before the legislature
at their next meeting thereafter.
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said commissioners be and they
:ire hereby authorized to contract and agree with the said State geologist ami
assistants for their services upon such terms and for such reasonable compen-
sation as shall seem to them just and proper; and for the payment of such com-
pensation they, by their chairman, are hereby authorized to draw upon the
State treasurer, who is hereby required to pay the same out of the moneys
appropriated for that purpose.
SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That the said commissioners shall receive
for their services the sum of $3 a day each for each and every d)ty that they
shall be engaged in the prosecution of the duties hereinafter imposed upon
them, to be paid as is hereinbefore directed for the payment of the State geol-
ogist and assistants; and it shall be the further duty of the said commissioners
to keep a just and true account of their own services as to days on which they
are engaged in the performance of their duties herein, as well as by the services
performed by the said State geologist and assistants, together with the moneys
paid and ordered drawn by them, in furtherance of the objects of this act, which
account shall be presented by them to the legislature, for settlement, at the next
biennial session after the completion of the said survey.
SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That for the purpose of carrying ou and
completing the said geological and mineralogical survey, the sum of $3,000 is
hereby appropriated, to be subject to the orders of, and expended by, the said
commissioners, as hereinbefore directed: Provided, That not more than the sum
of 1,000 of such appropriation shall be expended in any one county of this
State for the purpose of carrying into effect the objects of this act.
SEC. 8. In case of the death or resignation of any one or more of the commis-
sioners herein appointed it shall be lawful for the governor of this State to fill
the vacancy thus occasioned by the appointment of such person or persons from
the county in which such vacancy may occur as shall in his judgment be suit-
able and qualified for the appointment.
Dover, Feb'y 13, 1837.
No change or modification in this law was found necessary, the
single appropriation of $3.000 being sufficient to cover all expenses,
including that of publication. The survey had no connection with
any other institution, being established, conducted, and completed
under the act above quoted.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 53
Administration. Under the authority granted the commissioners
named in the act of establishment, . Dr. J. C. Booth was appointed
State geologist in the spring of 1837. No assistants or subordinates
were employed. Doctor Booth's salary was at the rate of $1,000 a
year, and continued for but two years. From a somewhat superficial
survey of the State he decided that, since of the 2.200 square miles
included in the State area. 2,000 square miles were devoted chiefly
to agriculture, his principal efforts should be directed to this feature
of the work. To quote his own words he devoted his time " chiefly
to the assumed duties of a traveling instructor in agriculture, with-
out exhibiting the formality of teacher among the people to be
taught," The fertilizing resources of the green sand and shell marls
were, as a result, given a major share of his attention. No museum
nor library was provided for. Such fossils as were collected were
placed in the hands of Timothy Conrad and others for identification.
Expenses^ The total cost of the survey, as already noted, was
$3.000, of which $2,000 was for salary of Doctor Booth and $1,000
to pay the cost of publication of the report.
Publication. The report comprised but a single volume of 188
pages, a few hundred copies only being issued, the same being dis-
tributed gratis by the commissioners.
Benefits. The chief benefits of the survey, as stated by Doctor
Booth, were :
After having surveyed the State with sufficient minuteness to describe its
geological features, and to point out the then and probable future value of the
different geological formations, I devoted the larger portion of the time remain-
ing for the completion of the survey (more than one-half of the whole survey
period of two years) to traversing the State in every direction, and personally
communicating information on agriculture, and especially on the development
of agriculture in each district, by means of the geological advantages offered by
such district. I regarded such a result as more important and of greater value
to the State than any additions to nattiral science; and after the experience
and reflection of 50 years in the same line of thought, I perceive no good ground
or reason to change my views.
FLORIDA.
Until the establishment, in 1907, of a State survey, under the di-
rection of E. H. Sellards. Florida can scarcely be said to have under-
taken any systematic geological work at State expense. In the re-
ports of the assembly for 1852-53 is found an act, approved by the
governor on January 8, 1853, establishing the office of State engineer
and geologist. The act need not be quoted entire. It is sufficient to
note that it authorized the general assembly, by joint vote, to elect
a State engineer and geologist, who should hold office for the term of
two years. The duties, ns outlined in the act. were the making of
54 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
surveys of the swamp lands for the purpose of reclamation. Salary,
not to exceed $2,000 a year, and other necessary expenses, were to
be paid out of the receipts from the sale of these same swamp lands,
or, should these amounts prove insufficient, out of the internal-im-
provement fund.
Under this act Mr. F. L. Dancy was appointed State engineer an<l
geologist in 1853. It is not apparent that he was a geologist in any
sense of the word or that he attempted to do any geological work.
His report as State engineer occupies pages 19 to 36 of documents
accompanying the message of the governor of Florida, submitted No-
vember 28, 1854. All that occurs relative to geology is given on page
20 of the appendix, and reads as follows :
On the subject of the geology of the State I have made no report, from the
fact that the general assembly failed to specify any duties or make any appro-
priations to defray any expenses incurred in reference to the matter. Conse-
quently, nothing has been done by me except to obtain specimens of soils ami
minerals from the various localities (where marked changes were perceptible)
visited by me in the performance of the duties of engineer.
The office was abolished by an act of the assembly in 1855. Noth-
ing further appears to have been done until 1886, when, on his own
responsibility, and evidently without the passage of any enactment by
the legislature, Governor Perry appointed Dr. J. Kost, State geolo-
gist. Below is a transcript of the letter making this appointment,
together with that of a letter given to Doctor Kost, the purpose of
which is self-apparent :
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
In the name and under the authority of the State of Florida.
Whereas Dr. J. Kost has been duly appointed by the governor to make a
geological survey of the State of Florida :
Now, therefore, reposing especial trust and confidence in the ability, fidelity,
and prudence of the said Dr. J. Kost, I, Edward A. Perry, governor of the
State of Florida, under and by the virtue of the authority vested In me, do
hereby appoint and commission said Dr. J. Kost to make such survey of the
State of Florida, and to have, hold, and exercise all the powers appertaining
thereto, and tp perform the duties thereof, and to enjoy all the privileges and
benefits of the same.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and cause to be affixed
the great seal of the State of Florida, at Tallahassee, the capital, this, the
first day of January, A. D. 1886, and of the independence of the United States
the one hundred and tenth year.
K. A. PERRY, Governor of Florida.
Py the Governor: Attest.
JANUARY 1, 1886.
To all whom it may concern:
Realizing how important to our State and to all interested in ascertaining
and developing its resources that there should be a thorough geological survey
of Florida, and recognizing that in the absence of a legislative appropriation
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 6
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 55
therefor I should be powerless to institute such an undertaking but for the
liberal offer of Dr. J. Kost to make such survey free of all cost to the State,
provided that he be furnished with transportation for himself and one assistant
for the purpose, I have cheerfully accepted Doctor Kost's generous proposition,
and respectfully bespeak for him such facilities and cooperation from the trans-
portation lines of the State and from the people as it may be in their power to
extend to him. All such courtesies will be highly appreciated.
Respectfully,
E. A. PERBT, Governor.
It is evident that Kost's services were wholly gratuitous, although
the writer is informed that certain sums were paid for freight and
labor on collections intended for museum materials. The records
however, show no payment for geological work. 1
Kost made one report, entitled First Report of the Geological
Survey of Florida. This was issued in 1887, and was in form of a
pamphlet of 31 pages, but contained little of value. In May, 1889.
the following resolution was passed by the State assembly, but with
no appreciable effect :
Joint resolution memorializing Congress for a continuation of the geological survey of the
State of Florida.
Whereas the work done by the United States geologist in the State of Florida
has shown surprising promise in value, in the truthful, instructive, and necessary
information concerning the geology of our State ; and
Whereas the work has been discontinued ; therefore
Be it resolved by the legislature of the State of Florida, That we deem it of
the greatest importance to our State that such surveys should be continued to
completion ; to that end our Senators and Representatives in Congress be and
they are hereby requested to use all effort to procure the immediate resuming
and continuance of said work, and for that purpose Congress is hereby me-
morialized.
Approved May 7. 1889.
GEORGIA.
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER JOHN R. COTTING, 1836-1840.
With a view to attracting the attention of the legislature to the
importance of a geological and agricultural survey of the State "the
patriotic citizens of Burke and Richmond Counties, at their own in-
dividual expense," in 1835 directed John Ruggles Getting
to make a geological and agricultural survey of their respective counties; to
examine all localities of limestone, marls, and other minerals useful in agricul-
ture and the arts; also rocks that may be proper for the purposes of architec-
ture, the construction of roads, railways, etc. ; to examine the water of springs
and wells with regard to the salubrity or nonsalubrity of the same: to analyze
the soil on different plantations in the two counties with a view to their im-
provement; to illustrate the whole by drawings, diagrams, and a chart of the
two counties, and to present a report of the same to his excellency the governor.
1 I am indebted to Ptate Geologist E. O. Sellards for tlic above information.
56 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL
This to be done in order that the matter might come properly before
the two branches of the legislature.
In conformity with these instructions Mr. Getting begun hi< sur-
vey March 21, 1836, at a place called Shell Bluff, on the Savannah
River, rn Burke County, and continued his investigations until both
counties were completed. His results were published in the form of
a small octavo volume of 128 pages, bearing the date 1836.
This laudable attempt on the part of Mr. Getting and the citizens
of Burke and Richmond Counties was only partially successful. The
immediate result was the passage by the senate of the following reso-
lution, which was approved on the 7th of December, 1836 :
The committee appointed on that portion of the governor's message which
relates to a geological survey of the State of Georgia say they have given the
same due consideration and ask leave to make the following report :
That they feel sensible that this is a subject entitled to the most favorable
consideration of the legislature at this time, not only from the importance of
developing the resources of Georgia as they are connected with the arts, the
agricultural, the mining, and the manufacturing interests of this State, but
from the further consideration that she is bound to contribute her share with
those States who have engaged in a similar enterprise to the cause of science and
the diffusion of that information that can not but be useful to our sister States
and that of the whole country. Your committee believe that perhaps no State
of the Union is more interested in such an examination than Georgia ; with a
most extensive territory, reaching from the marshes of the seacoast and pine
forests to the Appalachian Mountains, traversing a large extent of country of
every variety of location and soil, containing localities doubtless affording the
most important means of enriching and restoring her impoverished and barren
lands; a subject most intimately connected with the interests of ngriculture,
whilst the arts and manufactures will find ample materials for their enterprise
and profit. Your committee believe that new articles of commerce will be de-
veloped for the employment and enriching our citizens.
The extensive mining region of the western portion of our State, known, as
they are, to contain extensive and rich deposits of gold and other important
metals, furnish strong incentives to this undertaking. That our citizens may
not wsiste their resources in irregular and unscientific experiment much may be
done by the employment of one suitable and scientific individual, or more, who
shall furnish such facts and lay down such principles as will enable them to
direct their capital and enterprise with greater security against losses and disap-
pointments so well calculated to check the spirit of enterprise.
Intimately connected with this subject is the great interests of internal im-
provement, whether by means of our navigable rivers or inlets or by means of
railroads. The streams of the State, with their extent and capabilities of navi-
gation, the ridges, mountains, and general (fertility) of the country, with its
capacity for agriculture and commerce, it is high time that Georgia, with all
her treasures, in money and resources, should, forgetting party bickering and
strife, make an effort to raise herself to that exalted station among her sister
States to which she is entitled by the extent and fertility of her territory, the
ample resources of commercial and agricultural enterprise, her favorable loca-
tion in reference to the other States, and the energy and intelligence of her citi-
zens. Your committee, therefore, hog leave to report the following resolutions.
GEOLOGICAL AND XATTRAL HISTOKY SUKVEYS. 57
Re ^ <,1 red, That his excellency tlie governor, or his successor in office, be. anil
he is hereby, authorized to employ, as soon as convenient, one or more suitable
nnd well-qualified persons to undertake the work of a careful and scientific
geological survey of all the counties in Georgia, under his direction and advice.
And f<e it further resolved, That the sum of $10,000 ought to be appropriated
for that purpose, subject to the warrant of the executive, out of any moneys in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated, and said sum be inserted in the appro-
priation act of this year.
Resolved further, That the geologist s-o appointed shall keep an office at the
seat of government, where he shall preserve, for the use of the State, the vari-
ous specimens connected with the survey, and shall remain at the seat of
government during the greatest part of the session of the legislature. He shall
make an annual report of the progress of the work to the governor, and at the
termination of his survey he shall prepare from his journals and reports, a
consolidated report for publication, to be handed over to the governor, and the
Copyright secured to the State, and make returns semiannually to the governor.
In senate, agreed to, December 7, 1836.
ROBEKT M. ECHOLS,
President of the Senate.
Although so favorably inaugurated, however, nothing seems to
have been accomplished, 1 and on December- 11, 1840, the survey was
suspended and finally abolished through the following enactment :
In House of Representatives.
Whereas the creation of the office of a geological surveyor of this State in-
volves the State in an annual expenditure of several thousand dollars, without
producing any adequate advantage to the people thereof :
Be it therefore resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of Georgia, in general assembly met, That the said office of geological
surveyor of this State be, and the same is, hereby abolished.
Agreed to, November 27, 1840.
The matter seems, however, to have come up later for reconsidera-
tion, in the senate, with the following result :
Jn Senate.
Whereas John R. Getting has in contemplation (and has partly prepared) to
publish a complete report of the agricultural and geological survey of all the
counties in this State; and
Whereas nearly half the State has been surveyed, and an immense amount
of matter collected and contained in the journals of said John II. Cotting, to-
gether with a variety of drawings ; and
Whereas the most interesting portion of Georgia remains yet to be examined,
and the results of his future investigation is necessary to prevent the total
loss of all his past labors and expenditures.
1 S. W. McCallie writes : (Bull. 465, U. S. G. S., pp. 37-38) that a report was rendered in
1837 covering the counties of Chatham, Columbia, Effingham, Screven, Burke, Richmond,
Lincoln, Elbert, Franklin, Habershnm, nnd part of Wilkes and Oglethorpo. This, however,
was never published.
58 BULLETIN 10V>, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of Georgia in general assembly met, That his excellency the governor be,
and he is hereby, authorized to allow John R. Cotting the full and entire use
of the geological department of this State, together with all the instruments,
apparatus, and privileges appertaining to the same, so far as may be necessary
for completing the geological survey of this State at his expense.
And be it further resolved, That John R. Cotting be allowed to continue the
geological and agricultural survey of this State, and retain the title of State
geologist, without any compensation from the State.
And be it also resolved, That the copyright reserved to the State be, and the
same is hereby, vested in John R. Cotting.
Agreed to, December 18, 1840.
The printed records do not show that the passage of these resolu-
tions was productive of any results. It is not known to the writer
what became of Cotting's notes, nor is it apparent why the survey
was abandoned.
SECOND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER GEORGE LITTLE, 1874-1879.
The second attempt at a systematic survey of the State, under State
auspices was undertaken in 1874, under the conditions enumerated
below :
An act to create the office of State geologist, and to provide for a geological, mineralogicai.
and physical survey of the State of Georgia, and for other purposes.
Whereas the State of Georgia contains valuable deposits of iron, coal, copper,
gold, and other minerals, numerous water powers, and other undeveloped
sources of wealth; and
Whereas the true value of these resources, representing the natural wealth
.at Georgia, has not been determined by scientific examination and made known
to the public ; and
Whereas an accurate and mineralogicai and physical survey of the State,
made by competent, scientific authority, and published under the sanction of
the State, would, by its general distribution, make known the superior advan-
tages of Georgia, and hence by attracting immigration and capital, add greatly
to the development and wealth of the State; therefore
SECTION I. Be it enacted, etc., That the office of State geologist of the State
of Georgia is hereby created ; that the governor, as soon as practicable after the
passage of this act, shall nominate a competent person to this office, to be con-
firmed by the senate, who shall hold his office until removed by the appointing
power for inefficiency, incompetency, or misconduct, or until abolishment of the
office by the general assembly. The office of the State geologist shall be at the
seat of government.
SEC. II. Be it enacted, That, in connection with the office named in the first
section of this act, there shall be a board of advisement, with the governor as
its president, to consist of the governor, secretary of state, comptroller general,
treasurer, attorney general, and State school commissioner.
SEC. III. Be it enacted, That the State geologist shall have two competent
assistants, to be chosen by the board, who shall be at any time removed by the
appointing power for the like causes for which the State geologist may be re-
moved. It shall be the duty of the State geologist and his assistants forthwith
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 59
to map out the State into three geological sections, as nearly equal in area as
possible, to be known as north Georgia, middle Georgia, and south Georgia geo-
logical sections. So soon as a general outline of geological survey of the entire
State shall have been made the State geologist shall enter upon one of these
sections, and assign one to each of his assistants ; and, under the control of the
first named, the corps shall proceed to make a careful and complete geological,
mineraloglcal, and physical survey of the State; to enter upon records, to be
kept for that purpose in his office, an accurate statement of the locality and
extent of all water powers, woods, roads, springs, and watercourses, and the
climate and general physical condition of the country ; to collect, analyze, and
classify specimens of minerals, plants, and soils, and enter the same on record ;
to cause to be preserved in a museum specimens illustrating the geology, min-
eralogy, soils, plants, valuable woods, and whatever else may be discovered in
Georgia of scientific or economic value. For the purpose of making the analysis
here contemplated the State geologist shall have access to the chemical labora-
tory of the State University. The State geologist shall have the supervision of
the entire work and shall be responsible for the accuracy and thoroughness of
the same.
SEC. IV. Be it enacted, That the board of advisement shall have the super-
vision of the money expenditures in the prosecution of the work contemplated
by this act. The State geologist shall make to the governor monthly statements,
under oath, of all incidental expenses necessarily expended by himself and his
assistants in and about the discharge of their labors. The governor shall lay this
statement before the board, who shall allow or reject the account, as in their
judgment may be right. When an account is allowed the governor shall draw
his warrant for the amount thereof upon the fund appropriated by the pro-
visions of this act. The governor, with the advice and consent of the board, may
at any time suspend the field operations of the geological corps until the next
meeting of the general assembly.
SEC. V. Be it enacted, That the State geologist shall make the governor an
annual report of all information developed in the progress of his work, and the*
governor shall lay the same before the general assembly.
SEC. VI. Be it enacted, That the salary of the State geologist shall be $2,000
I>er annum, and that of his assistants $1,200 per annum each.
SEC. VII. Be it enacted, That the sum of $10,000, or so much thereof as may
be necessary, is hereby appropriated, annually, for five years, to carry the pro-
visions of this act into effect.
SFC. VIII. Repeals conflicting laws.
Approved February 27, 1874.
This act was subsequently amended, as noted later.
Under the act of 1874, Dr. George Little was appointed State geolo-
gist at a salary of $2,000 a year and A. R. McCutcheon and W. S.
Schley assistants at salaries of $1,200 a year each. These assistants
were chosen by the board of advisement. In addition, D. C. Barrow
was put in charge of the survey office at Atlanta, while the services
of W. J. Land as chemist and C. A. Locke as civil engineer were also
secured.
The field work was begun September 16, 1874, in accordance with
the plan of the original enactment. The first brief report of 30
60 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
pages, giving the results of the "\vork up to December 31, 1874, show-
that the chief efforts were directed toward economic results.
In this report Doctor Little called attention to the fact that, in
order to satisfactorily meet the demands of the citizens of the State,
the corps of the survey should be increased. The following amend-
ment to the law was therefore passed and approved on February
27,1875:
An act to amend An act to create the office of State geologist, and to provide for a geo-
logical, mlneralogical, and physical survey for the State of Georgia, approved Febru-
ary 27. 1874, and further to define the duties of the Stare geologist and hi. ass
and for other purposes therein mentioned.
SECTION I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Georgia,
That from arid after the passage of this act, and a* soon as the State geologist
shall have performed the duties required in the third .section of the act entitled
"An act to create the office of State geologist, and to provide for a geological,
mineralogical, and physical survey of the State of Georgia, and fur other pur-
poses," approved February 27, 1874, and that it shall he the duty of the State
geologist and of his assistants therein named to commence the prosecution of
their duties on the eastern or western boundary of the State, taking in each of
the sections to be known as north, middle, and south Georgia, the most easterly
or westerly tier of the counties in these respective sections, and to examine,
survey, and report upon the same, in accordance with the requirements of the
provisions of said act; and afterwards to take the next most easterly or
westerly tier of counties running from north to south, and so on, until all the
counties in each one of the three sections in this State shall have been fully
surveyed, examined, and reported upon, as is provided for in said act creating
the office of State geologist.
SEC. II. The general assembly do enact. That section 3 of said original act
he, and the same is hereby, amended by striking out first clause of snid se^-tici;
and inserting in lieu thereof, "that the State geologist shall have three :i-;< ; st-
ants. to be appointed or removed by the board of advisement on his recommenda-
tion " ; and that said section be further amended by striking from the tenth
line the words, "enter upon one of these sections," and so that said section.
when amended, shall permit said State geologist to assign one assistant to each
geological section of the State, he having general supervision of the whole work.
SEC. III. The general assembly do enact, That section 6 of the original act.
approved February 27. 1S74. be. and the same is hereby, repealed. 1
SEC. IV. Repeals conflicting laws.
Approved February 27, 1875.
Under this amendment the following organization was effected:
Northern division: A. R. McCutcheon, LaFayette. Walker County.
geologist ; M. T. Singleton. Kingston, Bartow County, engineer.
Middle division : D. C. Barrow, jr.. YToodville, Oglethorpe County.
geologist; C. A. Locke. Decatur, DeKalb County, engineer.
Southern division: R. H. Loughridge. Atlanta. Fulton County.
geologist: C. C. Terry, Columbus, Muscogee County, engineer; W. S.
Schley. of Savannah. Chatham County, in charge of office: TV". J.
Land, of Atlanta. Fulton Countv. chemist: and Prof. F. H. Bradley.
1 The section (VI) of the original act prescribed the pay of the geologist and assistants.
GEOLOGICAL AXD NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 61
Nacoochee, White County, geologist and special surveyor of the gold
region and the Blue Ridge.
During 1875, 105 of the 137 counties of the State were visited, and
data collected sufficient, as announced in the second annual report,
to permit the working out during the winter months of " the general
geology of the whole State, and to construct a map approximately
correct, on which most of the useful minerals can be noted and many
of the roads and water powers. We are now prepared," Doctor
Little announced, " to enter upon the detailed, systematic and accu-
rate survey of each county in the several divisions of the State ; and
it is proposed, during the next season, to begin this work at three
points on the western border of the State." The plan was not, how-
ever, carried out, owing presumably to insufficient time, the survey
being abolished by the following resolution, in 1881 :
Whereas the general assembly of Georgia, by act approved February 27, 1874,
did provide for a geological survey of the State and did create the office of State
geologist, making an appropriation of $10,000 per annum for five years, and no
longer, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of said act ; and
Whereas said term of five years did expire in the year 1879, and said appro-
priation was not extended or continued, the act of 1874 being thus allowed to
expire by its own limitations, the general assembly of 1879 directing, by joint
resolution, approved October 17, 1879, the governor to turn over to the com-
missioner of agriculture all the material of said geological department, and
further requiring the governor to sell all the chemicals, live stock, and camp
equipage of said department, thereby giving-uotice to the world that said geo-
logical survey was ended and said office of geologist abolished; therefore,
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of Georgia, That said office of State
geologist was discontinued and abolished in the year 1879 by the facts above
recited, and that the said geologist has no claim on the State for any salary as
such geologist since that date.
Approved September 28, 1881.
Expenses. The salary of the State geologist was fixed by law at
$2,000 a year and those of his assistants at $1,200 a year. The ex-
pense of publication of the second report was provided for by a
special appropriation of $500. The total expense of the survey, as
shown by the appropriations, would appear to have been:
As provided by act of 1874, $10,000 a year for five years $50,000
For printing 500
For chemicals 500
$51, OOU
Publications. Two brief annual reports in the form of pamphlets
of 36 and 16 pages, respectively, constitute the entire official re-
sults of the survey, though in Jones's Handbook of the State of Geor-
gia, 1876, pages 17 to 143 are occupied with an account of the geology
of the State, which is accredited to Little, as is also a catalogue of
62 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
ores, rocks, and woods selected for the Paris Exposition. By a reso-
lution dated February 26, 1877, the edition of the report of the geol-
ogists was fixed at 5,000 copies.
Museum. Although the wording of the original act would seem
to have contemplated the formation of a museum, no definite steps
in that direction appear to have been taken. In the final resolution
for the abolition of the survey it was provided that all the ma-
terial of the survey, aside from live stock and camp equipage, should
be turned over to the commissioner of agriculture.
THIRD GEOLOGICAL 8URVEY UNDER J. W. SPENCER AND W. S. YEATE8,
1889-1900.
From the time of cessation of work by Doctor Little until Novem-
ber, 1889, the State survey seems to have been dormant. On the
12th of that month the following act was passed and approved:
An act to revive the office of State geologist, and to provide for a geological, uilneralogical,
and physical survey of the State of Georgia, and for other purposes.
SECTION I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Georgia, That the office
of State geologist is hereby revived, and the governor, as soon as practicable
after the passage of this act, shall appoint, with the consent of the advisory
board, a competent person to this office, who shall have a thorough, scientific,
and practical knowledge of the science of geology and mineralogy, and who is
not connected with any school or college us an Instructor. The State geologist
shall enter upon the duties of his office on the 1st day of July, 1890, and shall
hold until removed by the appointing power for inefficiency, incompetency, or mis-
conduct, or until the office is abolished by the general assembly. The office of
the State geologist shall be at the seat of government.
SEC. IT. Be it further enacted, That there shall be an advisory board, con-
sisting of the governor of the State (who shall be president of the board), the
commissioner of agriculture, the State school commissioner, the State treasurer,
the comptroller general, and the attorney general. Four members present at
any meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.
SEC. III. Be it further enacted, That two competent assistant State geologists
shall be chosen by the advisory board, who may be removed at any time, by the
appointing power, for incompetency, inefficiency, or misconduct. It shall be the
duty of the State geologist and his assistants to divide the State into three
geological sections, as nearly equal in area as may be expedient, to be known
as North Georgia, Middle Georgia, and South Georgia geological sections; the
northern section shall extend from the State line southward to the thirty-fourth
degree of latitude ; the middle section shall extend from that degree southward
to the thirty-third degree of latitude; the southern section shall extend from
the last-mentioned degree to the southern boundary of the State line ; the survey
and exploration of each of said sections shall commence simultaneously by said
State geologist and his assistants ; and $1,000 of the foregoing appropriation, or
so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be applied to each of said sections
for an outfit and necessary expenses incident to the prosecution of the work in
each section. So soon as a general outline of geological survey of the entire
State shall have been made, the State geologist shall enter upon one of theso
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 63
sections, and assign one to each of bis assistants ; and, under the control of the
first named, the corps shall proceed to make a careful and complete geological,
mineralogical, and physical survey of the State; to ente^r upon record, to be
kept for that purpose in his office, an accurate statement of the extent of all
water powers, woods, roads, springs, and watercourses, and the climate, topo-
graphy, and general physical character of the country, and locate the belts of
ores and useful minerals, building material ; report characteristics and compo-
sition of soils, and the deposits of marls and phosphates; to collect, analyze,
and classify specimens of minerals, plants, and soils, and enter the same upon
record; to cause to be preserved in a museum specimens illustrating the geol-
ogy, mineralogy, soils, plants, valuable woods, and whatever else may be discov-
ered in Georgia of scientific or economic value, and shall make a report of the
survey of every county of this State, accompanied with all necessary maps and
illustrations. For the purpose of making the analysis contemplated in this act,
the State geologist shall have access to the chemical laboratory of the State.
The State geologist shall have supervision of the entire work, and shall be
responsible for the accuracy of the same. It shall be the duty of the State
geologist to make reports to the advisory board as often as required by them,
and they shall report to each general assembly the progress and condition of the
survey; an accurate account of money spent; and such reports of the State
geologist and his assistants as have been completed, together with all such In-
formation as may be deemed necessary and useful.
SEC. IV. Be it further enacted, That the advisory board shall have the super-
vision of the money expenditures in the prosecution of the work contemplated
by this act. The State geologist shall make to the advisory board monthly
statements under oath of all incidental expenses necessarily incurred by him-
self and his assistants, accompanied by proper vouchers, in the discharge of
their labors. The board shall audit such accounts, item by Item, and approve
or reject the same, as in their judgment may be right. When an account Is
allowed, the governor shall draw his warrant for the amount thereof upon the
funds appropriated by the provisions of this act. The governor, with the ad-
vice and consent of the board, may, at any time, suspend the field operations of
the geological corps until the next meeting of the general assembly.
SEC. V. Be it further enacted, That the State geologist shall, keep his office
in a room to be set aside for that purpose by the governor, and the commissioner
of agriculture shall furnish the clerical work required by the State geologist.
SEC. VI. Be it further enacted, That the salary of the State geologist shall
be $2,500 per annum, and the two assistants shall each receive a salary of
$1.250 per annum, to be paid as now provided by law for the payment of other
state house officers.
SEC. VII. Be it further enacted, That the State geologist, with the consent of
the board of advisement, may employ a specialist, or specialists, at any time.
SEC. VIII. Be it further enacted, That neither the State geologist nor his
assistants shall disclose to any person, except to the owner of the land, the
result of a survey, until the same is made public by publication of the report
by the advisory board, which shall be monthly or quarterly.
SEC. IX. Be it further enacted. That the State geologist and his assistants
shall deposit, in the office of the governor, all maps, surveys, notes, or memo-
randum of surveys, when the surveys are completed, which are hereby declared
to be the property of the State.
SEC. X. Be it further enacted, That the sum of $8,000, or so much thereof as
may be necessary, be, and the same is, hereby appropriated, annually, for the
13607520 6
64 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
period of five years, to carry out the purposes of this act, and this appropria-
tion shall tnke effect annually, commencing on July 1, 1890.
SEC. XL Be it further enacted, That all laws in conflict with this act are
hereby repealed.
Approved, November 12, 1889.
Administration. Under this law J. W. Spencer was appointed
State geologist, entering upon his duties July 1, 1890. C. C. Ander-
son, a civil engineer, was put in charge of the hydrographic work of
the survey and E. T. Whatley appointed assistant geologist, the as-
sistants being appointed, according to the text of the law, by the
governing board.
The salary of the State geologist was fixed at $2,500 a year and
that of his assistants at $1,250 a year. Doctor Spencer remained
in office until 1893, when he was succeeded by W. S. Yeates, 1 under
whom the following have from time to time served as assistants:
F. P. King, S. W. McCallie, George E. Ladd, Thos. L. Watson, as
geologists; K. L. Packard and Walter L. Mitchell, chemists, the
salary remaining as under Doctor Spencer.
Publications. During Doctor Spencer's administration two re-
ports were published, one termed Administrative, but devoted
quite largely to the geology of the Cretaceous and Tertiary forma-
tions of the southwestern part of the State; and the other issued
under date of July 1, 1891, entitled The Paleozoic Group, compris-
ing some 400 pages and including the geology of 10 counties of the
northwestern portion of the State and their economical resources.
Museum. A very satisfactory exhibit of the mineral and economic
products of the State has been built up and is now on display at the
statehouse.
Expenses The expense of the survey, aside from cost of publica-
tion, would appear to have been fully met by the appropriation
authorized in the bill of November 12, 1889 $8,000 a year for the
ensuing seven years (1889-1896), and $10,000 a year since that date.
The average cost of publication of the bulletins is given as $3 a page
with 22| cents additional a volume for cloth bindings. At present
the cost of publication is met by an annual appropriation of $2,500.
ILLINOIS.
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER J. G. NORWOOD, 1851-1858, AND A. H.
WORTHEN, 1858-1880.
The first geological survey of Illinois was organized under an act
of the general assembly approved February 17, 1851. The following
is the text of the act :
'Mr. Yeates died on February 19, 1908, and was succeeded by S. W. McCalHc, who
Btill holds the office. (See Bull. 465, U. S. Geol. Surv., 1911.)
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 7
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 5
An act for a geological and mlneraloglcal survey of the State of Illinois.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in
the General Assembly, That the governor, auditor, and treasurer of the State
are hereby authorized and required, as early as may be, to employ a geologist
of known integrity and practical skill for the purpose of making a geological
and minerological survey of the entire territory of this State.
2. It shall be the duty of said geologist to proceed, as soon as the neces-
sary arrangements can be made, and with as much despatch as may be consist-
ent with minuteness and accuracy, to ascertain the order, succession, arrange-
ment, relative position, dip, and comparative magnitude of the several strata
or geological formation within the State ; to search for and examine all the beds
and deposits of ores, coals, clays, marls, rocks, and such other mineral sub-
stances as may present themselves, and to obtain chemical analysis of these
substances, the elements of which are undetermined ; and, by strict barometrical
observations, to determine the relative elevations and depressions of the differ-
ent parts of the State.
3. It shall also be the duty of said geologist, during the time employed in the
above work, to make annual reports of the progress and results of his labor,
accompanied by such maps and drawings as may be deemed necessary to illus-
trate the said reports; all of which shall be transmitted to the governor, in
such condition as he may, without delay, cause them to be printed and circu-
lated throughout the State or wherever else he may desire to send them.
4. It shall be the duty of said geologist to procure and preserve a full and
entire suite of the different specimens found in the State, and cause them to be
delivered to the secretary of state, who shall cause them to be properly ar-
ranged in a cabinet, and deposited in some apartment in or convenient to the
capitol. Said suite shall be sufficienly large to furnish specimens to all institu-
tions of learning within the State, empowered to confer degrees in the arts and
sciences.
5. The final reports of said geologist shall embody the results of the entire
survey, and shall be accompanied by a geological map of the State, showing, by
different colors and other marks and characters, the precise localities and extent
of the different geological formations.
6. For the purpose of carrying out and completing the said survey the sum of
not exceeding $3,000 is hereby placed at the disposal of the governor, to be ap-
plied to the payment of the said geologist, and such assistants as he may employ,
by and with the consent of the governor, auditor, and treasurer, and to defray
the incidental expenses of the survey; which annual appropriation shall con-
tinue until the completion of said survey, or until its discontinuance be ordered
by the legislature of this State.
7. No money shall be paid to said geologist or for the purpose of said survey
until the work shall be commenced.
8. The said survey shall, if practicable, be commenced at the southern part
of the State and be proceeded with northerly.
This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved, February 17, 1851.
In 1853, and again in 1872, this law was supplemented and amended
by the passage of the following :
That the sum of $5,000 be, and the same is, hereby annually appropriated for
the purpose of carrying out and completing the geological and mineralogical
survey of the State of Illinois; and also the further sum of $500 per annum,
66 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
for the purpose of furnishing accurate topographical maps of the several coun-
ties in the State, to be made out under the direction and superintendence of the
State geologist. The said sums of money are hereby placed at the disposal of
the governor, to be applied by him to the uses and purposes specified in this
act and the act to which this is an amendment.
An act providing for the publication and distribution of the fifth volume of the report of
the State geologist and to fix the amount of his salary until the publication of the
sixth and final volume of said report.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Ilinois, represented i
the general assembly. That the publication of 3,000 copies of the fifth volume
of the report of the State geologist is hereby authorized, and the sum of $6,500
is hereby appropriated to defray the cost of engraving the necessary plates,
maps, and diagrams required for said volume; said engraving to be done under
the direction of the State geologist, who first obtain bids for doing the work
from several different engravers, and submit such bids to the governor, who
shall first approve the bid most favorable to the State, and order the geologist
to make a contract on the terms of said bid.
2. The secretary of state is hereby required to procure the paper necessary
for the said fifth volume, of a quality not inferior to that used in the volumes
of this report already published, and have said volume printed under the State
contract for public printing, end bound by the public binder in same style and
quality as former volumes, at a rate to be fixed, before delivered to him, by the
secretary, auditor, and treasurer, with the aid of experts, as now provided by
law; and the amount necessary to defray the expense of the same is hereby
appropriated.
3. The secretary of state is hereby authorized to distribute the said fifth vol-
ume, when published, as follows: One copy to each college, educational, his-
torical, and literary institution in the State, as now provided by law ; 200 copies
to the State geologist, to be used in exchanges, a list of which shall be sub-
mitted to the governor for his approval, and on all such copies for exchange
shall be written or printed " With the compliments of the people of the State of
Illinois," and the person's name to whom sent ; and the balance of said volumes
to the members of the twenty-seventh general assembly, to be by them dis-
tributed in their respective counties and districts, as far as practicable, to per-
sons who have sets of the former volumes.
4. There shall be paid to the State geologist the sum of $2,000. as in full for
his services and all expenses in superintending the publication of the said fifth
volume, and finishing the sixth volume for publication ; to be paid quarterly
out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Approved, April 3, 1872.
That portion of the act of 1851 relating to the preservation of
suites of specimens not proving sufficiently explicit, was later amended
so as to read as below :
An act to amend an act entitled "An act for a geological and mineralogical survey of th
State of Illinois," approved February 17, 1851.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented <n
the general assembly, That section 4 of "An act for a geological and miner-
alogical survey of the State of Illinois," approved February 17, 1851, be, and
the same is hereby, amended, so as to read as follows:
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 67
4. It shall be the duty of said geologist to procure and preserve a full
and entire suite of the different specimens found in the State, and cause them
to be delivered to the secretary of state, who shall cause them to be properly
arranged in a cabinet, and deposited in some apartment in or convenient to the
capitol. Said suite shall be sufficiently large to furnish specimens to all insti-
tutions of learning within the State which are empowered to confer degrees in
the arts or sciences, to the State normal schools, to the industrial university at
Champaign, and to all chartered institutions of science located in this State
which publish their proceedings and which keep up a regular system of ex-
changes with other like institutions.
Approved, April 29, 1873.
It is evident from the wording of the original act of establishment
that the formation of a library was not contemplated, though in the
third clause of the act of April 3, 1872, reference is made to copies
of the reports " to be used as exchanges." Presumably a considerable
amount of material must have accumulated, the growing importance
of which, together with the importance of the geological collections,
caused the passage of the following full and explicit act, which re-
sulted in the establishment of the existing State historical and natu-
ral history museum :
An act to establish a State historical and natural history museum ; to provide for its care
and maintenance, and to appropriate money therefor. Approved May 25, 1877. In
force July 1, 1877.
Whereas it is important and desirable that all books, manuscripts, and other
matters illustrative of the early history of this State shall be preserved in some
permanent form; and
Whereas the collection of geological specimens accumulated in the progress
of the geological survey of this State are lying in a disorganized mass in the
basement of the capitol ; and
Whereas the large and valuable collection of specimens of zoology and botany
in the museum of natural history at Normal are now in a building not fire-
proof, and therefore in danger of destruction by fire : therefore
10. Established. 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, rep-
resented- in the general assembly, That there is hereby established at the capi-
tol of the State a State historical library and cabinet of natural history, to be
known as " The Illinois State Historical Library and Natural History Museum."
11. Rooms in statehouse. 2. The rooms in the west wing of the statehouse,
known as the miscellaneous library rooms, are hereby set apart for the said
library and museum established by this act.
12. Management Trustees. 3. The Illinois State Historical Library and
Natural History Museum shall be under the management of three trustees, con-
sisting of the governor, secretary of state, and superintendent of public instruc-
tion, who shall have power to make all such rules and regulations, not incon-
sistent with law, as may be necessary for its management.
13. Curator. 4. It shall be the duty of said trustees to appoint a curator,
who shall be a person of competent scientific attainments, and who shall pos-
sess a practical knowledge of the science of geology.
14. Curator to be the librarian. 5. The curator shall act as librarian and
shall have the custody, superintendence, and charge of all articles directed to
68 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
be deposited in said library and museum, and shall also perform the acts which
are or may be required by law of the State geologist.
35. Curator to select certain looks. 6. It shall be the duty of the said cura-
tor, as soon as the statehouse commissioners furnish the bookcases and furniture
designed for the galleries of said rooms, to select from the State library all
books and documents relating to the history of this State and place them in the
new rooms as a nucleus for a State historical library.
16. Geological specimens to be removed and classified. 7. It shall be the
duty of the curator as soon after this act takes effect as is practicable, to have
the collection of geological specimens accumulated in the progress of the geo-
logical survey of this State, and other specimens hereinafter named, removed to
said rooms and classified, labeled, and arranged in such a manner as to be
effectually preserved and at the same time open to the inspection of the public.
17. Duplicate specimens. 8. One each of all the duplicate zoological and
botanical specimens now on hand in the Illinois museum of natural history at
Normal, which are not needed to illustrate the natural history work of the State
Normal University, are hereby directed to be deposited as soon as practicable in
the museum established by this act by the curator of said Illinois Museum of
Natural History.
18. Museum at Normal. 9. It is hereby directed that the Illinois Museum of
Natural History at Normal be converted into a State laboratory of natural his-
tory, at which, under the direction of the curator thereof, the collection, preser-
vation, and determination of all zoological and botanical material for said State
museum shall be done. It is made a part of the duty of said curator to provide,
as soon as possible, a series of specimens illustrating the zoology and botany
of the State, to deposit them from time to time in the museum established by
this act, and to furnish as far as practicable, all zoological and botanical ma-
terial needed by the State educational institutions for the proper performance
of their work.
19. Appropriation. 10. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of
this act, the following named sums are hereby appropriated out of the Stata
treasury for the purposes herein specified :
For the salary of the curator provided for in this act, the sum of $2,500 per
annum for two years, payable quarterly.
For the purpose of moving the geological specimens from the basement, and
of moving the natural history specimens at Normal to the rooms designated,
and for arranging, classifying, labeling, and putting all the said specimens in
such condition that they will be effectually preserved and at the same time open
to the convenient inspection of the public, the sum of $500.
For the purpose of increasing the collections in natural history, the sum of
$1,000 per annum, to be expended under the direction of the curator of the State
laboratory at Normal.
20. When and how drawn. 11. The auditor of public accounts is hereby
authorized and required to draw his warrant on the treasurer for the moneys
herein appropriated, upon the order of the board of trustees: Provided, That
no portion of said moneys, other than the annual salaries, shall be due and
payable until satisfactory vouchers in detail shall have been filed with the
auditor for the expenditures incurred.
The survey, as will be noted by reference to these various enact-
ments, had no connection with any other institution and was sus-
tained wholly by legislative appropriations, at first annual and later
biennial.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 69
Administration. Under the act of 1851 Dr. J. G. Norwood was
appointed State geologist and J. H. McChesney, Henry Pratten,
Anthony Varner, and A. H. Worthen, assistants. In March, 1858,
A. H. Worthen became State geologist, and H. M. Bannister, F. H.
Bradley, E. T. Cox, Henry Engelmann, H. C. Freedman, H. A.
Green, J. H. McChesney, and Frank Snow, assistants in geology,
with W. Billington, topographer. Leo Lesquereux, F. B. Meek, J. S.
Newberry, and Orestes St. John were assistants in paleontology. 1
According to the terms of the law, assistants were appointed only
with the consent of the governor, auditor, and treasurer. The sal-
aries paid the directors varied at different periods from $2,000 to
$3,000 a year; those of the assistants in geology, from $800 to $1,000;
and those of the paleontologists from $1,200 to $1,800. Topograph-
ers received but $500 a year.
Museum. Section IV of the act of 1851 called for the making of
collections to be delivered to the secretary of state, who should " cause
them to be properly arranged in a cabinet and deposited in some
apartment in or convenient to the capitol." It was stipulated also
that the collection should be sufficiently large to furnish specimens
to all institutions of learning within the State empowered to confer
degrees in the arts and sciences. In 1873 this clause, as noted, was
so amended as to include the State Normal Schools, the Industrial
University at Champaign, and all chartered institutions of science
located in the State and which published their proceedings and kept
up a regular system of exchanges with other like institutions.
Publications. Doctor Norwood remained in charge of the survey
until the spring of 1858, during which time he published two bro-
chures, the first in connection with Henry Pratten in 1855. which
consisted of 77 pages of text and three plates. This appeared in the
Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. The
second, entitled Abstract of a Keport on Illinois Coals, with de-
scription and analyses, and a general notice of the coal fields, con-
tained 93 pages of text and was published in Springfield in 1857.
Under Worthen's administration the first and second volumes of
the final report were published in 1866, the third in 1868, the fourth
in 1870, the fifth in 1873, the sixth in 1875, the seventh in 1883, and
the eighth in 1890. These volumes contained detailed reports of all
the counties of the State and as much of the paleontology as the time
and means at the disposal of the director enabled him to complete.
1 The statements made on p. 43 of Survey Bulletin No. 465, relative to E. O. Ulrich, in
somewhat misleading, since the survey came to an end In 1872, as noted. It was not until
1885 that Mr. Ulrich was employed by Mr. Worthen, then curator of the State Museum,
to complete volume 8 of the reports of the defunct organization, an appropriation for
which had been made by the legislature of that year.
70 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The Paleozoic rocks of the State, especially the upper and lower
Carboniferous formations, proved to be exceedingly rich in fossil
remains, and the whole of the second and a portion of each suc-
ceeding volume of the reports was devoted to the description and
illustration of the new forms discovered in the prosecution of the
work of the survey. One hundred and ninety-five octavo plates and
numerous woodcuts were required to properly illustrate the species
described in the first six volumes.
The editions of the various reports were exhausted in a few months
after publication, and as there was a continued demand for them at
the office of the secretary of state, the thirty-first general assembly
passed an act in 1881 authorizing a reprint in three volumes of the
economical portion of the six volumes previously published, and also
requiring the curator of the museum to prepare and publish another
volume of geology and paleontology to correspond in form and style
with the six originals, to be entitled: Volume 7 of the Geological
Survey of Illinois. Five thousand copies of this volume were au-
thorized and 3,000 copies each of the three volumes of economic geol-
ogy. These three volumes were issued in 1882, and volume 7, con-
taining 31 plates, the following year.
The publications of the survey were distributed partly by the gen-
eral assembly, each member receiving five copies, and the remainder
by the secretary of state, except 300 copies, which were given to the
authors of the work for foreign distribution.
Benefits. 'The material results of the survey of Illinois have been
the correct determination of the coal resources of the State, by de-
fining the extent, number, and thickness of the different coal seams ;
a full report on the lead regions of both the northern and southern
part of the State ; also pointing out the location and extent of other
mineral products, such as building stone, hydraulic, and common
limestones, clays for pottery, firebrick, paint, etc. Its contributions
to science have been the discovery, description, and illustration of
nearly 1,200 new or little known species of fossils and the publica-
tion of a geological map of the State on a scale of 6 miles to the inch.
The development of the coal resources undoubtedly gave a decided
impetus to nearly all industrial interests, and in consequence of the
cheap and abundant fuel resources, steel and iron mills and extensive
zinc works have been established. The same cause has stimulated
railroad enterprise and added vastly to the value of the prairie lands
which, before the coal resources were known, were considered as of
little value, in consequence of the scarcity of fuel.
As noted in the laws, the survey was abolished in 1872, though ap-
propriations for completing the publications were continued until
GEOLOGICAL AND NATUBAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 71
1875, when all active work ceased for a period of 30 years, to be
revived once more in 1905. 1
Expenses. The following summary of appropriations for the geo-
logical survey, 1851-1875 ; the Historical Library and State Museum
of Natural History, 1877-1889 ; and for the State Museum of Natural
History, 1889 to 1900, is furnished by Mr. C. H. Crantz, curator :
1851. Seventeenth General Assembly: Survey instituted and a sum
not to exceed $3,000 a year appropriated $6, 000. 00
1853. Eighteenth General Assembly : General appropriation, a year,
$5,000 ; for topographical maps, a year, $500 11, 000. 00
1855. Nineteenth General Assembly appropriation : Same amounts.. 11, 000. 00
1857. Twentieth General Assembly appropriation : Same amounts 11, 000. 00
1859. Twenty-first General Assembly appropriation : Same amounts 11, 000. 00
1861. Twenty-second General Assembly appropriation : Same
amounts 11, 000. 00
1863. Twenty-third General Assembly appropriation : Same amounts,
and $500 a year, rent of storeroom for collections 12, 000. 00
1865. Twenty-fourth General Assembly appropriation: Same
amounts, and $20,000 for publishing reports, vols. 1 and 2__ 32, 000. 00
1867. Twenty-fifth General Assembly appropriation : For salary, ge-
ogist, a year, $3,000; survey, a year, $10,000; publishing
3,000 copies, vol. 3, $5,000 31,000.00
1869. Twenty-sixth General Assembly appropriation: Salary, geolo-
gist, a year, $3,000; illustrating and publishing vol. 4,
$7,500 ; completing drawings, vol. 5, $1,500 15, 000. 00
1871. Twenty-seventh General Assembly appropriation: Salary, ge-
ologist, a year, $2,000; publishing and illustrating vol. 5,
$6,500 10, 500. 00
1873. Twenty-eighth General Assembly appropriation: Salary, ge-
ologist, a year, $2,500; salary, assistant, a year, $500;
salary, assistant, a year, $600; moving collections, $125;
drawings for vol. 6, $1,500; illustrating and publishing
vol. 6, $7,500; special appropriation for payment of claim
for binding of vols. 1 and 2, $7,636.18 23, 961. 18
1875. Twenty-ninth General Assembly made no appropriations for
the maintenance of the survey.
1877. Thirtieth General Assembly passed act to establish a State
historical library and State museum of natural history.
Appropriated salary, curator, a year, $2,500; increasing
collections, a year, $1,000 ; moving collections, $500 7, 500. 00
1879. Thirty-first General Assembly appropriation : Salary, curator,
a year, $1,800; contingent fund, a year, $300 4, 200. 00
1881. Thirty-second General Assembly appropriation : Salary, cura-
tor, a year, $2,000; salary, assistant, a year, $600; contin-
gent fund, a year, $300; preparing vol. 7, general reports,
and vols. 1, 3 of economic geology, $5,000; printing and
binding of 5,000 copies of vol. 7 and 3,000 copies of vols. 1,
3, economic geology, $5,000 15,800.00
1 Bull. 465, U. S. Geol. Surv., pp. 42-51.
72 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
1883. Thirty-third General Assembly appropriation : Salary, cura-
tor, a year, $2,000; salary, assistant, a year, $600; salary,
janitor, a year, $600; contingent fund, a year, $300; mu-
seum cases, $1,000 $8, 000. 00
1885. Thirty-fourth General Assembly appropriation : Preparing vol.
8 for publication, $5,000; salary, curator, a year, $2,000;
salary, assistant, a year, $600 ; salary, janitor, a year, $900 ;
contingent fund, a year, $300 ; for increasing zoological and
archaeological collections, $3,000 a year 18,600.00
1887. Thirty-fifth General Assembly appropriation : Salary, curator,
a year, $2,000; salary, assistant, a year, $800; salary, jani-
tor, a year, $900; contingent fund, a year, $300 8, 000. 00
1889. Thirty-sixth General Assembly appropriation : Salary, curator,
a year, $2,000 ; salary, assistant, a year, $1,000 ; salary, jani-
tor, a year, $900; contingent fund, a year, $300 8,400.tO
The Thirty-sixth General Assembly passed act separating the his-
torical library and State museum.
1891. Thirty -seventh General Assembly appropriation : Salary, cura-
tor, a year, $2,500 ; salary, assistant, a year, $1,000 ; salary,
janitor, a year, $900 ; contingent fund, a year, $500 9, 800. 00
1893. Thirty-eighth General Assembly appropriation: Salary, cura-
tor, a year, $2,500 ; salary, assistant, a year, $1,000 ; salary,
janitor, a year, $720 ; contingent fund, a year, $500 9, 440. 09
1895. Thirty-ninth General Assembly appropriation : Same amounts. 9. 440. 00
1897. Fortieth General Assembly appropriation : Same amounts 9, 440. 00
1899. Forty-first General Assembly appropriation: Same amounts 9,440.00
Total $303, 521. 18
In this total are not included the cost of office supplies, such as ink,
pens, papers, envelopes, etc., furnished direct by the secretary of state.
INDIANA. 1
FIRST SURVEY UNDER DAVID DALE OWEN, 1837-1838.
The first geological survey of Indiana, under State auspices, was
made under the authorization of the following :
Act to provide for a geological survey of the State of Indiana.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana,
That the governor be, and he is hereby, authorized and required annually here-
after to appoint and commission a person of talents, integrity, and suitable
scientific acquirements, as geologist for the State of Indiana, who shall receive
In consideration of the faithful performance of his duties an annual salary not
exceeding $1,500, and necessary expenses not exceeding $250, to be paid as the
salaries of other civil officers of State are or may be directed to be paid.
SEC. 2. That it shall be the duty of the geologist to be appointed as aforesaid
to make a complete and minute geological survey of the whole State, commenc-
ing with those portions in the vicinity of the contemplated public works (always
having -reference to the directions hereinafter provided), and thence through the
other portions of the State, with as much expedition and accuracy as may be
1 Compiled In part from manuscripts by Dr. Ryland T. Brown and Prof. Richard Owen.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 103 PL. 8
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 73
consistent with minuteness and dispatch, and he shall prepare and lay before
the legislature, at the commencement of every session, a detailed account of all
remarkable discoveries made and the progress of the work, accompanied with
proper maps and diagrams, including a geological chart of the State.
SEC. 3. It shall further be the duty of the geologist of the State, at those sea-
sons not suited to active prosecution of the geological survey, to analyze and
ascertain the qualities and properties of mineral substances or soils left at his
office or residence for that purpose by any citizen of the State and taken from
any proportion of the territory of the State.
SEC. 4. That the said geologist, appointed by virtue of this act, shall be subject
to the orders of the executive of the State, and shall hold himself ready on rea-
sonable notice to make geological examinations in the vicinity of internal im-
provement which the legislature has or may hereafter direct to be made: Pro-
vided, That this act shall expire at the termination of the year 1838, unless the
same be reenacted by the next legislature of this State.
SEC. 5. This act to be in force from and after its passage.
Approved February 6, 1837.
Dr. David Dale Owen, by this act, was appointed State geologist
and made a reconnoissance of the State, takng a general view of
the several formations and designating, with a fair amount of ac-
curacy, the boundary of the coal fields. According to manuscript
notes by Dr. Richard Owen he had no assistants. He made his own
field observations (traveling on horseback), and his chemical analyses
in his laboratory at New Harmony. No topographical work was
attempted. He made but one report, which was issued in two parts
in 1838, when he resigned to accept an appointment under the Gen-
eral Government. Owing to the financial depression, 1838-1840,
no successor was appointed, and the survey came to an end.
In 1850 the subject of a survey was once more brought up, and the
following resolutions passed, though without apparent effect :
A Joint resolution upon the subject of a grant cf land for a geological survey of the
State of Indiana.
Whereas, a large part of the mineral lands in the State of Indiana belong to
the United States, and their value consists chiefly in the minerals under the
surface that are not so easily to be ascertained without a geological survey of
the district in which they lie ; and whereas, the people of this State desire the
direct and indirect advantages that would grow out of the development and use
of these minerals and deem it justice that the General Government should con-
tribute its fair proportion to the cost of bringing its own lands into market:
wherefore
SECTION 1. Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana,
That our Senators in Congress are hereby instructed and our Representatives
requested to use their exertions to procure a grant of a township of land, or its
equivalent, of the unsold lands of the United States in Indiana for the purpose
of aiding the State in making a full geological survey thereof.
SEC. 2. Be it further resolved, That his excellency the governor be requested
to transmit a copy of this joint resolution to each of our Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress.
Approved January 21, 1850.
74 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
In 1852 the matter came up once more in a similar form, and the
following joint resolution passed, though again with no apparent
result :
A Joint resolution in relation to a donation of public lands for a geological, agricultural,
and topographical survey.
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That our Sen
ators in Congress be instructed and Representatives requested to use their votes
and influence to effect the passage of a law giving to the States, respectively, in
which there is so much unsold public land, one township in each landofflce dis-
trict, to be applied by the proper authorities of the State for the purpose of
making a geological, agricultural, and topographical survey of such State; and
Be it further resolved, That his excellency the governor be and is hereby au-
thorized to furnish each of our Senators and Representatives a copy of this joint
resolution ; also one copy to each of the governors of the several States, and re-
quest them to lay the same before the legislatures.
Approved January 12, 1852.
In 1853 Gov. Joseph A. Wright, in his message to the legislature,
urged the resumption of the geological survey in order to develop
the mineral resources of the State. In response to this there was
made, according to the manuscript notes of Dr. Ryland T. Brown,
a small appropriation which became available in January, 1854. To
expend this the governor appointed Doctor Brown State geologist.
One report was made on the work of the season of 1854. This the
legislature refused to publish on the ground that it conveyed an
erroneous and exaggerated idea as to the value of the coals of the
State. Appropriation for the continuation of the work was also
refused. Doctor Brown's suppressed report, it should be stated, was
subsequently published in the reports of the Department of Agricul-
ture.
SECOND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER D. D. OWEN AND RICHARD OWEN,
1859-1861. 1
The subject of a survey coming again before the legislature, in
1859, the following enactment was passed :
An act authorizing the State board of agriculture to cause a geological reconnoissance of
the Slate to be made, to make collections and analyses of specimens, and making ap-
propriations therefor.
Whereas the State board of agriculture has memorialized the general assembly
for such aid a full geological survey of the State would give in furtherance of
the object for which said board was organized ; and
Whereas the finances of the State are not now in a condition which would
justify such an appropriation as would carry out the plan contemplated by the
memorialists; and
1 Prepared In part from manuscripts by Dr. Ryland T. Brown and Prof. Richard Owen.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 75
Whereas it is now believed that the sum of $5,000, granted by the State to
said board, together with such voluntary contributions as might be made to it,
would be sufficient to make a geological reconnoissance of the State and the de-
termination of the general boundaries of its geological formation and also to
make collections and analyses of specimens of minerals, ores, earths, and stone
from every portion of the State, and thus prepare the way for a more full and
systematic survey to be made hereafter under the direction of the State execu-
tive; therefore
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana,
That the sum of $5,000 is hereby appropriated out of the State treasury, and to
be paid on the warrant of the auditor to the said State board, for the purpose
of making the geological reconnoisance, collections, and analyses of specimens
of minerals, ores, earths, and stones : Provided, That one-half of said sum shall
not be paid prior to April 15, 1860, and the other half not before the loth of
October, I860.
SEC. 2. The governor is hereby directed to select a convenient room in the
capitol, or in any building that may be erected by the State, if a suitable one
can be found, and, if not, hire one for the deposit and safe-keeping of such
minerals, soils, ores, fossils, maps, sketches, etc., as may be collected and made
by direction of said board, which room shall be placed under the control of said
board.
SEC. 3. The State board of agriculture shall, on or before the 15th of De-
cember, 1860, make a full report to the governor of the expenditures of said
appropriation, with full vouchers thereof and of the results accomplished there-
by. The governor shall have 2,000 copies of said report printed for the use of
the next general assembly.
Organization. Under this law Dr. D. D. Owen, then State geolo-
gist of Arkansas, was for the second time appointed State geologist
of Indiana, and his brother, Kichard Owen, assistant. Doctor Owen
dying shortly after the work was begun, Richard Owen became State
geologist, holding the position until 1861, when he resigned to take
command of a regiment of volunteers in the Federal Army. The
vacancy then created was not filled, and thus the third attempt at a
geological survey of the State came to an end.
This survey had no connection with any institution other than the
board of agriculture, and was sustained during its brief existence
by the single appropriation of $5,000. Section 3 of an act approved
May 11, 1861, however, made the State geologist a member of the
faculty of the State University, and directed that in the progress of
the work he collect specimens of geology and mineralogy in duplicate
and deposit one set of the same in the university cabinet.
Administration. The Owens were assisted on this survey by Dr.
Robert Peter, chemist; Leo Lesquereux, botanist; and J. P. Lesley,
topographical engineer, the State geologist, himself, being ap-
pointed by the State board of agriculture, and the assistants by
Doctor Owen. No promotions were made during the existence of
the survey. The salaries were at the rate of $8 a day for State
76 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
geologist; $4 a day for assistants; and from $1.50 to $2 for labor.
No salaries were received from other institutions.
Museum. A considerable amount of material was collected which
was deposited in the State collection at Indianapolis, forming thus,
the beginnings of the present State museum. No library was at-
tempted.
Expenses. The total cost of the survey, as already noted, was
$5,000, which included salaries, traveling expenses, transportation
of specimens, analyses, and a large part if not all of the expenses of
printing and engraving.
Publications. The single report published was printed in 1862
at Indianapolis, in the form of an octavo volume of 368 pages. The
edition is stated to have been but 300 copies, 25 of which were placed
at the disposal of the State geologist to be distributed as he desired.
The entire cost of publication is given in Prof. Richard Owen's notes
as about $600, or $2 a copy.
The following notes, in the handwriting of Professor Owen are
not without interest as showing his method :
The object of the reconnoissance by railroad in the autumn of 1859 was to
give such a general idea of the general geology and of the important localities to
be visited as would render our survey of I860 more efficient and economical of
time and money. Printed circulars were sent in advance to the different mem-
bers of the board for distribution, informing farmers, who had specimens to
exhibit or soil for analysis exactly how to proceed and where to deposit them.
At my request Doctor Clapp made tridaily observations at North Albany
with his standard cistern barometer, so as to enable me to correct for meteoro-
logical changes in making hypsometrical observations.
The analytical and office work performed at New Harmony was all under
the direction of Dr. D. D. Owen while he lived ; the methods were the result
of his long experience. As mentioned in the prefatory letter, page 7 of my
report, he designed to give some general observations on agricultural chemistry
and milk sickness, particularly the connection of the latter with peculiar geo-
logical formations.
In addition to the objects above enumerated which were kept In view during
the survey I may mention that in connection with general observations regard-
ing the soil of any region, its fertility, etc., I noted the predominance of any
given forest tree, such as oak growth, prevalence of beech, etc. (e. g., see report,
p. 20S, also p. 36). These notes I could take as we passed along, without even
stopping the carriage. In arranging them in the report, each subject being under
a separate heading, any information wanted could be readily reached by turn-
ing to the county and consulting under its appropriate heading the subject re-
quired. The lists of fossils in a given locality or formation were always
arranged according to their zoological sequence or classification (e. g., report,
p. 39). Perhaps the typical section on page 47, as a means of understanding
other sections, may be mentioned here.
Some of the above methods I give under this head, as they may perhaps claim
to be improvements on the earlier systems. Under this head may perhaps also
be mentioned some synopses of classification translated from the French : 1.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 77
Brongniart's Ferns ; 2, Milne Edward's Corals and Classification of Animal King-
dom; 3, (English) Woodward's Classification of the Mollusca; 4, A suggestive
table of my own of Divisions and Subdivisions of Time and Vertical Space; 5.
a map of Wyandotte Cave, after carrying my barometer through and obtaining
a topographical survey record from the proprietor.
I sent every specimen collected, unless a duplicate was needed, for further
examination and description to Indianapolis, where I suppose they can still be
found in the State collection. One remarkable specimen I may mention was
found, on being weighed at the nearest Adams Express office, to be 153 pounds
and about 3 feet across its base. 1 It was the framework or skeleton of a single
community of polyp first described by Hall as Favistella stella [sic], but consid-
ered by Edwards and Haine as Columnaria alveolata. It is just at the junction
between lower and upper Silurian, and fine specimens can be found at the deep
cut near Madison, Ind. But this large specimen had become detached and
rolled to the foot of a considerable hill. It being in the form of a cone we
turned it with its face or base upon two rails, and aided by my assistant, Mr.
James Patterson, of Jeffersonville, Ind., we carried it to the top of the hill,
where we found a wagon going to the railroad station, on which we loaded it.
Later State geologists added to the State collection or museum at Indianapolis,
which was in the geological rooms of Prof. Collett in the old statehouse, now,
however, I believe pulled down.
The $5,000 appropriation for the survey was expended for per diem of the
several officers and employees for traveling expenses, transportation of min-
erals and fossils, analysis, printing and engraving report, etc. An accurate and
separate account was kept and rendered at brief intervals to the State board
of agriculture. I remember the secretary expressing his astonishment that I
should have gone so much into detail as to mention each 5 cents' worth of milk
obtained at the farm houses, if we happened to camp near one.
The entire sum was, I think, the result of a single appropriation, and as far
as I remember included the printing and engraving. Of this, however, I am
not quite certain, for I remember when I was in Camp Morton (see p. 302 of the
report) as colonel of the 60th Indiana Volunteers, guarding the 4,000 prisoners
taken at Fort Donelson, I called on Governor Morton with reference to the illus-
trations (wood cuts from my sketches), and I thinJc obtained some addition
from a contingent fund for the engraver.
Benefits. 1. The analyses of the soils; the disenchantment of individuals
who had " married a gold mine," by proving to them that it was a bed of sul-
phur and iron ; the calculations made for some who desired to sink shafts, and
actually found coal within a few feet of the depth indicated (this occurred at
West Franklin and elsewhere) ; the dissuasion from expending money for an
artesian well near an anticlinal axis; and much information of a similar char-
acter imparted to the citizens of Indiana during the survey and by the pub-
lication of the report, may perhaps entitle this survey to the claim of having
benefited the citizens of Indiana.
2. As regards the benefit to science, although perhaps not much that was
new may have been presented, yet this survey paved the way for others, in
which fine block coal, porcelain clay, and clay for terra cotta were pointed
out, etc. Had more time and means been at our disposal I think we could
have accomplished work that would have been creditable, but the war inter-
fered for a time with all such pursuits, and I was invited by our war governor
(the late Senator Morton) to take a military commission and aid in endeavoring
1 For a fuller description see p. 49 of the Report on Franklin County.
78 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
to convince the South that State rights too strictly interpreted meant dis-
integration of the Union. Acceding to his wishes I closed iny connection with
the State board of agriculture and with the second Indiana geological survey.
THIRD GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER E. T. COX, JOHN COLLETT, AND
OTHERS, 1869-1900.
In 1869 the subject of a renewal of the survey came before the
legislature and the act passed of which the following is a transcript :
An act providing tor a geological survey and for the collection and preservation of *
geological and mlneraloglcal cabinet of the natural history of the State of Indiana,
creating the office of State geologist, defining his duties, and fixing his salary.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted Ity the General Assembly of the State of Indiana,
That a department of geology and natural science is hereby established In
connection with, and under the control and direction of, the Indiana State board
of agriculture, for the collection and dissemination of information in relation
to geological and other scientific investigations to be made, as hereinafter pro-
vided for, for the promotion of agriculture, mining, the arts, and manufactures.
SEC. II. And be it further enacted, That the governor is hereby authorized to
appoint a suitable person as State geologist to take charge of said department ;
and said geologist shall hold his office for a term of two years and till his
successor shall be appointed as aforesaid, with an annual compensation of
$1,800, to be paid in quarterly payments; and, in addition to his salary, said
geologist shall be paid also for the necessary traveling expenses incurred while
engaged in prosecuting the field surveys, and for chemical reagents used in the
analytical work.
SEC. III. And be it further enacted, That said State geologist shall have a
thorough practical knowledge of geology and analytical chemistry, and shall
establish his office at Indianapolis, in the State of Indiana, in a room or rooms
furnished to him, free of charge, by the Indiana State board of agriculture;
and he shall be required also to supply himself, free of cost to the State, with
all the apparatus necessary to fit up an analytical laboratory adapted to making
chemical analyses of soils, ores, metals, mineral waters, and other substances
that may be thought of value or general interest to the citizens of the State.
SEC. IV. And be it further enacted, That said State geologist shall, from time
to time make a survey of a portion of the State, in order to be able to com-
plete a thorough geological survey of the whole State as soon as consistent
with his other duties as herein defined ; and it shall be his duty also to collect,
properly label, and arrange in the agricultural rooms specimens of the ores,
coals, building stones, clays, soils, and organic remains, quadrupeds, birds,
reptiles, fishes, Crustacea, mollusca, insects, and all other objects of natural
history peculiar to the State, and, as far as practicable, of other States and
countries also.
SEC. V. And be it further enacted, That the .State geologist shall also be
required fo make annual reports to the Indiana State board of agriculture
embracing the full results of his labors for each year, which reports shall be
published along with the proceedings of the said State board of agriculture.
SEC. VI. And be it further enacted, That, in order to carry the provisions of
this act into effect, the sum of $5,000 be, and the same is hereby, annually
appropriated out of any funds in the treasury not otherwise appropriated,
and placed in charge of the Indiana State board of agriculture for their dis-
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 79
bursement in accordance with the provisions herein made and provided for;
and it shall be the duty of the State geologist to file with the State board of
agriculture, a statement accompanied with the proper vouchers for all moneys
expended by him in carrying out the provisions of this act.
SEC. VII. And be it further enacted, That there shall be printed and bound
annually in a separate volume 2,500 copies of the repoi-t of the State geologist,
to be printed and provided by law for printing, binding, and distributing the
laws and journals.
This act shall be in force from and after its passage.
Approved March 5, 1869.
At the session of 1879 the legislature revised this law and created
a bureau of statistics and geology. The following is the text of this
act:
An act providing for the establishment of a State bureau of statistics and geology, creat-
ing the office of the chief of such department, defining his duties, providing for the
collection of statistics oa agriculture, manufactures, commerce, education, labor, social,
and sanitary subjects, making said chief, curator of the geological cabinet, and ap-
propriating money to carry out the provisions of the act.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana,
That a department of statistics and geology is hereby established for the col-
lection and dissemination of information, hereinafter provided, by annual
printed reports made to the governor and legislature of the State.
SEC. 2. The governor is hereby authorized to appoint, as soon after the passage
of this act as convenient, and thereafter biennially, some suitable person to act
as chief, who shall have power to employ such assistants as he may deem neces-
sary, and said officer and assistants shall constitute the Indiana bureau of sta-
tistics and geology, with headquarters to be furnished by the State: Provided,
That such chief of the bureau of statistics shall be an expert in the sciences of
geology and chemistry.
SEC. 3. The duties of said bureau shall be to collect, systematize, tabulate,
and present in annual reports, as hereinafter provided, statistical information
and details relating to agriculture, manufacturing, mining, commerce, labor,
education, social and sanitary conditions, vital statistics, marriages, and deaths,
and to the permanent prosperity of the productive industry of the people of the
State.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the several city, incorporated town, county and
township assessors, trustees, officers of school boards, and boards of health in
their respective cities, towns, counties, and townships; the agents or superin-
tendents of all manufacturing, mining, and mechanical establishments; the
managers and superintendents of all corporations, manufacturing, mechanical,
and transportation companies and associations; and county superintendents of
schools, to make reports and answer questions relating to the duties of said
bureau, upon such blanks as may be furnished to them for such purposes by said
bureau. And the chief of said department shall have power to administer oaths,
to examine witnesses under oath on questions relating to production, manufac-
turing, mining, transportation, labor, wages, savings, and respecting such other
matters as relates to the duties of said bureau.
SEC. 5. The chief of said bureau shall be the curator of the geological cabinet,
museum, chemical laboratory, apparatus, and library, and shall from time to
13607520 7
80 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
time, as may be practicable, add specimens to the cabinet of minerals, organic
remains, and other objects of natural history peculiar to the State and other
States and countries.
SEC. 6. The annual compensation of the chief of said bureau shall be $1,200,
to be paid out of the treasury of the State as provided by law for similar ex-
penditures ; and in addition thereto the sum of $2,500 be, and the same is hereby,
annually appropriated, out of any funds in the State treasury not otherwise
appropriated, for two years, to be expended, or so much of it as may become
necessary, in the discretion of the chief of said bureau, in carrying out the pur-
poses of said department, as herein provided. It shall be the duty of the chief
of said department to render annually to the governor a detail statement,
accompanied with the proper vouchers, for all moneys expended by him in carry-
Ing out the provisions of this act: And provided further, That no greater ex-
penditure of money, or liability therefor, shall be made or incurred by the chief
of said bureau, or his assistants, than the sum herein appropriated for carrying
into effect the provisions of this act.
SEC. 7. Any person or persons authorized by the bureau to collect statistics
or answer questions relating thereto, who shall neglect or refuse to make true
returns, as provided for in this act, shall forfeit and pay a fine not exceeding
$200.
SEC. 8. The fines arising under this act may be recovered in any court of
competent jurisdiction, by information or complaint of the attorney general,
and the same shall accrue to the State and be paid into the treasury thereof.
SEC. 9. The act approved March 5, 1869, establishing a separate department
of geology, and the acts amendatory thereof and in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed.
SEC. 10. Whereas an emergency exists for the immediate taking effect of this
act it shall therefore take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Again, in 1881, the law relating to surveys was revised and a de-
partment of geology and natural history created. The following
is the text of this law :
An act to provide for the establishing of a department of geology and natural history In
this State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana,
That a department of geology and natural history is hereby established for the
purpose of continuing the geological and scientific survey of this State, of
discovering and developing its natural resources, disseminating information in
regard to its agricultural, mining, and manufacturing advantages.
SEC. 2. That the governor shall appoint a competent and suitable person, who
shall be skillful in geology and natural science, as State geologist, and who shall
be the chief of said department; and said chief shall have power and be
authorized to call to his assistance such help as he may deem necessary, but
in no case to exceed the amount of expenditure authorized by the general
assembly. Said State geologist, when commissioned by the governor, shall
take an oath of office as other officers, and shall serve for a term of four years;
but said State geologist may be removed by the governor for cause and a
successor appointed in his stead, and the governor shall fill any vacancy which
may occur from any cause. The compensation of said State geologist shall
be $1,800 per year, which shall be paid as other salaries are required by law
to be paid.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 81
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of said State geologist to continue the geological
survey of the State, by counties or districts, and to complete and revise the
same as may be practicable. He shall give special attention to the discovery of
minerals, stones, or other natural substances useful in agriculture, manufacture,
or the mechanical arts ; he shall be curator of the geological cabinet, museum,
apparatus, and library, and shall from time to time, as may be practicable,
add specimens to the cabinet of minerals, organic remains, and other objects
of natural history peculiar to this State and other States and countries.
SEC. 4. The offices of the geological department shall be in such rooms as may
be assigned for this purpose, and he shall keep such office and the State museum
open during the usual business hours of other offices of State when not en-
gaged in field or other work requiring his absence therefrom.
SEC. 5. The State geologist shall make to the governor an annual report of
his labors and discoveries, and of all useful information he may have obtained
In such service, including such descriptions and figures in geology, paleontology,
and archeology as may promote science and aid in the diffusion of knowledge;
and 5,000 copies of such report shall be printed and published in like manner
as other official reports.
SEC. 6. An appropriation of $5,000 annually shall be, and is hereby, made for
the next succeeding two years, which shall include the salaries of the State
geologist and his paid assistant; and if any part thereof shall remain un-
expended it shall remain a part of the general fund of the State, to be used
as other general funds of the State are used.
SEC. 7. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
SEC. 8. Whereas an emergency is hereby declared to exist for the immediate
taking effect in this act, it shall, therefore, take effect and be in force from and
after its passage.
Administration. Under the enactment of 1869 Prof. E. T. Cox
was appointed State geologist, with F. H. Bradley and Dr. Rufus
Raymond as assistants, Dr. G. M. Levette acting chemist. In 1870
Dr. John Collett was added to the corps of assistant geologists and
made a survey of Sullivan County, and Professor Cox examined Mar-
tin County. In 1871 Messrs. Cox and Collett surveyed Daviess
County. In 1872 additional assistants were appointed, and B. C.
Hobbs made a survey of Parke County; E. B. Warder, of Ohio,
Switzerland and Dearborn counties, and John Collett of Pike
County. In 1873 W. W. Borden spent the season in the examina-
tion of Clark and Floyd counties. In the same year John Collett
made a survey of Warren, Lawrence, Knox, and Gibson counties,
and Doctor Levette made a cursory examination of Dekalb, Steuben,
Noble, Elkhart, St. Joseph, and Laporte counties. In 1874 Jack-
son County was surveyed by Professor Cox ; Brown County by Pro-
fessor Collett ; Scott and Jefferson by W. W. Borden. An elaborate
report on the fishes of Indiana was presented by Prof. D. S. Jordan,
and a full report of the flora of Jefferson County was made by
Prof. J. M. Coulter. In 1875-76 Vigo and Huntington counties
were examined by E. T. Cox ; Jennings and Ripley counties by W. W.
82 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Borden; Orange County by Dr. M. N. Elrod and S. Mclntire;
Vandenburg, Owen, Montgomery, and Clay counties by John Col-
lett ; and a hydrographic survey of certain small lakes in the north-
ern part of the State was made and reported upon by Doctor Levette.
In 1877 Professor Cox made a survey of Wayne County, and in
1878 Harrison and Crawford counties were surveyed and reported
upon by John Collett.
Under the act of 1879 John Collett was appointed statistician and
geologist, but with an appropriation of only $4,000 a year for the
work of both departments and only $505 of which was expended on
geology during the year 1879-80. G. K. Greene was appointed as
assistant geologist and made a survey of Monroe County. In 1880
Professor Collett made a survey of Putnam County.
Under the act of 1881 Mr. Collett was appointed by the governor
as chief geologist for a period of four years. As assistants in the field
he appointed Drs. A. J. Phinney, M. N. Elrod, and R. T. Brown.
To Doctor Phinney was assigned the survey of Delaware County ; to
Doctor Elrod, Bartholomew County ; and to Doctor Brown, Fountain
County; the geologist in chief devoting himself to the survey of
Shelby County.
In 1882 the force of field geologists was increased by the addition
of D. S. McCaslin, the assignments being as follows: To Doctor
Elrod, Decatur County; to Doctor Phinney, Randolph County; to
Mr. McCaslin, Jay County; and to the geologist in chief, Jasper
County.
In 1883 Professor Collett spent a part of the summer in Posey
County, Doctor Brown being assigned to work in Morgan County,
Doctor Elrod in Rush County, Doctor Phinney in Grant County,
and Mr. McCaslin in Johnson County. Special assistants in 1883
were John M. Coulter, botanist ; John N. Hurty, chemist ; Fred. M.
Stein, conchologist ; Ralph S. Perry, entomologist; Fletcher M. Noe,
ornithologist and taxidermist; Oliver P. Hay, herpetologist ; and
James Hall, C. A. White, and Leo Lesquereux. paleontologists.
Lesquereux, as paleobotanist, presented in that year an elaborate de-
scription of the fossil botany of the Indiana coal fields.
During 1884 the department was left without funds through the
failure of the legislature to pass the necessary appropriation bill.
Doctor Collett, however, unwilling that the work should be sus-
pended, proposed to pay the current expenses of the assistants from
his private funds: $1,494.76 was thus advanced by Doctor Collett,
who was subsequently reimbursed, however. Under these conditions
Doctor Brown surveyed the counties of Hamilton and Madison, and
Doctor Elrod, those of Fayette and Union. Professors Cope and
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL, HISTORY SURVEYS. 83
Wortrnan, of Philadelphia, furnished an elaborate paper on the
Post-Pliocene vertebrates of Indiana, and Dr. J. S. Newberry one on
the Drift deposits of Indiana.
The office of Professor Collett as geologist in chief expired in April,
1885, and Governor Gray appointed J. Maurice Thompson his suc-
cessor, under whom Doctor Phinney was assigned to work in Henry
County ; Doctor Brown in Hancock ; Prof. S. S. Gorby in Benton and
Tippecanoe ; and W. H. Thompson in Starke and Clinton counties.
Professor Thompson resigned in December, 1888, and was suc-
ceeded by S. S. Gorby, who, with W. H. Thompson and Charles K.
Dryer, had been one of his assistants. S. A. Miller, it should be
noted, served as paleontologist. In the sixteenth annual report it is
said by Professor Gorby that no assistance had been allowed either
in the museum or the field since his appointment. In the seventeenth
annual report, bearing date of 1891, the following is given, showing
the personnel of the survey: S. S. Gorby, State geologist; Maurice
Thompson, assistant geologist; Moses N. Elrod, assistant geologist;
Charles R. Dryer, chemist and geologist; S. A. Miller, paleontologist;
O. P. Hay, herpetologist; W. S. Blatchley, entomologist; E. Brad-
ner, botanist; J. E. Beasley, taxidermist; Thomas McQuade, in-
spector of mines; N. J. Hyde, supervisor of oils; E. T. J. Jordan,
supervisor of natural gas.
In the eighteenth annual report (for 1893) the personnel is given
as: S. S. Gorby, State geologist; Charles R. Dryer, assistant geolo-
gist ; E. P. Cubberly, assistant geologist ; S. A. Miller, paleontologist ;
J. N. Hurty, chemist; J. D. Kramer, chemist; W. B. Van Gorden,
botanist; J. E. Beasley, taxidermist; Thomas McQuade, superintend-
ent of mines ; N. J. Hyde, supervisor of oils ; E. T. J. Jordan, super-
visor of gas.
In 1894 is was as follows: S. S. Gorby, State geologist; Thomas
Elrod, assistant geologist ; A. C. Benedict, assistant geologist ; O. P.
Hay, icthyologist.
In 1895 W. S. Blatchley was made State geologist. With him
were associated T. C. Hopkins and E. M. Kindle, assistant geolo-
gists; W. A. Noyes and Robert Lyons, chemists; O. P. Hay, zoolo-
gist; Robert Fisher, inspector of mines; J. C. Leach, supervisor of
natural gas; and C. F. Hall, supervisor of oil inspection.
In 1896 the personnel was still further increased. T. C. Hopkins
and C. E. Siebenthal were employed in researches on building stone;
George H. Ashley on coal ; J. T. Scovell and A. F. Foerste on local
geology; W. A. Xoyes as chemist; M. A. Howe, physicist; J. C.
Leach, supervisor of gas inspection; C. F. Hall, of oil; Robert
Fisher, inspector of mines; and James Epperson, assistant in-
spector.
84 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
In 1897 the assistants were J. H. Ashley, in charge of coal survey,
with C. E. Siebenthal, J. T. Scovell, and E. M. Kindle, paleonto-
logical assistants. A. F. Foerste served as assistant in local geology ;
A. W. Butler, as ornithologist; W. A. Noyes, chemist; J. C. Leach,
supervisor of natural gas; C. F. Hall, supervisor of oil inspection;
Robert Fisher, inspector of mines; and James Epperson, assistant
inspector.
In 1898 J. A. Price was added to the force of assistants on the coal
survey.
In 1899 R. E. Call served as conchologist and Stanley Coulter as
botanist; E. B. Williamson, entomologist; W. C. Zaring, supervisor
of oil inspection; and Charles Long, assistant inspector of mines;
with these substitutions the personnel of the survey remaining as
before. In 1900 E. M. Kindle served as paleontologist.
Salaries. The salary of the State geologist was at first placed at
$2,000 a year, but the amount was afterwards changed to $1,800 a
year. The compensation for field and laboratory work was by the
piece, the remuneration being determined by the chief geologist.
The amount, however, is stated to have been always low.
Museum. The number of specimens belonging to the State at the
time of the transfer of the State museum by the department of
agriculture to the bureau of statistics and geology (1879) was 8,912.
The cost ($500) of arranging and cataloguing was borne by the
State board of agriculture. To this number were then added by
the bureau 11,649 pieces, of which 10,268 were acquired by purchase.
At the present time fossil flora of the early Carboniferous forma
tions in the State are especially well represented. There is also a
large and varied collection of stone implements and pottery of pre-
historic age. A library, consisting chiefly of the reports of other sur-
veys received in exchange, was built up.
Expenses. The approximate total expense of the surveys succeed-
ing Owen's is as follows:
Under E. T. Cox, 1869 to 1878, inclusive $66,000
Under John Collett, 1SSO to 1884, inclusive 25. 000
Under Maurice Thompson, 1885 to 1887, inclusive 10,000
Under S. S. Gorby, 18SS to 1S94, inclusive 42,000
Under W. S. Batchley, 1895 to 1900, inclusive 38, 800
$181, 803
During the year 1879-80 the sum of $505 was expended under Pro-
fessor Collett's administration for geological purposes, as already
noted.
The cost of printing and engraving the reports was borne inde-
pendently of the geological appropriations.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 9
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 85
Publications. An edition of 5,000 copies of each report was
printed up to 1885, when the number was increased to 8,000 copies.
But 5,000 copies were issued of the report for 1895.
Up to the year 1900, 25 volumes had been issued, ranging from 250
to 1,740 pages each, exclusive of maps. These reports were not sold,
but were distributed in various ways. Some were given in exchange
for other reports ; others presented to literary and scientific institu-
tions ; to geologists engaged in scientific research ; and the remainder
to the several counties through the county auditors and county super-
intendents of schools.
IOWA.
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER JAMES HALL, 1855-1857.
A portion of Iowa was included in surveys made by David Dale
Owen under authority of the United States General Land Office,
in 1839. The first survey under State auspices was that made by
James Hall and J. D. Whitney by virtue of the following enact-
ment, approved January 23, 1855 :
SECTION 1. Be it enacted l>y the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That
the governor may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, a
State geologist, who shall be a person of competent scientific and practical
knowledge of the sciences of geology and mineralogy, who shall hold his office
for the term of two years unless sooner removed by the governor.
2. The said State geologist shall, by and with the consent of the governor,
appoint one suitable person to assist him in the discharge of his duties, who
shall be a skillful analytical and experimental chemist.
3. It shall be the duty of said geologist and his assistant, as soon as may be
practicable after the appointment, to commence and carry on, with as much
expedition as possible, a thorough geological and mineralogical survey of the
State, as also of the character and quality of the soil for agricultural purposes.
4. It shall be the duty of the assistant to make full and complete examinations
and assays of all rocks, ores, soils, and other substances which may be submitted
to him by the State geologist for the purpose, and to furnish him with a de-
tailed and complete account of results so obtained.
5. It shall be the duty of the State geologist, on or before the first Monday of
December in each year, during the time not necessarily occupied by said survey,
to make report of said survey and the progress thereof, accompanied with such
maps, drawings, and specifications as may be necessary and proper to exemplify
the same to the governor, who shall lay a copy of the reports before the general
assembly.
6. It shall also be the duty of such geologist to forward to the governor, from
time to time during the progress of said survey, such specimens of rocks, ores,
coals, soils, fossils, and other mineral substances discovered and examined
properly labeled, as may be proper and necessary to form a complete cabinet of
collections of specimens of geology and mineralogy of the State ; and the governor
shall cause the same to be preserved for the benefit of the State, for public in-
spection. Said geologist shall cause to be represented on the map of the State,
by colors and other appropriate means, the various areas occupied by the dif-
86 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
ferent geological formations of the State, and mark thereon the localities of the
respective beds of deposits of the various mineral substances discovered, and the
character of the soil ; and, on the completion of the survey, to compile a memoir
of the geology and mineralogy of the State, comprising complete accounts of
the leading subjects and discoveries which have been embraced in the survey.
7. For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act the sum
of $2,500 is hereby annually appropriated for the said term of two years, to be
expended under the direction of the governor. The salaries of the geologist and
assistant shall be fixed by the census board of the State; the salaries of the
geologist and assistant, however, shall not commence until they have respec-
tively entered upon the discharge of their duties; and upon the completion of
said survey and the duties connected therewith the same shall cease and de-
termine.
8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in
the Iowa Republican and Iowa Capital Reporter.
Early in 1857 an additional act was passed, as below :
An act making provision for the continuation of the geological survey of the State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That
there be, and is hereby, appropriated from the treasury of the State, out of any
moneys not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $10,000, to aid in the further
prosecution of the geological survey of the State and to be expended under
the direction of the governor.
SEC. 2. All geological specimens and fossils collected during said survey are
hereby granted to the State University, and shall be deposited and carefully
kept in a cabinet to be by that institution devoted to this purpose.
SEC. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its pxiblica-
tion in the Iowa City Republican and the Iowa Capital Reporter.
Administration. Under these acts Dr. James Hall of New York
was appointed State geologist and J. D. Whitney, chemist and min-
eralogist. A. H. Worthen, subsequently State geologist of Illinois,
was made assistant geologist. B. J. Hall and E. Hungerford also
served, first as volunteer and afterwards as paid assistants. Mr. A.
E. Cooley joined the force in the summer of 1857. Hall, in a personal
report to Governor Grimes, thus outlined his results and views at
the end of the first season's work :
ALBANY, January. 1856.
To His Excellency JAMES W. GRIMES, Governor.
SIB : In accordance with your instructions I proceeded to Iowa in September
last to commence a geological survey of the State.
From my previous knowledge of the general geological structure of the State
of Iowa, I was aware that an examination along the course of the Mississippi
River would give me a complete section of the rock strata in the order of
succession from the lowest to the highest or from the oldest to the newest
formation as far as the Coal Measures. Accordingly, I proceeded at once to
the north line of the State, making a cursory examination of the formations
still farther north, which will enable me to show the connection of the geology
of Iowa with that of Minnesota.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 87
With the exception of several excursions Into the interior in order to trace
out more fully some of the formations, my whole time was expended in the
investigations along the Mississippi River. I have examined with care all
the exposures of rock from the northern line of the State to the mouth of the
Des Moines River, and I have the materials for constructing a well-defined
section of the rocks along this whole line. This section will be the ground-
work for all future operations in the interior of the State and is very im-
portant as preliminary progress in the survey. The limits of each formation
along the river line are now well ascertained, as also the character and order
of succession among the different beds, giving us greater facility and certainty
In tracing the continuation of the same formations into the interior of the
State when the great accumulation of drft material often obscures the under-
lying rocky strata.
During this investigation I have been able to prove the existence of several
rock formations not before known in the State, though well known in New York
and elsewhere. The facts thus ascertained will show that the geological series
in Iowa is much more complete than had heretofore been supposed, and It
places us at once in the position to make comparisons between its geology and
the geology of other portions of our country which have been accurately studied.
The lowest rock which I find in Iowa on the Mississippi River is that known
as the Potsdam sandstone, being the lowest fossil-bearing rock in the known
world. This rock with all those above it dips beneath the level of the river
as we descend the stream, admitting an examination of all the beds in succes-
sion as they descend to the river level.
The formations thus recognized in their ascending order are the Potsdam sand-
stone, Calciferous sandstone (lower magneslan limestone of Owen) ; the sand-
stone of the Chazy period; the Birdseye, Black River, and Newton limestones;
the Galena limestone; Hudson River group; Niagara limestone; a group of
limestone beds above the Niagara limestone requiring a new designation. The
Onondaga salt group; the lower Helderberg limestones; the Hamilton group;
the Chemung group; the Burlington limestone; the cherry beds of the Lower
Rapids; the Keokuk arid Warsaw limestones. The latter are succeeded by the
Coal Measures of lov/a, which occupy much of the southern and central por-
tions of the State.
The small area of coal measures which begins above Davenport and extends
to below Muscatine along the river is but a narrow and interrupted belt, and
has no connection with the series of coal measures which occupy the interior of
the State.
The Burlington and Keokuk limestones belong to the series termed " Car-
boniferous limestones," as well as some succeeding beds not seen at Keokuk.
As there existed much confusion in regard to the Carboniferous limestones,
as elucidated iu the report of this part of the country, I found it necessary to
trace these formations some distance south of the limit of Iowa, when they
become more fully developed and the facilities for studying their relations are
more favorable. Consequently, after the season had so far advanced that I
could no longer work in the State I carried forward my investigations to the
southward, with the most gratifying results. These results I shall give in
detail iu the report hereafter to be made, and I flatter myself that it may not
be without interest to the people of Iowa, as I feel sure that it will be regarded
as of the greatest interest to the science of geology.
Mr. Whitney has devoted his time mostly to the lead region in the vicinity of
Dubuque and will be prepared to communicate next year some valuable informs-
88 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
tion. He has also examined the iron ore of the Maquoqueta Valley, and we
shall be prepared to speak fully in reference to its extent and value.
From what has been done already I feel that the geology of Iowa will have a
great interest when once thoroughly worked out and the results presented to the
public. In regard to the scientific results, or those which will attract attention
In the scientific world, I feel that there is already more material than I had
expected the entire survey to yield.
Publications of the survey. The manuscript of the final report
would appear to have been submitted early in 1857 or the latter part
of 1856. Its receipt gave rise to the following joint resolution pro-
viding for the distribution of the reports :
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of lotca, That the governor
be, and is hereby, authorized to procure the printing of 2,000 copies of the report
of the State geologist, and that he cause one copy thereof to be transmitted to
each member of the general assembly and the remainder to be deposited in the
office of the secretary of state.
Resolved, That the governor be further authorized to draw his warrant on
the State auditor for the expease thereof, who shall audit and allow the same.
For reasons beyond the control of the authors, due mainly, as it
appears from the report, to delay in engraving the necessary plates,
the volume was not ready for the printer until September, 1858,
when it was issued in two parts, the first being given up mainly to
general geology and physical geology and the second to paleontol-
ogy. The survey was discontinued at the end of the two years set
by the law of establishment. Hall, however, with characteristic per-
sistence, refused to give up, and in 1860 wrote the Hon. W. H. F.
Gurley suggestions for its revival, as follows :
To the Hon. W. H. F. GTTBLEY,
Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means
of the House of Representatives of Iowa, 1860.
SIB: I take the liberty of submitting for your consideration some suggea
tions regarding the geological survey and its continuation, which are essentially
the same as I have already verbally communicated to the committee of the
two houses.
There are two ways in which the geological survey may be continued for
the next two years without making the larger appropriation that would be
required to complete the survey of the western half of the State.
One of these modes will be the one already proposed to the committees, which
requires that I shall keep one assistant in the field, whose especial duty it shall
be, under the direction and supervision of the State geologist, to make careful
exploration of the counties occupied by the coal measures, and the results to
be laid down on the county maps in the same manner as upon those maps al-
ready shown to the committee; and beyond this to provide for the completion
of certain laboratory and oflice work which has been already commenced, and
which is necessary in the preparation of the materials previously collected and
those to be collected, for another report of the character of that already made.
It is absolutely necessary that this latter work shall go on or much will be lost
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 89
that is already practically completed, and it will cost much more in the end
should it now be dropped and taken up again after two years or at any future
time.
By this means the localities and position of the coal beds, their extent and
thickness will be determined, and the resources of the State in this important
mineral will be thoroughly developed. It is unnecessary to enlarge upon the
importance to the State of a thorough knowledge of the extent and character
of the coal formation in the western and southwestern parts of the State.
It should be provided also that there be authority to publish such results of
this survey as shall be deemed important for giving information to the people
in regard to this and other mineral resources of the State, or any other facts of
interest and importance which may be made known in connection with the
survey.
It is very desirable also that certain investigations be made in the lead re-
gion of Dubuque, with a view to the completion of the map of that region, and
which shall conform in perfection with the maps of the adjacent portions of
Wisconsin and Illinois, including the entire lead region of the Northwest.
To accomplish this will require $2,000 annually for actual expenditures, with-
out providing anything as salary for the State geologist.
Should the committee prefer to consider the question of completing the work
in the lead region and the publication of the map as proposed, I submit the
following memoranda regarding an equitable division of the necessary ex-
penditure.
The great lead region of the Northwest lies in the States of Wisconsin, Iowa,
and Illinois, much the greater part of it being within the State of Wisconsin,
and the finishing of the map will be completed during the present year. As
these States are individually and mutually interested in this mineral region and
all that pertains to it, it is proposed that each contribute to the expense of the
publication, so that the map may be presented as a whole, and the report em-
brace the consideration of the entire region, by which means the inhabitants of
each State could possess the complete work.
I give below the estimated cost of printing geological report of the lead
region :
Cost of engraving and printing geological map, number of copies 2,500 $1, 500
Same number of large crevice map 750
Cost of printing report with the necessary illustrations 1, 500
$3, 750
This expense to be divided as follows. Wisconsin, three-fifths, $2,250, number of
copies, 1,500; Iowa, one-fifth, $750, number of copies, 500; Illinois, one-fifth,
$750, number of copies, 500. These sums are exclusive of field work.
Should this plan be adopted and a larger number of copies were required by
Iowa a number corresponding to that of the geological report already printed
that number could be had for the additional cost of paper and printing, the
original cost of the engraving and the composition of the letterpress having
been defrayed at the joint expense of the States interested as above indicated.
This report on the entire lead region could, moreover, be incorporated in a
volume with other results of the Iowa geological survey, the paging being BO
arranged as to admit of the other matter following in its proper order.
If the 500 copies alone were sufficient these may be secured for the sum
of $750 as above, with the addition of $500 for the completion of the field work.
The field work In the lead region of Wisconsin will be completed this year,
90 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
and the map will be completed this year, and the map will be ready for the
engraver as early as November next. The geological map mentioned embraces
the entire lead region of the three States, and is about 30 by 40 inches. The
crevice map shows all the known workings of Iowa and Illinois, and the most
important part of those in Wisconsin, laid down on a large scale in red lines, on
a map about 3 by 5 feet. It is probable and indeed almost certain that the
Legislature of Wisconsin will order the engraving of one or both these maps
the present year, and should the Legislature of Iowa take no action in regaro
to the matter, I propose to take some step by which the use of the engraving
can be secured to Iowa at some future time.
In accordance with the plan of the survey indicated above, every one of the
300 copies of the Iowa geological report sent to foreign governments and
societies, as well as to the State governments, is accompanied by a circular
stating that the work of the survey is in progress and that a second volume
will soon be published, and that the State is desirous of securing European
works from their public libraries in exchange.
I might here state that the ultimate plan of the survey contemplates a com-
plete exploration of the western half of the State, with carefully examined
sections of the valley of the Des Homes and of the Missouri, which will be
engraved in a similar manner to that given of the Mississippi Valley in the
first volume. Examinations of the drift and alluvial materials of the surface
and the soils have been commenced and a large accumulation of facts relative
to the soils of the eastern half of the State collected. The discussion of this
subject in all its bearings can not be properly taken up until the western hnlf
of the State shall have been examined, when this department of the survey
will receive that attention which its importance demands.
In making the preceding statement I have borne these facts in mind, and
aware of the necessity of economy, I have asked for the smallest sum that will
enable me to do the work proposed and to preserve the materials collected and
prepare them for a future report, and at the same time secure that priority for
the State of Iowa to which she is entitled by the publication, at a trifling ex-
pense of such matters as might otherwise be lost to us ; and by this means
secure originality or the result of original investigation for the future com-
plete report, the character of which I am very desirous should be kept up to
the standard of the preceding volumes.
*******
(Signed) JAMES HAIJ.
Nothing seems, however, to have come from this, but as late as
1865 Hall \vrote Governor Grimes :
I never understood that I was appointed by you for any specific time, but
to complete the survey, and your instructions to me were that I should make
volume 1 of such a character that another volume of similar size would con-
tain the entire result. This plan was adopted, and I felt that should there be
u disposition to resume the survey an opportunity would be given me to make
another volume as promised. 1
1 It appears further from correspondence that Hall was never fully reimbursed for
certain outlays which he had felt justified In making, though sundry appeals were rande to
the legislature to remedy the omission. In one instance a member made a distinct offer to
get a bill through, or, if unsuccessful in his attempt, to procure the pass-age of an act
that would enable Hall to sue for it in the county conrts ; this, however, on the following
extraordinary terms: "Namely, for one-half (the amount) if successful, or nothing if
not." The undertaking was deservedly unsuccessful, the member writing under date of
May 27, 1872 : " I am sincerely ashamed of the conduct of the State in ignoring your
claim under the circumstances and done (sic) my very best to wipe out the stain."
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 91
Expenses. The total expense would appear from the appropria-
tions to have been $5,000 for salaries and $10,000 for publication,
a total of $15,000.
SECOND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER CHARLES A. WHITE, 1866-1870.
With the discontinuance of the Hall- Whitney survey, matters in
Iowa lay dormant until 1866. when a movement for its completion
culminated in the following enactments :
An act providing for the completion of the geological survey of the State of Iowa.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That
for the purpose of completing the geological survey of the State, Charles A.
White, of Johnson County, is hereby appointed State geologist and shall hold
his office for the term of two years or until his successor is appointed. 1
SEC. 2. The State geologist shall be authorized to appoint a competent assis-
tant, and also a skillful analytical and experimental chemist, who shall report
to the State geologist the analysis of such soils, rocks, coals, ores, and other
mineral substances as he may submit to him for that purpose. He shall also
have power to employ such further assistance as he may deem necessary to
prosecute promptly and efficiently the field work connected with the survey.
All persons employed by him shall be under his direction and subject to removal
by him. All the specimens of minerals, fossils, rocks, soils, coals, ores, or other
geological or mineral substances of any value or interest to either the practical
or amateur geologist, and any drawings or sketches of the same obtained or
made by the State geologist, as well as the copyright of the reports, and all
books printed therefrom shall belong to the State, and no specimens, copy,
draft, or part of the same shall be given away or sold, or be permitted to be
carried away contrary to the provisions of this act. And the State geologist
or any of his assistants or employees or any person who shall violate any
provision of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the State geologist and his assistants to carry
on with as much expedition as practicable the geological and mineralogical sur-
vey of the State, including observations and examinations of the soil for agri-
cultural purposes. He may also include in his report such matters as pertain
to physical geography and such other matters as properly and usually pertain to
a survey of this kind, it being expressly required of the State geologist and his
assistant that these duties be performed in such a manner as to give to the
people of the State the greatest amount of practical information in relation to
its resources.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the State geologist on or before the first Monday
of January of each year to prepare a report of said survey and its progress,
accompanied by such maps and drawings as may be necessary to illustrate the
same, and transmit them to the governor, who shall lay a copy of such reports
before the general assembly. The State geologist shall, as far as practicable,
nse such words in his reports as are in common use, and that he shall accom-
1 It appears from correspondence that Professor Hall still considered himself as en-
titled to the appointment, and was inclined to resent Doctor White's candidacy. He,
however, declined to accept the directorship excepting under " practically the same basis
as the old."
92 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
pany each volume of his reports with a glossary. It shall also be his duty to
piepare, from time to time during the progress of the survey, communications
for publication in the newspapers of the State, provided it shall be done without
expense to the State, embodying such information in reference to the character
and quality of the soil, deposits of coal, minerals, and other valuable substances
as he may deem of general interest and importance to the public.
SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to cause collections to be
made of rocks, soils, fossils, coals, ores, and other mineral substances discovered
or examined, which shall be disposed of as follows, to wit, all rare specimens of
which duplicates can not be found, and all specimens from which descriptions
or illustrations are drawn for publication, shall be deposited in the cabinet of
the State University. A full series of the best of such specimens as more par-
ticularly exemplifiy the economic geology of the State shall be deposited in the
cabinet of the State agricultural college. All other specimens shall be dis-
tributed to the cabinets of all other organized institutions of learning in the
State, giving preference to the State University, the State agricultural college,
and the medical college at Keokuk.
SEC. 6. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act the sum of
$6,500 is hereby annually appropriated for the term of two years out of such
moneys in the treasury as are not otherwise appropriated. This fund shall be
drawn from time to time for the purposes of the survey on requisitions signed
by the State geologist and approved by the census board. The salary of the
State geologist shall be $2,000 annually, and the salary of his assistant shall be
fixed by the State geologist in such amounts, not exceeding $1,500 annually, and
for such periods as he may deem proper, but which shall not exceed the term of
his own appointment. The rate of pay of all other persons employed by the
State geologist shall be fixed by him, but shall not exceed the usual price paid
for the kind of labor performed, nor in any case shall it exceed $4 per day.
SEC. 7. All acts and parts of acts in contravention of the provisions of this
act are hereby repealed, and all appointments made under the provisions of
said acts are hereby annulled.
SEC. 8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its pub-
lication in the Iowa State Register and Iowa Homestead, newspapers pub-
lished at Des Moines.
Under this act work was immediately begun, and at the close of
1867 a preliminary report was made, which was published in pam-
phlet form. The continuation and completion of the work was pro-
vided for by the following act :
An act providing for the further prosecution and completion of the geological survey of
the State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted T>y the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That
for the purpose of the completion of the geological survey of the State that the
present State geologist be continued in office, and that the sura of $6,500 be
hereby annually appropriated, out of such moneys in the State treasury as are
not otherwise appropriated, until the said survey is completed, or until the
general assembly shall order its discontinuance. This appropriation shall be
drawn from time to time for the purposes of the survey and the payment of
the salaries of its officers as denned and limited in chapter 73 of the acts of
the eleventh general assembly, upon requisitions signed by the State geologist
and vouchers approved by the census board and filed with the auditor of State.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 93
SEC. 2. The State geologist is hereby required to complete the geological
survey of the State on or before the 1st day of January, 1870, and to prepare
a full and complete report of said survey, accompanied by such maps and draw-
ings as may be necessary to illustrate the same, and transmit them to the
governor, who shall lay a copy of such reports before the general assembly.
SEC. 3. On or before the first Monday in each year the State geologist shall
prepare careful statements of his accounts with the survey for the previous year,
embodying them in the form of a financial report, and send the same to the
governor, together with such vouchers as it may be practicable for him to ob-
tain ; and the governor shall lay the whole before the general assembly, to-
gether with the report of progress of the State geologist.
SEC. 4. All acts and parts of acts in contravention of the provisions of this
act are hereby repealed.
SEC. 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication
in the State Register and Evening Statesman.
Approved April 8, 1S68.
I hereby certify that the foregoing act was published in the Iowa Evening
Statesman, April 17, 1S68, and in the daily State Register, April 19, 1868.
ED. WRIGHT, Secretary of State.
The thirteenth general assembly failed to make any provision for
the continuation of the work, but passed the following law pro-
viding for the publication and distribution of the report:
An act providing for the publication of the report of the State geologist and for the dis-
tribution of the same.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That
the census board be and are hereby authorized to contract with the present State
printer for 3,000 copies of the report of the State geologist as now presented to
this general assembly: Provided, the expense shall not exceed $10 per copy for
the first 1,000 copies, and $4 per copy for each additional copy. Said report to
be equal in every respect, mechanically, to Hall's Geological Report of Iowa, or
to the Illinois geological reports; the engravings, views, maps, diagrams, etc., to
be equally as well executed; and the whole to be bound in two royal octavo
volumes: Provided, further, that the said State printer shall, in consideration
of the copyright of the report, stereotype the work and retain the plates and the
engraved stones and electrotypes, and supply the State on future orders at $5
per copy.
SEC. 2. The State geologist shall superintend the publication of said report and
be allowed a reasonable compensation therefor, to be fixed by the census board,
and paid out of the fund heretofore appropriated for the prosecution of the geo-
logical survey and remaining unexpended.
SEC. 3. That for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of section 1 of
this act there is hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the State treasury
not otherwise appropriated the sum of $18,000, or so much thereof as may be
necessary.
EC. 4. That the report, when printed and bound, shall be disposed of as
follows to wit : Two copies to every member of the thirteenth general assem-
bly, every officer of State, and each judge of the supreme court ; one copy to each
person who was a member of the eleventh and twelfth general assemblies, to
each officer of the senate and house, and each regular reporter of the thirteenth
general assembly, to the office of each county auditor in the State, to each
incorporated college and scientific institution in the State, to each orphans'
94 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
home and reform school, and to each person who has furnished gratuitous
material for publication in the report ; 25 copies to the State university, the
State agricultural college, the State geologist, and the State library ; five copies
to the assistant and chemist of the survey ; two copies each to the institutions
for the deaf and dumb, and blind, and both hospitals for the insane ; 100 copies
to be placed in the hands of the governor and State geologist for distribution
to scientific men and learned societies and colleges beyond the limits of the
State ; the remaining copies to be placed in the hands of the secretary of state
and disposed of as the census board may direct.
SEC. 5. That all acts or parts of acts in contravention of the provisions of
this act are hereby repealed.
SEC. 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its pub-
lication in the Daily Iowa State Register and the Daily Evening Statesman,
newspapers published at Des Moines, Iowa.
Approved April 13, 1870.
Personnel. The personnel of the survey was limited to Dr. C. A.
White, State geologist; Orestes St. John, assistant geologist; and
Rush Emery, chemist. The appointment of assistants "was by law in
the hands of the director of the survey. The salary of the State
geologist was fixed by the law of March 30, 1866, at $2,000 a year,
and that of the assistants at amounts not exceeding $1,500 a year.
Museum and library. The law of establishment required that all
specimens, drawings, sketches, books, etc., obtained or made by the
State geologist, should become the property of the State,
Expenses. The total expense of the White survey, as indicated by
the appropriations, was as follows: For 1866 to 1868, $13,000;* for
1868 to 1870, $13,000(?) ; for publications, $18,000.
Publications. Two reports of progress, under date of 1868, were
issued, and a two-volume final report of viii-f 380 and viii-f 443
pages, under date of 1870, the edition authorized by the law of April
3, 1870, being limited to 3.000 copies, at a cost, as above noted, not
exceeding $1,800. The distribution of the volumes was also controlled
by the same law, to which reference may be made. 1
THIRD GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER SAMUEL CALVIN, 1892-1900.
With the close of the White survey in 1870, geological work at the
expense of the State was discontinued until 1892, when it was again
taken up under authority of the following act :
An act to provide for a geological survey of the State of Town.
Be it enacted by tJie General Assembly of the State of loica:
SECTION 1. There is hereby created and established a geological survey lor
the State of Iowa, which shall be under the direction and in charge of the
Doctor White informed the writer that some $2,000 of this first appropriation was un-
expended and returned to the Treasury.
* The first annual report consisted of but three pages, and a " few " copies only Issued.
The matter was, however, reprinted with the second annual, together with a number of
letters written by Doctor White for the newspapers and while In the field.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 95
geological board, which shall consist of the governor, the State auditor, the
presidents of the agricultural college and the State university, and the Iowa
Academy of Sciences.
SEC. 2. The duties of the geological board shall be to have oversight and full
control of the surveys, except as herein otherwise provided ; to appoint a State
geologist and such expert assistants, recommended by the State geologist, aa
may be necessary to audit accounts ; and to annually furnish for publication a
report of the operations of the survey.
SEC. 3. The duty of the director or State geologist shall be to make a com-
plete survey of the natural resources of the State in all their economic and
scientific aspects, including the determination of the order, arrangement, dip,
and comparative magnitude of the various formations; the discovery and ex-
amination of all useful deposits, their richness in mineral contents, and their
fossils; and the investigation of the position, formation, and arrangement of
the many different ores, coals, clays, building stones, glass sands, marls, peats,
mineral oils, natural gas, mineral and artesian waters, and such other mineral
materials as may be useful, with particular regard to the value of said sub-
stances for commercial purposes and their accessibilities ; also the quasi noting
of the characters of the various soils and their capacities for agricultural pur-
poses ; the growth of timber and other scientific or natural history matters that
may be of practical importance and interest A complete cabinet collection
may, at the option of the board, be made to illustrate the natural products of
the State ; and the board may also furnish suites of materials, rocks, and fossils
for colleges and public museums located within the State, provided the general
State collection is not made to suffer thereby.
SEC. 4. It shall, further, be the duty of the State geologist to make, or cause
to be made, detailed maps and reports of the counties or districts as fast as the
work is completed, which maps shall embrace all such geological, mineralogical,
topographical, and scientific details necessary to make complete reports of the
said districts. Whenever the information obtained warrants it the results of
any special investigation of agricultural or geological phenomena shall be
brought together in a memoir of final report for publication, accompanied by
proper illustrations and diagrams. On or before the first day of January of
each year the State geologist shall lay before the geological board a full report
of the work of the preceding year, together with such minor reports and papers
as may be considered desirable for publication. When occasion requires im-
portant information may be issued in the form of special bulletins for the im-
mediate use of the people at large. From time to time items of general interest
or announcements of new discoveries may be furnished the newspapers or
periodicals for publication.
SEC. 5. The reports contemplated in this act shall, under the direction of the
board, be disposed of as follows: 1. To each of the present State officers and
to each member of this assembly who shall annually send his address to the
geological board, one copy of each published volume; and to each member of
any future assembly which shall authorize the publication of any report, one
copy of such report shall be sent. 2. Twenty copies of each volume published
shall be furnished to the State library; 10 copies to the State historical society,
State university, State agricultural society, and State horticultural board; two
copies to each chartered college and normal school in Iowa ; and to the libraries
of each State institution, the Iowa academy of sciences, Davenport academy of
sciences, and to the general officers of each railroad that has furnished aid to
136075-20 8
96 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the survey. 3. One copy of each volume to each public library; to the library of
each academy or other educational institution ; to each scientific society in the
State; to each first-class library; to each scientific survey or organization issuing
regular publications, beyond the limits of the State; and to each geologist of na-
tional reputation on receiving his written application therefor. 4. All remaining
volumes, after retaining a sufficient number to supply future demands, shall
be sold to persons making application for them at the cost price of publication of
such volume, the moneys thus accruing to be turned into the treasury of the
State.
SEC. 6. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act the sum
of $10,000, or as much thereof as may be needed, is hereby annually appro-
priated for the next biennial term.
SEC. 7. The members of the board shall be allowed the actual expenses attend-
ing the duties assigned them by this act. The salary of the State geologist and
his expert and all other assistants shall be fixed by the geological board, and
shall be a part of and come out of the sum provided for in section 6. The
necessary postage, stationery, and office expenses of the State geologist shall
be paid by the State as the expenses of other State officers are provided for.
The expense of printing, engraving, binding, and distribution of the reports
of the survey shall be paid out of any moneys, not otherwise appropriated, in
the State treasury on warrants of the State auditor approved by the geo-
logical board.
SEC. 8. All previous acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby
repealed.
Administration. Under this act Prof. Samuel Calvin was ap-
pointed State geologist and served continuously until 1904. The per-
sonnel during the several years up to and including 1900 was as
follows :
1892. Samuel Calvin, State geologist; Charles R. Keyes, assistant
State geologist; S. W. Beyer, G. L. Houser, C. D. Jameson.
1893. Geological corps: Samuel Calvin, State geologist; Charles
E. Keyes, assistant State geologist; G. E. Patrick, chemist. Spe-
cial and temporary assistants: S. W. Beyer, H. F. Bain, N. E.
Newman, E. H. Lonsdale, A. C. Spencer, A. G. Leonard, F. C. Tate,
C. D. Jameson, A. J. Jones, W. H. Norton, J. L. Tilton, F. M. Fultz,
C. H. Gordon, and J. P. Farnsworth.
1894. Geological corps: Samuel Calvin, State geologist; Charles.
R. Keyes, assistant State geologist; G. E. Patrick, chemist; special
assistants, S. W. Beyer, H. F. Bain, N. E. Newman, E. H. Lonsdale,
A. C. Spencer, A. G. Leonard, F. C. Tate, A. J. Jones, W. H. Norton,
J. L. Tilton, F. M. Fultz, C. H. Gordon, and A. G. Wilson.
1895. Geological corps: Samuel Calvin, State geologist; H. F.
Bain, assistant geologist; special assistants, W. H. Norton, S. W.
Beyer, A. G. Leonard, J. L. Tilton, N. E. Newman.
1896. Geological corps: Samuel Calvin, State geologist; H. F.
Bain, assistant geologist; A. G. Leonard, assistant geologist; special
assistants, W. H. Norton, S. W. Beyer, J. L. Tilton, N. E. Newman.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 10
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 07
1897. Geological corps: Samuel Calvin, State geologist; H. F.
Bain, assistant geologist; special assistants, W. H. Norton, S. W.
Beyer, J. L. Tilton, N. E. Newman.
1898. Geological corps: Samuel Calvin, State geologist; H. F.
Bain, assistant geologist; special assistants, J. B. Weems (chemist),
S. W. Beyer, W. H. Norton, J. A. Udden, N. E. Newman.
1899. Geological corps: Samuel Calvin, State geologist; H. F.
Bain, assistant geologist ; special assistants, J. B. Weems, S. W. Beyer,
W. H. Norton, J. A. Udden, T. H. Macbride, F. A. Wilder, B. L. Mil-
ler, T. J. Savage, I. A. Williams, N. E. Newman.
1900. Geological corps: Samuel Calvin, State geologist; A. G.
Leonard, assistant geologist; special assistants, J. B. Weems, S.
W. Beyer, W. H. Norton, J. A. Udden, T. H. Macbride, F. A. Wilder,
B. L. Miller, T. J. Savage, I. A. Williams, N. E. Newman.
As the law provided, the survey was under direction of a board,
which appointed the State geologist and such expert assistants as
he might recommend.
Salaries and expenses. The salary of the geologist, who is also pro-
fessor of geology in the State university, is $800 ; that of the assist-
ant geologist, $1,500. The appropriation for 1892 was $10,000 and
for 1893 to 1900, $5,000 annually; a total of $50,000.
Publications. Eleven volumes of reports were issued, beginning
with 1892-, up to 1900. The size of the editions was 3,000 volumes,
of which 2,000 volumes were bound in cloth and 1,000 volumes in
paper. The cost of these issues was as follows: Volume I, Annual
Report for 1892, $2,600; Volume II, Special Report on Coal, and Vol-
ume III, Annual Report for 1893, $5,800 ; Volume IV, Annual Report
for 1894, $3,600 ; Volume V, Annual Report for 1895, and Volume VI,
Special Report on Artesian Wells, $5,250 ; Volume VII, Annual Re-
port for 1896, $3,750; Volume VIII, Annual Report for 1897, $3,750;
Volume IX, Annual Report for 1898, $4,200; Volume X, Annual
Report for 1899, $5,400 ; Volume XI, Annual Report for 1900, $4,200.
KANSAS.
FIRST SURVEY UNDER BENJAMIN F. MUDGE, 1864-1865.
Prior to 1864 the little that was known of the geology of Kansas
was due to the disconnected and often hasty notes by members of
various exploring expeditions, as those of Long, 1819-20, Fremont,
1842-1844, Stansbury, 1849, and Messrs. Swallow, Hawn, and F. B.
Meek in 1858. In 1864 the matter of a systematic survey was taken
up through the medium of the following act, the passage of which is
said to have been instigated chiefly by Benjamin F. Mudge, who be-
came the first State geologist:
98 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSETJM.
An act providing for a geological and mlneraloglcal survey.
Re it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
SECTION 1. The governor is hereby authorized to appoint, with the consent of
the senate, a State geologist for the State of Kansas, whose term of service
shall commence on the first day of March, A. D. 1864, and end on the first day
of March, A. D. 1865.
SEC. 2. The State geologist shall procure the necessary regents and all the
requisite apparatus for quantitative and qualitative analysis. He shall procure
the necessary assistance and proceed to classify the rocks and soils of each
county of the State. He shall visit and analyze the salt springs already dis-
covered, and use due diligence in efforts to discover others. He shall investi-
gate coal formations and other mineral deposits by the various appliances
known to the departments of geology and mineralogy. He shall analyze the
soils in the several settled counties, report their depth, and show their adapta-
tion for the growing of particular grains and grasses. He shall immediately
report any important discoveries of valuable deposits or other matters of great
importance to the State. He shall, during the current year, collect and label
a geological cabinet, illustrating the geology of Kansas, and shall deposit the
same with the State librarian.
SEC. 3. He shall, between the first day of November and the first day of Decem-
ber, A. D. 1S64, make and deliver to the governor his annual report, which shall
contain a complete detail of his labors and discoveries during the year.
SEC. 4. The governor is hereby authorized to direct the auditor of the State to
draw his orders on the State treasurer for such sums as. in his judgment, may
be necessary for the successful prosecution of the survey, said sums not to exceed
in the aggregate $3,500 during the year. These orders shall be marked " Geo-
logical survey " : Provided, That no bills for services rendered, or expenses in-
curred by the State geologist, shall be paid until a detailed statement, specifying
the number of days' service, and the items of expenses verified by affidavit, and
approved by the governor and filed with the auditor of State.
SEC. 5. Before entering upon the duties of his office the State geologist shall
enter into bond to the State of Kansas in the sum of $5,000, with security to the
satisfaction of the governor of the State, conditioned that he will faithfully
and properly perform the duties of his office, and he shall take and subscribe the
following oath :
" I, , State geologist for the State of Kansas, do solemnly swear that I
will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the
State of Kansas, and faithfully discharge the duties of my oflice as prescribed
by law, according to the best of my ability."
SEC. 6. The governor shall have power to remove such appointee for incom-
petency or neglect of duty and to fill all vacancies that may occur by death or
otherwise.
SEC. 7. This act shall be In force from and after its publication once in the
Topeka Tribune.
Approved, February 10, 1864.
Administration and personnel. Under this law Professor Mudge,
as stated above, was appointed State geologist, with Maj. F. Hawn,
a civil engineer, chief assistant; G. C. Swallow, paleontologist; Dr.
Tiffin Sinks, chemist and mineralogist; and C. A. Logan, botanist.
The work, as must be evident, was limited both in time and funds,
and but little accomplished.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 99
Results. The report of his work, a pamphlet of but 56 pages,
did not appear until 1866. The first 15 pages of this was given up to
" General principles " and the remainder to " Economical geology."
In part first he recognized the following geological horizons, be-
ginning with the oldest and lowermost: (1) Coal measures, (2) Per-
mian, (3) Triassic, (4) Cretaceous, (5) Drift, (6) Loess, and (7)
Alluvium. It would appear that the development within the State
of either the Sub-Carboniferous or the Tertiary deposits was unrecog-
nized. In the short notice given to the Cretaceous deposits which
had received very little attention, there was foreshadowed the dis-
covery that the Kansas Cretaceous system yields true chalk.
Considerable attention was given in this report to the items of coal
and salt. In connection with the former he gave some account of
the boring for coal which had then begun in Leavenworth County,
and a geological section of the strata of Leavenworth County was given
to a depth of 400 feet. This boring ultimately reached coal at a
depth of over 700 feet. A full description of the Tuthill salt marsh
in Republic County was given, and references made to other de-
velopments of salt brines in wells, streaks, and springs. Some of
these were compared with the sources of salt utilized in New York
and elsewhere, and analyses and methods of manufacture also given
in detail.
Expenses. The total expense of the year's work was apparently
covered by the appropriation $3,500.
SECOND SURVEY UNDER GEORGE C. SWALLOW, 1805-1868.
An act making an appropriation for a geological survey.
Be it. enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
SECTION 1. The governor is hereby authorized to appoint, with the consent
of the senate, a State geologist for the State of Kansas, whose term of service
shall commence on the first day of March, 1865.
SEC. 2. That the sum of $7,500, or so much thereof as may be needed, Is
hereby appropriated out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise
appropriated for the prosecution of the geological survey for the year 1865:
Provided, That services rendered or expense incurred by the State geologist
shall not be paid until a detailed statement, specifying the number of days'
service and the items of expenses, verified by affidavit and approved by the
governor, be filed with the auditor of state.
SEC. 3. The auditor of state shall issue his warrant on the treasurer of the
rtate for such accounts as the governor shall approve.
SEC. 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publica-
tion once in the Daily State Record.
Approved February 11, 1865.
Administration and personnel. Under this law G. C. Swallow,
paleontologist for the first survey, became director. Otherwise the
personnel remained as under Professor Mudge's administration.
100 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Results. In a single report, a pamphlet of 192 pages, issued in
1866, are given reports discussing the climate as relating to health
and to various forms of disease, rainfall, and other meteorological
phenomena. As the legislature had prescribed work to be done in
each county, this volume had a special report on the geology of
Miami County, giving a section of the formations found therein and
investigating the questions of petroleum, iron, and coal. Major
Hawn contributed reports on eight counties, though these were not
nearly as full as that of Miami, which appears to have been very
thoroughly examined as a typical region of the coal-measure epoch.
Briefer reports were made of Brown, Doniphan, Chase, Lyon, Linn,
Butler, Osage, and Morris counties. The Loess is recognized as oc-
curring in Lyon, Chase, and Morris counties, and also is spoken of
as occurring in the northwest corner of the State in the Republican
Valley. The rocks of these three last-named counties are described
as Permian. Reference is made to drawings of sections and lists of
fossils, which Avere, however, never published, and no further appro-
priations were made for continuing the work. It is useless to dis-
cuss the reasons for this discontinuance, as the appropriation was
stopped before the report was distributed. When it was finally is-
sued the work was severely criticized by geologists of the East, and
it would appear that it erred in making exact statements where only
approximations were possible, and in attempting too much by rapid
explorations in obedience to an unreasonable public demand for im-
mediate results.
This survey died a natural death through the failure of the legis-
lature to make the necessary appropriations. It is stated that at
various times between 1866 and 1895 unsuccessful attempts were made
to revive it, bills for that purpose being introduced at nearly every
session of the legislature. It was not, however, until 1889 that any-
thing definite was actually accomplished, when a law was passed
under which the survey at present in progress was actually organ-
ized in 1895. (See Buil. 465, U. S. Geological Survey.)
Expenses. The appropriations for the two surveys amounted to
$11,000.
KENTUCKY.
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DAVID DALE OWEN,
1854-1SG0. 1
Preliminary remarks. In Collins's Historical Sketches of Ken-
tucky (vol. 1, p. 26) , it is recorded that " lands were granted by the
legislature, January 31st, 1811," at the nominal price of 10 cents an
From manuscript by Dr. Robert Peter, State chemist of Kentucky.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. II
DAVID DALE OWEN
STATE GEOLOGIST OF KENTUCKY, 1854, OF ARKANSAS, 1859-60,
AND OF INDIANA,, 1837-38 AND I860.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 101
acre, " to encourage the building of ironworks and salt works, in
Pulaski and Wayne Counties, which was, probably, the first appro-
priation made by the State toward developing the mineral resources.
Two years after Kentucky was admitted as a State in the Union,
in 1790, an iron furnace, called Old State Iron furnace, and an iron
foundry, were built and established in what is now Bath County
(previously part of Bourbon County) to utilize the very large de-
posit of iron ore in that locality, which yet supplies several furnaces.
Doctor Samuel Brown, a graduate of Edinburgh and one of the
first medical professors in Transylvania University, early in the
present century, gave much attention to the natural history of Ken-
tucky and contributed to the Transactions of the American Philo-
sophical Society and Bruce's Journal of Mineralogy, a description
of an unusually large niter cavern on Crooked Creek in Madison
County (now in Rockcastle County) ; and in the first volume of Silli-
man's American Journal of Science and Arts, described the process
by which the niter was made and the best theory of its formation
according to the science of his day; giving, in other publications,
descriptions of fossils and minerals of Kentucky.
A more remarkable explorer of early times in this State was Con-
stantine S. Rafinesque, born in a suburb of Constantinople, in 1784.
Invited to Kentucky in 1819 by his friend, John D. Clifford, who was
one of the earliest promoters of natural science in the State, he was ap-
pointed professor of natural science, etc., in Transylvania University,
under the Rev. Horace Halley. and in 1824 wrote the most remark-
able and portentous Annals of Kentucky, which were published as a
prefix to the History of Kentucky by Humphrey Marshall, in which,
in only 26 duodecimal pages, he gives the geological, ethnological,
and historical annals of Kentucky, from the first day of the creation
according to Moses, down to the current year.
The geology and history of this singular production may be esti-
mated by the following quotations :
The parallel strata are formed in the following way: 1, limestone; 2, slate;
3, sandstone ; 4, freestone ; 5, gist ; G, pebblestone.
By the operations of submarine volcanoes the strata of coal, clay, and amyg-
daloid are found and intermixed * * * with the above strata.
The fourth period of Kentucky history (before Noah's flood) answers to the
sixth day or period of the general creation.
And no one criticized this wonderful display of learning, thus illus-
trating the low state of science in this State in these early times.
A remarkable fact in the history of this active and visionary natu-
ralist is that in a letter written by him to Prof. M. O. Torrey, of
New York, dated December 1, 1832, he seems to have anticipated the
theory of Charles Darwin as to the evolution of man, by the state-
102 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
ment " that species, and probably genera also, are formed in organ-
ized beings by gradual deviations of shapes, forms, and organs, tak-
ing place in the lapse of time. There is a tendency to deviations and
mutations through plants and animals by gradual steps.
This view of the subject will settle botany and zoology in a new
way and greatly simplify these sciences. The races, breeds, or varie-
ties of men, monkeys, dogs, roses, apples, wheat, * * * anc i
almost every other genus may be referred to one or a few primitive
species." '
In 1836 Dr. Samuel P. Hildreth, of Marietta, Ohio, contributed to
the American Journal of Science and Arts (vol. 29, p. 1) a volumi-
nous paper, Observations on the Bituminous Coal Deposits in the
Valley of the Ohio and the accompanying strata, etc., 156 pages, illus-
trated by 36 pages of woodcut figures of fossils and sections of strata
throughout the text, in which he gave many facts as to the existence
of iron ore in quantity, salt water, petroleum, inflammable gas, and
coal in various localities, some of which, he said, had been commu-
nunicated to him by the present writer [Dr. Peter], who at that
time, being attached to the medical department of Transylvania
University, had obtained most of them from the medical students
who came from the several localities in Kentucky.
On December 28, 1838, W. W. Mather made a report to Governor
Clark of a Geological Eeconnoissance of Kentucky, in accordance
with the following joint resolution of the general assembly of that
State and his appointment by the governor :
Whereas, it is important to the agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial
interests of this Commonwealth that its mineral wealth and resources should be
well understood and be properly developed : Therefore
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky,
That it shall be lawful for the governor of this Commonwealth to appoint some
competent person to prepare and report to the next general assembly a plan, in
detail, for a geological and mineralogical survey of this State, together with the
probable annual expenses and the time necessary to complete said survey. It
shall be the duty of the person thus appointed by the governor to visit the
mineral regions of the State and make geological reconnoissance thereof and
report to the next general assembly his views thereon, and whether, in his
opinion, the expense attending such survey, as is proposed, will be compensated
by the facts to be developed.
And be it further resolved, That to enable the governor to carry into effect
this resolution the sum of not exceeding $1,000 is hereby appropriated.
Approved February 16, 1838.
Doctor Mather's report is comprised within 40 octavo pages, in-
cluding 7 pages of a " glossary of terms." His instructions were " to
make a general geological and mineralogical reconnoissance of the
1 From hia Atlantic Journal, Extra of No. 6, Philadelphia, 1833.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 103
State and report thereon, together with a plan in detail, with esti-
mates, for a geological and mineralogical survey."
In this report (p. 3) he estimated the coal field in the eastern part
of Kentucky at 7,000 square miles, and said that the coal measures
of the western portion of the State embraced about 12 counties
"most of which is in the Green River Valley," giving also the ap-
proximate boundaries of these two great coal fields, with remarks
on some of the associated iron ores, etc. "The remaining portion
of the State," he remarks (on p. 4), " is mostly occupied by limestone
as a substratum, and forms the richest and most productive agricul-
tural region of the State." He described the three varieties of coal
found in Kentucky " the caking coal, the noncaking " (now called
"splint or block " coal), and the cannel coal, and dwelt on the great
economy of the uses of coal over wood, etc. He gave the localities
of many coal beds and mines and of deposits of iron ores ; among the
rest a bed of " calcareous carbonate of iron 15 feet thick," near the
old Buckner iron works, 5 miles southeast of Greenville (p. 9), and
the celebrated bed of oolitic limonite ore (so-called dyestone ore)
near Old State Furnace, Bath County, 12 to 18 feet thick (p. 17),
giving credit for many facts to the Hon. David Trimble, who had
recently made an elaborate report to the legislature (session 1837-38)
on the Coal and Iron Interests of Kentucky.
After brief notices of the "slate formation" (Devonian shales),
the niter caves, mineral and gas springs, and petroleum outflow, he
passed to the limestones, which he classified as follows (p. 29) :
1. The limestone beds in the coal formation.
2. The cavernous limestone, below the conglomerate and above the slate rock.
3. The great limestone below the slate.
He concluded his report with remarks on the probable beneficial
results of a geological and mineralogical survey, and, in his appen-
dix, gave his plan for conducting the same, advising the appointment
of a chief geologist, and an appropriation of $12,000 a year for four
years, etc.
It appears that no action was taken by the general assembly on
this report.
Eight years afterward, on January 29, 1847, a " Memorial from
the Kentucky Historical Society," at Louisville, by its committee,
composed of L. P. Yandell, Henry Pirtle, and S. S. Goodwin, " in
relation to a geological survey of Kentucky," was presented to the
general assembly of that commonwealth.
In this they spoke of the great utility of such surveys and state
that already 18 States in the Union had undertaken them, and gave,
in extenso, elaborate letters on the value of such surveys, from Prof.
104 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
B. Silliman. of Yale College; Dr. C. T. Jackson, of Boston; and Dr.
D. D. Owen and Dr. J. G. Norwood, of Indiana.
Doctors Owen and Norwood, in their letter, spoke of the utility of
such surveys, in the information they gave as to the renovation of
soils, in the knowledge obtained of valuable ores and minerals, of
building materials, and as a guide to internal improvements, etc.
They estimated the cost of a general survey at about $4,000 a year
for three years, saying that a full detailed survey would cost much
more and require more time.
Prof. B. Silliman dwelt more on the scientific benefits from such
a survey, and gave no estimates.
Dr. Charles T. Jackson especially advised attention to the economi-
cal advantages.
Preoccupied by the stirring events of the war with Mexico, the
legislature appears to have taken no action on this memorial of the
historical society.
In 1853 a " Memorial of the Agricultural Associations of the State
and Many Citizens " to the general assembly of Kentucky in an octavo
pamphlet of 16 pages, with an accompanying Geological Sketch Map
of Kentucky ("partly conjectured"), colored to represent the sev-
eral geological formations as then known, was presented to the legis-
lature. This memorial was signed by Benjamin Gratz, George Rob-
ertson, and Robert Peter, committee of the Fayette County agricul-
tural and mechanical association ; George W. Hancock, Philip Speed,
and W. D. Gallagher, committee of the southwestern agricultural
and mechanical association at Louisville; Robert Mallory, Daniel
Brannin, and William S. Helm, committee of the Union agricultural
and mechanical association of Shelby, Henry, and Oldham counties,
and Alex. M. Brown, William C. Lyle, and G. W. Williams, com-
mittee of the Bourbon County agricultural and mechanical associa-
tion.
The memorial was written by Robert Peter, who also added the
map, which he colored mainly from a geological' map which had
been published shortly before this time by a Mr. Lawrence, 1 who had
been traveling through Kentucky, making observations and lectur-
ing on geology. This map showed, approximately, the extent of
seven formations: blue limestone, gray limestone, dark slate, red
sandstone, and Carboniferous limestone, Coal Measures and conglom-
erate, and Cretaceous the Tertiary of the southwest corner of the
State supposed at that time to be of this formation.
The memorialists respectfully urged the propriety of instituting a
geological survey of the State, believing " that the prosperity of any
country bears a relation to the development and improvement of its
1 Presumably Byrem Lawrence.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 105
natural resources by an enlightened population " : that " no great
public work promises to be more valuable to Kentucky, in proportion
to the amount of expenditure required, than a thorough geological
and mineralogical survey " ; and that " a large body of our en-
lightened citizens are very desirous that such a survey should be
speedily commenced."
In the same year (1853) W. TV. Mather made a " geological ex-
amination of the line of the (proposed) Lexington and Big Sandy
Railroad, in the employ of the company, and in his report to R.
Apperson, president of the railroad company, said that
The line of the road transverses a rich agricultural country, from Lexington
to the Licking River, where it enters the mineral region. * * * The mineral
materials available along the road and easy of access are : Coal, both bituminous
and cannel ; iron ore in numerous workable beds of great extent and good work-
ing qualities; building stones and freestones of the very best qualities in in-
exhaustible quantities; limestones of various qualities, adapted for making
white lime and hydraulic cement, fire clay, firestone, etc.
He gave the following " table of the order of superposition of the
principal masses of the rock formations : "
Coal formation, containing common and cannel coal and iron ore.
Carboniferous limestone, called the white limestone, and covered by a seam of
iron ore.
Fine-grained sandstone, the same as the Waverly sandstone of Ohio, so much
worked in that State as fine building stone.
Buff-colored limestone, contains cement rock and some beds of iron ore.
Blue limestone, under the Blue Grass region.
Describing these formations in detail, he gave estimates as to the
amount of their valuable deposits, to their economical uses and the
business they might give to the proposed railroad.
The people of Kentucky had become greatly interested about this
time in internal improvements, and the development of the mineral
resources of the State, which were generally believed to be great
and valuable, but the extent of which was not known, was a power-
ful motive in that direction.
At the next succeeding meeting of the general assembly of the
State, consequently, the first act was passed, providing for a geo-
logical and mineralogical survey of Kentucky.
This and the other several acts of the general assembly, under
which the geological and mineralogical survey of the State was
begun and continued, under the direction of David D. Owen, during
the years 1854, 1855. 1856, 185T, 1858, and 1859-60, are as follows :
Act approved March 4, 1854, to provide for a geological and mineraloglcal survey of the
State.
SECTION 1. The governor is required, as soon as may be after the passage of
this act, to appoint a State geologist, who shall be a person of competent and
106 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
practical knowledge of the sciences of geology and mineralogy ; and said State
geologist shall, by and with the consent of the governor, appoint two suitable
persons to assist him in the discharge of his duties, one of whom shall be a
competent and skillful chemist.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of said State geologist and his assistants, as soon
as may be practicable after his appointment, with as much expedition as may
be consistent with minuteness and accuracy, to commence and carry on a thor-
ough geological, mineralogical, and chemical survey of the State, with a view to
determine the order and succession, relative position, and comparative magni-
tude of the several strata or geological formations of this State, and to discover
all beds or deposits of ore, coal, and such other mineral substances as may be
useful or valuable, and to analyze the same; and to perform such other duties
as may be necessary to make a full and complete geological, mineralogical, and
chemical survey of the State.
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of said State geologist and his assistants to make
full and complete examinations, assays, and analyses of such rocks, ores, or
other substances as may be submitted to them for that purpose, and to furnish,
if required, a detailed and complete account of the results so obtained ; and at
the courthouse of each county in this State in which he may discover valuable
deposits, the said geologist shall deliver a written or verbal discourse upon their
examinations, assays, and analyses of all such rocks and ores within such
county; and said geologist, or his assistants, shall deposit at the clerk's office,
of such county in which he may discover minerals, such specimens as he may
deem of value, for the inspection of the citizens and visitors of said county.
SKC. 4. He or his assistants shall visit each county in this State, beginning
with the mineral regions, to make such explorations as may be sufficient to sat-
isfy him whether it contains mineral deposits and the extent, nature, and value
thereof.
SEC. 5. They to report on or before the 1st of December in each year, accom
panying the report with such maps, drawings, and specimens as may be neces-
sary to exemplify and elucidate the same, to the governor, who shall lay the
report before the general assembly.
SEC. 6. He shall forward, during the survey, such specimens of rocks, ores,
coals, or other minerals, or useful matters, discovered and examined, as may be
proper and necessary to form a complete cabinet of the specimens of geology,
mineralogy, and other useful matters. The same shall be deposited in some
convenient room in the State capitol, there to be preserved for public inspection.
SEC. 7. The sum of $10,000 is hereby appropriated, to be expended under the
direction of the governor: Provided, The principal geologist shall not receive
more than $7 a day, nor the assistants more than $5 per dny each for the time
they are in actual service: And provided further, That the appropriation herein
made shall only be used, so far as the governor may find, on investigation, neces-
sary to obtain the services of a competent geologist and assistant, during that
part of the year when such geologist can profitably be employed in the prosecu-
tion of such survey.
SEC. 8. The governor shall have power to remove any persons appointed under
this act for negligence or incompetence or other cause which he may deem suffi-
cient for such removal, and to appoint others in their stead.
SEC. 9. The principal geologist and each of his assistants, before entering
upon the duties of their offices, shall take oath faithfully to perform all the
services required of them under this act, and to abstain from all pecuniary
speculations during their progress, and that they will not conceal any valuable
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 107
discovery or Information from the owner or owners of the land on which such
discovery is made; but in all things so conduct the survey as will duly notify
the community generally, and especially the owner or owners of the land on
which all such valuable discoveries are made.
An act to provide for the prosecution of the geological, mlneraloglcal, chemical, topo
graphical, and agricultural survey of the State. Approved by the governor, Chas. S.
Morehead, March 7, 1856.
SECTION 1. The State geologist is authorized, by and with the consent of the
governor, to organize two topographical corps one to operate in the western
division of the State and the other in the eastern division in order to carry
forward the geological survey with as much dispatch as is consistent with accu-
racy and minuteness, so as to develop the mineral resources of the State and
at the same time construct geographical and geological maps, showing its geo-
logical and topographical features, commencing in the mineral regions of the
State.
SEC. 2. Chemical analyses shall be made of all ores, minerals, rocks, marls,
and other materials of economical value ; also of the soils derived from the dif-
ferent geological formations, or such as may present peculiar agricultural inter-
est; also all mineral waters to which medicinal or deleterious influences may
be ascribed.
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the State geologist and assistants to continue
the collection of all objects of geological, mineralogical, or scientific interest, to
be placed in the State collection, in the southwest room of the capitol.
SEC. 4. They shall report, from time to time, to the governor, all important
discoveries, who shall lay the same before the people during the session of the
legislature in some public journal.
SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to make to the governor a
full geological report of the discoveries and operations of the geological corps,
which report shall be printed and laid before the legislature at their meeting
Ln 1857-58.
SEC. 6. It shall further be the duty of the State geologist and heads of the
geological corps to communicate such information, as may be obtained by them,
to the citizens of the State.
SEC. 7. Ten thousand dollars per annum is hereby appropriated to be expended
within the next two years under the direction of the governor: Provided,
That the principal geologist shall not receive more than $7 per diem, nor his
assistants more than $5 per diem, for each day in actual service: And provided,
That the survey shall be carried forward simultaneously in the eastern and
western mineral regions of the State by the topographical corps, while the gen-
eral reconnoissance is extended over the counties not yet explored by the prin-
cipal geologist.
SEC. 8. The principal geologist, or such of his assistants as he shall authorize
In writing, shall have access to the records, plates, profiles, maps, field books,
and notes of all surveys of roads, canals, rivers, and railroads which have been
or may be made in the State, with full authority to make such copies or extracts
from the same as shall be deemed useful and necessary for facilitating and ex-
pediting the geological survey of the State.
SEC. 9. 3o much of an act, entitled "An act to provide for a geological and
tninera logical survey of the State," approved March 6, 1854, as is not incon-
sistent with the provisions of this act, * * * the same Is hereby reenacted.
108 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
An act making further appropriation of money for the geological survey, approved by
Gov. Charles S. Morehead February 17, 1858.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted, That the act of the last session of this general
assembly on the subject of the geological survey, and the same, so far as appli-
cable, is hereby continued in full force for the next two years.
SEC. 2 * * * That $25,000 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated, to
be expended on the geological survey in the next two years, or as much thereof
as may be necessary, payable out of any money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated, to be drawn by the governor's warrant on the auditor of public
accounts.
SEC. 3. That said appropriation shall embrace the amount which may be found
due Dr. D. D. Owen ; also any balance due for printing the second and third
volumes of the geological reports.
Under these several acts the work under the direction of Doctor
Owen as chief geologist was carried on, including the publication of
the four volumes of the geological reports of the first series.
By a letter from Doctor Owen, dated March 7, I860. Doctor Peter
was informed that the " geological appropriation had failed to pass
the house of representatives," and that "Kentucky will be obliged
hereafter to renew her geological survey, as it is as yet an unfinished
work."
After the death of Doctor Owen, which took place in 1860, the
following resolution was passed relative to the property accumulated
by the survey :
Resolved by tlie General Assembly and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, That
the attorney general of the State of Kentucky be, and hereby is, empowered
and directed forthwith to adopt such measures, by suit or otherwise, as in his
judgment shall be proper, to obtain for the State the immediate possession of
the geological specimens, minerals, etc., in possession or under control of the
late D. D. Owen, State geologist, at the time of his death, and which are the
property of this State, and that said attorney general report his proceedings at
the next term of this general assembly.
Approved February 4, 1S61.
Expenses. The aggregate cost of the Kentucky geological survey,
during the whole term of operation under the direction of Doctor
Owen, from 1854 to 1860, as given in the three several acts of the
general assembly, was $55,000, distributed as follows: The appro-
priation for 1854-1856 was $10,000 ; for 1856-1858, $20,000 ; for 1858-
1860, $25,000.
The compensation allowed to the principal geologist and his prin-
cipal assistants remained as stated in the act of 1854 during the whole
of his term. Other necessary employees received such wages as were
determined by Doctor Owen.
Out of these appropriations was paid the cost of publishing the
reports, four octavo volumes with maps and plates, in editions of
5,000 each. No pecuniary return was obtained, they having been
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 109
distributed gratuitously by the members of the legislature, the officers
of the survey, and other officials. This mode of distribution, plac-
ing these volumes of " public documents " generally in the hands of
persons who could not fully appreciate their value resulted in the
fact that at present these records are rarely obtainable by those who
wish to consult them.
The cost of the publication was large. Doctor Owen wrote " that
the cost of volumes 2 and 3 was $7,529.19, of which $4,600 was
for binding alone"; 1 and the cost of the other two volumes must
have been at least as great, so that out of the $55,000 appropriated
at least $30,000 must have been spent for publications.
The only officer of the survey who derived compensation from any
other institution was Doctor Peter, who was also professor of chem-
istry in the medical department of Transylvania University, which
institution materially aided the survey, without any other com-
pensation than a collection of specimens derived therefrom, by
giving the free use of its ample chemical laboratory and apparatus
as well as that of its valuable scientific library.* The private libraries
and apparatus of Doctors Owen and Peter also aided in the economy
of the work.
The geological survey had no library of its own. A valuable
museum of the geology, paleontology, mineralogy, the soils, etc., of
Kentucky was established by Doctor Owen in a room in the capitol
at Frankfort, but this was destroyed by fire November, 1865.*
In 1857 Doctor Owen accepted the position of State geologist of
Arkansas, to take effect as soon after October 1 as his engagements
in Kentucky would permit. He began operations in that State in
that month, but he also continued his general supervision and direc-
tion of the survey in Kentucky up to the time of his death.
Benefits. Doctor Owen, in the introduction to his First Report
of a Eeconnoissance of the Northern Counties of Arkansas, in 1858
(p. 13), giving "the results of the geological survey of Kentucky"'
up to that time, wrote :
In some of the counties, where the labors of the geologist have established
the existence of beds of good workable coal, the intrinsic value of the land rose,
in a single season, 25 per cent all over the county, while the value of the land
in many locations of the same county, offering peculiar advantages adjacent to
navigable streams, rose, in the course of the same period, from $5 to $10 up
to $50 and $GO per acre. And these prices have remained up to the present
time, showing the valuation was real, intrinsic, and substantial
1 See Reports of Geological Survey of Kentucky, vol. 4, p. 21.
'Transylvania University, with all its means of instruction, however, was and yet re-
mains the property of the State, devoted to popular education, primarily endowed by the
mother State, Virginia, as a " public school or seminary of learning."
With the reorganization of the survey under Professor Shaler a very extensive and
valuable museum of the survey was established in fhe capitol.
11.0 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Where the simultaneous occurrence of both coal and abundant beds of rich
iron ore has been proved, the rise in the value of the property has been pro-
portionately greater.
During the whole period of the survey under Doctor Owen and
up to the present day in its second epoch new beds of coal have been
discovered in the detailed examination of the extensive coal fields of
Kentucky. The location, the thickness, and extent, as well as the
composition, character, and value of the coals are given to the public
in the reports, tending continually to the development and increase
of value of the comparatively unappreciated territory of the State.
This statement applies not only to the coals, but also to its asso-
ciated extensive iron ores, the fire clays and plastic clays, and the
limestone strata which underlie it, giving building stones, cement
rock, and lime for the architect and for other purposes. The build-
ing stone of the Knob or Waverly formation, the rich limestone of
the lower Silurian, yielding by its ready disintegration the blue-grass
rich soil of central Kentucky; even the siliceous and aluminous de-
posists of the Tertiary region of the southwestern part of the State
were described and their technological value ascertained and shown.
Lastly, but not least, Kentucky being mainly an agricultural State,
and Doctor Owen having a predilection for agricultural chemistry,
the soils of the State have been more extensively collected, analyzed,
and studied in a systematic manner than those of any other territory ;
and the published reports of the results of these thorough and ex-
tensive examinations give very valuable information to the intelli-
gent immigrant, as well as to the resident farmer who can read and
understand them.
The immigration of skilled workers and intelligent agriculturists
and the influx of capital to settle and improve the new lands, now
held at prices far below their value, and the development of the
rich mineral deposits of the State, measurably neglected or ignored,
are thus invited, and aided and by the aid of new capital and skill
public internal improvements are stimulated and manufactures of
various kinds increased.
The new and accurate topographical, geodetical, and geological
map of the State, with the detailed similar maps of the several coun-
ties, begun under Doctor Owen and now in progress of perfection,
will be of value to the public very far above any reasonable expendi-
ture for the same.
SECOND SURVEY UNDER N. 8. SHALER AND J. R. PROCTOR, 1873-1893.
The death of Dr. D. D. Owen in Ig60 and the threatened disaster
of a Civil War caused the discontinuation of the first survey. The
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 139 PL. 12
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. Ill
importance of the work was, however, recognized, and in March,
1872, a bill was introduced for its renewal. This was defeated in the
house by a vote of nays, 32; yeas, 43, three less than the constitu-
tional majority. In the spring of 1873 the subject was again taken
up and with more favorable results. The following is the text of
an act passed at this time, and its subsequent modification and addi-
tions :
An act to provide for a geological and mlneraloglcal survey of the State.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
SECTION 1. That the governor is hereby authorized and required, as soon as
may be after the passage of this act, to appoint a State geologist, who shall be
a person of competent scientific and practical knowledge of the sciences of
geology and mineralogy; and the said State geologist shall, by and with the
consent of the governor, appoint two suitable persons to assist him in the dis-
charge of his duties, one of whom shall be a competent and skilful chemist.
SEC. 2. That it shall be the duty of said State geologist and his assistants, as
soon as may be practicable after his said appointment, to commence to carry on,
with such expedition and dispatch as may be consistent with minuteness and
accuracy, a thorough geological, mineralogical, and chemical survey of the State,
with a view to determine the order and comparative magnitude of the several
strata or geological formations of this State, and to discover and examine all
beds or deposits of ore, coal, flora, and such other mineral substances as may
be useful or valuable, and to analyze the same; and to perform such other
duties as may be necessary to make a full and complete geological, mineralogical,
and chemical survey of this State: Provided, That the survey contemplated by
this act shall be a continuation of the survey already made by Professor Owen.
SEC. 3. That it shall be the duty of the said State geologist and his assist-
ants to make full and complete examinations, assays, and analysis of all rocks,
ores, flora, or other substances as may be submitted to them for that purpose,
and to furnish, if required, a detailed and complete account of the results so
obtained; and at the courthouse of each county in this State, in which he shall
discover valuable mineral deposits, the said geologist shall deliver either a writ-
ten or verbal discouse upon their examinations, assays, and analysis of all such
rocks, ores, and flora, within such county; and said geologist or his assistants
shall deposit at the clerk's office of such county in which he shall discover min-
erals or other substances, such specimens as he shall deem of value, for the
inspection of the citizens and visitors of said county.
SEC. 4. That it shall be the duty of the said geologist and his assistants to
visit and make such exploration of each county in this State, beginning with
the mineral regions, as will be sufficient to satisfy him whether it contains
valuable minerals or other deposits, and the extent, nature, and value
thereof.
SEC. 5. That is shall be the duty of said geologist and his assistants, on
or about the 1st day of December in each and every year, to make a report of
the progress of said survey, accompanied with maps, drawings, and speci-
mens as may be necessary and proper to exemplify and elucidate the same, to
the governor, who shall lay such report before the general assembly.
SEC. 6. That it shall he the duty of the said geologist and his assistants to
forward to the governor, from time to time, during the progress of said survey,
13607520 9
112 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
snch specimens of rocks, flora, ores, coal, and other mineral substances or
useful materials discovered and examined, as may be proper and necessary to
form a complete cabinet of the specimens of geology, mineralogy, and other
useful materials of the State; and the governor shall cause the same to be
deposited, in proper order, in some convenient room in the State capitol. there
to be preserved for public inspection. He shall also furnish like specimens to
the Kentucky University, which shall be preserved by the officers thereof, in
like manner, for the use of the scholars in said university and the examination
of visitors thereto.
SEC. 7. That, for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act,
the sum of $10,000 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated, to be expended
nnder the direction of the governor: Provided, hoicevcr, The principal geologist
shall not receive more than $10 per day, nor the assistants more than $7 per
day each, for the time they are in actual service: And provided further, That
the appropriation herein made shall only be used so far as the governor may
find, on investigation, necessary to obtain the services of a competent geologist
and assistants during that part of the year when such geologist can be profit-
ably employed in the prosecution of such survey.
SEC. 8. The governor shall have power to remove any of the persons appointed
under this act for negligence or incompetency, or any other cause which he may
deem sufficient for such removal, and appoint others in their stead.
SEC. 9. The principal geologist and each of his ass'stants, before entering
npon the duties of their offices, shall take oath faithfully to perform all the
services required of them under this act and to abstain from all pecuniary specu-
Istions for themselves or others in the objects of their survey dur'ng their
progress, and that they will not conceal any valuable discovery or information
from the owner or owners of the land on which said discovery is made; but in
all things conduct the survey, etc., as will (if practicable to do so) duly notify
the community generally, and especially the owner or owners of the land on
which all such valuable discoveries are made.
This act shall take effect from its passage.
Approved March 22, 1873.
An act providing for the continuation of the geological, minernlogicnl. nnd botanical sur-
vey now in progress in Kentucky, and for the prosecution of other surveys.
Be it enacted by the General A&semWy of the Commomcealth of Kentucky:
SECTION 1. That for the continuation of the geological, minera logical, and
botanical surveys now in progress and for the prosecution of the other surveys
hereinafter mentioned, there be appropriated, out of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $15,000 per annum for the term of two
years, viz: $15,000 for the year beginning the first day of January, 1874, and
$15,000 for the year beginning January 1, 1875, and ending December 31 of the
same year, to be expended under the direction of the governor.
SEC. 2. That for the outfit of wagons, horses, and other camp equipments,
together with the necessary instruments for the field and laboratory work of
the survey, and for the cases necessary for the exhibition of the collections of
the survey in the expositions held in our cities and at Philadelphia in 1S7G, as
well as in the cabinets provided for at Frankfort and Lexington, and for the
expenses of persons employed to exhibit and supervise the same, together with
all other expenses incidental thereto, there be, and is hereby, appropriated, out
of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums, not to
exceed $3,500, as the governor may, from time to time, direct
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 113
SEC. 3. That the State geologist be authorized and required to institute a
survey of the water powers of the State, to determine their value and position;
that he also be required to make or have made a sufficient study of the fishes
of the State, so far as the means of the survey will admit; that he be also re-
quired to cause to be examined and reported on the other animals of the State
which may be of economic or scientific importance.
SEC. 4. That the cost of the publication of the results of the survey be made
out of the appropriation specified in the first section of this act: Provided,
hoicevcr, that the time of publication and the number of copies printed shall be
determined by the governor, it being required that all important reports shall
be stereotyped or electrotyped, and the plates thereof remain the property of
the State.
SEC. 5. The director of the surveys shall be allowed to withdraw from the
State library any books on geological subjects which he may find necessary for
the prosecution of the surveys. He shall also have the right of access to all
railway, river, canal, or other maps within the State, for the purpose of copy-
ing the same, as far as may be necessary for the work of the suvey.
SEC. 6. The director of the surveys shall be empowered, from time to time,
to publish in any suitable journal the scientific or economic results of his
surveys, it being provided that all discoveries of economic value shall first be
published in the journal most likely to give the people concerned information.
SEC. 7. That the State geologist be authorized to organize three topographical
corps, by and with the consent of the governor, one in the western division of
the State, one in the southern division, and one in the eastern division, in order
to carry forward the geological survey with such dispatch as is consistent with
accuracy and minuteness, so as to develop the mineral resources of the State;
and at the same time construct geographical and geological maps, showing its
geological and topographical features; and that the topographical corps shall
carry forward the work simultaneously, commencing such surveys in the min-
eral regions of the State, while the geological reconnoissance is extended over
the counties not yet. explored by the principal geologist.
SEC. 8. That so much of an act entitled, "An act to provide for a geological
and ininera logical survey of the State," approved March 22, 1873, as is not in-
consistent with the provisions of this act be, and the same is hereby, reenacted.
This act shall take effect from and after its passage.
Approved, February 13, 1874.
An act to provide for continuing the geological and other surveys of the State of
Kentucky.
Be it enacted &// the General Assembly of the Commomcealth of Kentucky:
1. That the geological and other surveys of the Commonwealth, provided for
and ordered by the acts approved, respectively, March 22, 1873, and February
33, 1S74, be, and the same are hereby, continued, subject to the conditions set
forth in these enactments, except so far as is hereafter provided.
2. That the maps, reports, and other publications of the survey shall be dis-
posed of and distributed as follows: One copy shall be given to each member
of the State government, and three copies, for distribution in their respective
counties, to each member of the general assembly; one to each county and cir-
cuit clerk's office, to be filed and retained therein as the property of the State,
and to be retained therein for information and reference by the citizens of said
county; five copies to each officer of the survey engaged in the preparation
thereof; 300 copies shall be distributed to the various public libraries and other
114 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
public institutions and men of science in this and other countries in the manner
most likely to diffuse knowledge of the resources of the State and to aid ID
developing its industries; that the remainder of the copies printed from time
to time shall be offered for sale, as may be directed by the governor of this
Commonwealth, at the actual cost of printing, binding, and distributing the
same.
3. For the maintenance of the surveys, as above provided, there is hereby
appropriated, from any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, aa
follows: For the further geological investigation of the State, including the
salaries of the director and his geological assistants, and their field expenses,
$6,000 per annum; for the topographical survey, including the salaries of as-
sistants, and field expenses, $4,000 per annum ; for the salaries of the chemical
assistants and their office expenses, $3,000 per annum; for the preparation of
stereotype and lithographic plates, and presswork, paper, and the other expenses
of printing the reports, maps, etc., $7,000 per annum : Provided, The printing
and binding authorized by this act shall be duly advertised and let to the lowest
responsible bidder, under the direction and supervision of the governor and
director of the survey. For the outfit, expenses of the survey, the purchase of
horses and wagons, instruments, etc., and for office expenses, $1,000 per annum ;
for the purchase of cases, and the expense incident to collections at the State
cabinet and elsewhere, as provided and declared in the act approved March 22.
1873, $1,000 per annum : Provided, hoiccrer, That the money not required for
any of the purposes specified above may be used for the other specified pur-
poses; and no part of the amount set apart for plates, printing, etc., shall be
used for any other purpose until the publication shall be fully completed.
4. This act shall take effect from and after its passage, and expire at the
end of two years from and after passage.
Approved February 19, 1876.
By an act of April 5, 1878, providing for the continuation of the
survey, the amount allowed for geological investigation, including
the salaries of the director and his assistants and their field expenses,
was reduced to $3.GOO a year; for chemical analyses and other lab-
oratory work there was allowed $900 ; for engraving of maps, plates,
and other illustrations, $900; for stereotyping, $1,700; for office ex-
penses and collecting of specimens, $GOO; and for outfit expenses,
$400: "Provided always, That the money not required for any of
the purposes specified above may be used for other specified pur-
poses."
The law for the distribution of the reports remained substantially
as in the act of 1876 : Provided, that the first edition of the reports
and other publications of the survey should not exceed 1,000 copies,
the governor, however, having authority to order at his discre-
tion subsequent editions of 500 copies each: "Provided, That the
photographs published shall be in editions of not exceeding 100
copies, of which 50 copies shall be placed in public libraries in this
and other countries as may seem most likely to disseminate informa-
tion concerning the Commonwealth, and the remainder shall be sold
nt the cost of making and distributing the same."
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 115
By the act of April 26, 1880, the amount appropriated for geo-
logical investigations, including the per diem of the director " whilst
actually engaged in the direction of the survey," and the salaries of
his assistants and their field expenses was $4,000 a year ; for the con-
tinuation of the topographical survey and the work on the State
map, $2,000; for chemical analyses, $600; for research concerning
building stones, $250 ; for the examination and report upon the water
power of the State, $500 : for the expenses of the office of the survey
immigration and the State cabinet, $500; and for the continuing of
the photographing of the State, $500.
Sections 4 to 6 of this act provided, further:
4. That the governor shall, at this and each regular meeting of the legisla-
ture, appoint a State geologist, by and with the advice and consent of the senate,
for the term of two years, or until his successor is appointed and qualified, who
shall reside at Frankfort, and be there at all times when not engaged in the
necessary surveys, and who shall also be a commissioner of immigration. Said
commissioner shall attend to the office work of the survey, and, in addition
thereto, he shall collect, compile, publish, and circulate, in such manner and by
such agencies, and in such places as he may deem proper and advisable, in the
United States and in foreign countries, pamphlets and other publications de-
scriptive of the resources and advantages of this State, and such other facts
and information having a tendency to attract and promote immigration, and
otherwise use his discretion in the furtherance of immigration, and the bringing
of skilled labor and capital into the State. He shall also collect and dissemi-
nate such information as in his judgment will best aid in the founding of indus-
tries to utilize and manufacture within the State raw products of the State.
That the reports of said commissioner, when presented to the governor and
approved by him, shall be printed by the public printer, at the same charges
and upon the same terms as similar work is done for the State.
5. Said commissioner shall keep in his office a record of lands for sale, lease,
or colonization, which record shall be kept accessible to all persons inquiring for
such information as it may contain; and he shall be allowed a fee of $2 for
making each entry or record, to be paid by the owner of the land so recorded,
which fee shall be used to hire the necessary clerical aid to make the records,
and assist in the correspondence of the office.
6. Said commissioner shall not, during his term of office, either directly or
Indirectly, have any Interest in any real estate agency or land speculations.
The legislature of 1882 passed an act for the continuation of the
survey, in which the amounts appropriated vary slightly from those
just given, as shown in the tabulation on page 123.
The duties of the State geologist remained the same, though a
clause was inserted into section 4 of the act providing that the State
geologist should be required to keep an account of all moneys paid
out in his department in a book kept for that purpose, and to be at
all times open to inspection to the members of the general assembly
and other State officials. A final clause to the section provided that
the printing done should be paid out of the fund therein appropriated.
lid BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Section 5 of the law of 1882 further provided that no fee should
be allowed for entry or recording the sale of lands, nor should any
fee or commission be charged by said bureau on lands so recorded
which might be sold to immigrants.
The act of 1884 continuing the survey was essentially the same as
that of 1880. with some changes in the amount appropriated and
with additional strictures forbidding the State geologist and his
assistants to have any financial interests in matters relating to trans-
actions of their office.
The act of 1888 for the continuation of the survey provided that
the geologist should not receive more than $10 a day during such
time as he was in actual service, and that the total salaries received
by him should not exceed $2,000 a year ; also that the geologist should
execute a bond in the sum of $20.000 to the Commonwealth of Ken-
tucky, with good and sufficient surety, for the lawful discharge of
his duties. It also further provided, under section 3 of this law,
that the governor should have power to remove any of the persons
appointed for negligence or incompetence; also section 8 provided
that the geological survey should be extended first to the counties in
the State which have had no survey and next to the counties which
have had the least survey made.
The law of 1890 appropriated the sum of $15,000 a year for two
years, to be expended in the same manner as indicated in the law of
1883-84, excepting that nothing therein should be construed to ap-
propriate money for an immigration bureau, or " for any purpose
except for geological, topographical, and agricultural survey of the
State; chemical analyses of soils, coals, ores, and other substances;
the collecting of and testing of coals, clays, building stones, ores, and
other substances." It also provided that any money received from
the sale of publications should be placed in the State treasury to the
credit of the general revenue. Otherwise there was no change of
importance.
Administration. Under the act of 1873 N. S. Shaler, a native of
Kentucky, but at the time professor of paleontology in the Lawrence
Scientific School of Harvard University, was made director, enter-
ing upon his duties on August 22 of that year. With the assent of
the governor, Dr. Robert Peter, of the Kentucky University, was
appointed chemist and A. R. Crandall, geological assistant. Doctor
Peter was assisted by Mr. J. H. Talbutt, and Mr. Crandall by P. N.
Moore, J. A. Monroe, C. "W. Beckham, and C. Schenk a total of
eight persons, at an average cost of $1.200 a month, including sal-
aries, chemical supplies, subsistence, transportation, and repairs.
The salary of the director was by law limited to $10 a day and that
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 117
of the assistants to $7 a day for the time they were actually in
service.
The plan for the conduct of the survey noted above consisted of :
1. A general reconnoissance of the ground in order to secure the
outlines of the problems which have to be met.
2. The formation of an accurate topographical map, which should
give, on the scale of at least 1 inch of map distance for every mile
of country, the exact relations of every stream, hill, and valley
throughout the State.
3. A geological survey which should be so exact as to indicate, on
colored sheets of this map, the precise limits of each formation, so
that the owner of any land, by the use of his map, and the accom-
panying diagrams and reports, might be able to determine, as nearly
as possible, what lies beneath it.
4. A careful study of living animals and plants within the State,
in order that their usefulness to man, the means of their nurture or
destruction, and their relation to the fossil life, shown by the geo-
logical survey, may adequately be determined.
5. The study of the physical conditions existing in the State
climate, magnetic variations, etc.
6. The presentation of this knowledge in such fashion that may
be best suited to secure its preservation and ready use within the
State, and its dissemination abroad.
7. The extension of the study of science within the State.
With a view of accomplishing a maximum amount of work within
the limits of the appropriation, a letter was addressed to many of the
State senators and representatives, asking each to name, from his
own county, some person willing to make himself a volunteer agent
of the survey. As a result of this the following volunteer corps was
organized: J. R. Anderson, Rev. Dr. Colby, Prof. Failes, W. O.
Graves, W. T. Knott, J. M. Litton, A. B. Lyman, M. Powell, Colonel
Rand, Thomas Turner, and R. Twyman. Subsequently, and for
varying periods, the following were added: C. J. Norwood, J. B.
Marcou, H. Herzer, W. M. Linney, assistants in geology; W. B.
Caldwell, assistant in mineralogy; W. B. Page, W. C. Mitchell, E.
Underwood, and J. B. Hoeing, assistants in topography; A. S.
Packard, assistant in entomology; F. Sanborn, assistant in zoology;
F. W. Putnam, assistant in ichthyology; J. Bussey, assistant in
botany; Lucian Carr, assistant in ethnology; L. Trouvelot, artist;
and A. L. Jones.
The class of information the volunteer corps was expected to
furnish is indicated by the following 10 queries :
118 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
1. What are the defects in the representation of your county on the
maps you may have in hand ? County lines, streams, and roads, how
far are they in error ?
2. What are the mineral springs, or springs remarkable on ac-
count of their temperature, volume, variability, etc.?
3. What are the minerals, coals, and building stones, as far as
known? What mines, salt wells, and quarries have been opened?
And what was the yield of these materials last year?
4. What caverns exist in your county ?
5. What are the principal points where good sections through the
rocks can be seen ?
6. What are the principal varieties of soils in your county, their
natural timbering, crops, and the regions occupied by them ?
7. What are the timber trees, and how are they distributed in the
county ?
8. What are the water powers of your county, size of streams,
character of shore, etc.?
9. What is the price of land according to the character of soil,
productiveness, and availability for immigration purposes?
10. What remains of ancient races exist in your county?
The survey as first organized had no immediate connection with
other institutions, although its director was at the time professor of
paleontology at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
and its chief chemist was professor of chemistry at the State agri-
cultural college at Lexington. An unofficial connection was made
with Harvard through the establishment by Professor Shaler of a
summer school of geology, the first sessions of which, through an in-
vitation by Governor Leslie, were held in Kentucky. Mr. John R.
Proctor, assistant on the survey, was employed by the university to
superintend the summer camp, the number of students in which was
limited to 30. The survey was put to no expense in connection with
the school, the advantage gained by the school being the permission
extended to the students of accompanying the parties in the field
to observe the method of work and. incidentally, to profit by the
knowledge of the assistants. In exchange for this the survey was
relieved of the expense of maintaining its own camp and of trans-
portation, and received the assistance of such members of the school
as were capable of doing useful work. Sessions of the school were
thus held during the seasons of 1875. 1876, 1878. and 1879.
In April, 1880, Professor Shaler, through pressure of other duties,
was compelled to resign as director, and was succeeded by the former
assistant. John E. Proctor. The plan of procedure under Mr. Proc-
tor was outlined as follows:
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 119
1. A topographical and geological survey of the two coal fields of the State;
obtaining information of the area, thickness, position, character, and quality
of the various strata of coal and iron ores, clays, etc. ; studying the relation of
same to available transportation routes, and also with existing resources in ad-
jacent States; also a study of the kinds, quality, and distribution of the tim-
bers; the water powers; the character of the soils, and the adaptability of these
soils to certain branches of agriculture, and the suitableness of the same for
Immigration ; to make the above known to the world by carefully prepared and
accurate statements of facts.
2. The making of such a survey of the various counties of the State as will
best promote agricultural development; the analyses of the soils, subsoils, and
tmderclays of the various geological horizons; the coloring of these horizons on
the map, in a manner to enable the agriculturist to make practical use of the
results obtained. This work I believe to be of fundamental importance, affect-
Ing, as it does, the well-being and prosperity of a large majority of our people.
3. In connection with the above the chemical and laboratory work; analyses
of soils, clays, coals, iron ores, mineral waters, and other substances collected
by the geological survey ; the practical testing of the coking quality of coals and
testing of clays, etc.
4. Topographical work; the making of county maps, and coloring the geology
on the same; the completion of an accurate map of the State. The necessity
for a correct map of Kentucky can not be overestimated, none having ever been
made.
5. The collection, in the State cabinet, of specimens of the coals, iron ores,
building stones, clays, and other substances, showing the resources of the State;
also a collection of the fossil remains from the various strata, and the arrange-
ment and classification of the same in a manner best calculated to afford instruc-
tion to persons wishing to gain information on such subjects.
6. The office work; preparation of reports for publication; reading of proof;
preparation of geological sections and illustrations; drawing of maps and col-
oring same; conduct of the large correspondence of the survey, etc.
7. Work connected with the bureau of immigration, placed by law under the
geological survey.
Museum and library. The formation of collections to illustrate
the resources of the State was advocated, one of the several collec-
tions to be deposited in the State University at Lexington, another
at the capitol, and yet another for general exposition purposes.
These were to illustrate
1. The geological and mineralogieal features of the country.
2. Its soils and their cultivated productions.
3. Its native animals and plants.
4. Its ancient life, both of animals and man.
A valuable reference library is stated to have been accumulated,
but without cost to the State.
Results. Under the administration of Proctor the results enumer-
ated below were claimed as having been accomplished :
In western Kentucky the topography ami geology have been completed over
13 counties, aggregating an area of 4,870 square miles; and in addition the
topography has been completed and the maps drawn ready for the geologist.
120 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
or for the engraver, if it be decided to print them without the geology, of nine
counties in western Kentucky, aggregating 3,564 square miles.
Geology and topography have been completed in 17 counties of central Ken-
tucky, aggregating 4,826 square miles.
Topography has been completed, and geology partially completed, over five
counties in south central Kentucky, aggregating 1,829 square miles.
Geology and topography have been completed over an area aggregating at
least 10,000 square miles in the eastern coal field.
Thus, since the beginning of 1SSO, there have been completed
Square miles.
la western Kentucky, geology and topography 4,870
In western Kentucky, topography only 3,564
Total 8,434
Central Kentucky, geology and topography 4, 829
Eastern Kentucky 10. 000
South central Kentucky 1,829
Grand total 25, 089
To the above add completed work done by the second survey prior to
1880; eastern Kentucky, 4 counties, geology and topography com-
pleted (see 1, map No. 1, accompanying this report) 1,070
Nolin River district, geology and topography completed (see 4, map
No. 1) 264
Topography completed, parts Menefee, Wolfe, etc. (see 7, map No. 1)_. 580
Topography Grayson, Hancock, and part of Ohio County (see 6, map
No. 1) 550
Total 2,464
The above does not include the mass of preliminary work don
prior to 1880. such as sections across the western coal field ; nor does it
include the work done by the survey under the direction of Dr. David
Dale Owen.
Appropriations by the Assembly for the Shaler-Proctor survey, 1873-1893.
By act approved :
Mar. 22, 1873 $10,000
Feb. 13, 1874 '$15,000
== *30,000
Feb. 19, 1876
For geological research, including salaries and field
expenses 6, 000
For topographical survey, including salaries and field
expenses 4, 000
For chemical assistants and expenses 3,000
For expenses incidental to publication 7, 000
For outfit for field work and office expenses 1, 000
For cases and collecting for State cabinet 1, 000
$22, 000
=== 44,000
1 Annually for two years.
An additional appropriation of $3,500 was made to pay tbe exp.nses of the survey'^
exhibit at Philadelphia in 1876.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 121
Appropriations by the Assembly for the Shaler-Proctor survey, 1873-1898 Con.
Apr. 5, 1878
For geological research, etc., as above $3, 600
For chemical analyses, etc., as above 900
For expenses of publication 900
For stereotyping 1,700
For office and collecting expenses 600
For field outfits___ 400
1 $S, 100
-- $16,200
Apr. 26, 1880
For geological research, as above ___________________ 4, 000
For topographical survey, as above _________________ 2, 000
For chemical analyses, etc _________________ ______ 600
For researches on building stone and clay ________ 250
For research on forestry resources __________________ 250
For research on water power _______________________ 500
For office and collecting expenses* _________________ 500
For photographing ________________________________ 500
1 $8, 600
===== 17, 200
Apr. 1, 1882
For geological research ____________________________ 4,000
For topographical survey __________________________ 2,500
For chemical analyses _____________________________ 600
For office and collecting expenses ___________________ 500
1 $7, 600
========= * 15, 200
Apr. 19, 1884
For geological research ___________________________ 6,800
For topographical survey __________________________ 3,600
For chemical analyses _____________________________ 1, 000
For office expenses and collecting __________________ 700
4 $12,100
-- : 36, 300
Apr. 16, 1888. For all expenses as per act of 1884 _______ * 15, 000 30. 000
May 26, 1890. For all expenses as per act of 1884 _______ 4 15, 000 30, 000
Total ______________________________________________________ $228,900
In his report for 1878-79 Professor Shaler had recommended the
continuation of the survey as a " combined survey and bureau of
industries," with the function of bringing together detailed infor-
1 Annually for two years.
1 Includes also office expenses of Bureau of Immigration.
In addition there was appropriated the sum of $5,000 annually for the Bureau of Im-
ulgrntion.
* Annually for three years.
122 BULLETIN 10&, UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
mation concerning the natural products of the State and aiding the
founding of industries, a line of work which had already been
forced upon the officers of the existing organization. It was pre-
sumably this recommendation, in part, which caused the legislature,
in April, 1880, to create a bureau of immigration and place the same
under the direction of the State geologist.
By this act, and in the capacity of ex-officio commissioner of
immigration, the geologist was required to " collect, compile, publish,
and circulate in such manner, and by such agencies, and in such
places as he may deem proper and advisable, in the United States
and in foreign countries, pamphlets, and other publications descrip-
tive of the resources and advantages of the State, and such other
facts and information as will have a tendency to attract and promote
immigration and the bringing of skilled labor and capital into the
State."
The work accomplished along these lines lies beyond the limits of
the present history. It is well to note, however, the statement of
Mr. Proctor in his report for 1SSG-87 to the effect that the legis-
lature, while making of him mandatory requirements by the crea-
tion of this bureau, made no provisions for the carrying out of the
same without trenching upon the appropriations of the survey, and
at the same time the amount of the appropriation was the smallest
that had thus far been made. It would appear, therefore, that the
amalgamation was decidedly to the detriment of the work for which
the survey was originally created.
From the annual reports and subsequent legislation it would
appear that matters relating to the survey were not conducted in a
manner altogether satisfactory to the governor and to the assembly.
Thus, under date of January 15, 1892, it was
Resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
1. Tluit the President of the Senate appoint a committee on geological survey,
to he composed of flve members, which shall act with the house committee on
geological survey, and constitute a joint committee, whose duty it shall be to in-
quire into and report (1) What amount of money, and for what purpose, has
been expended out of the appropriation made by the last general assembly.
(2) What amount of said appropriation remains unexpended. (3) What amount
of field work, including the kind and locality thereof, has never been begun.
(4) What field work already begun needs completion, including the cost required
to complete it. (5) Whether or not the advantages which may accrue to the
commonwealth justify a continuation of the survey. (0) If survey is not con-
tinued, what disposition should be made of the cabinet, library, and archives of
the department. (7) Any other matter which the committee may deem proper;
and (8) report such bill or resolution in relation to the survey as the com-
mittee may deem wise and for the best interests of the commonwealth.
2. This resolution shall, on account of emergencies hereby declared to exist,
take effect from its adoption.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 123
It appears, further, that on April 30 of this year the State inspector
and examiner made a report to the governor unfavorable to Mr.
Proctor's management of the finances of the survey. This was re-
plied to by the geologist in a letter subsequently privately printed and
circulated under the date of May 24, but it was apparently without
effect so far as the life of the organization was concerned, and on
August 16 we find the following :
Resolution In relation to the geological survey.
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
1. That the auditor of public accounts is hereby directed to collect and place
Into the treasury to the credit of the general expenditure fund the sums of
money in the hands of John R. Proctor. Robert Clarke & Co., and Flexner &
Staadeker arising from the sale of publications of the survey, as shown by
report of State inspector and examiner, made at the present session to the
president of the senate.
2. This resolution shall take effect from its adoption.
Approved August 16, 1892.
This was succeeded by the following resolutions and enactments,
the intent of which is obvious, and the survey came to a somewhat
inglorious end in 1893 :
An act for the benefit of the employees of the geological survey.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
1. That, as the sum now remaining to the credit of the geological survey is
insufficient to meet all demands that can legally be made against the same, the
auditor of public accounts be, and is hereby, directed to audit, and, upon the
npproval of the governor, pay from the balance on hand, and from any other
sum in the treasury not otherwise appropriated by law, all legal demands
against said survey for salaries due its officials, or expenses legally incurred
by them in connection with said survey : Provided, however, That no official con-
nected therewith shall receive a greater sum for his services than was allowed
by law at the time the services were rendered; and no claim shall be allowed
for any salaries or expense after the expiration of their terms of office on
the 2Gth of May, 1892.
2. That as it is necessary that the claims against the survey should be paid,
an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this act shall take effect from
and after its approval by the governor. 1
Resolution providing a curator for the cabinet and other property of the gelogical survey.
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commomcealth of Kentucky:
1. That the inspector of mines, In addition to his other duties, shall be ex
officio curator of the cabinet and other property of the geological survey, and
into whose care and keeping all the records, documents, collections, instruments,
apparatus, books, maps, and other property of the survey are hereby con-
fided, and which shall become a part of his office.
2. All persons having control or possession of any of said property, or the
rooms forrierly designated or occupied for the use of the survey, are hereby
directed to surrender the possession thereof to the curator.
Approved June 20, 1893.
a Inw February 4, 1803, the jrovornor not havinir signed or returned the same
to the house in which It originated within the time prescribed by the constitution.
124 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
An act to amend n resolution entitled " Resolution providing a curator for the cabinet and
other property of the geological survey," approved June 20, 1893.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commomcealth of Kentucky:
1. That a resolution, entitled " Resolution providing a curator for the cab-
inet and other property of the geological survey," passed by the general as-
sembly of 1803, be, and the same is hereby, amended by striking out all of sec-
tion 1 of said resolution, which reads as follows : " That the inspector of
mines, in addition to his other duties, shall be ex officio curator of the cabinet
and other property of the geological survey, and into whose care and keeping all
the records, documents, collections, instruments, apparatus, books, maps, and
other property of the survey are hereby confided, and which shall become a part
of his office," and substituting in lieu thereof the following words :
" 1. That the inspector of mines, in addition to his duties as such inspector,
shall be curator of the cabinet and other property of the geological survey or
department, and all the records, documents, collections, instruments, apparatus,
books, maps, and other property of the survey are hereby confided to his care
and keeping; and, as such curator, he is hereby required to attend to all corre-
spondence and respond to all requests concerning the mineral resources of the
State that come to him in his said capacity ; to attend to the distribution of all
published maps and reports in his hands intended for distribution ; and to per-
from all the duties devolving upon such a curator, so far as is applicable in this
case; and he shall whenever the general assembly shall direct and provide
therefor, cause to be printed, under his supervision, any or all of the unpub-
lished reports of the geological survey that may be in his custody. He shall be
allowed and paid 50 per month as compensation for his services as such
curator, and shall give bond for the faithful performance of his duties as such
curator, with surety to be approved by the governor.
2. The compensation, provided for in section 1 of said resolution, as amended
herein, shall begin only with the date of the approval of this act
3. It being just and proper that the compensation provided for in section 1
hereof shall become available at once, since said inspector is now, and has been
for several months, performing the extra duties of curator, as provided for
herein, an emergency is hereby declared, and this act shall take effect on its
approval by the governor.
Approved March 15, 1894.
LOUISIANA.*
FIRST SURVEY UNDER EUGENE W. HILGARD AND F. V. HOPKINS, 1869-1871.
The first step taken by State authority toward a general survey
of the geological structure and industrial resources of Louisiana
occurred during the latter part of the war of the Confederacy, under
an executive order of Gov. H. TV. Allen, made early in 1864. This
order authorized Judge John B. Robertson, of New Orleans, to
begin a systematic investigation of the agricultural, mineral, and
manufacturing resources of the State. Judge Eobertson took with
him on the expedition " Mr. Charles Tripp, a competent mineralogist
and metallurgist; Mr. John H. Jones, a skillful ironmaster of 35
J Malnly from manuscript by E. W. migard.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 125
years' practical experience; and Capt. John Roy, a most intelligent
and practical machinist and artisan," and explored various portions
of the State in search of iron and other minerals. Judge Robertson
was engaged for 16 months in these duties, after which he was author-
ized to make a visit to the Calcasieu region for the purpose of
investigating the reported discovery of petroleum and the geological
structure of the region.
Judge Robertson transmitted his report (covering 25 octavo
pages) to the legislature of the State at its session in January, 1867,
and at the same time submitted a memorial suggesting that further
and more comprehensive and active investigations of this character
were called for by public exigencies, but made no direct proposition
for the organization of the State survey. Report and memorial are
both printed in the volume of reports of the legislature for 1867. No
action save that of printing the report seems to have been taken by
the legislature at this time.
The ideas advanced concerning the geology of the region examined
were naturally somewhat crude. There is given, first, a general
statement regarding the physical aspect of the State. Then a dis-
cussion is entered into relative to the prairies, the alluvial area, and
the marshes. Under the head of " Geology " the author stated :
A short distance beyond the Teche an older formation begins, extending over
the broad prairies of the Attakapos, Opelousas, and Calcasieu, merging into the
Tertiary and even secondary formation in central and northern Louisiana.
Stratification of stone is rare, though beds of stratified limestone, conglomerate
and siliceous sinter are here and there found ; while successive layers of lignite
underlie much of the slate. Vast hills, sometimes over 200 feet in height, have
been upheaved by volcanic action, and are covered with fragments of red
sandstone formerly stratified. 1
The " five islands " are then described and are also considered to
be of volcanic origin. The deposit of rock salt of Petite Anse is
mentioned, and in connection therewith the salines of north Louisi-
ana and their deposits of bones.
The iron region of Louisiana is then mentioned as being very
extensive. North of the Red River it was noted as extending from
the Washita to the Bodcau, and from the Arkansas line to within a
few miles of Red River, while south of Red River it was said to
cover large portions of De Soto, Natchitoches, Rapides, and Sabine
Parishes. In north Louisiana the iron ore is said to be so abundant
as absolutely at some points to obstruct agriculture. "Vast crops
of rich ores may be seen piled up in the fields."
*The hills here alluded to are regarded by Prof. E. W. Hilgard as evidently those capped
by the characteristic ferruginous sandstone of the Lafayette or Orange sand, the curiously
suggestive concretionary formations of which have given rise to a great deal of specula-
tion among the natives, and are often compared to the ruins of a forge. See Report on
the Geology and Agriculture of Mississippi, 1860, p. 9.
126 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The usual reports of the finding of lead and copper were then
alluded to ; then, briefly, the limestones, more or less clay and ochres
occurring at various points, notably under the saliferous soils on
Lake Bistineau.
Gypsum was mentioned as occurring in the salines of north
Louisiana; also soda springs, from which, during the war, baking
soda was boiled by the inhabitants.
Lignite and peat were also discussed, and finally petroleum, which
at that time had excited high expectations in some portions of the
State.
In November, 1865, Prof. Richard Owen, then acting as colonel
of an Indiana regiment stationed at New Iberia, cursorily examined
the geological features of Petite Anse, with a view to determining
the age of the rock-salt deposits there occurring. His conclusions
were substantially to the effect that the theory of a volcanic origin
of the islands was wholly unfounded, and that the salt bed was prob-
ably the result of evaporation of modern sea water forming the la-
goons behind the protecting ridges and filled during periods of ex-
ceptionally high tides.
In 1866 two points in the geology of Louisiana were referred to
Prof. E. W. Hilgard for investigation. One was the determination
and discussion of the fossil material taken from a well bored at New
Orleans in 1866 at a depth of 230 feet, specimens of which had been
collected by a committee of the New Orleans Academy of Sciences
and placed at the disposal of the chief of engineers, A. A. Humph-
reys. The second was an examination of the geological position and
relations of the rock-salt deposits of Petite Anse, above referred to.
This latter proposition was made by Prof. Joseph Henry, secretary
of the Smithsonian Institution, with an offer to defray the neces-
sary traveling expenses out of the Smithsonian fund. Other duties
compelled Professor Hilgard to defer the examination of this deposit
to the succeeding year, but he made a preliminary examination of
the fossils from the New Orleans well, which were found in the main
to agree with the marine species then living in the Gulf.
In November, 1867, in pursuance of a renewed offer of assist-
ance from the Smithsonian Institution, Professor Hilgard undertook
the investigation of the geological relations of the Petite Anse salt
deposit, the solution of which involved a general examination of the
ancient and modern deposits, as well as the delta formations of the
Mississippi Valley and adjacent coasts. Beyond the fact that the
salt deposit underlaid and was, therefore, anterior to the Lafayette
formations, and was not an accidental lagoon deposit, as had been
previously conjectured by Professor Owen, no clew to its real age
could be found. Professor Hilgard was, however, unwilling to let
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 127
the matter rest with this unsatisfactory conclusion, and continued to
agitate the subject of a more extended examination of the geological
features of the State, both as a matter of general interest and also
in order to determine whether the great salt deposit might be expected
to be accessible at other points, and if so, where.
The discovery of the great sulphur bed, which was reached in bor-
ing for petroleum in the coast region of Calcasieu, increased the
public interest in the subject, so that almost simultaneously the
problem of the geological structure of Louisiana was attacked from
two' -sides. On the one hand, the New Orleans Academy of Sciences,
aided by an appropriation of public funds by the State immigration
bureau, requested Professor Hilgard to undertake a general geo-
logical reconnoissance of the State. On the other hand, the State
legislature, by an act approved March 6, 1869, made an appropriation
of $1,000 to defray the traveling expenses of two professors of the
University of Louisiana (then located at Alexandria under the desig-
nation of the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military
Academy) in making a general geological and topographical survey
of the State, under the direction of the superintendent of that in-
stitution. The following is the text of this act :
* An act to provide for a topographical and geological survey of the State of Louisiana.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of
the Rfate of Louisiana in General Assembly convened. That it shall he the duty
of the board of supervisors of the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and
Military Academy to require the professor of engineering and the professors of
chemistry, mineralogy, and geology to spend not less than four months of every
year in making jointly a topographical and geological survey of the State of
Louisiana till the whole work is completed to the satisfaction of the legisla-
ture. , -
SKC. 2. Be it further enacted, etc., That it shall be the duty of saidj. professors
of engineering and chemistry to make, on the 31st day of September of each
year, detailed reports, with the necessary maps, diagrams of their survey to the
superintendent of said institution, and that it shall be the duty of said superin-
tendent to forward -said reports, with his own annual report, to the board of
supervisors for transmittal to the legislature in the annual report of said board.
SKC. 3. Be it further enacted,' etc:, That it shall be the duty of the superin-
tendent of said- institution to consider t;he typographical and geological survey
of the State as herein provided for, as part of the regular duties of said institu-
tion, and to ui\erintend the same accordingly.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, etc., That said professors of engineering and
chemistry, etc., b$ allowed each the sum of $500 for necessary traveling ex-
penses while in the performance of said duties, to be paid to the treasurer of
said institution on the warrant of the president or vice president of said board
of supervisors. \
SEC. 5. Be it further ^enacted. etc., That this act shall take effect from and
after its passage.
13607520 - 10
128 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Administration. Under this act Profs. E. W. Hilgard and F. V.
Hopkins were designated to undertake the work, receiving there-
for no compensation beyond their professional salaries. Messrs.
Scott Miller and J. K. Walker accompanied Professor Hilgard in
the capacity of assistants, while Professor Hopkins was assisted by
S. H. Lockett, of the same institution, who took charge more espe
daily of the topographical part of the work.
The results of Hilgard's work were discussed in an article en-
titled Summary of a Late Geological Keconnoissance of Louisiana,
published in the American Journal of Science for November, 1869,
and also in a more popular form in De Bow's Review for September,
1869.
From the sale of the outfit of the expedition there was obtained
a sum sufficient to defray the expenses of some chemical work on
the materials collected, which work was performed at the University
of Mississippi by Dr. R. H. Loughridge.
The final report, of 44 pages, including a full discussion of the
entire subject matter of the expedition, was published in 1873 at
New Orleans, under the auspices of the New Orleans Academy of
Sciences. The edition consisted of but 200 copies.
Professor Hilgard's connection with the survey ended with the
publication of the report above mentioned. Professor Hopkins,
however, continued the work, his second annual report forming part
of the report of the superintendent of the State University for 1870.
Under his recommendation, made in the previous report, the legis-
lature's appropriation for the survey had been increased and some
compensation for their vacation work allowed the professors en-
gaged therein. The exact amount of this increase and the terms
in which the provision was made have not been ascertained, but the
total appropriation did not exceed $3,000.
The third series of survey reports (for the year 1871), and bear-
ing the imprint of the Republican office, 94 Camp Street, New Or-
leans, 1872, likewise formed part of the report of the superintendent
of the State University.
These reports terminated the publications of the State geological
survey of Louisiana. In 1872 there occurred political changes, as
a result of which the university for the time being ceased oper-
ations, and the faculty, who had for some time been serving without
pay, in consequence of the low value of the State treasury warrants,
dispersed. As a matter of fact, the expenses of the last survey
operations had been paid out of their own pockets. These expendi-
tures, together with their salaries for about the same time, were never
repaid, either by the university or the State. The collections made
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 13
CHARLES THOMAS JACKSON
STATE GEOLOGIST OF MAINE, 1837-39, RHODE ISLAND, 1839-40, AND
NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1839-43.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 129
by Lockett, Hopkins, and Featherman remained at the university
building at Baton Rouge.
The only additional geological work done in Louisiana under
Government auspices prior to that since inaugurated by the United
States Geological Survey and the State experiment station was a
rapid reconnoissance made in 1880 by Dr. R. H. Loughridge. then
acting as special agent of the Tenth Census, under direction of Pro-
fessor Hilgard. In 1892 the work was resumed under the direction
of the experiment station at Baton Rouge, and is still continued with
an annual appropriation from the State of $5,000, which sum is
expended for salaries, field expenses, and publications. From 1892
to 1S9-! the field operations were carried on by Otto Lerch, who was
succeeded by W. W. Clendenin, and the latter, in 1899, by Gilbert
Harris.*
MAINE.
FIRST SUBVEY UNDER CHARLES T. JACKSON, 1836-1839.
Organization. Maine was set off from Massachusetts and or-
ganized on a basis of independent statehood in 1820. The first at-
tempt at a public survey was made in connection with Massachusetts
for the purpose of ascertaining the possible resources of the public
lands. The act of organization, so far as Maine was concerned, was
passed March 21, 1836, and was as follows:
Resulted, That the governor, with the advice of the council, is hereby author-
ized to employ some suitable person or persons to make a geological survey of
any lands in Maine, where such survey, together with the various observations
which the surveyors will have opportunity to make, will probably lead to
a nioro accurate knowledge of the worth of the public domain.
This was supplemented on the 28th of the same month by the fol-
lowing:
Resolved, That (in the language of our chief magistrate) a geological survey
of this State, upon a basis commensurate with the magnitude and variety of its
territory, is an enterprise that may rightfully claim the encouragement of every
clnss of industry, as involving more or less of probable utility to each and is
intimately connected with the advancement of the arts and sciences, of agricul-
ture, manufactures, and commerce.
Resolved, That the board of internal improvements cause a geological survey
of this St.-ite to be made as soon as circumstances will admit, commencing in the
early part of the next summer, and they are hereby empowered to appoint and
contract with some suitable person or persons to perform the same.
RcsolrrfJ, That it is with pleasure we learn the intention of Massachusseta
fo join us in prosecuting so much of said survey as shall pertain to the public
lands: that we cordially embrace the opportunity of cooperating with her in
this design; and that the board of internal improvements are hereby directed
See Preliminary Report on the Geology of Louisiana, by G. D. Harris and A, Veatch,
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1899, pp. 11-44.
130 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
to take such measures as may be necessary to effect this portion of the contem-
plated survey.
Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the board of internal improvements to
lay before the legislature, at its annual sessions, a detailed account of the
progress of the survey, together with the expenditures in prosecuting the snrne,
Resolved, That the person who shall be employed to make the geological
survey, shall be required to select three complete suites of specimens of all the
rocks and minerals of Maine and deposit one of them in the public buildings as
the property of the State and also one in each college in the State.
Resolved, That the sum of $5,000 be appropriated from the treasury, subject
to the discretion of the board of internal improvements, and to be expended by
them in carrying on said geological survey.
It being found impossible to complete the survey during the first
year, the following resolution was passed in March, 1837, for its
continuance :
Resolved, That the governor, with the advice of council, is hereby authorized
to employ some suitable person or persons to continue the geological survey of
the State at a salary not exceeding $1,000.
Resolved, That the sum of .$3,000 be appropriated from the treasury of the
State, subject to the direction of the governor and council, and to be expended
In continuing said geological survey.
Resolved, That in addition to the suites of specimens ordered by a former re.
solve, suites shall be collected for the following institutions, viz : One suite for
the Maine Institute of Natural Sciences, one suite for the Maine Wesleyan Semi-
nary, one suite for the Westbrook Seminary, one suite for the Parsonsfield Semi-
nary, one suite for the Eastport Athenaeum, one suite for the Bangor Mechanics'
Association, one suite for the Teachers' Seminary of Gorham, and one suite for
the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association.
Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the governor and council to lay before
the legislature, at its annual sessions, a detailed account of the progress of the
survey, together with the expenditures in prosecuting the same.
At the close of the second year's work, namely, in March, 1838, the
legislature passed a resolution to continue the survey as follows:
Resolved, That the governor, with the advice and consent of cpuncil, is hereby
authorized to employ some suitable person or persons to continue the geological
survey of the State at a salary not exceeding $1,500 per annum.
Resolved, That the sum appropriated for this purpose shall be subject to the
discretion of the governor and council, and be expended in continuing said
survey.
Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the governor and council to lay before
the legislature at its next annual session a detailed account of the progress of
the survey together with the expenditures in prosecuting the same.
The immediate motive for the establishment of the survey of 1836
was the exploration of the public lands belonging jointly to Maine
and Massachusetts, but, by the act of March 28, the scope was broad-
ened so as to include a geological survey of the entire State.
Administration. In compliance with the resolutions of 1836, the
following order was issued by the board of internal improvements
June 25, 1836:
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 131
Ordered, That Messrs. Hodgdon, Pillshury, and Burn ham be authorized to con-
tract with Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, to commence the geological survey of
the State, subject to the instructions of the president of this board, in pur-
suance of a resolve of March 28, 1836.
Doctor Jackson received his commission from Governor Dunlap
of Maine on July 18, 1836, and from Gov. Edward Everett of
Massachusetts on the same date.
Jackson was assisted during 1836 by Dr. T. Purrington, of Bruns-
wick, Maine, and James T. Hodge, of Massachusetts; during 1837,
by J. T. Hodge and W. C. Larabee; and 1838, by Samuel L.
Stephenson, of Portland, and Ariel Wall, of Hallowell, the appoint-
ments being made with the consent of the governor's council.
The dual nature of the survey made necessary the rendering of
reports to the governors of both States, those relating exclusively to
the public lands being addressed to the chief executive of Massa-
chusetts, and those of the more comprehensive State survey to that
of Maine.
The first report of the public lands survey appeared in the form
of senate document No. 89, printed at Boston in 1837, under the title
of First Report on the Geology of the Public Lands Belonging
Jointly to the States of Massachusetts and Maine, an octavo pam-
phlet of some 47 pages. The second report was issued as house docu-
ment No. 70, Boston, 1838, and consisted of an octavo pamphlet of
93 pages.
Jackson's first report as State geologist appeared under date of
1837, as did the report on the public lands. It formed an octavo
pamphlet of 127 pages. The second report appeared in 1838 an
octavo pamphlet of 168 pages; and the third and last in 1839, com-
prising 276 and Ixiv pages.
The character of the information furnished in all these reports
was necessarily somewhat fragmentary. Much of the country was
covered by dense forest and could be traversed only by boats on the
larger streams.
The first reports on the public lands dealt mainly with the country
along the northeastern boundary, a territory nearly as large as that
of the State of Massachusetts. Doctor Jackson gave a somewhat
general account of the mineral resources and topography, while Mr.
Hodge, in the second report, gave a description of the geology of
the land in the vicinity of Mount Katahdin and the region of the
Aroostook, Penobscot, the Alleguash, the St. John, and the St.
Francis rivers. There was also a chapter on the agricultural geol-
ogy and the agricultural resources of Maine, and a table of baro-
metric and therrnometric observations.
132 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The reports of the State survey proper naturally duplicated in
large part, for the first two years, those of the public-land surveys.
That of 1837 announced the general plan of the survey, the first
great object being to ascertain the geological boundaries of the
State. This was effected as follows :
The seaboard from Lubec to Thomaston was carefully examined so as to deter-
mine the nature and position of the different rocks. Then the St. Croix was
explored and the line followed onward to Houlton. From that place we pro-
ceeded to the St. John River, and pursuing its western bank, we obtained a sec-
tion of the strata, which cross the public lands, and crop out along the source of
that river. At the Grand Falls we took canoes and examined the rocks and
soils to the Madawaska River. By following this plan * * * we have made
a reconnoissance of two sides of a very large square, forming the eastern und
northern boundaries of the State.
Some 64 pages of the report were given up to a description of the
topographical geology, as then determined, and 30 na<res to econom-
ical geology. The second annual report was likewise divided, the first
100 pages being given up to the topographical geology. 4_! pa ires to
economical geology, and 25 to agricultural geology. The third and
last comprised 122 pages of geological matter. 65 relating to agri-
cultural matters, a report by Dr. S. L. Stephenson on explorations
of the Androscoggin and Megalloway rivers, and appendices giving
a list of barometric measurements and a catalogue of specimens in
the State cabinet
Collections and library. The acts of 1836, 1837, and 1838, relating
to the survey, all provided for the making of collections to be dis-
tributed among the various educational institutions 'of the State.
These provisions seem to have been faithfully carried out. and. ac-
cording to Jackson's statement in his third annual report (1839, p. 6),
there was deposited in the statehouse at Augusta a collection of not
less than 1.600 "handsome specimens of rocks, minerals, and soils
of the State, all arranged, labeled, numbered, and described in a com-
plete catalogue." In addition to this 10 other smaller but represen-
tative collections were prepared for the colleges, academies, and
societies, as provided by law. Owing to lack of care the collection
in the statehouse was allowed to become sadly confused and in part
lost, and a similar fate apparently befell the others with the possible
exception of the one presented Bowdoin College. No library was
established in connection with the survey.
The t}'pical set placed in the statehouse was removed from the
position in which it was originally placed to make room for other
things. The specimens were thrown promiscuously into boxes, and
as a result the labels on many of them were destroyed or lost and
the specimens themselves worthless. To add to the confusion, the
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 133
catalogues accompanying the collection disappeared, so that but little
is now left to represent the money and talents expended in its prepa-
ration.
In order that the few specimens still remaining from the general
wreck might be preserved as far as possible from utter destruction
the legislature of 1888-89 passed an order as follows :
Resolved, That the superintendent of public buildings be, and hereby is, author-
ized and directed to transfer and remove the geological specimens, now stored
in the basement of the capitol building, to Colby University, Waterville, Maine ;
and that the governor and council be authorized to draw a warrant for the
necessary expenses attending such removal. Said university as far as it may
bt within the power of the officers of its geological department so to do, shall
arrange and classify said specimens, label them with a card bearing the words,
" State Geological Collection," place them on exhibition during the entire college
year, answer all questions in reference to the same, addressed to said depart-
ment by the people of the State, and in general shall take all the care and pre-
caution which scientific institutions usually exercise in the preservation of such
specimens. Said specimens to remain the property of the State, subject to the
order of the legislature.
In accordance with this resolution all the specimens stored in the
statehouse were transferred to Waterville and placed in the pos-
session and under the care of Colby University.
The reports of the survey were distributed in accordance with
the following resolutions approved March 29, 1837:
Resolved, That there shall be copies of the First Report of the Geological
Survey of Maine distributed in the following manner, viz: Twelve copies to the
govemor of the State; one copy to each member of the council, senate, and
house of representatives; one copy to the secretary of state, treasurer, land
agent, and adjutant general ; one copy to the secretary, assistant secretary, and
messengers of the senate ; one copy to the clerk, assistant clerk, and messengers
of the house of representatives; 300 copies of the report and 50 copies of the
plates to the governor and council, to be by them distributed ; two copies to each
of the colleges in the State; one copy to the theological institution at Rangor;
one copy to each of the incorporated literary institutions and academies in the
State; one copy to the Maine Medical School; one copy to the Maine Historical
Society; one copy to the Maine Institute of Natural Science; one copy to each
of the incorporated agricultural societies in the State; 12 copies to the geo-
logical surveyor: three copies to each of his assistants and three to the drafts-
man ; five copies to the library of the State : one copy to each of the clerks in
the several departments of this State; one copy to the executive of each of the
States in the Union; one copy to each of the colleges in New England except
those in this State; one copy to the Americnn Academy of Arts and Sciences;
one copy to the Antiquarian Society in Worcester (Mass.) ; two copies to the
library of the United States: one copy with the plates to the surveyor general
of this State: one copy with the plates to each chaplain of the senate and house
of representatives.
Resolved, That two copies of the report and one copy of the plates shall be
distributed to each of the cities, towns, and organized plantations, and the re-
mainder of the edition of reports and plates shall be equally divided among the
134 BULLETIN 100, UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
senators and representatives, to be by them distributed among the people-in their
several school districts or otherwise, according to their discretion.
Benefits and Results. As a principal result of his operations
Doctor Jackson states:
The public lands have been augmented in value by spreading information
abroad respecting their nature and capability of cultivation. The value of in-
dividual property, the aggregate of which forms the sum of the State wealth,
has been greatly increased ; new resources have been discovered, and the extent
and value of those but little known have been ascertained and reported. Mines
and minerals which, when wrought, will bring a large capital into the State,
will serve to relieve the community generally by creating more taxable property,
and thus removing a share of the public burthen from the shoulders of evei-y
individual. Materials now imported at a high cost will be produced at a cheaper
rate within the limits of the State and domestic industry, skill, and capital will
be brought forward. Iron and glass may be manufactured advantageously in
Maine, and these two articles are of more general use and require more expendi-
ture than any others imported into the State. It will be hereafter a matter of
astonishment that Maine ever had to import her iron and glass as much so as
that she formerly did not supply her citizens with bread. Slate quarries, equal
if not superior to those of Wales, have lain neglected in Maine for ages, while
the houses of Portland, Bangor, and even the statehouse itself are covered with
foreign slate.
Since a new demand for lime has been created for agricultural use, it became
very important to know whether the interior of the State possessed valuable
beds of limestone, for it is evident that the farmers could not use lime exten-
sively on their soil unless it could be obtained at a low price. We are enabled
to point out immense and inexhaustible supplies of this useful substance, in the
very regions where it is most required, and to demonstrate its capability of
answering for every ordinary use.
In concluding, he adds:
Maine has already gained great credit for her liberal views in undertaking a
geological survey of the State, and so important has the work proved to the
community generally that it is to be hoped that she will carry it forward to its
full completion.
A final appendix to this report is a catalogue of 1,566 specimens
that had been collected by the members of the survey and deposited
in the statehouse for exhibition. As already noted, smaller collections
had been presented to Bowdoin College and to the other educational
institutions mentioned in the resolution of 1837.
Although Doctor Jackson had called attention to the fact that he
had been able to do no more than make a very superficial examina-
tion of the geology of the State and to lay a foundation upon which
more exact knowledge might be erected, the legislature, nevertheless,
decided to let the matter rest, so that nothing more was done in the
interest of the subject for the next 23 years. In the meanwhile the
collections which had been made with so much trouble and care
were neglected, as already noted.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 135
SECOND GEOLOGICAL (AND NATURAL HISTORY) SURVEY UNDER BOARD OF
AGRICULTURE AND C. H. HITCHCOCK, 1861-1862.
In 1861, under the influence of the board of agriculture, a scien-
tific survey of the State was established. The following is the
transcript of the act of March 16 of that year :
Resolved, That the governor, with the secretary of the board of agriculture, is
hereby authorized to contract with some suitable person or persons to conduct a
scientific survey of the State; said survey to embrace its geology, agriculture,
natural history, and physical geography.
Resolved, That the person or persons who shall conduct this survey shall
analyze soils, minerals, or other deposits whenever such may be found of a char-
acter demanding minute and careful investigation into their characteristics and
economical value.
Resolved, That the person or persons so employed by the State shall collect
and prepare for deposit in the public buildings, specimens illustrative of the
geology, agriculture, and natural history of the State.
Resolved, That the person or persons so employed in prosecuting this survey
shall be required to present to the legislature, on or before the third Wednesday
of January in each year, a report of his or their proceedings and progress, to-
gether with such suggestions as may be deemed useful, which report shall be
published in connection with -and incorporated in the annual report of the
secretary of the board of agriculture.
Resolved, That the sum of $3,000 be appropriated from the treasury, to be
expended under the direction of the governor and secretary of the board of
agriculture in prosecuting said scientific survey.
The legislature of the year following (1862) appropriated a like
amount for its continuation.
Administration. This survey was placed under the direction of
Ezekiel Holmes, of Winthrop, as naturalist, and Charles H. Hitch-
cock of Amherst, Massachusetts, as geologist, who received their
commissions on May 23. The assistants were George L. Goodale,
of Saco, botanist and chemist; J. C. Houghton, Still Kiver, Massa-
chusetts, mineralogist; A. S. Packard, jr.. of Brunswick, entomolo-
gist; and C. B. Fuller, of Portland, marine zoologist. Messrs.
Houghton and Packard were obliged to discontinue their services
at the end of the first year, owing to the smallness of the appro-
priations. The following instructions were issued regarding field
work :
As an outline of operations for the present year we recommend as follows:
That, commencing operations the 1st of June, you proceed, by rapid reconnois-
sances, to examine as much of the western and coast lines of the State, as may
be practicable, by the 10th of July, more particularly with a view to ascertain
the kind, breadth, and direction of the geological formations which may be
found, in order to establish a basis or border line of delineation of a geological
map of the State, that, on or about July 10, you repair to the more settled
portions of Aroostook County, investigating its geology, natural h!story, agri-
culture, and physical geography, with especial reference to the resources and
capabilities of the public domain in that section; thence to the slate and iron
136 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
regions of Piscataquis County, making similar Investigations: thence to the
Penobscot River and up the east branch thereof to its head waters; thence across
to the Allegnash River or other tributary of the St. John, and down said river
to Fort Kent ; thus visiting a section hitherto unknown to scientific c xnloration.
The reports of the survey submitted to the governor under the
title Preliminary Report upon the Natural History and Geology of
the State of Maine, were published in the reports of the secretary of
the board of agriculture for 1861 and 1862, comprising 358 and 447
pages, respectively. As might be expected from the organization of
the survey, these embraced a general report on the natural history,
agriculture, and geology of the State, and a special report upon the
physical geography, agricultural capabilities, geology, botany, and
/oology of the wild lands. Geological maps of the northern and
eastern portions of the State, in black and white, accompanied these
reports. A large map (colored) was also deposited by Professor
Hitchcock in the statehouse at Augusta. This map furnished the
data afterwards utilized by Walter Wells in his report on the hydrog-
raphy of the State.
Collections and library. The intention of the various acts estab-
lishing both surveys was, as is apparent, to form collections which
should be sent to the various institutions of learning. This inten-
tion was only partly carried out, however, and, so far as can be
learned, those collections which were made by the Jackson survey
have been largely ruined, with the exception of the one in Colby
College and the smaller one in Bowdoin College, as already noted.
The collections made by the several members of the Holmes-Hitch-
cock survey were deposited in the rooms of the Portland Society of
Natural History, and from these suites of specimens were to be
selected for presentation to the various colleges and other institutions
of learning within the State, but this was never done; and unfor-
tunately, the collections were lost in the fire that destroyed the so-
ciety's buildings in 1866. A few of the fossils which had been with-
drawn for study are now in the American Museum of Natural His-
tory, New York. No library was formed in connection with this
survey.
Expenses. The expenses of the survey, other than those of publi-
cation, appear to have been met in full by the appropriations men-
tioned $3,000 a year for two years.
Publications. The following list includes all the publications of
the various surveys:
First Report on the Geology of the Public Lands, belonging jointly to the
States of Massachusetts and Maine. By C. T. Jackson. Sen. Doc. No. 89. Bos-
ton, March 25, 1837. 47 pp.
Second Annual Report on the Geology of the Public Lands, belonging to the
two States of Massachusetts and Maine. By C. T. Jackson. Boston, 1838.
House Doc. No. 70. 92 pp.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 14
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 137
First Report on the Geology of the State of Maine. By C. T. Jackson.
Augusta, 1837. 127 pp.
Second Report on the Geology of the State of Maine. O. T. Jackson. Augusta,
1838. 1GS pp.
Third Annual Report on the Geology of the State of Maine. C. T. Jackson.
Augusta, 1839. 275 pp.
Preliminary Report upon the Natural History and Geology of the State of
Maine. 1861. E. Holmes and Chas. H. Hitchcock. 458 pp.
Second Annual Report upon the Natural History and Geology of the State of
Maine. 1862. E. Holmes and C. H. Hitchcock. 447 pp.
MARYLAND. 1
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER J. T. DUCATEL, 1833-1842.
Organization. The inception of the first geological survey of
Maryland dates from 1833, when resolutions relative to a State map
and geological survey were passed by the general assembly upon the
6th and 16th of March. Several earlier attempts looking toward the
same results had been made, but were all defeated.
The particular resolutions referred to above seem to have been
the outgrowth of an agitation by Messrs. William Patterson, Robert
Gilmore, and the Maryland Academy of Sciences and Literature.
A series of resolutions and a memorial bearing upon the subject
were drawn up by the gentlemen mentioned and transmitted to the
senate, and by that body referred to the house of delegates, in the
following terms :
JANUARY 19, 1833.
Gentlemen of the House of Delegates:
We beg leave to refer to your consideration the accompanying memorial of
William Patterson and others, as a survey of the State has been made at the
present session an object of inquiry in your honorable body. The memorial
now transmitted being designed to lead to a development of the mineral re-
sources of the State, and to a collection of information of great interest to the
general good and to individual enterprise. We respectfully submit it for the
special attention of your honorable body.
By order,
(Signed) .1. H. NICHOLSON, Clerk.
In pursuance of the same object, a memorial of the Maryland
Academy of Science and Literature was also brought before the
house of delegates, on Tuesday, March 5, 1833, by Mr. Louis W.
Jenkins : " Recommending that a geological survey of the State may
be made under public authority." This was made the subject of a
" special order " for March 16, and at that session the report of the
senate relative thereto was read twice, concurred in, and the " reso-
lution therein contained was assented to and sent to the senate."
1 Mainly from manuscripts by P. R. Uhler.
138 BULLETIN 100, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
A few days later, on March 18, 1833, " the resolution relative to a
geological survey, severally endorsed, assented to," was passed and
became a law. The following is the text of these resolutions :
Resolution relative to the State map.
Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the governor and council
be, and they are hereby, authorized to appoint a competent engineer, whose
duty it shall be to examine and collect all the information, plats, and reports of
surveys, for canals or railroads, or other public works, which have been made
by or under the authority of this State, or any company incorporated by the
State, or under the authority of the corporation of Baltimore; and the said
engineer shall make and report to the governor and council, before the next
session of the general assembly, a plan and drawing for a complete map of
Maryland, and such portions of adjacent States as may be necessary to show
the position of Maryland, in reference to the great valleys and streams in her
immediate vicinity, the practicable routes for plans of internal improvement;
and the said engineer shall make further examinations and surveys as shall
he requisite, for the purpose of exhibiting the prominent geographical and typo-
graphical features of the country ; and also to collect such statistical informa-
tion as will be useful, and is generally exhibited on modern improved maps;
and the governor and council shall allow such reasonable compensation for
the services to be rendered under this resolution as in their judgment may be
just and reasonable.
Resolution relative to a geological survey.
Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the governor and council
be, and they are hereby, authorized to appoint an assistant to the engineer to be
appointed on the subject of a State map, whose duty it shall be to act in con-
junction with said engineer, and the said assistant shall make the necessary
geological researches, and report to the governor and council, before the next
session of the general assembly, upon the expediency and probable cost of the
geological survey of the State; and the governor and council shall allow such
compensation for the services to be rendered under this resolution, as in their
judgment they may deem just and proper.
The following year the foregoing resolution was expanded and
reenacted in a form which was intended to cover all that was most
important in relation to the map and survey, as well as the kind of
officers to be employed, and the way in which their duties were to ba
performed. The following is a copy of the act and its instructions
as passed by the legislative session of 1834 :
An act to provide for making a new and complete map and a geological survey of this
State. Passed February 25, 1834.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the
governor and council be and they are hereby authorized and required annually
hereafter to appoint and commission a person of talents, integrity, and suitable
scientific attainments as topographical engineer for the State of Maryland, and
also to appoint and commission in like mariner a competent and suitable person
as geologist for the State of Maryland, and the said officers shall each receive,
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 139
in consideration of the faithful performance of their respective duties, an an-
nual salary of $2,000, to be paid as the salaries of the other civil officers of the
State are or may be directed to be paid.
SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That it shall be the duty of the engineer to be ap-
pointed as aforesaid to proceed with all due and reasonable diligence and care
to collect the necessary information and make all the necessary surveys and
locations to enable him to make a perfect and complete map of the State ac-
cording to the plan and drawing prepared and submitted to the executive of the
State by J. H. Alexander, Esq., under and in pursuance of a resolution of the
generaly assembly, passed at December session, 1832, and the said engineer shall,
as soon as conveniently he can, make perfect and complete the said map.
SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That it shall be the duty of the geologist to be ap-
pointed as aforesaid to make a complete and minute geological survey of the
whole State, commencing with that portion which belongs to the Tertiary order
of geological formations and with the southern division thereof, and progressing
regularly with the couise of the waters of the Potomac and Chesapeake through
that region, and thence through the other subdivisions of the State, with as
much expedition and dispatch as may be consistent with minuteness and ac-
curacy ; and he shall prepare and lay before the legislature at the commence-
ment of every session a detailed account of all remarkable discoveries made
and the progress of the work.
SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That it shall further be the duty of the geologist of
the State, at those seasons not suited to the active prosecution of the geological
survey, to analyze and ascertain the qualities and properties of all specimens of
mineral substances or soils left at his office or residence for that purpose by any
citizen of the State and taken from any portion of the territory of the State.
SEC. 5. And be it enacted, That it shall be the duty of the topographical en-
gineer to indicate upon the new map of the State the localities of valuable min-
eral deposits already known or which may in the progress of the geological sur-
vey be discovered, and, as far as conveniently may be, to indicate also, by ref-
erences to marginal notes or otherwise, their several natures, qualities, and
values ; and for this purpose the geologist of the State shall keep him regularly
advised of all important discoveries which he may make and the material facts
in relation thereto and the said engineer shall report to the legislature at the
commencement of every session the progress he shall have made during the pre-
ceding year in the woik assigned to him.
SEC. 6. And be it enacted. That for the purpose of facilitating and expediting
the completion of the said map and geological survey of the State, the governor
and council be and they are hereby authorized to allow and pay the accounts of
said officers, for necessary contingent expenses other than personal, so far as
they may deem said accounts just, equitable, and proper, to an amount not ex-
ceeding $1,000 in any one year.
SEC. 7. And be it enacted, That the officers to be appointed under and by vir-
tue of this act shall be subject to the orders of the executive of the State to
make any surveys for canals, railroads, or other works of internal improvement
which the legislature may at any time direct to be made: Provided, nevertheless,
That this act shall expire at the termination of the next session of the general
assembly unless the same shall be reenacted by the next legislature of this State.
This was continued in force until February 24, 1842, when the
survey was abolished and the offices of topographical engineer and
geologist made vacant by special legislative enactment, as follows:
140 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Be it enacted By the General Assembly of Maryland, That the act entitled
"An act to provide for completing a new map and geological survey of this
State," passed at December session, 1834, chapter 230, be and the same is hereby
repealed, and the offices of topographical engineer and geologist of this State be
and the same are hereby abolished and discontinued.
SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That the said topographical engineer and geologist
aforesaid be and they are hereby authorized and required to deliver to the
visitors and governors of Saint John's College, subject to any further disposi-
ton thereof by the State, all mathematical instruments, books, and all and every
description of property whatsoever which may have been purchased, from time
to time, out of the contingent fund appropriated to facilitate and expedite the
completion of the said map and geological survey, in prosecution of their several
duties as topographical engineer and geologist aforesaid.
Administration. In accordance with these resolutions [of 1833],
Messrs. J. T. Ducatel, geologist, and J. H. Alexander, engineer, were
appointed to conduct the survey. In carrying out the provisions of
the resolution under which they were appointed, they conjointly made
a general reconnoissance in 1833 of the whole State and embodied
their observations in a report to the governor, dated December 27, of
that year.
For convenience the territory was divided into five sections, of
which the first to be examined was the eastern shore or peninsula
lying between the State of Delaware, the Atlantic Ocean, and the
Chesapeake Bay. Its agricultural interests were assumed to be of
primary importance, and consequently a minute investigation of
the mineral constitution of the soil and careful research into the
nature and extent of the natural fertilizers contained within its
limits claimed their attention. Observations were recorded of that
part of the country lying between the Ells River and the southern
part of Worcester County.
The second great division embraced that portion of territory lying
beyond the upper part of the Tertiary formation and within a line
drawn from northeast to southwest, passing along the summit of
Parrs Spring Ridge, and comprising the upper part of Cecil County,
the greater portion of Baltimore and Harford counties, the upper
division of Anne Arundel County, and the whole of Montgomery
County.
The third division coincided with the limits of Frederick County.
The fourth, that of Maryland Falls, embraced the whole of Wash-
ington County and the part of Allegany County as far as Cumber-
land.
The fifth and last comprised the remaining portion of Allegany
County west of Wills Creek.
With this much in the way of preliminary, the geologist began his
investigations by proceeding, as soon as the season would permit, to
the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where he made a survey of Talbot,
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 141
Caroline, and Queen Anne's counties and later in the season crossed
to southern Maryland, where he surveyed the shore of the Potomac in
Prince George and Charles counties. Much attention was devoted
to the marl deposits of the area visited.
In 1835 he revisited the Eastern Shore and made geological ex-
aminations of Dorchester, Somerset, and Worcester counties, and
later of St. Marys County, a full account of which he gave in the
report for that year. This report also contained the first announce-
ment of the existence of green-sand marl in Kent and Cecil counties.
In 1836 the geologist completed the survey of Calvert County and
extended his observations into Anne Arundel, Prince George, and
St. Mary's counties, where he likewise announced the discovery of
extensive marl deposits.
A special visit was made to Allegany County, and in his report
for the year an account is given of the Frostburg Basin, with its
coal and iron deposits.
In 1837 the survey of Kent, Cecil, and Montgomery counties was
completed. The results of the investigations were published in the
report of that year, accompanied by topographic maps prepared by
Mr. Alexander, and upon which the leading matters of geological
interest were noted.
In 1838 he made a survey of Harford County, and in his report
gave a statement regarding its mineral resources, together with a
general outline of the geology of both Harford and Baltimore
counties, with some remarks on their agricultural condition. To
this report he also appended a treatise on lime burning.
In 1839 he completed investigations in Frederick and Carroll
counties and prepared an account of their resources and agricul-
tural conditions for his report of the operations of that year.
In 1840 his operations were confined largely to Washington and
Allegany (including Garrett) counties, his report for that year in-
cluding chapters on the physical geography, geology, and mineral
resources of the State. This report was accompanied by a topo-
graphic map on the scale of 1 : 400.000, with a geological profile of
the Cumberland and National roads. Additional plates gave a
sectional profile of the ore beds worked at Lonaconing, and also a
section near the center of the Georges Creek basin. This pamphlet
constituted the last report of the State geologist, although the office
was not abolished until February, 1842.
During the first year of the survey the topographical engineer,
according to the wording of the law, was to make a survey for
canals, railroads, or other works of internal improvement which
the legislature might at any time direct. Under this ruling he
was compelled to cooperate, immediately after his appointment,
142 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
with an engineer from Virginia and commissioners from Delaware
in the location of a canal on the Atlantic borders of Worcester
County. He found time, however, to perfect a plan for extensive
cooperation with Mr. Hassler, the chief of the United States Coast
and Geodetic Survey, in the conduct of the topographic survey of
Maryland. Through the adoption of this plan he hoped to be put
in possession of tried instruments, and it was expected the work
would be completed with more despatch and at less expense than if
left to be prosecuted with such means alone as he could otherwise
command.
During 1835 the topographical engineer continued his surveys in
connection with various plans for further internal improvements,
which interfered with the preparation of the new State map. In addi-
tion to several maps which were prepared for special surveys he,
however, completed a topographical map of Dorchester, Somerset,
and Worcester counties, on the scale of 1 : 211,200, with 4-foot contour
lines, and a similar topographical map of St. Maiys. Charles, and a
part of Prince Edward counties on the scale of 1 : 200,000, with 10-
foot contour lines. Both of these maps had geological data placed
upon them and were published in the report of the State geologist.
During 1836 the engineer was repeatedly engaged in the conduct
of special surveys which had been authorized by distinct resolutions
of the legislature, so that he was still further retarded in the prose-
cution of his work upon the State map. Among those published
m his annual report for this year, however, is a detailed map of
the Frostburg region and another of northern Frederick County,
as a basis for the proposed railroad from Frederick to the Penn-
sylvania line. A topographical map of Calvert County with part
of Anne Arundel County was also published in this report.
Impressed with the impossibility of successfully prosecuting the
topographical survey under such conditions, Mr. Alexander in a
letter to the governor recommended the postponement of the work
upon the new map of Maryland until it could be undertaken in
connection with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, in
accordance with the plan of cooperation which had been earlier
effected with Professor Hassler. He still continued, however, to
prepare special maps for the reports of the geologist, between 1837
and 1840, and also compiled an admirable topographical map of the
State upon the scale of 1 : 200,000, with 50-foot contour lines to the
east and 100-foot contour lines to the west of the Monocacy River.
This map was never published in full. The date of this map is not
stated, but it was thought to have been probably completed shortly
prior to 1840.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 143
Mr. Alexander made no reports between the years 1837 and 1840,
but in 1841 he presented a brief statement regarding the " trigonomi-
cal survey for the new map of Maryland," in which he urged the tak-
ing up of the plan of cooperation with the Coast and Geodetic Survey,
as earlier arranged, but which had been hindered, up to that time,
because the national bureau had been largely concerned with surveys
to the north of Maryland.
The abolition of the office of engineer at the same time with that
of geologist, in February, 1842, put an end to these operations.
Publications. The first report submitted by the survey was the
result of the joint efforts of Ducatel and Alexander. Their later
reports were made separately, each official working with greater
independence toward the purposes for which he was appointed.
The second report was completed and sent to the governor under
date of December 29, 1834, forming a pamphlet of 50 octavo pages,
accompanied by two maps. Subsequent reports were issued under
dates of December 29, 1835 ; December 26, 1836 ; December 26. 1837 ;
1838; 1839; and 1840.
The report of 1840 was prefaced by a letter to the governor, in
which a plea was made for an extension of time, suggesting that the
proper completion of the work demanded further attention in order
to bring all the materials collected into such a form as would prove
most useful to the State. The plan suggested was as follows :
To furnish a detailed account of the physical geography of Mary-
land; of her agricultural condition and resources in the several
counties, together with her agricultural statistics; of her geology,
scientific and economic, the former illustrated by maps and sections;
of her mineral resources and their statistics, also according to coun-
ties; to which was appended a geographical and geological map of
the State, embracing the latest surveys.
This appeal to the governor and legislature was unheeded ; the cry
for retrenchment in the expenditure of public moneys prevailed, and
the survey came to an end.
Expenses. The cost of the survey, from its beginning in 1833
until its termination in 1841, amounted altogether to $17,909.42.
This sum does not include any part of the salary paid to the topo-
graphical engineer for work upon the State map, nor for surveys in
connection therewith. The annual salary paid to the geologist was
$2,000, and he was allowed $500 for contingent expenses incidental
to his work.
In December, 1847, the office of State agricultural chemist was
created for the benefit of the farmers of the State, and James
Higgins, M. D., was appointed by the governor to fill the position.
The following is a transcript of this act :
13607520 11
144 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
An act entitled An net to provide for the appointment of an agricultural chemist for tkf
State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the
governor, bv and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall hereafter
annually appoint and commission a person of ability, integrity, and suitable
practical and scientific attainments, as agricultural chemist for the State; and
If the Senate shall have adjourned before the Governor shall make the appoint-
ment for the present year, or if a vacancy shall hereafter occur during the
recess of the senate, then the governor alone shall make such appointment, which
shall be good and valid until the tenth day after the meeting of the senate.
SEC. 2. Be it enacted, That the State shall be divided into three districts : The
first shall comprise that part of the State now comprised in the first guberna-
torial district; the second, that of the third gubernatorial district; and the
third, that of the second gubernatorial district.
SKC. 3. Be it enacted, That the said agricultural chemist shall spend one year,
the first beginning on the date of his appointment, in each of the said districts
in the order named ; it shall also be his duty to spend one month in each county,
and Howard district, and visit each election district.
SEC 4. Be it enacted, That it shall be the duty of said agricultural chemist
to analyze specimens of each variety of soil of the county in which he shall be,
that may be brought to him or that he may find to exist, and also to examine,
and, if necessary, analyze, specimens of each kind of marl, or other vegetable or
mineral deposit, that may come to his knowledge, in order that his instructions
may be of more practical utility.
SEC. 5. Be it enacted, That it shall also be his further duty to deliver one
public lecture, after having given timely notice thereof, in each election district
in each county, and then to deliver a course of public lectures at each county
town, and at some central place in Baltimore County, after having given also
sufficient notice thereof in each election district; and he shall also permit the
clerk of the levy court, or the commissioners of tax, as the case may be, to take
a copy of such course of lectures, to be retained and kept for the use and benefit
of the county, and published by said levy court or commissioners of the tax, if
to them it shall seem expedient.
SEC. G. Be it enacted, That the said chemist shall make an annual report to
the house of delegates, if iii session, and, if not, then to the governor, whose
duty it shall be to cause the same to be published, of his proceedings, and such
other matters, touching the agricultural interest of the State, as may be con-
sidered necessary.
SEC. 7. And be it enacted, That for the faithful discharge of his duties the
said chemist shall receive the annual salary of $1,500, to be paid as the salaries
of other officers are or may be paid; and for the purchase of chemical instru-
ments and materials the said chemist shall be allowed for the first year the sum
of $200 in advance, and on each succeeding year a sum not exceeding $50, out of
such moneys as may be in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
This office, although not a geological one, is deemed of sufficient
interest to be noted here. The entire amount expended from the
creation of the office in 1847 till the expiration of Doctor Higgins's
term in 1858, including the salary of the State chemist ($1,500 a
year), appears to have amounted to $19,239.03. An allowance was
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 145
made in 1858, however, for $500 additional for expenses, to which
he had been subjected in the prosecution of his official duties.
During the session of the general assembly of 1858 Mr. Anthony
Kimmel brought a bill before the senate to have the title of chem-
ist changed to "geologist." A substitute was offered to make it
" chemist and geologist," but neither change was favorably received
and the bill was defeated by a strong opposing vote.
In accordance with the law as originally enacted, Mr. Philip
Thomas Tyson was chosen by the governor to fill the place made
vacant by the resignation of Doctor Higgins in 1858. Mr. Tyson's
first report, bearing date of December 28, 1859, was printed in an
edition of 5,000 copies by the legislature of 1860, and the number
increased on the 14th day of February by the Senate ordering 3,000
copies for its own use.
The second report, sent to the house of delegates January 11,
18G2, formed a pamphlet of 92 pages.
With the outbreak of the Civil War the appropriations ceased and
this survey came also to an end.
SECOND SURVEY TJXDER WILLIAM B. CLARK, 1896-1900.
From 1862 until 1896 no surveys at State expense were conducted
in Maryland, although much good work was being clone by the United
States Geological Survey and members of the Maryland Academy of
Sciences and the Johns Hopkins University.
In January of 1896 a bill for the reestablishment of the survey was
introduced into the State assembly, which was finally passed, re-
ceiving the governor's signature on March 19. The following is the
text of the bill :
An act to establish n State tfoological and economic survey, and to make provision for the
preparation and publication of reports and maps to illustrate the natural resources of
the State, together with the necessary investigations preparatory thereto.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That there is
hereby established a State geological and economic survey, which shall be un-
der the direction of a commission composed of the governor, the comptroller, the
president of the Johns Hopkins University, and the president of the Maryland
Agricultural College, who shall serve without compensation, but shall be reim-
bursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties;
and the said commissioners shall have general charge of the survey, and shall
appoint as superintendent of the same a geologist of established reputation, and
npon his nomination such assistants and employees as they may deem necessary;
and they shall also determine the compensation of all persons employed by the
survey, aud may remove them at pleasure.
SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That the survey shall have for its objects:
(1) An examination of the geological formations of the State, with special
reference to their economic products viz, building stones, clays, ores, and other
mineral substances.
146 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
(2) An examination and classification of the soils and a study of their adapt-
ability to particular crops.
(3) An examination of the physical features of the State with reference to
their practical bearing upon the occupations of the people.
(4) The preparation of special geological and economic maps to illustrate
the resources of the State.
(5) The preparation of special reports, with necessary illustrations and maps,
which shall embrace both a general and detailed description of the geology and
natural resources of the State.
(6) The consideration of such other scientific and economic questions as iu
the judgment of the commissioners shall be deemed of value to the people of
the State.
SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the commissioners shall cause to be prepared
a report to the legislature, before each meeting of the same, showing the progress
and condition of the survey, together with such other information as they may
deem necessary and useful or as the legislature may require.
SKC. 4. And l>e it enacted, That the regular and special reports of the survey,
with proper illustrations and maps, shall be printed as the commiss'oners may
direct, and that the reports shall be distributed or sold by the said commis-
sioners as the interests of the State and of science demand, and all moneys
obtained by the sale of the reports shall be paid into the state treasury.
SEC. 5. And be it enacted, That all material collected, after having served the
purposes of the survey, shall be destributed by the commissioners to the educa-
tional institutions in such manner as to be of the greatest advantage to the
educational interests of the State; or, if deemed advisable, the whole or a part of
such material shall be put on permanent exhibition.
SEC. 6. And be it enacted, That the sum of $10,000 annually, or so much
thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any funds of the
treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of carrying out the pro-
visions of this act.
SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That this act shall take effect from the date
of its passage.
At the call of the governor, the commission met upon March 25
in the executive chamber at Annapolis, all the members of the board
being present. The meeting was organized by the election of Presi-
dent Oilman as temporary chairman. The following resolutions were
then presented and adopted:
Resolved, 1. That the board proceed to the election of a president and a secre-
tary and to the appointment of an executive officer, whose duty it shall be to
advise with the geologist, supervise the outlays, and direct such measures as
may best fulfill the requirements of the act establishing the survey.
2. That a substantial record book be procured, in which shall be entered all
the actions both of the board and of the executive officer.
3. That a superintendent, to be known as State geologist, be chosen at once,
whose duty it shall be to propose and, with the authority of the board, to carry
out such measures as may be requisite for fulfilling the requirements of the act
by which the survey is established.
4. That there shall be no salaried positions, but a moderate per diem allow-
ance shall be made for work actually performed in the service of the survey.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 147
5. That the board shall hold semiannual meetings, in the months of March
and November, prior to and soon after the operations in the field, the meetings
to be called by the governor, at such time and place as he may think best.
6. That it is the sense of the commission that the executive officer be em-
powered to make draft upon the controller from time to time for such money as
the needs of the commission may demand, the amount to be drawn being limited
by the appropriation for any one year.
7. That the executive officer be required to see that a detailed account of all
expenses is kept and that the same be presented, with proper vouchers for ap-
proval, at each of the semiannual meetings of the commission, such vouchers
being u part of their permanent records.
8. That the offer of the Johns Hopkins University to furnish, free of all
charges whatsoever, suitable rooms for the offices of the survey and the use of
its collections, maps, and apparatus be accepted, and that the headquarters of
the survey, until otherwise ordered, be established at that place.
1). That the State geologist shall prepare and publish a series of occasional
papers for the purpose of keeping the people of the State informed respecting
the methods of the survey as it is in progress, and that the first of these re-
ports shall be promptly issued to set forth the organization of the survey, and
to show what has hitherto been done for the study of the geology, natural his-
tory, and resources of Maryland by public or private agencies.
10. That fuller reports upon special topics of importance to the State of Mary-
land shall be presented as soon as they can be prepared in a satisfactory man-
ner, and that the State geologist be requested, if he finds it possible, to report
in the first place upon building stones.
11. That the president of the board be requested to make known to the head
of the United States Geological Survey in Washington and to the heads of the
geological surveys in neighboring States the organization of the State Geological
and Economic Survey of Maryland, and to ask their official cooperation.
12. That the State geologist be directed to make known, in the name of the
board, that the cooperation of the transportation and express companies is par-
ticularly desired in furthering the work of the survey.
13. That this officer be also authorized to say, in the name of the board, that
the friendly aid of the teachers in the higher educational institutions of the
State and of other enlightened citizens will be^appreciated by the board and
gratefully acknowledged.
Administration. The following permanent officers of the com-
mission were nominated and elected namely, Lloyd Lowndes, gov-
ernor of Maryland, president; Daniel C. Oilman, president of the
Johns Hopkins University, executive officer; E. W. Silvester, presi-
dent of the Maryland Agricultural College, secretary. William
Bullock Clark, professor of geology in the Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity, was chosen State geologist.
Subsequent acts extending the scope of the survey were passed in
1898. The following is a transcript of these acts :
An act to provide for the making of topographic maps and for the publication of reports
of the State geological and economic survey, and to make an appropriation therefor.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the
commission established by the act of the general assembly of Maryland at the
148 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
session of 1S96, chapter 51, be, and the same is hereby, authorized to make pro-
vision for the completion of the topographic survey of Maryland in such manner
as in the opinion of the commission will be of the greatest benefit to the agri-
cultural, industrial, geological, and military requirements of the State of
Maryland.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said commission be, and the
Bame is hereby, authorized to publish special reports with the various mineral
products and with the natural resources of each county of the State of Mary-
land.
SEC. 3. And for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act be
it further enacted that the sum of $5,000 annually, in addition to the amount
nppropriated by the act of the general assembly of Maryland at the session of
1S96, chapter 51, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be, and the same is
hereby, appropriated, out of any funds in the treasury not otherwise appropri-
ated, and the said amount be drawn from the treasury by the said commission
in the same manner as the other funds of the survey.
SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That this act shall take effect from the date
of its passage.
Above bill introduced in the senate February 2, passed by that body February
16, by the house March 17, and signed by the governor April 2, 1898.
An act to confer additional powers upon the commission established by the act of the
general assembly at the session of 1S9G, chapter 51, by providing for the investigation
of the question of road construction In this State, and for the preparation of report*
thereon, and to make an appropriation therefor.
SECTION 1. lie it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the com-
mission established by the act of the general assembly, at the session of 1896,
chapter 51, be, and the same is hereby, authorized to make provision for the
Investigation of the question of road construction in Maryland.
SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That the said commission be, and the same is hereby,
authorized to appoint, under the direction of the superintendent of the survey,
such assistants and other employees as they shall deem necessary, and the said
commission shall also determine the compensation of all persons employed, and
may remove them at pleasure.
SEC. 3- And be it enacted, That the said commission shall see that proper in-
vestigation is made of the condition of the roads in this State, and of the best
means of improving the same, together with a study of the classification and
distribution of the road-building materials in the several counties.
SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That the said commission shall see that a report
upon the state of the roads and the best method of improving, constructing, and
maintaining the same, with estimates of costs, expenses, and plaus, be sub-
mitted at the next session of the legislature, and that special reports be pre-
pared at such times as they are deemed necessary.
SEC. 5. And be it enacted, That the said commission shall see that record is
kept of all its proceedings, and of all the moneys received and spent under its
direction, and for what purposes; which record and account shall be submitted
to the said commission at the semiannual meetings of the same, to take place
in March and November, such records and accounts to be always open to the
inspection of any committee which the legislature may appoint.
SEC. 6. And be it enacted, That all moneys paid out on account of this work
shall be paid by the State treasurer upon the order of the executive officer of
the commission, endorsed by the comptroller.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 15
EDWARD HITCHCOCK
STATE GEOLOGIST OF MASSACHUSETTS, 11830-33 AND 1840-44;
STATE GEOLOGIST OF VERMONT, 1857-60.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 149
SEC. 7. And be it enacted, That the sum of $10,000 annually, or so much
thereof as may be necessary, be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any
money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of carrying
out the provisions of this act.
SEC. S. And be it further enacted, That this act shall take effect upon the date
of its passage.
Above bill passed the house April 1; by the senate April 4; signed by the
governor April 9, 1SDS.
The organization was still in existence at the time this Bulletin
went to press.
MASSACHUSETTS.
SURVEYS UNDER EDWARD HITCHCOCK, 1831-1841.
Organisation. To Massachusetts belongs the credit of having
inaugurated and carried to successful completion under State au-
spices, the first geological and natural history survey on the West-
ern Continent. The causes which led up to this are not at present
easily ascertainable, but in Governor Lincoln's message to the legis-
lature, May 29, 1830, occurs the following paragraph :
I beg leave to suggest to your consideration the utility of connecting with
the geographical surveys, an examination of the geological features of the State,
with a view to the exhibition of them on the map. Much knowledge of the
natural history of the country would thus be gained, and especially the pres-
ence of valuable ores, with the localities and extent of quarries, and of coal
and lime formations, objects of inquiry so essential to internal improvements,
and the advancement of domestic prosperity, would be discovered, and the pos-
session and advantages of them given to the public. I am assured that much
has already been gratuitously done, by some eminent professors in our col-
leges, towards the accomplishment of such a work, and that, at a little expense,
it might be completed, and the fruits of their generous labors thus far, be se-
cured to the State. This, however, will require the interposition of your au-
thority in increasing the present appropriaton, and permitting ail application
of it, so far as may be necessary, in the exercise of a sound discretion, to the
end proposed.
In accordance with this suggestion there was passed the following
resolve :
Resolve authorizing further appropriations for a survey of the Commonwealth. June 5,
1830.
Resolved, That his excellency the governor, by and with the advice of the
council, be, and he is hereby, authorized to appoint some suitable person to
make a geological examination of the Commonwealth, in connection with the
general survey, 1 in order that the same may be inserted on the map which may
be published, and he is authorized to apply such portion of the sum herewith
appropriated, not exceeding $1.000, as may be necessary for the accomplishment
of this object.
Additional acts relating to the conduct of the survey and the pub-
lication of its reports were subsequently passed, as follows:
1 A general trigonometric survey authorized by resolve of Mar. 3. 1830.
150 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Resolve in relation to the geological survey of the Commonwealth. February 2. 1831.
Resolved, That his excellency the governor, by and with the advice and con-
sent of council, be, and he is hereby, authorized to direct the person who is ap-
pointed to make a geographical survey of the Common wen 1th, to cause to be
annexed to his report on that subject a list of the native mineralogical, botani-
cal, and zoological productions of the Commonwealth, so far as it may be prac-
ticable to ascertain the same, within the limits of the appropriation already
made for this survey.
Resolved, That his excellency the governor, by and with the advice and con-
sent of the council, be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause the said geological
report, provided the same should be made before the general survey of the
Commonwealth shall be completed, to be published in such way and manner as
he with the advice of the council may deem proper and expedient; and he is
authorized to draw his warrant upon the treasurer of the Commonwealth for
such sum or sums, not exceeding $100, as may be necessary to carry this re-
solve into full effect.
Resolve making further appropriations for a survey and geological examination of the
Commonwealth. June 22, 1831.
Resolved, That his excellency the governor, with the advice of the council,
be, and he is hereby, authorized to draw his warrant, from time to time, upon
the treasurer of the Commonwealth, for any sum or sums, not exceeding $3,000,
in addition to the sums heretofore appropriated, which may be necessary to
carry more fully into effect the resolves authorizing the appointment of a sur-
veyor to make a general survey of the Commonwealth, passed on the 3d day
of March, A. D. 1830, 1 and the resolves in addition thereto, and further au-
thorizing the appointment of a suitable person to make a geological examination
of the Commonwealth, passed on the 5th day of June, A. D. 1830.
Resolve for the distribution of the first part of the Report on the Geological Survey of the
Commonwealth. March 24, 1832.
Resolved, That the 600 copies of the first part of the Report of the Geological
Survey of the Commonwealth, provided in pursuance of an arrangement made
by his excellency the governor, with advice of council, for the use of the govern-
ment, be delivered to the secretary of the Commonwealth, and by him be dis-
tributed as follows, viz: Four copies to the governor; two copies to the lieu-
tenant governor ; one copy to each member of the council ; one copy to each
member of the senate and house of representatives ; five copies to be deposited
in the library of the State ; and that the remaining copies be distributed as his
excellency the governor may direct.
Resolve for the publication and distribution of the Report on the Geological Survey of the
Commonwealth. March 2, 1833.
Rexolved, That his excellency the governor be, and hereby is, authorized to
cause 1.200 copies of the report on the geological survey of the Commonwealth,
including that part of the report already made, as well as the part hereafter to
be made, with the drawings which shall accompany said report, to be published
in such way and manner as he shall deem proper and expedient: and he is nu-
This resolution authorized a general survey of the Commonwealth for the purpose of
preparing " nn accurate skeleton plan of the State which shall exhibit the external lines
thereof and the most prominent objects within those lines and their locations." Geology
was not mentioned.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 151
thorizecl, with the advice and consent of council, to draw his warrant upon the
treasurer of the Commonwealth for such sum or sums as may be necessary to
carry this resolve into full effect.
Resolved, That the said 1,200 copies, when published, be delivered to the sec-
retary of the Commonwealth, to be distributed in the following manner, viz :
Twelve copies to the governor ; six copies to the lieutenant governor ; one copy
to each member of the council, senate, and house of representatives ; one copy
each to the secretary, treasurer, and to each of the clerks and chaplains of the
two houses ; one copy to each town in the Commonwealth ; five copies to be de-
posited in the library of the State; two copies each to Harvard, Amherst, and
Williams Colleges; one copy each to the Theological Seminaries at Andover and
Newton; one copy to each incorporated academy in the Commonwealth; one
copy each to the Boston and Salem athenaeums; one copy to the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences ; one copy to the Antiquarian Society at Worces-
ter; one copy to the Massachusetts Historical Society; one copy to the Bos-
ton Society of Natural History ; twenty copies to the geological surveyor, and
one copy to each person who shall have aided him in preparing the catalogues
appended to the report; two copies to the Library of the United States; one
copy to the executive of each State in the Union ; and the remaining copies to
be disposed of in such manner as his excellency the governor shall direct.
Resolve making a further appropriation for the surrey of the Commonwealth. March 25,
1833.
Resolved, That his excellency the governor, with the advice and consent of
the council, be, and he is hereby, authorized to draw his warrant from time to
time upon the treasurer of the Commonwealth, not exceeding $8,200, in addition
to the sums heretofore appropriated, which may be necessary to carry more
fully into effect the resolve authorizing a general survey of the Commonwealth,
passed on the 3d day of March, A. D. 1830, and the resolves in addition
thereto; and he is fiuther authorized to apply such portion of the above-named
sum, not exceeding $300, as may be necessary for completing the geological ex-
amination of the Commonwealth provided for by a resolve passed on the 5th day
of June, A. D. 1830.
On the 19th of February, 1834, the following resolution was
adopted by the legislature:
Resolved, that his excellency the governor, with the advice of the council,
be authorized to cause to be printed, under the superintendence of the geo-.
logical surveyor, a new edition of Professor Hitchcock's Report on the Geology
of this Commonwealth, and the atlas accompanying it, with such alterations
and additions as may be proposed by the professor and approved by the execu-
tive; and that a warrant be drawn on the treasury for such sum as may be
necessary to defray the expenses thereof : Provided, That the whole expenditure
shall not exceed the sum of $2.60 for each copy.
Resolved, That the said 500 copies, when published, shall be delivered to the
secretary of the Commonwealth, and be distributed in the following manner,
viz : Twelve copies to the governor ; 10 copies to the surveyor ; one copy to each
of the chaplains of the senate and house of representatives; one copy to each
incorporated lyceum and athenaeum in th's Commonwealth; two copies each
to the Berkshire Medical Institution and the Massachusetts Medical College;
one copy to each member of the council, senate, and house of representatives^
152 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
who was not a member of either of those branches of the government for the
l:ist year; one copy to each of the permanent clerks in the office of the secretary
of state, treasurer, and adjutant general; two copies to the Pilgrim Society
at Plymouth ; and the remaining copies to be disposed of in, such manner as the
legislature may direct.
Administration. In accordance with the resolution of 1830, Gov-
ernor Lincoln issued, on June 25 of that year, a commission to Prof.
Edward Hitchcock, of Amherst College, directing him to make a
survey of the Commonwealth in a manner contemplated by the
resolution and to perform such other duties relating thereto as might
be enjoined upon him and obeying such instructions, from time to
time, as he might receive from the proper authority.
Professor Hitchcock seems to have entered promptly upon the
work and submitted his first report (pt. 1, Economical Geology)
under date of January 1, 1832. This was a pamphlet of 70 pages,
in which was outlined his general plan of work, as well as the pre-
liminary report on the economic geology of the State. He an-
nounced his purpose to divide his final report into four parts, the
first the economical portion already mentioned; the second, topo-
graphical geology, or an account of the most interesting features of
the scenery; third, scientific geology, or an account of the rocks in
their relation to science; and, fourth, catalogues of native minerals,
botanical and zoological productions of the Commonwealth, this
Intter being agreeable to the resolution of February 2, 1831.
Realizing that a considerable period must elapse before the pre-
liminary report on economic geology could be completed. Doctor
Hitchcock announced the construction of a small map from such
materials as already existed, upon which he delineated the various
kinds of rocks that he found prevailing in the State, the same being
shown by different colors and simple markings. To avoid confusion
he placed on this map such topography and geography as was abso-
lutely necessary, and employed but six colors for the rocks, although
announcing that more than 20 kinds were represented, his object
being "to simplify the map as to render it easily intelligible, while
it exhibits all that is important to the practical man as well as to
the scientific inquirer."
So far as can be gleaned from available records no paid assistants
were employed in the strictly geological work, nor are there any
statements regarding the salaries.
In the biological divisions of the survey, Hitchcock was assisted
by an able corps of specialists, including T. W. Harris on mammalia
and insects, Ebenezer Emmons on birds, S. C. H. Smith on reptiles,
J. V. C. Smith on fishes. T. A. Greene on marine shells, T. M. Earle
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 153
on land and fresh-water shells, A. A. Gould on Crustacea, N. M.
Hentz on spiders, and others.
In accordance with directions received from the governor, but
which were not incorporated in the original resolution, there was made
a collection of rocks and minerals, comprising some 1,550 specimens,
which were installed in the rooms of the Boston Society of Natural
History. Three collections of 900 specimens each were reported as
made for the three colleges in the State. Concerning this collec-
tion, Professor Hitchcock wrote in his first report (1832) :
To illustrate the first and third parts of the report I have, in accordance with
directions from your excellency, collected specimens of every variety of rock I
could find in the Commonwealth ; and in all cases where a rock is quarried or
might be quarried in several places I have endeavored to obtain specimens from
each locality. I have collected likewise all the ores of importance found in the
State, as well as the other simple minerals which could be obtained without
much difficulty or delay. I did not suppose that my instructions authorized me
to be at much expense and trouble in procuring every rare mineral that has
been described as occurring in the State; although this object may still be
accomplished, if I have mistaken the intentions of the government. Tiie col-
lection of specimens which I have already made for the use of the government
contains 780 individual pieces, and it is not yet completed ; so that I shall not
be able to forward it with this part of my report. I do not know to what use
the government intends to devote this collection, but, supposing it should be
placed in some public situation, in order to exhibit to the citizens the geology
and mineralogy of the State, I have endeavored to obtain from all the more im-
portant quarries and beds whence stones are obtained for the purpose of
architecture or ornament, specimens which would fairly exhibit the qualities
and value of each.
Expenses. The entire expense of this survey, as announced in
the second edition of his report (1835), including the preparation of
the report, collecting, labeling, and arranging the 1,550 specimens
of rocks and minerals, and the 900 specimens for each of the colleges
of the State, was $2,030. This sum does not include the cost of
printing the several editions of the reports.
Publications. Of the first report on economic geology printed,
600 copies were issued in 1832, and in 1833 the complete report, com-
prising economic, topographic, and scientific geology, as well as the
list of animals and plants, compiled in accordance with the act of
February 2, 1831, and forming altogether a large octavo volume of
TOO pages, was issued. This was accompanied by an atlas containing
a geological map and 18 plates of scenery, fossils, and sections.
Twelve hundred copies were printed and distributed, in accordance
with the act of March 2, 1833. In 1835 a second edition of this re-
port was issued in conformity with the resolution of the legislature,
bearing date of February 19, 1834. Five hundred copies were
printed, the cost of same being limited by law to $2.60 a copy. This
154 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
differed but slightly from the first edition. The most important and
extensive changes, as noted in the letter of transmission, were in-
cluded in the catalogue of animals and plants embraced in part 4.
These were nearly all rewritten and several of them nearly doubled
in extent.
SURVEY OF 1837.
In 1837 the subject of a renewal of the survey came before the
legislature, and a resolution was passed authorizing the governor and
council to appoint some suitable person to make a further and
thorough geological and mineralogical, botanical, and zoological
survey of the Commonwealth, with particular reference to the dis-
covery of coal, marl, and ores, and an analysis of the various soils
of the State relative to agricultural benefit. The following is the
text of this and subsequent acts relating thereto :
Resolution providing for an agricultural survey of the State.
Resolved, That his excellency the governor, by and with the advice of the
council, is hereby authorized and requested to appoint some suitable and com-
petent person, whose duty it shall be, under the direction of his excellency the
governor, to make an agricultural survey of the Commonwealth, collect accu-
rate information of the state and condition of its agriculture, and every sub-
ject connected with it; point out the mines of importance, and make a detailed
report thereof with such exactness as circumstances will admit.
Resolved, That a summary of such survey and examination shall be furnished
to his excellency the governor every six months until the whole shall be com-
pleted, and at such other times as shall be required, to be published in such
way and manner as he, with the advice of the council, shall deem to be ex-
pedient and useful; and be is authorized to draw his warrants, from time to
time, upon the treasurer for such sums as may be necessary to defray the ex-
penses of said survey and to enable the person so appointed to proceed in the
execution of the duties that shall be required of him ; and to pay the same to
him, not exceeding the sum of $2,500 per annum.
April 12, 1837.
This resolution was in due season followed by two others relative
to the publication and distribution of the reports and to the final
abandonment of the survey. These were as follows :
Resolved, That the governor is hereby authorized to procure the publication
of 1,500 copies of the reports which he has received, or may hereafter receive,
under resolve of the 12th of April, in the year 1837, providing for a further
geological, mineralogical, botanical, and zoological survey of the Commonwealth;
and to draw his warrant, with the advice and consent of the council, upon the
treasurer of the Commonwealth for such sums as may be necessary for that
purpose.
Resolved, That the said copies, when published, be delivered to the secretary
of the Commonwealth, to be distributed in the following manner: Twelve copies
to the governor; six copies to the lieutenant governor; one copy to each mem-
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 155
ber of the council, senate, and house of representatives; one copy each to the
secretary, treasurer, and to each clerk and chaplain of the two houses; one copy
to the secretary and one to each of the board of education; 20 copies to the
geological surveyor; and 10 copies to ench commissioner appointed under the
resolve of April 12, 1837; five copies to be deposited in the library of the
State; one copy to each town in the Commonwealth ; two copies each to Harvard,
Amherst, and Williams Colleges; one copy each to the theological seminaries
of Andover and Newton ; one copy to each incorporated athenaeum, lyceuiu, and
academy in the Commonwealth; one copy to the American Academy of Arts
and Sciences ; one copy to the Antiquarian Society at Worcester and one to the
Pilgrim Society at Plymouth; one copy to the Massachusetts Historical Society,
and to every other incorporated historical society in the Commonwealth ; one
copy to the State lunatic hospital at Worcester; one copy to the Boston Society
of Natural History; one copy to the Essex County Natural History Society;
one copy each to the Massachusetts and Salem Charitable Mechanic Associa-
tions; one copy to the library of the East India Marine Society in Salem; two
copies to the Library of the United States; one copy to the executive of each
State in the Union ; 100 copies to be placed at the disposal of the governor; and
the remainder to be subject to the further order of the legislature.
April 9, 1839.
A resolution concerning the agricultural survey of the State.
Resolved, That from and after the 25th day of May next, the resolve passed
the 12th day of April, in the year 1837, providing for an agricultural survey
of the Commonwealth, be repealed.
Approved by the governor, February 15, 1841.
Administration. In accordance with the act of April 12, 1837,
Professor Hitchcock again took up the direction of the geological
survey and on April 1 of the year following rendered a report of
139 pages on the economical part of the work. This was printed
without special order. The work contained a large number of
physical and chemical analyses of soils, with a discussion of the
method of procedure and the agricultural value of the results.
The biological section of the survey was less prompt in making its
returns. The commission, as stated in the introduction to the re-
ports, was established on June 10, 1837, and had received the follow-
ing instructions:
It is presumed to have been a leading object of the legislature in authorizing
the survey to promote the agricultural benefit of the Commonwealth, and you
will keep carefully in view the economical relations of every subject of your
inquiry. By this, however, it is not intended that scientific order, method or
comprehension should be departed from. At the same time, that which is prac-
tically useful will receive a proportionally greater share of attention than that
which is merely curious; the promotion of comfort and happiness being the
great end of all science.
In the division of work as finally adopted Chester Dewey, pro-
fessor of botany, materia medica, etc., in the Berkshire Medical In-
stitution, reported upon the herbaceous plants; George B. Emerson,
156 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
president of the Boston Society of Natural History, upon the trees
and other ligneous plants; Ebenezer Emmons, professor of natural
history in Williams College, upon the mammalia; A. A. Gould, one
of the curators in the Boston Society of Natural History, upon the
miscellaneous Crustacea and radiata: T. TV. Harris, librarian of
Harvard University, upon the insects injurious to vegetation; Rev.
William B. O. Peabody, of Springfield, upon the birds; and D. H.
Storer upon the fishes.
It was agreed that " instead of confining themselves to completing
the catalogues in the several departments as issued by the first sur-
vey, each commissioner should endeavor, as far as possible, to study
and describe every new object which should present itself in his
own department, and, where the descriptions already given were in-
complete or unsatisfactory, or contained in books not of easy access
to the public, to redescribe or make additions or changes such as
should seem best."
It became at once evident that satisfactory final reports could not
be issued within the limits of a single year. Partial reports were
therefore made by each of the commissioners, which, with a letter
from the chairman, were ordered printed and leave was asked and
obtained to defer their report for another year. The final reports
as issued under date of 1840 were monographic in character, and
several of them have since been reprinted as separate documents:
Gould's report on Invertebrate Animals, formed a work of 373
pages and 14 plates; Harris's Insects Injurious to Vegetation, the
first issue of which was made under date of 1840 and reprinted under
date of 1862, formed a volume of 640 pages; Dewey's report on
Herbaceous Plants formed a work of 277 pages; Emrnons on Quad-
rupeds, 86 pages; Storer on Fishes and Reptiles, 235 pages; Pea-
body on Birds, 147 pages.
It may be well to note here that Professor Hitchcock's reports on
the fossil footprints of the Connecticut Valley, entitled Ichnology
of New England, were printed by the State, in accordance with
resolutions approved March 29, 1857, and March 26, 1858. The work
of preparation appears, however, to have been done wholly under
private auspices.
In December, 1839, the final report of the geological division of
the survey was presented and printed under date of 1841 in the
form of two quarto volumes of 831 pages, all told, including 51
full-page plates and maps. Fifteen hundred copies were issued and
distributed in accordance with the act of April 9, 1839.
By resolution of February 15, 1841, the original resolution pro-
viding for an agricultural survey of the Commonwealth was repealed
as previously mentioned.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 157
Expemes. Twenty-five hundred dollars was appropriated for the
carrying out of this survey. Data are not available to show the
amount actually expended. It is stated, however, 1 that each member
of the biological corps received the sum of $350 for his services.
Benefits. As above noted, Massachusetts was the first State to
begin and carry to completion a geological and natural history
survey at the public expense. The benefits can not be calculated in
terms of money. From both State and national standpoints these
may well be considered invaluable. The example set was speedily
followed, and by 1840, or between the time of the beginning and
conclusion of the Massachusetts survey, 18 other States of the Union
had commenced similar investigations.
SURVEY OF PUBLIC LANDS OF MAINE AND MASSACHUSETTS UNDER C. T.
JACKSON, 1837-1838.
As already noted (see under Maine, p. 129), Massachusetts under-
took, with Maine, a joint survey of the public lands in 1836. The
following is the text of the law :
Resolve of the Legislature of Massachusetts.
Resolved, That the governor, with advice of the council, be hereby authorized
to employ some suitable person or persons to make a geological survey of any
lands in Maine where such survey, together with the various observations which
the surveyors will have opportunity to make, will probably lead to a more ac-
curate knowledge of the worth of the public domain.
Resolved, That the governor and council may, if they deem it expedent, ad-
vise and cooperate with the government of the State of Maine in relation to
pch survey.
Resolved, That his excellency the governor may draw his warrant for what-
ever expense shall be incurred in the accomplishment of the survey recom-
mended in the t\vo preceding resolutions.
Passed March 21, 1S36.
Under this act Dr. C. T. Jackson received the appointment and
made two reports, dated 1837 and 1838. (See under Maine.)
In 1874, in response to a memorial from the American Academy
of Arts and Sciences urging " a new and thorough scientific survey
of the Commonwealth," the legislature referred the question to the
board of education with a request that they " consider the same and
report thereon at the next general court." The board of education
in its turn appointed Gardner G. Hubbard, Rev. A. A. Miner, and
Rev. Philips Brooks a subcommittee to investigate and report. The
subcommittee entered fully into a consideration and rendered a
comprehensive report on December 1, 1874, which was printed in
the form of House Document No. 40 of that year. It appears that
1 House Document No. 40, 1875.
158 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
opinions were obtained from nearly every scientific man of impor-
tance within the State limits, and the advisability of topographical,
hydrographical, geological, and biological surveys fully considered.
It was estimated that the survey as outlined would require an appro-
priation of $385,000, which could be made payable in 15 installments
of $25,666 each. Although the reports of the committee and opin-
ions expressed by those consulted appear to have been almost uni-
formly favorable, yet no definite action toward the establishment of
the survey seems to have been taken, nor had a State survey been
reestablished up to 1900. 1
MICHIGAN.
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER DOUGLASS HOUGHTON, 1837-1842.*
The importance of a geological survey of the State of Michigan
became early apparent through the work of Schoolcraft and others,
particularly in the copper regions adjacent to Lake Superior, but the
most powerful and perhaps the deciding motive for the establishment
of such was the urgent need of finding larger and cheaper supplies of
salt than could be furnished from sources beyond the State limits.
Organisation. Michigan was admitted to the Union on January
26, 1837, and on the 23d of February following an act was signed
by Gov. S. T. Mason providing for a geological survey of the State.
The following is the text of this act :
An act to provide for a geological survey of the State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of Michigan, That the governor is hereby authorized and directed to
nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to appoint a
competent person, whose duty it shall be to make an accurate and complete
geological survey of this State, which shall be accompanied with proper maps
and diagrams, and furnish a full ami scientific description of its rocks, soils,
minerals, and of its botanical and geological productions, together with speci-
mens of the same; which maps, diagrams, and specimens shall be deposited in
the Stnte library, and similar specimens shall be deposited in such literary and
scientific institutions as the governor shnll direct; and the governor is further
authorized to appoint, from time to time, as the exigencies of the case may re-
quire, competent persons to act as assistants under the direction of the geologist.
1 By an net npproved June 3, 19<)3, a second survey was begun, with William N. Rice,
director. Sre Pull. 465, U. S. Geological Survey, 1911.
* Condensed from manuscript by Dr. Alexander Winchell. The portion of this manu-
script relating to Prof. Winchell's own work and that of Hou^hton is remarkably full
and detailed, and may seem to give undue prominence to the Michigan survey. Inasmuch,
however, as It was prepared by one thoroughly acquainted with all the details, and him-
self a participant in the work, and inasmuch, further, as Houghton's reports are out of
print and quite Inaccessible to most students. It has seemed advisable to print It as
written and in almost Its entirety, cutting out only occasional personal and perhaps
pointed references to certain Individuals.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 159
SEC. 2. A sum not exceeding $3,000 for the year 1837, a sum not exceeding
$6,000 for the year 1838, a. sum not exceeding $8,000 for the year 1839, and a
Bum not exceeding $12,000 for the year 1840, is hereby appropriated to defray
the expenses that may be incurred under this act, which sums shall be paid out
of the treasury from any money not otherwise appropriated, at such times and
in such sums as the governor may direct; and an account of all the expenditures
of each year shall be annually reported to the legislature.
SEC. 3. The geologist appointed under the provisions of this act shall make a
report annually to the legislature, on the first Monday of January, in each
year, setting forth generally the progress made in the survey hereby authorized.
Approved February 23, 1837.
Subsequently the following were passed :
An act making an appropriation for the improvement of the State salt springs.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of Michigan, That the sum of $1,500 be, and the same is hereby, appro-
priated out of any moneys in the treasury, or that may hereafter come into the
treasury, to the credit of the internal improvement fund, not otherwise appro-
priated, for the purpose of continuing the process of sinking tubes and boring at
the State salt springs at Grand River, in Kent County, and also on the Titta-
bawassee River, in Midland County.
SEC. 2. That the State geologist be directed to contract for the boring to be
done at each of said salt springs, and also to contract for the performance of all
other work connected therewith, so far as in his opinion the same can be ad-
vantageously done.
SEC. 3. All moneys drawn under this act shall be paid by the State treasurer
on the warrant of the auditor general, which warrant shall only be issued upon
the certified estimate of the State geologist, except such sums as may be neces-
sary for contingent expenses or in payment for such works as it may not be
deemed advisable to do by contract, which sums shall be paid directly to the
State geologist, and for which he shall deposit with the auditor general proper
vouchers at the time of receiving his warrant therefor.
SEC. 4. On all contracts for work in progress a sum amounting to not less than
15 per cent upon the work completed shall remain unpaid until the fiual com-
pletion'of the contract.
SEC. 5. This act shall take effect and be in force, from and after its passage.
Approved February 1, 1842.
An act making appropriations for the current expenses of the Government for the year
1842.
For the salary of State geologist, $1,000; for the salary of State topographer,
$800 ; for the contingent expenses for the completion of the geological survey of
the State, a sum not exceeding $400.
SEC. 2. The salaries above specified shall be payable quarterly, commencing
at the date of the respective appointments of the incumbents, or at the same
rates for fractional quarters.
Approved February 17, 1842.
Administration and procedure. Under these acts Dr. Douglass
Houghton, of Detroit, was appointed State geologist, and Dr. Abram
Sager, also of Detroit, zoological and botanical assistant. The geo-
13607520 12
160 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
logical interest most conspicuous in importance at that time was
salt. Doctor Houghton had already visited the shores of the Upper
Peninsula in company with Henry R. Schoolscraft, and must have
remarked the indications of mineral wealth in that remote region:
but the salt springs of the Lower Peninsula were better known and
more accessible. They had been noticed from the earliest settlement
of the territory, and the General Government had made numerous
reservations of salt spring lands. In the act of June 23, 1836. 72
sections of these lands were patented to the State.
FIRST YEAK OF THE SURVEY, 1837.
The general impression prevailed in Michigan that salt was des-
tined to become an important resource. The State geologist accord-
ingly devoted his first efforts to a general study of the facts within
reach of ready observation. His first report, of 39 pages, 1 was dated
January 22, 1838, and devoted 21 pages to this subject.
He found the salines of the State distributed in five groups:
1. Those upon the Grand River, near Grand Rapids. 2. Those on
Maple River, in Gratiot County. 3. Those on the Tittabawassee, in
Midland County. 4. Those of Macomb County. 5. Those on the
Saline River in Washtenaw County. It was impossible as yet to
know that these groups of springs were supplied from formations
of three different ages. As saline indications of importance were
known south of a line drawn from Monroe to Grand Rapids, Doctor
Houghton gave analyses of 20 samples of brine from as many dif-
ferent localities within the peninsula. These were generally located
on marshes, circumstanced similarly to the salines of New York, or
on the immediate banks of streams subject more or less to overflow.
The strongest of yield was from 150 to 400 grains of sodium chloride
in 100 cubic inches of brine. As the result of the observations this
year, Doctor Houghton advanced the opinion that the brine supplied
at the surface at any of the localities examined would prove too
weak and too limited in quantity to justify the expectation of remun-
erative manufacture. At the same time he announced " a general
resemblance between the geology of the valley of the Ohio and that
of Michigan," and stated his belief that " the rock formations (pre-
sumably the surface rocks) of our saliferous district are somewhat
lower in the series than those occurring in the principal salines on
the Ohio;" and from this " inferred that the salt-bearing rock would
be nearer the surface here" than in Ohio. The similarity of cir-
cumstances, as he erroneously conceived, attending the occurrence of
1 House Documents, 1838, pp. 27&-316.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 161
brine springs in Michigan and Ohio, led him to advance the opinion
that in this State, as well as Ohio, success might follow the " sinking
of shafts through the rock strata " in the vicinity of the salines. He
adds:
I do not hesitate to give it as my opinion, drawn from a careful examination
f the subject, that points may be selected where these operations may be con-
ducted with the strongest prospects of eventual success.
The general geology of the Lower Peninsula is treated in the first
report, under the following subdivisions:
1. The Upper Sandstone of the Peninsula: He here embraces the
sandstones exposed in the counties of Hillsdale, Jackson, Calhoun,
Kalamazoo, Livingston, Ingham, Eaton, Barry, Shiawassee, Clin-
ton, and the eastern part of Ionia. A large number of outcrops are
enumerated. It is evident now that the localities mentioned belong
to three different ages.
2. Gray limestone: This he regards "without doubt, identical
with the mountain limestone of European geologists." Numerous
outcrops are described, but these embrace localities of the Corniferous
limestone, the lower Carboniferous limestone on the Charity Islands,
and coal measure limestones in Shiawassee and Midland counties.
3. Lower Sandstone or graywacke group: Here are included the
sandstones of Point aux Barques and the red sandstone of Lake Su-
perior, which he thinks "may be referred to the lower portion of
this group."
4. Coal, the existence of which is distinctly announced.
5. Gypsum: This, he says, is apparently of considerable extent in
Kent County.
6. Clay.
7. Sand.
8. Marl.
9. Bog iron ore.
10. Mineral springs: Several highly sulphurated springs occur in
Monroe, " and the waters being also charged with carbonate of lime,
give rise to considerably elevated mounds of calcareous tufa." He
mentions the remarkable spring in a marsh in the town of Havre,
Monroe County, which has a circumference of 150 feet and a depth
of 35 feet. He alludes to the great physical difficulties encountered,
the sparseness of the population, and consequent lack of local infor-
mation ; and says that the appropriation has not been enough " to
cover even the traveling expenses of those engaged in these arduous
duties."
The geological corps consisted of Douglass Houghton, geologist;
Abram Sager. principal assistant in charge of botanical and zoo-
162 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
logical departments; S. W. Higgins, topographer and draftsman:
Columbus C. Douglass, subassistant ; Bela Hubbard, subassistant;
William P. Smith, subassistant in charge of mechanical zoology.
An appendix embraces a large number of questions addressed to
proprietors of lands, answers to which are desired by the survey.
SECOND YEAR OF THE SURVEY, 1838.
This report, presented to the legislature of 1838, led to the pas-
sage of an act, approved March 24, 1838, " To provide for the im-
provement of certain State salt springs.'' directing the State geologist
to proceed to make explorations by boring at one or more of the
springs, and appropriating $3,000 to defray expenses. This legis-
lature also revised the organization of the survey and enlarged its
resources. By an act approved March 23, 1838, the former law was
repealed and a new organization provided which should consist of
four departments: 1, Geological and mineralcgical ; 2, zoological;
3, botanical; 4. topographical. Each department was to have its
head and carry on independent work; but all the others were to
report to the chief geologist. "Minor assistants" were also pro-
vided in the several departments. Of the specimens collected one
series was to belong to the State, and 16 other series, if possible, were
to be placed in the hands of the board of regents to be distributed
to the university and its branches; but the university was to pay
$4,000 to the State before receiving the benefit of this act. The ap-
propriation was $12,000 for each year between March 1, 1838, and
March 1, 1844. The State geologist was to receive for salary. $2,000;
the zoologist, $1,500; the botanist, $1,500; the topographer, $1,000.
Each minor assistant was to be paid $800, but the chief assistant of
the zoologist, $1,000. For contingent expenses a balance of $2,600
remained.
Under this organization the following appointments were made:
Douglass Houghton, State geologist; Abram Sager, zoologist; John
Wright, botanist ; Sylvester W. Higgins, topographer ; Columbus C.
Douglass, Bela Hubbard, geological assistants.
It appears that the " practical " instincts of a certain portion of
the legislature began already to inquire cui b&no? A resolution was
passed calling upon the State geologist " for information as to the
direct benefits which may be anticipated to the agricultural interests
of the State from the completion of the geological survey." To this
Doctor Houghton replied, under date of March 2, 1839, grouping
the " direct benefits " under five heads : 1. In disseminating knowl-
edge of the soils. 2. Iii showing how to correct deficiencies. 3. In
bringing to light mineral manures. 4. In accumulating information
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 163
about destructive insects. 5. In disseminating a knowledge of plants,
both the useful and the noxious.
The results of the field work of 1838 may here be summarized: On
the 1st of January, 1839, the State geologist communicated a special
report on the State salt springs, in which he announced that he had
visited the various salines of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio with
the view of collecting information to guide his procedure and had
commenced the sinking of two shafts one on the Tittabawassee,
near the mouth of Salt River, and the other on the Grand River,
about 3 miles west of Grand Rapids. The springs affording the
strongest brines were located in these districts. The work, however,
was beset with difficulties very great even for that period, and had
made but little progress. On the Tittabawassee the surface mate-
rials were first penetrated by a shaft 45 feet deep, when fresh and
brackish waters overpowered the pumps, and an attempt was made
to sink a drill at a neighboring point. The well near Grand Rapids
(Sec. 3, T. 6, N. 12 W.) was begun in July, 1838, but had made un-
satisfactory progress.
To complete the history of these two wells in this connection it
may be said that $15,000 was appropriated on January 28, 1839, for
the continuance of the work, and $5,000 for each of the wells on
March 31, 1840, $300 on April 12, 1841, to pay certain expenses con-
nected with them, and $15,000 on February 1, 1842, " from the in-
ternal improvement fund," to still maintain the exploration. As a
result, the drill on the Tittabawassee well, from May to November,
1841, penetrated but 139 feet, when a rock was struck (supposed by
Doctor Houghton to be quartzite), which the drill entered but half
an inch in 11 hours, though loaded with a weight of 270 pounds. At
this obstacle the work was suspended, and by act of February 15,
1842, the well was abandoned. The well on the Grand River was
prosecuted till 1842, when work was suspended at a depth of 473
feet. 1
Subsequently, as appears from Doctor Houghton's report on the
State salt springs, dated January 23, 1843, he delegated the direc-
tion of the work to Hon. Lucius Lyon, who carried the boring to the
depth of 876 feet. The discharge of brackish water was over 200
gallons a minute. At a little greater depth, according to the writer's
private information, the drill " got jammed " and the work was
given up.
In these two costly and protracted experiments no brine was ob-
tained materially better than that previously occurring on the sur-
1 Had the Tittabawassee well been drilled to a corresponding depth. It Is probable that
raccess would have crowned Doctor Houghton's Indefatigable efforts, and the manufacture
tf salt would have been begun 20 years earlier than it was.
164 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
face. In the light of present knowledge the geological conditions
of these failures are perfectly intelligible.
It may be added that the State now took the requisite steps to
bring the salt spring lands into market on the same terms as ordi-
nary lands. Twenty-five sections were assigned March 28. 1849, for
an endowment of the normal school at the minimum price of $4
an acre for the unimproved tracts, and 22 sections were set apart
February 12, 1855, for the endowment of an agricultural college.
As an individual enterprise another well was begun in January,
1840, by Lucius Lyon near Bridge Street bridge in the present city
of Grand Rapids and by July, 1841, it had penetrated to the depth
of 661 feet. It furnished a flow of one hogshead a minute of brackish
water, which, when isolated from the influx of fresh water, was
found one-fifth saturated, "or at least equal in strength to brine at
that time used on the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers." With salt selling
at $3 a barrel, Mr. Lyon was enabled to manufacture a limited
amount without loss. The want of brine of adequate strength, how-
ever, led to an early suspension of the business Thus ended the
first period of salt enterprise in Michigan.
Recurring now to the results of geological field work in 1838,
the second year of the survey, we look into the report of the State
geologist, dated February 4, 1839. We find that Doctor Houghton's
personal labors were restricted " to an examination of the coast of
those portions of our State bordering on Lakes Huron and Michigan,"
with some limited portions of the interior and the southern counties.
In a sketch of the topography of the northen part of the Peninsula
he refers to a range of hills a little south of Thunder Bay River
which " stretch in a southwesterly direction toward the head of Lako
Michigan. This range at its commencement," he continues, "is
usually known as the highlands of the Au Sable. These hills follow
the line of bearing of the rock formation, and no doubt, extend
diagonally across the State, forming a portion of the summit of
the more northern part of the Peninsula" (pp. 6, 7). This citation
from one of Doctor Houghton's earliest records reveals a preposes-
sion which gave bent to all his subsequent reasoning, and landed
him in erroneous scientific conclusions. " The ridges of lime rock "
in the vicinity of Little and Grand Traverse Bays " are, without
doubt, a continuation of the line of bearing of the great limestone
formation of Wisconsin." So early as this, the ameliorating in-
fluence exerted on the climate was distinctly noted. The Indians on
Little Traverse Bay, he reports, cultivate somewhat extensive fields
of corn, and no failure had occurred within their recollection. " In
this respect." he adds, " the country on the western slope is precisely
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 165
the opposite of that on the northerly and easterly slopes, for this
latter district is constantly subject to the chilling influence of the
northerly winds from Lake Superior."
In considering the rocks of the northern part of the Peninsula he
writes that they " may be regarded as referable to the great car-
boniferous group of the State, a position to which their fossil con-
tents is amply sufficient to substantiate their claim"; but he makes
no paleontological citations in evidence. " In this respect," he con-
tinues, " they coincide with the rocks heretofore described as occupy-
ing the southern counties; nevertheless it must be borne in mind, as
there stated, that these rocks occupy a very different position in the
series." It does not appear, however, whether he considered the
position higher or lower. " The line of bearing " of the strata, " not
only in the northern, but likewise in the southern portion of the
peninsula, is regularly northeasterly and southwesterly." As a fur-
ther conclusion, he infers " that the coal of the central portions of
our State and that upon the Illinois River is embraced in a rock
which belongs to the same portion of the great basin " a conclusion
which, if borne out, will aid much in determining some important
points respecting the relation which the neighboring rocks bear to
each other (p. 9). It does not appear whether the "great basin"
here referred to is the hydrographic basin of the Mississippi or a
great coal basin, nor is it apparent what the " important points " are.
In a similar vein he expresses the conclusion that " that portion of
the rock series which in Illinois and Wisconsin embraces the ores of
lead is identical with a portion of the rock formation which occurs
in the northern part of our own State a circumstance which might
fairly have been inferred from the general line of bearing of the
rock" (pp. 9-10). He regards Saginaw Bay as lying in the same
" line of bearing " and " occupying a denuded space in the sandstone
just at that point where the latter comes in contact with the lime-
stone of the north." He does not indicate, however, which he re-
gards as the overlying formation. He proceeds to describe with the
accuracy of a sagacious observer the various kinds of strata appear-
ing at the surface from Point aux Bargues to Mackinac, but he does
not discover that limestones of different ages pass under review.
The bituminous shale of Sulphur Island did not escape him, but he
recorded it as " clipping below the limestone just described," which
is that of " the southerly cape of Thunder Bay " (p. 11).
All the localities of limestone, now well known, from Saginaw
Bay to the Straits, in the vicinity of the shore, are indicated in this
report, and the author gives a correct account of the brecciated mass
of Mackinac Island. But he does not state that the limestones hold
166 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
more than a single geological position. " The old Red Sandstone "
in the vicinity of the Porcupine Mountains has been shattered
similarly to the limestone at Mackinac Island.
The limestones bordering Little Traverse Bay are noticed, and the
ledge on the south shore is thought to overlie that at the head of
the bay. The bituminous shale is again detected "just within Grand
Traverse Bay " and is compared with that of Thunder Bay.
From Grand Traverse Bay to the southern boundary of the State
the immediate shore is destitute of outcrops, but he says " this lime-
rock comes to the surface in a hilly region lying between Pere Mar-
quette and White Rivers at a distance of 10 to 12 miles from the
shore of Lake Michigan. These outcrops, mostly in Oceana County,
are now known to belong to the Carboniferous limestone.
Under the head of Tertiary Clays he says that " a large propor-
tion of the rocks of the peninsula are overlaid by a series of beds of
clay, sand, and gravel that sometimes attain a thickness of several
hundred feet." This undoubtedly refers to what we now understand
as drift. Doctor Houghton seems, however, to embrace here all the
incoherent surface deposits, since he notices particularly the strati-
fied clays upon the lake shores. These, in the vicinity of Detroit,
are said to be 118 feet thick, and on Lake Michigan 100 to 400 feet.
The glacier theory of the drift was not yet in vogue, the great work
of Agassiz not appearing until 1840, and his first enunciations at
Neuchatel, in 1837, following Charpentier (1834), Venetz (1821),
and Playfair (1815).
Dr. Houghton in this report calls attention to beds of shell marl
and to deposits of gypsum on the shore of Saginaw Bay, on St.
Martins Island near Mackinac. and on the northern Peninsula be-
tween Green Bay and Mackinac. He devotes several pages to a
statement of facts and traditions bearing on change of level in the
waters of the Great Lakes (pp. 20-27).
Speaking next, of the southern part of the Peninsula, he says,
" the whole northern part, at least, of Calhoun County is based upon
the sandstone series of the great Carboniferous group of rocks."
This statement is -noteworthy, since later geologists, after assigning
the formation to the Devonian system, have returned, on paleonto-
logical grounds, to the position which with Doctor Houghton seems
to have been almost an inspiration. The clays of Branch County,
containing kidney iron ore, he thinks " may probably be referred to
one portion of the Carboniferous group, though this connection has
not absolutely been shown to exist" (p. 29). The ore he regards
as of the " same character as that from which much of the iron of
our neighboring State of Ohio is manufactured." The clay is re-
garded " as of great value in the manufacture of stoneware" (p. 29).
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 167
On the subject of coal Doctor Houghton refers to the report of
Mr. Douglass, " From facts now before me," he says, " I am led to
hope that coal will be found in the elevated hills of the northern
part of the Peninsula, easterly from Little Traverse Bay." Later
investigations, however, show that these hills are underlaid by
Hamilton limestones.
Doctor Houghton speaks with deep interest of the work in the
zoological and botanical departments and fully appreciates the in-
separableness of geological and topographical investigations.
The report of the State zoologist, Doctor Sager, consists of a cata-
logue of the known species of animals belonging to the State. The
aggregates of the large groups, as there known, are as follows : Mam-
mals, 18 species; birds, 166 species; reptiles, 18 species; amphibians,
11 species; fishes, 22 species; mollusks, 76 species.
The report of the State botanist consists essentially of a list of
observed plants in the State, alphabetically arranged.
The topographer's report of 21 pages is arranged under the fol-
lowing heads: Topographical location of Michigan, tables of statis-
tics of the lakes, the lakes and lake coast, depth of the lakes, interior
peninsula lakes, periodical rise and fall of water in the lakes, super-
ficies drained by the central and upper divisions of the St. Lawrence
Basin, table showing the rise of water from March, 1830, to August,
1838, rivers, United States Survey, Levels, maps, etc.
The report of assistant geologist, C. C. Douglass, covers 11 pages
and relates to Ingham, Eaton, and Jackson counties. He says that
in T. 3, N. 1 E. a series of isolated ridges begins on section 34 and
extends in a northeast direction across sections 13, 23, 24, 26, and
27, having an altitude of from 20 to 80 feet. A second and nearly
parallel elevation was noticed, commencing on section 3, in the same
township, and extending to section 34 in the adjoining town, having
an elevation varying from 20 to 40 feet. A third begins in the south
part of Vevey and extends in a northwest direction nearly through
the town, varying from 10 to 80 feet in height. At the village of
Mason, the Sycamore Creek passes through a ridge of diluvium com-
posed of stratified coarse sand and pebbles, slightly united by a
calcareous and ferruginous cement. It will be noticed that these
ridges are situated far from any of the morainic ridges mapped by
Chamberlin.
After a few pages devoted to timber, marshes and swarnps, springs
and wells, streams, marl, bog iron ore, crag, bowlders, and clay, Mr.
Douglass speaks of the building and flagging stone of Ingham and
Eaton counties which he styles " the great sandrock formation." He
enumerates many localities and thinks the rock suitable in some of
its exposures for flagging and construction. This is chiefly the
168 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Woodville sandstone of later geologists at the top of the coal meas-
ures of the State, but at some points the rock is not within the
measures, and not unlikely some of the southwestern exposures are
of the Parma sandstone or conglomerate. The various exposures of
coal in Ingham County are next enumerated.
The report of assistant geologist, Bela Hubbard, consisting of 38
pages, relates to Wayne and Monroe Counties. He treats of Wayne
County under the following heads : Topographical features ; soil and
agricultural character; bowlders; marshes and wet prairies; en-
croachments of the river and lakes; clay; limerock; marl; peat;
bog iron; chalybeate springs; sulphur springs; brine springs; water
wells and springs; roads. Monroe County is treated under nearly
the same heads. The limerock is discussed no further than to enum-
erate its various outcrops and describe its character. The outcrops
in Monroe County are recognized as lying in several distinct ranges,
extending in a northeast and southwest direction. The dip is slated
at about 5 northwest or northwest by north. He notices a bed of
sandstone included in the formation and describes it as sufficiently
pure for glass making. He calls attention to a number of " sink
holes," one of which coyers nearly 100 acres. The water which ac-
cumulates in them disappears "through cavernous apertures in th
limestone below." The limestone is designated by Mr. Hubbard
" the mountain limerock."
THIRD TEAR OF THE SURVEY, 1839.
The report of the State geologist bears date of February 3, 1840,
and, with the accompanying documents, covers 124 pages, of which
33 pages relate to Doctor Hough ton's personal observations and
studies. A portion of the season had been devoted " to an examina-
tion of the southern slope of the part of the Upper Peninsula extend-
ing from the Sault de Ste. Marie to the mouth of the Menominee of
Green Bay, a district of country which, with very few exceptions,
is a perfect wilderness." After a sketch of the physiographic fea-
tures of this district, in which he points out the prospective impor-
tance of the lake fisheries, he approaches its general geology. Tha
rocks, he says, are but little varied, and " consist of a series of well-
defined limestones and shales that occupy the complete range from
Drummond's Island of Lake Huron to Menominee Eiver of Green
Bay. As we proceed toward the declivity of the Upper Peninsula,
the red sandstone of Lake Superior makes its appearance, underlying
the groups of limestones and shales before mentioned." All these
rocks are bounded on the east by a range of hills composed of pri-
mary rocks, chiefly of quartz, hornblende, and greenstone. Thft
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 169
boundary between them " is nearly defined by the course of the St.
Mary River."
Speaking of the primary rocks he says they commence at the con-
traction of the Montreal Channel of St. Mary River, across the
northern part of St. Joseph Island, the southeasterly end of Sugar
Island, skirt the easterly side of Great Lake George, forming a
range of hills, which, from the head of the lake, passes to Gros Cap
of Lake Superior. The primary region thus bounded stretches
northwesterly " many hundred miles, skirting a portion of the shores
of Lake Superior, and, in conjunction with the trap rocks, consti-
tuting the highlands between that lake and Lake of the Woods.
From these highlands it stretches a little east of Lake Winnipeg, far
to the northwest, finally constituting the immense ' barren grounds '
of the British possessions. It is also well known that this range of
primary rocks stretches in an easterly direction, through the interior
of the upper province of Canada."
After devoting a couple of pages to the surface characters of the
primary rocks within the limits of Michigan, he proceeds to the
"sedimentary rocks."
The "Lake Superior Sandstone" extends along the south shore
of the lake with continuity unbroken, except " by the occurrence of
a comparatively limited range of primary and trap rocks." In its
easterly prolongation it rests against and upon the primary range
of St. Mary River, while on the south it is seen to pass beneath
the limestone. He pronounces the sandrock unfit for use in the
construction of the St. Mary Canal. This formation, thin on the
east, increases westerly to a thickness of several hundred feet. He
reports it entirely destitute of fossils.
The formations overlying the sandstone have a slight dip in a
direction east of south. Thus, while these rocks dip in such a man-
ner as to form the basins of Lakes Huron and Michigan, their up-
raised edges form, as it were, the barrier that sustains the waters
of Lake Superior at their present level (p. 16). These forma-
tions are divided into two groups distinguished by their fossil re-
mains and chemical character, though the line of junction is not
readily traced. " The lower limerock and shales " are first con-
sidered. These are admirably exposed on the southerly shore of
Little Bay du Noquet and pass inland and as far eastward as Drum-
mond Island, thinning in their progress and losing their shales. The
npper limerocks overlie Drummond Island and line the lake shore
westward to the southerly cape of Green Bay. He thinks they rep-
resent three divisions : " The lower or Pentamerus portion ; the mid-
dle or polypiferous portion, and the upper or Mackinac and Mani-
toulin portion." These three divisions are well discriminated at
170 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
various localities, and the middle and lower divisions are more par-
ticularly described in their distribution over Drummond Island.
The fossils, he says, are "chiefty polyparia, embracing several spe-
cies of the genera Calamopora, Catenipora, Lyringopora, Aulopora,
and Strombodes, together with several species of Orthocera."
These upper and lower limerocks, he thinks, furnish abundant
material admirably adapted for use as a building stone, and also
for the manufacture of quicklime. He points out the high bluff at
the eastern extremity of Drummond Island as a specially favorable
locality, and gives a detailed stratigraphical description of the ex-
posure. He indicates, also, the easterly side of Great Bay du Noquet
as a locality of the " upper group," which may be made to furnish
an inexhaustible supply of good building stone. Gypsum, he says,
" forms thin veins in the middle and upper portions of the upper
group of limestones. He mentions the St. Martins Islands and
several points on the coasts westerly from Mackinac " (p. 24).
The reference to the Lower Peninsula contained in this report
furnishes a description of the kidney iron ore deposits of Branch
County and contains an allusion to the gypsum at the Rapids of the
Grand River, of the value of which he speaks with much confidence.
The report of the State topographer, dated January 12, 1840,
covers 18 pages and is accompanied by a map of Wayne County in-
tended to illustrate the scale and style adopted for the county maps
of the State. These maps were to be completed from the linear
survey plats, with such topographical and geological data laid down
as might be collected by geologists in the field. Even to this day
we seldom see maps executed with equal finish, clearness, and full-
ness of physiographic detail. Had Doctor Houghton's plans been
carried into complete execution the map of Michigan would still
stand the peer of the best work which the union of modern science
and modern art has been able to produce. Mr. Higgins reports that
the topography of 16 counties is completed, or nearly so, and a
general demand is arising for the completion of the engraving.
Other points treated by the topographer are the following: Map of
lands donated by the United States; extent of donated lands; addi-
tional number of Peninsula lakes, the total number of meandered
lakes being now 2,297 and the final probable number not less than
3,000; roads and highways; the Chicago turnpike or trail; natural
woods of Michigan; variation of the magnetic needle; diurnal
variation; errors arising from incorrect observations; decrease of
elevation in the waters of the lakes; future prospects of the
Peninsula.
The report of assistant geologist C. C. Douglass is dated Jan-
uary 12, 1840, and covers 23 pages. He supplies a geological account
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 171
of nine counties. As if this were not sufficient for a season's work,
he says, in beginning his report :
In addition to the geological examinations, specimens have been collected
illustrating the geology, mineralogy, and soils of the counties examined, and
* * * field notes for the construction of accurate topographical maps of
nearly every township examined during the past season have been returned to
that office [the topographer's].
The counties examined were Jackson, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Eaton,
Ionia, Kent, Ottawa, Van Buren, and Allegan.
In treating these Mr. Douglass gives full details of marls, which
are said to occur in nearly every town. He makes brief mention of
peat, and devotes a page to clays and sands. He notes the abundance
of bowlders of primary rocks; details several occurrences of bog
iron ore; mentions kidney ore in Calhoun County; emphasizes the
importance of the gypsum of Kent County. Coming to the rocks
of the central district of the Peninsula, he recognizes two divisions
" the rocks which overlie or associated with the coal, and those which
lie below the lowest coal beds." The latter division is remitted to
Mr. Hubbard to discuss, while Mr. Douglass takes the coal series.
This series he finds made up as follows :
1. Upper coal strata, consisting of layers of coal, shale, and sand-
stone.
2. Limestone, found in limited and apparently irregular beds.
3. Sandstone, light gray and red.
4. Lower coal strata, embracing as above, alternating layers of
coal, shale, and sandstone.
As to the lower coal strata, Mr. Douglass's demonstrations are
not quite satisfactory. He regards the sandstones of Calhoun County
as belonging here and believes them to be embraced in the coal meas-
ures, because fragments of coal occur in the diluvium at Albion,
Penfield, and Battle Creek. The " light gray sandstone " is said to
occur near Jackson, and to be quarried in Calhoun, Eaton, and other
counties well known to be underlaid by coal. This is the material
of the penitentiary in Jackson. The " upper limerock " is cited
from Spring Arbor, Parma, Bellevue, and Grand Rapids all
localities now known to be underlaid by the Lower Carboniferous
limestone. In supplying the local details of the upper coal group,
Mr. Douglass is not conscious that he describes precisely the same
coal-bearing strata as he had previously described in Jackson County
as constituting the lower coal series; and the limestone described,
instead of intervening between the lower and upper coal groups is
underneath all the coal-bearing strata. Hence he is led to remark:
This gives a greater thickness to the coal-basin than had been before sup-
posed, nnd also proves, what had been previously suggested, that the Grand and
172 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Maple Rivers and the Tittubawassee and its tributaries occupy the synclinal line
of the State, thus accounting for the most copious saline springs being found
through that range of country.
In the table of strata of the upper coal measures Mr. Douglass
mentions two beds of coal, one of 10 inches, and 5 feet lower, another
of 20 inches. The " red sandstone of Ionia County " is thought to
hold a place intermediate between the upper and lower coal-bearing
rocks.
Referring to Van Buren and Allegan Counties, Mr. Douglass
mentions the large angular blocks of reddish-gray sandstone cover-
ing an area of 15 to 20 acres on the line between the two counties.
This, he confesses his inability " to refer to its place in the sand-
stone series." The " crag or conglomerate rock " occurring near
Richmond, in Allegan County and also on Muskegon Lake is rightly
regarded as cemented drift material.
" Limestone bowlders of very large dimensions," says Mr. Doug-
lass, " were noticed in the different counties." In T. 1, S. 14 TV. was
observed a limestone bowlder of several tons in weight that had been
mistaken by the inhabitants for rock in place.
Near the mouth of the Kalamazoo River, several very large bowlders of blue
limestone were noticed, which had been mistaken by the inhabitants for rock
in place, and a kiln erected for burning lime. The rock when burnt furnished
1.500 bushels. (Pp. 74, 75.)
The report of assistant geologist Bela Hubbard is dated January
12, 1840, and covers 35 pages. It relates to the counties of Lenawee,
Hillsdale, Branch. St. Joseph, Cass, Berrien, Washtenaw, Oakland,
and Livingston. The range of his work was similar to that of Mr.
Douglass and he alludes to its diversified character and onerousness
with a well-justified conviction that shortcomings might reasonably
be forgiven. After four pages devoted to topographical features,
extent of timber, soils, and scenery, in which the writer's command
of a graceful style is pleasingly exemplified, Mr. Hubbard takes up
the subject of geology. He points out the position of the Peninsula
in relation to the great valley of the Mississippi and comments on
the difficulties imposed by the universal sheet of diluvium, in arriv-
ing at a knowledge of the succession of formations. These, how-
ever, he embraces under the following designations.
Recent formations: IV, Tertiary and diluvial deposits; III, Fos-
siliferous ferruginous sandstones; II, Kidney iron formation; I,
limerock.
The limerock he regards as identical with that which underlies
the Valley of the Mississippi, which he designates "the transition
or subcarboniferous limestone of European geologists." He thinks
it equivalent to the " cliff limestone of Indiana." Referring for de-
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 173
tails to his description of this formation in his report of the pre-
ceding year, he gives here only some of its economical adaptations,
suggesting that some of the strata occurring near Monroe may be
suited for a hydraulic lime; and he instances for selection the dark
blue and the vesicular or volitic strata. He makes additional ref-
erence to sand suitable for glass making, which constitutes a stratum
through the middle of the formation.
The kidney iron formation is well described and its northern
limits traced. It is recognized as immediately underlying the fer-
ruginous sandstone.
The " fossiliferous ferruginous sandstones," since embraced in the
" Mai-shall group," are ranked as " Carboniferous," though, as he
says, they all occupy a position below, the lowest of the coal beds.
This sagacious determination by Mr. Hubbard is particularly to be
noted, since the same strata were afterwards for many years on very
plausible grounds indentified with the Chemung sandstones of
southern New York. Mr. Hubbard gives a stratigraphical table of
Beven subdivisions. The uppermost sandstone he pronounces a good
material for grindstones, and for such use it has subsequently been
employed to a large extent. It is the so-called " Napoleon Sand-
stone." The "yellow fossiliferous sandrock" holds a lower posi-
tion. The formation shows a slight northerly dip, and its whole
thickness " below the lowest of the beds, which embrace coal plants,
will be found to exceed 1GO feet."
Under the head of " Tertiary and diluvial deposits " Mr. Hubbard
refers to evidences of currents of a universal ocean sweeping from
the north. He refers to the " diluvial furrows and scratches on the
surface of the limerock, to bowlders of primary rocks, and even
masses of native copper, which he truly says are no evidence of
beds or veins of copper in the vicinity. The blue and yellow clays
immediately overlying the limerock of Monroe County, and bor-
dering Lakes Erie and Michigan, are regarded as older than the
diluvial deposits consisting chiefly of sand and gravel.
Mr. Hubbard refers, like Mr. Douglass, to " large fragments of
limestone occasionally to be met with, which had been disrupted from
the transition and carboniferous rocks of the Peninsula. The largest
masses of these were found near the summit of the great dividing
ridge on its eastern declivity. Several masses in the town of Som-
erset, Hillsdale County, are of such extent as to be easily mistaken
for rock in place, portions only being visible from beneath the im-
bedding diluvium. I became convinced, however, by the associated
fossils that they belong to an older formation than the carboniferous
rocks of the vicinity. Bowlders of this rock are so numerous in some
174 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
parts of the country as to afford almost the supply of lime needed
for the district " (p. 91).
Among " recent formations " Mr. Hubbard refers to the singular
and extensive "conglomerate" found in Berrien County. "A stra-
tum of gravel cemented with lime appears to be very universal
throughout this county, at the depth of a few feet, and extensive
masses strongly cemented are frequently found exposed in the faces
of ravines and banks of streams, appearing like ledges in place."
On the subject of marl. Mr. Hubbard enters into a well-considered
exposition of its nature and uses, and insists upon its great value to
the tiller of the soil. Peat is then discussed with similar soundness
of views. Bog iron ore and ocher are cited from numerous localities,
Mr. Hubbard finally takes up the consideration of the "ancient
lake ridge," devoting six pages to the subject. He traces the ridge
through eastern Michigan, finds it to have a uniform elevation of 107
or 108 feet above Lake Erie, concludes that it was not formed during
that turbulent state of waters which brought on the diluvial ma-
terials, and proceeds to picture the condition of the country at the
time when quiet waters filled the basins of the lakes to the height of
the wide-extended lake ridge. He holds that the entire basin of the
St. Lawrence and the broad valley of the Mississippi were buried un-
der a common inundation, and that it must have been a body of
water in direct communication with the ocean. This view necessi-
tates the conclusion that the land then lay at a lower level than at
present, and a general uplift has been an event of later date. Still,
Mr. Hubbard recognizes the evidence that some portions of the inun-
dating waters must have been fresh and that they stood at different
levels at different epochs. These fluctuations he attributes to the oc-
casional destruction of barriers. These views bring out an intel-
ligible distinction between the " diluvium " and " alluvium." The
former lies next the Tertiary clays and covers the general interior.
It is our " Modified drift." The latter is confined to the lower levels
near the lakes and is partially stratified. In this occur remains of
trees, mastodon, and fresh-water shells.
Thus three epochs are discriminated : 1. After the elevatory proc-
ess had commenced and those erosive actions, transportation, and de-
position took place, which we now attribute to drift agencies. 2. A
period of pauses and barrier formation, when the " lake alluvions
would be forming over the area then occupied by the waters." 3. The
era of the present levels.
Mr. Hubbard 's mind, as shown by these early reports, was prone
to contemplate geological phenomena in their broader relations. Be-
ing now but a young man of 25 years, he gave evidence of excellent
capacity for future usefulness in the field of science.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 175
As to the zoological and botanical departments, Doctor Houghton
makes the statement that the several assistants had resigned their
positions immediately after the adjournment of the legislature of
1839. No cause of this is given or intimated. It could not have been
for lack of appropriations, for these had been made in 1838. The
writer [Winchell] on inquiry of Mrs. Sager, who still resides in Ann
Arbor, was informed that these resignations were provoked by igno-
rant criticisms and caricatures indulged in by members of the legisla-
ture in public debates on questions connected with the survey, espe-
cially in the departments. Subassistant Dr. George H. Bull only had
consented to retain his position, and he had been placed in charge
of the botanical collections. A year having thus been lost, Doctor
Houghton expresses the conviction that " no competent man would
be willing to hazard his reputation in attempting, within the space
allowed, to complete either the botany or zoology of our State."
If the time were extended for these departments " they must in the
end be separated from the general work, which will require no such
extension." The geological and topographical work the State geolo-
gist expected to complete "within the current year (1840) being the
time originally assigned by the act authorizing the survey " (p. 32). *
He therefore suggested a suspension of the zoological and botanical
departments. Deeming the bulk of the work yet remaining to be done
as lying in the district between Keweenaw Point and the Porcupine
Mountains, he alludes to the advantages gained by his previous visit
to the region, and expresses the conviction that as the survey is to
continue but one year more " the whole will be accomplished within
that time."
It is a sufficient commentary on the contrast between earlier and
later conceptions of a geological survey to remind the well-informed
reader that with all the subsequent study bestowed on the region by
Houghton, Jackson, Foster and Whitney, Pumpelly. Irving, and
others, the " whole work is not yet accomplished."
FOURTH TEAR OF THE SURVEY, 1840.
The legislature by an act approved March 28, 1840, abolished the
zoological and botanical departments, and appropriated $2,000 to
meet expenses of preparation of State and county maps on the plan
already in progress. The money was to be expended under the direc-
tion of the State geologist.
The State geologist's report on the results of the work during
1840, inclusive of the appended documents, covers 184 pages, of
A different construction appears fo have been subsequently put upon the act, for the
annual appropriations were held to continue till Mar. 1. 1841, which would provide for
the work till Mar. 1, 1842.
13607520 13
176 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
which Doctor Houghton's personal contribution is 89 pages. This is
by far the most important report of the entire series, both for what
Doctor Houghton presents, and for what is contributed by his two
geological assistants, Douglass and Hubbard.
Doctor Houghton's report is dated February 1, 1841, and his
personal statements are devoted to the " northern slope of the Upper
Peninsula." Ten pages are occupied with "General description and
topographical features." He complains bitterly of the misleading
character of the maps of the American border of Lake Superior.
Scarcely a single feature of the interior is given as actually exists. * *
The coast lines are so defective as scarcely to be recognized, except iu their
most general outlines.
A comprehensive description of the great physiographic features
of the whole Upper Peninsula is followed by a particular enumera-
tion of the principal streams. A general sketch of He Royale
follows, with a notice of the region west of Pigeon River, on the
north shore of Lake Superior as far as the Lake of the Woods, the
hilly portion of which, " though of exceeding interest in a geo-
logical point of view, is the most desolate that could be conceived "
(p. 13).
Under the " General geology of the Upper Peninsula," the follow-
ing groupings are observed:
1. Primary rocks. These consist chiefly of granite, syenite, and
syenitic granite. First seen on the coast at Little Presque Isle, they
reappear frequently nearly as far as Huron River and islands, and
are thence confined to a range of hills back frcm the coast, rising 300
to 700 feet above the lake, and continuing in a southwesterly direc-
tion. A portion of the southwesterly prolongation of the Porcupine
Mountain range is made up of rocks belonging to this group.
But little typical granite is found.
The more common rock is made up of quartz, feldspar, and hornblende,
giving rise to a very dark colored syenite. Occasionally mica enters sufficiently
into the compound to form syenitic giauite. (P. 23.)
The southeasterly portion of the range is most quartzose. As we
proceed norwesterly the rocks approach a quartzless " compound of
feldspar and hornblende, which then assumes a granular structure,
constituting greenstone." The intermediate rock "may not in-
appropriately be called a syenitic greenstone."
The primary rocks between Little Presque Isle and Huron River
are mostly compact and fine-grained syenite or syenitic granite. In
their southwesterly continuation they are largely traversed by dikes
" similar in composition to the greenstone before mentioned. These
have produced metamorphic changes in the contiguous rocks, extend-
ing to several hundred feet." These dikes are regarded as existing
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 177
in connection with the greenstone. He thinks the chronology de-
dncible from the dikes shows that " the mineral region of the Upper
Peninsula is strictly confined to only the outer portion of the rocks
of a single epoch " (p. 24).
These veins and dikes of greenstone have no uniform bearing. In
width they vary from a mere line to 50 or 60 feet. They disintegrate
more rapidly than the contiguous rock.
On the north coast of Lake Superior granitic and syenitic rocks
also occur, but " more frequently they are flanked on the south by
greenstone, with occasional narrow bands of sandstone; thus pre-
cisely reversing the magnetic order of these rocks upon the south "
(p. 25).
2. Trap rocks. These flank the primary rocks on the north and
northwest, and form a series of ranges of hills stretching generally
southwest and northeast, and rising from 300 to 900 feet above the
lake. They are less knobby than the primary, but the contrast grows
stronger as we recede from the primary. In lithological constitu-
tion the contrast follows the same rule. The range beginning at the
extremity of Keweenaw Point stretches to the Ontonagon River.
gradually receding from the coast. West of this it becomes con-
founded with the northerly portion of the Porcupine Mountains.
West of the mountains the same range is continued to the Montreal
River, where it is but 2 miles distant from the lake. West of the
mountains is also a second range 12 to 15 miles inland. All the
northwest part of lie Royale is of the same rock.
The age of the trap rocks is subsequent to that of the slates and
quartzites denominated metamorphic. The term " trap rocks " in-
cludes both greenstone and amygdaloid. Greenstone includes not
only those rocks composed of feldspar and hornblende but also those
which might more strictly be regarded as altered syenite, syenitic
granite, hornblende rock, and augitic rock. Amygdaloid is the same
in a certain structural condition.
The rocks of the outer or northwestern range of hills, which were clearly the
last of the series of uplifts, bear more unequivocally the evidence of igneous
action. On the soutli flanks of these hills the rock is invariably very compact
greenstone, while upon the northwesterly line it is almost equally invariably
an amygdaloid, or at least has an amygdaloidal structure. The cause of this
is found in the fact that the uplift of the rocks of this range of hills was wholly
upon the southeasterly side, and while the rocks of this portion were in a solidi-
fied state; or, in other words, that a point in Lake Superior may be regarded
as the fixed axis of the uplifted mass.
This view is confirmed by the undisturbed condition of the sedi-
mentary rocks on the south or southeast, and their highly dis-
turbed condition on the northwest, while the angle of dip diminishes
as we recede from the range. These strata have been traversed by
178 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
numerous and broad dikes, and so altered that in the vicinity of the
trap they can be scarcely recognized.
Doctor Houghton in this connection makes some observations of
peculiar interest in relation to studies in -which geologists are at this,
moment engaged. He says :
The rocks of the complete northwestern escarpment of this range of hills
were evidently in an intense state of ignition while in contact with the sedi-
mentary rocks, as is clearly shown by the very great changes which have taken
place in the rocks last alluded to. In fact, I am disposed to refer the origin of
much of the amygdaloid rock to the fusion of the lower portion of the sedimen-
tary rocks referred to, for the reason that, as we pass south from this junction
the amygdaloid rocks wholly disappear, their place being supplied by green-
stone. Aud again, so intimately are they blended that it is frequently impossible
to determine where the amygdaloid ceases and the upper sedimentary rocks com-
mence. Fragments of the sedimentary rocks, the characters of which can be
clearly recognized, are not of rare occurrence imbedded in the amygdaloidal
rock, a circumstance which, although by no means conclusive, should not be
overlooked in considering this subject. (Pp. 27-S.)
Throughout the entire extent of the " trap range " it is bounded on
the north and northwest by hills of conglomerate and sandstones,
seldom exceeding 400 feet in height. To the northwest of these " a
dike of trap is seen to extend for many miles along the line of coast
of Keweenaw Point. It lies in a plane parallel to the stratification
of the sedimentary rock by which it is embraced, and with that rock
dips to the northwest. The dike is chiefly made up of greenstone,
but not unf requently large portions of the mass consist of amygda-
loid in which the amygdules are filled or composed of quartz, chalce-
dony, agate, calc spar, zeolite, etc."
The dikes just mentioned may be regarded as contemporaneous
veins. But another class of veins traverses not only a portion of
the trap rocks but also the upper sedimentary rocks. These are
true veins.
On lie Royale the relative positions of the greenstone and
amygdaloid are reversed the latter lying on the south. The same
order is observed on the north shore, and here, also, the hills of pri-
mary rock lie farthest from the lake.
The trap rocks throughout the region are usually distinctly jointed,
and where they approximate to the sedimentary rocks there is,
not unfrequently, so distinct a cleavage opposed to the joints in di-
rection, as to give the appearance of stratification. The columnar
structure is rudely presented in a few cases, and tolerably well de-
fined columns, having a height of 80 to 90 feet, appear on the north-
eastern extremity of He Royale.
3. Metamorphic rocks. " Flanking the primary rocks on the
south, is a series of stratified rocks, consisting of talcose, mica, and
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 179
elay, slates, slaty hornblende rock, and quartz rock the latter con-
etituting by far the largest proportion of the whole group " (p. 17).
These rocks stretch into the interior in a southwesterly direction.
The average width of the belt dees not exceed 6 or 8 miles. The
cleavage of the rocks is usually north or N. 10' W., with an angle
of about 80. The dip of the strata is south or southwest. In the
talcose slate, as we approach the granitic region occurs a rock de-
nominated serpentine, but bearing close resemblance to greenstone,
being essentially composed of granular feldspar and hornblende,
with which serpentine is intimately blended. The metamorphic
rocks are occasionally traversed by trap dikes.
4. Conglomerate. This is not known east of the commencement of
the trap group, " nor has it been noticed resting upon any of either
the primary or metamorphic rocks, but is invariably seen resting,
upon the trap rocks" (p. 17). It flanks the trap on its northerly
side, from the extremity of Keweenaw Point to the head of Lake
Superior. On lie Royale a similar rock rests upon the trap, facing
southeast. It forms hills on the south shore 300 to 500 feet high. Its
thickness increases westward, being 5,260 feet a little east of Montreal
River, and 1,000 feet at its eastern extremity. But the thickness is
extremely variable. It may, "without doubt, be considered as a
trap tuff which was gradually accumulated around the several coni-
cal knobs of trap, during their gradual elevation" (p. 33). The
constituent pebbles are rounded masses of greenstone and amygda-
loidal trap, with scarcely a pebble of any different rock. They vary
in size from that of a pea to several pounds in weight, but average
1 to 2 inches in diameter. They are generally united by a mixed
calcareous and argillaceous cement, more or less colored by iron.
It is imperfectly stratified, even in masses of immense thickness.
Its dip, on the south shore, is northwest at angles of 30 to 85.
On lie Royale the dip is reversed. It is frequently traversed by
dikes of trap having a thickness of 50 to 60 feet, or even several
hundred feet; and these are usually parallel to the plane of strati-
fication. But there are also veins of more recent origin, and these
are metalliferous.
5. Mixed conglomerate and sandrock. This is an alternating
series of coarse conglomerates and red sandstones, resting conform-
ably on the conglomerates just noticed. They are strictly a member
of the conglomerate, and only separated for convenience of descrip-
tion. The formation is 4,200 feet thick on the flanks of the Por-
cupine Mountains and wedges out in both directions, disappear-
ing near the extremity of Keweenaw Point. The dip is regularly
north and northwest into the bed of the lake. It was not noticed
on the north shore nor on He Royale. The sandstone portions are
180 BULLETIN 10J), UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
about equal in amount to the conglomerates. The materials are simi-
lar to the conglomerates ; while those of the true sandrock lying above,
i>re chiefly quartzose. The conglomerate and the mixed conglomer-
ates and sandstones are composed essentially of rounded frag-
ments of greenstone, and "the whole may perhaps be regarded as
a trap tuff" (p. 37). While the coarser conglomerate scarcely
shows lines of stratification, these are very distinct in the sandstones.
That the latter were deposited in shoal water is further evinced by
the perfectly defined ripple marks. " Dikes of greenstone occasion-
ally appear in the mixed rock, but they almost invariably occupy
places between the strata." There are also many cross veins, made
up usually of calcareous spar or a subgranular limestone, and more
rarely of some variety of quartz and imperfect amygdaloidal trap.
6. Lower or red sandstone and shales. These cover more space
"than any other formation. They rest upon the primary or meta-
morphic rocks, immediately Tvest from Chocolate River, upon the
conglomerate and mixed rocks from near Eagle River to the west end
of Lake Superior. The situation is similar on He Royale and the
north shore. These rocks are thickest westward. The predominat-
ing rock along the immediate shore of the lake is the red sandstone.
The dip on both shores is toward the lake. It flanks all the hills and
ranges of primary, metamorphic, and trap rocks. In the sandrock
magnetic iron sand is a frequent constituent, sometimes forming
strata of several inches. The rock material is cemented by calcareous
matter highly colored by peroxide of iron. On the southeast side of
Keweenaw Point the exceptional argillaceous strata, found also at
several points in the interior, are regarded as constituting a member
of the sandstone series. It sometimes appears as a slate, but the
usual condition is that of an indurated clay. It is extremely fine:
is easily cut with a knife, and the Indians have long been accustomed
to work it into pipes.
The rocks of the red sandstone formation are abundantly and
beautifully characterized by ripple marks. Of fossils, nothing but
some fucoids lias been discovered, " of which there are three species
pretty well defined." 1
But few dikes intersect the sandstone, except where the intervening
conglomerate and mixed rocks are wanting. Here the sandstone as-
sumes a deep brown color, " and the material of which the sand is
composed gradually changes from that before described to green-
stone " (p. 40).
The greatest thickness at the west was estimated at 6,500 feet. It
is regularly alternated eastward. The average rate of alternation is
'These have boon described by the writer |i. e., A. Winchell] as two species. See
Amer. Jour. Sci.. ser. 2, vol. 37, pp. 22G-233, 1864.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 181
about 15 feet a mile. Inland the formation thins more rapidly. The
thickening northward is attributed to the later upheaval of the north-
ern ranges.
7. The upper or gray sandstone. This formation is " first noticed,
rising in hills, at a point not far distant from the River Ste. Marie
(at the Neebish Rapids) and southeast from Point Iroquois ; f rom this
point it stretches westerly in an elevated and very regular chain of
hills that are upon the coast as far as Tequamenon Bay; westerly
from which, the shape of the coast is such that these hills do not again
appear upon it until we reach that precipitous portion of the lake
coast known as the Pictured Rocks" (p. 42). Westerly from these
the ranges of hills formed of this sandstone stretch in a southwest-
erly direction, passing completely to the south of the primary trap
and metamorphic regions. This sandrock differs from the lower in
being more exclusively quartz, and also in having a south or south-
westerly dip, conformably with the overlying limestone, while the
lower sandrock dips toward the lake, and its outcropping edges are
covered by the upper and newer. The average thickness of the
upper sandrock as far west as the Pictured Rocks is thought to be
about 700 feet.
8. Sandy limerock. Feebly represented on Sailors Encampment
Island, it stretches westward, nearly along the middle line of the
Peninsula, with a width of 10 to 15 miles, dipping uniformly to the
south-southeast.
Above this succeed the lower limerock and shales and the upper
limerock group (Drummond Island and Mackinac limestone) de-
scribed in the third annual report. Covering the general surface,
lie the incoherent materials designated " Tertiary clays and sands."
Doctor Houghton next proceeds, in the fourth annual report, to
consider " Economical geology." After referring to the valuable
building materials supplied by the granites and syenitic granites, and
the moderate promise of the red and gray sandstones for the same
purpose, he proceeds to the subject of " Minerals and mineral veins." 1
He gives separate lists of the minerals occurring in the several forma-
tions before described, and then devotes 31 pages to " Mineral veins
of the trap, conglomerate, etc."
Veins of date posterior to the uplift of the most northern range
are of frequent occurrence. They not only traverse a portion of
the trap range, but also pass into the conglomerate, and sometimes
completely across the three sedimentary beds immediately above the
trap. They rarely vary more than 12 to 15 from a right angle to
the line of bearing of the sedimentary rocks, and in pursuing this
1 This portion of the report, amounting to 33 pages, was ronrinted entire in
Mineral Region of Lake Superior." By Jacob Iloughton, jr., pp. 36-79. Buffalo, 1
" The
uffalo, 1846.
182 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
course they necessarily cut across the dikes of trap which lie between
the strata. These veins all belong to one epoch. They present com-
plete uniformity of characters vrhen they traverse continuous ranges
of the trap, they are regular in course and direction : but in a single
knob they are irregular and undefined. They contain metalliferous
materials which " will hereafter become of very considerable prac-
tical importance." It is true that native copper occurs " occupying
the joints or natural septa of the greenstone, but in these instances
the amount of metal is comparatively small, and, with one or two
exceptions, I have invariably been able to establish some connection
between the native metal occupying these joints and the termination
of some metalliferous vein that traverses other portions of the rock
not far distant."
Arguing that the richest veins would be found along the line of
contact of the trap with the sedimentary rocks, great pains had been
taken to trace that line across the country. It was found to diverge
gradually from the lake in its westward extension. The theory was
confirmed that the trap is the source of the copper occupying the
veins, since as soon as the veins enter the sandrock they contain no
ores but those of zinc and iron (p. 54).
The metalliferous veins, Doctor Houghton continues, seem to orig-
inate in the northern or amygdaloidal trap. They cross the trap
range nearly at right angles to its axis, and frequently continue the
same course across the sedimentary rocks. But the width of the vein
is greatly diminished in the greenstone.
It increases in width rapidly as it passes across the amygdaloid, and at or
nenr the junction between the amygdaloid and the sedimentary rocks, it will
frequently be found to have attained a thickness of several feet, while in its
passage across the sedimentary rocks, it is usually either further increased in
width or becomes so blended with rock itself as to render it difficult to define
its boundaries.
In the amygdaloid the veinstone is mostly quartz; in the con-
glomerate and sandstone, it is mostly calcareous, and finally ceases to
be metalliferous. The metalliferous character is most fully de-
veloped near the line of junction of the trap and sedimentary rocks.
The most abundant metallic minerals are the several ores of copper.
Very frequently native copper occurs, and very rarely, silver. The
native copper is often disseminated through the quartzose veinstone,
the rocky matter embraced in the veinstone and the amygdaloid and
conglomerate, sometimes to the distance of 2 or 3 feet, completely
filling the cells of the amygdaloid. In other portions of the vein
the native copper is concentrated in larger masses, constituting
bunches and strings; and in some places the walls of the veins are
wholly made up of native copper. In these places the ores of copper
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 183
are scant, and the presumption is favored that the origin of the ore
is chiefly from that which was previously in a native form (p. 60).
Veins of similar character occur on He Royale, and a similar rela-
tion is observed between the veins and the formations traversed;
but the order of change is reversed in direction.
A brief description is given of the peculiar constitution of the trap
knob of Presque Isle and its innumerable ramifying veins ; and men-
tion is made of a red slate formation resting against the southerly
slope of the greenstone range, " which is traversed by irregular and
imperfect veins of what may be regarded a ferruginous steatite, and
a small amount of ores of copper." These veins, however, are not
supposed to have any connection with those in the amygdaloid.
With a view to ascertaining what expectations may be based on the
facts thus far observed, Doctor Houghton presents quite an extended
comparison with the copper and tin veins of Cornwall. His final prog-
nostication is decidedly conservative, and it seems to be rendered so
by the very circumstance which has constituted almost the exclusive
resource for profitable copper mining in this district. He says:
I confess that the preponderance of native to the other forms of copper was
regarded as an unfavorable indication, at least until this had been found to be
more or less universal with respect to all the veins. (P. 74.) * * * While
the mineral district will prove a source of wealth to the people, I can not fail to
have before me the fear that it may prove the ruin of hundreds of adventurers,
who will visit it with expectations never to be realized. (P. 76.)
Doctor Houghton next devotes three pages to the " Soil and tim-
ber of the Upper Peninsula," and five pages to " Furs, fish, and har-
bors of Lake Superior."
Thus closes a report which, for extent of territory covered, brevity
of period devoted to the work, arduousness of field exploration, and,
above all, amount of original matter and soundness of conclusions,
is certainly one of the most remarkable reports ever published. But
Doctor Houghton has found the work "considerably more than he
had reason to look for" and discovers that it can not be completed
within the time which, a year before, he had thought sufficient.
To this is appended a brief report by special assistant Frederick
Hubbard on " latitudes, magnetic variations, etc " ; and then follows
that of assistant geologist C. C. Douglass, dated January 4, 1841,
and covering 15 pages, and treating of the northern part of the lower
peninsula. Under the head of " General character " of this region
he embodies some physiographic statements. He speaks of the Grand
and Little Traverse country as " well adapted to purposes of agri-
culture." He writes that the capabilities of the region north of the
Grand River are not at all inferior to those on the south ; says the
Indians on Grand and Little Traverse Bays " obtain good crops of
184 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
corn, potatoes, squashes, etc. Some of the most intelligent Indians
informed me that their crops have never been known to fail entirely,
and that they were seldom injured by frosts in the fall or spring.
They also have many apple trees which produce fruit in considerable
quantities" (p. 101). Yet for 20 years after this the capabilities
cf this region remained unappreciated. 1 Mr. Douglass, however, does
not seem to have understood that these results depended on the in-
fluence of Lake Michigan during the winter and the frosty portions
of the spring and autumn ; for he says :
The soil is strictly a "warm one" and exposed, as the whole country border-
Ing on Lake Michigan is, to the influence of the southern winds during summer
and parts of spring and fall, it seldom fails to be productive.
Coming to the " General geology," Mr. Douglass begins with two
stratigraphies! tables, which it seems best to reproduce :
1. Rocks of Lake Michigan.
1. Tertiary and superficial materials
1. Bowlders of granite, etc.
2. Clay, sand, etc.
2. T. 16 N. Manistee limestone.
3. T. 31-32 N. Shales
1. Light blue, argillaceous.
2. Black, containing pyrites.
4. T. 33 N. Corniferous. Containing beds of hornstone.
5. T. 34 N. Little Traverse Bay limestone. Beds of limestone intermixed wltto
clay and chert.
6. T. 34 N. Black bituminous limestone. Composed of congeries of shells.
7. T. 34 N. Blue limestone in thick regular layers.
8. Mackinac limestone. Very porous and much shattered.
2. Rocks as seen from the coast of Lake Huron.
1. Alluvium
1. Beds of rivers.
2. Incrusting springs.
3. Marl, tufa, peat, etc.
2. Tertiary and superficial
1. Bowlders of granite.
2. Beds of clay and sand, etc.
"The climatic nnd agricultural characters of the region have more recently been set
forth by the writer [Winchell] In sundry publications. See Report on the Grand Traverse
Region, octavo, pp. 92, with map. 1800 ; The Fruit Belt of Michigan. Proc. Amer. Assoc.,
1800; The Isothermals of the Lake Region. Proc. Amer. Assoc.. 1870, appended also to
the writer's Report on the Progress of the State Geological Survey, 1870, and abstract
published in the Zeitschrift der osterreichiscben Gesollschaft fflr Meteorologie, in Vienna,
vol. 8. p. 40 seq. Feb. 1, 1873; The Climate of the Lake Region, with two charts, liar-
pers' Magazine. .Itily, 1871, republlshed entire in Der Michigan Wegweiser, Hamburg, 1873;
also Michigan, being condensed Popular Sketches of the Topography, Climate, and Geology
of the State, 1873, pp. 89-121, with isothermal charts In colors: and finally, The Clt-
mate of Michigan. Ann. Report State Horticultural Society, 1880, pp. 155-103.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 185
3. 20, 26, N. Point au Gres limestone. Light colored arenaceous, containing
septa ria.
4. 27 N. Shale. Black, bituminous, containing pyrites.
6. 28 N. Thunder Bay limestone. Beds of limestone and gray clay or shale, con-
taining abundant fossils.
6. 30, 31 N. Black bituminous limestone. Bituminous, composed of congeries
of shells.
7. 32, 33 N. Blue limestone. Compact and in thick strata.
8. Mackinac limestone. Very porous, and the upper portion much shattered.
" It will be seen," adds Mr. Douglass. " that the same rock, with
one or two exceptions, occurs on both sides of the State, having the
same geological position; also that they have very nearly parallel
and uniform positions. And from the outcrops the rocks would ap-
pear to have a bearing nearly N. 70 W. and S. 70 E., which line of
bearing corresponds with the outcrop of the black bituminous slate
on the east side of Lake Huron in Upper Canada" (p. 103). Doc-
tor Houghton had already fixed the " line of bearing " northeast and
southwest. The Michigan geologists thus far had not attained to
the conception of a dishlike arrangement of the strata. They
thought the outcrops must strike across the Peninsula, nearly in
straight lines.
The "Manistee limestone" is unknown to the writer [Winchell],
Moreover, the Manistee River, near which in township 15 north, lime-
stone is stated in the accompanying text to occur, is located entirely
north of township 15. On the other hand, in township 15 and near
the Pentwater River in Oceana County, occur masses of limestone,
which the writer has referred to the Lower Carboniferous. 1
The " Shales " in township 31-32 north, outcrop on Grand Traverse
Bay and constitute the writer's " Huron group," the black shale be-
ing the " Genesee." The " Corniferous limestone " is not definitely
located by Mr. Douglass; but in township 33 we find limestone an-
swering to the description, outcropping on the lake shore between
the mouths of Grand and Little Traverse Bays. It belongs near the
top of the Hamilton group, and its stratigraphical position is cor-
rectly indicated. The "Little Traverse Bay limestone" belongs at
the bottom of the Hamilton group. The " Black bituminous lime-
stone" is not considered by the writer to occur at a lower horizon
than the last, but between it and the so-called " Corniferous." The
" Blue limestone," also is embraced in the Hamilton.
As to the rocks of Lake Huron, the "Point au Gres limestone"
is an arenaceous stratum in the lower part of the Lower Carboniferous
limestone. The " shale " is the black Genesee shale. The " Thunder
Bay limestone " belongs in the lower part of the Hamilton, and the
" Black bituminous limestone " holds a higher not a lower position.
1 Winchell, Proc. Amor. Assoc., 1875, p. 36.
186 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The " Blue limestone " is probably not the equivalent of the " Blue
limestone " of Lake Michigan, as it seems to belong in the lower po-
sition to which Mr. Douglass here assigns it.
The report of assistant geologist Bela Hubbard is dated Janu-
ary 24, 1841, and occupies 34 pages. It proposes " to exhibit a com-
prehensive view of all the rock formation throughout the organized
counties of the State." It is prefaced by a general section, which is
here reproduced :
A. Erratic block group, or Diluviums, a, Alluviums, ancient and recent.
B. Tertiary clays.
C. Coal measures Upper coal and shales, lower coal and shales, included sand-
stones, limestone stratum.
D. Subcarboniferons sandstones.
E. Clay and kidney-ironstone formation.
F. Sandstone of Point aux Barques.
G. Argillaceous shales and flags of Lake Huron.
H. Soft, light-colored sandstones.
I. Black aluminous slate.
K. Limerocks of Lake Erie.
Speaking of the " Erratic block group," he says, " this whole de-
posit is one of transport by water." And again :
Whatever may have been the causes which swept these materials over the
face of the rocks, whether oceanic currents or bodies of floating ice, the charac-
ter of the diluviums, as well as numerous accompanying facts, plainly implies
that they came in a direction northerly from their present beds, and often from
great distances.
Mr. Hubbard devotes six pages to a very intelligent discussion of
the physical features of this formation. But it must be understood
that the formation which he has in mind is what we often style the
"modified drift."
By "ancient alluvions" he designates what are often termed "la-
custrine deposits, embraced between the ancient lake ridge and the
present shores of the lakes." He does not here affirm that these are
underlaid by the " diluvium," for this, he says, " overspreads the whole
interior of the State beyond this separating ridge." Still there is
room to suppose that Mr. Hubbard refers only to what appears on
the actual surface. By " ancient alluvions " he designates deposits
still in progress, like marl, bog iron, and peat. In the ancient
alluvion have been discovered bones of the mastodon in Macomb
County, and on the Paw Paw River in Berrien County. A vertebra,
pronounced by Doctor Sager to be the caudal vertebra of a whale,
was found some years previously on the St. Joseph River. It had
a vertical diameter of 18 inches, a transverse of 2 feet, with diameter
of body, 11 inches; len<rth of body, 10 inches; length of spinous proc-
ess, 9 inches ; and weight of 21 pounds.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 187
By " Tertiary clays " Mr. Hubbard understands what we now
designate " bowlder clay " or " till." They cover all the border
counties on the east and west slopes of the peninsula, and in some
cases stretch far inland. The Tertiary clays underlie the ancient
alluvions "throughout their whole extent. These are a formation
anterior to both the diluviums and alluvions, and are frequently
found extending far beyond the old lake ridge " (p. 122).
Under the head of " Coal Measures " the " limestone stratum " is
so defined as to indicate its identity with the lower Carboniferous
limestone. He adopts Mr. Douglass's views respecting the existence
of " lower " and " upper " coal beds. The lower coal, he thinks, gives
promise of much usefulness. He recognizes it in Jackson, Ingham,
and Shiawassee counties, and says it is 3 to 4 feet thick near
Corunna. The accompanying shales extend as far east as Flint
River in Genesee County. " The coal of Shiawassee and Flint Rivers
appears to occupy the extreme edge of the coal basin" (p. 127).
The upper coal is recognized " as the northern part of Eaton County,"
and probably underlies the whole of Clinton and Gratiot Counties.
In quality and thickness it is inferior to the lower coal. With the
" included sandstones " he associates the gritstones at Napoleon.
The " red or variegated sandstone " of Clinton and Ionia Counties
he thinks belongs between the upper and lower coals.
The " subcarboniferous sandstones " are the same as heretofore
designated " fossiliferous, ferruginous sandstones," and are more
recently known as " Marshall sandstones." He says " they make
their appearance at its eastern edge, on Lake Huron, near the en-
trance of Saginaw Bay." He seems to refer here to the Point au
Gres sandstone, which is a stratum in the lower Carboniferous lime-
stone. The " Point aux Barques sandstones," which are their real
equivalents, are treated under a separate head.
The "clay and kidney-ironstone formation" is the upper and
larger portion of the "Huron group" of the writer [Winchell], and
lies undoubtedly in the horizon of the Chemung and Portage groups
of New York.
The " sandstones of Point aux Barques," it is stated, stretch south-
westerly, along the swell of land which forms the summit level of
the Peninsula, into Hillsdale County, " where the green and yellow
fossil i ferrous sandstones above described overlie them." But no
such relation of superposition has been observed. Did it exist, the
" kidney iron formation " would be between, and this has a thick-
ness of several hundred feet. In fact, the " Point aux Barques sand-
stones " trend southwesterly and are in continuity with the sand-
stones of Hillsdale County.
188 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The " argillaceous shales and flags of Lake Huron " are to be iden-
tified with the "kidney iron formations." This results from the
identification of the overlying sandstones of the two. Of this for-
mation, Mr. Hubbard records the following interesting statements:
These slates and alternating sandstones may be considered as the upper salt
rock of our State. They have been passed through in boring for salt at Grand
Rapids, and found to yield strong supplies of brine. At this point they are
found also to alternate with beds of gypsum and gypseous marls, as will appear
by reference to the table of the strata passed through, given on a subsequent
page. The thickness ascertained to these slates at that point is about 170 feet
An examination of the table referred to shows that the alternating
beds of gypsum and shale are the real " Michigan salt group," lying
immediately below the lower Carboniferous lime and holding
position very far above the " shales and flags of Lake Huron." The
identifications by Mr. Hubbard would locate the gypseous shales
of Grand Rapids not only below the Point aux Barques sandstones,
but below the kidney iron formation ; while the table of borings cited
shows them immediately below the limestone which he regards as
the bottom rock of the Coal Measures.
The " soft, light-colored sandstones " are described in the text as
"generally of a dark color." Mr. Hubbard states that they have
been penetrated in the borings at Grand Rapids, 230 feet; that they
" evidently " form the bed of Lake Huron near its foot, but do not
make their appearance at any point on the coast of the Peninsula
(p. 133). In reality it does not appear evident that they lie on the
bed of Lake Huron. This is only an inference from the erroneous
identification of the gypseous shales at Grand Rapids with the
"shales and flags of Lake Huron." These sandstones, known only
under the gypseous shales of Grand Rapids, are identical with the
Hillsdale County sandstones. They are the Marshall sandstone, and
outcrop as a "soft, light gray sandstone in Ottawa County, near
Holland." In Mr. Hubbard's table, therefore, D. F. and H are iden-
tical and E and G are identical.
The "black aluminous slate" is the well-known Genesee shale;
and the " limerocks of Lake Erie " are chiefly the modern " cornif er-
ous." but with the " water lime " of the Lower H.elderberg exposed in
the lowest positions.
Mr. Hubbard makes statements as follows respecting the dips of
the rocks :
On the eastern slope of the Peninsula, south of Saginaw Bay, northwesterly ;
while the dip along the southerly r.nd westerly border of the basin of coal-
bearing rocks is such as to indicate the count'es of Clinton and Gratiot as occu-
pying nearly the central part of the coal basin (p. 137).
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 189
He thinks the coal beds may extend as far north as township 23,
on the head waters of the Muskegon and Tittabawassee Rivers. The
coal basin, then, is " nearly oval in form, whose center very nearly
corresponds with the true center of the Peninsula." Mr. Hubbard
omits to state the clips of the strata on Lake Huron north of Saginaw
Bay, or along any part of Lake Michigan, or on the northern border
of the Peninsula. He does not identify the Mackinac and Monroe
limestones. In these latest utterances of the early Michigan geologists
respecting the Lower Peninsula we find revealed only a partial concep-
tion of the complete dish-like arrangement of the entire body of
strata.
In connection with a statement of strata passed in Lyon's salt
well at Grand Rapids, Mr. Hubbard assumes that the Hillsdale
County sandstones have here " thinned out," and it is on this ground
that he thinks the g3 T pseous shales to occupy the position of the
"Hudson flags and shales." It is not intelligible why he did not
rather identify them with the " kidney iron shales." Two beds of
beautiful gypsum were passed 4 to 6 feet in thickness. On the re-
lation of the brines he says :
The strongest brine springs make their appearance along a line which will be
found to correspond with the synclinal axis, or axis of the dip of the rocks com-
posing the great peninsula basin a circumstance which would be looked for
from the fact that the ordinary law of gravitation would conduct the strong
brines to the lowest levels of the rock strata. (P. 138.)
The gypseous clays of Grand Rapids constitute the "upper salt
rock " and yield a brine, as he states, stronger than that in Ohio, which
sustains a profitable manufacture. But the brine obtained in Lyon's
well, at a depth below 230 feet, "may be supposed to proceed by
veins from the ' lower salt rock,' lying at a still greater depth, and
from which the strongest and best supplies of brine in our State may
be expected." Mr. Hubbard gives no description from which we can
identfy his "lower salt rock." We now know that a "lower salt
rock" (the Salina formation) actually exists; and there are people
who claim that this was in the eye of the Michigan geologist (gener-
ally, however, supposed to be Doctor Hough ton), though, so far as
evidence goes, Mr. Hubbard was the only one who had attained this
view. But it does not appear how the brine could rise from it
through a fissure to the higher levels, since so few fissures were known
in the intervening formations; and these were of so argillaceous a
character as not to admit of permanent fissures; and if the fissures
had existed, the brine, as Mr. Hubbard correctly reasoned, would
descend instead of ascending.
With a comprehensive but condensed review of the economic
products of the southern portion of the Peninsula, and some far-seeing
190 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
and statesmanlike reflections on the progress and prospects of tha
State, Mr. Hubbard brings his somewhat remarkable report to a
conclusion.
The report of S. W. Higgins, the topographer, is dated January
24, 1841, and covers 26 pages. It embodies a valuable memoir on
the ' Variation of the magnetic needle." The other topics treated
are " County surveyors " ; " Area of the Lower Peninsula," which he
makes 41,304 square miles ; " Elevation and depression in the water
of the Great Lakes " ; and " Marshes."
FIFTH YEAR OF THE SURVEY, 1841.
By a joint resolution, approved Febraury 2, 1841, the State geolo-
gist was instructed to act as commissioner on the part of Michigan
in relation to the boundary line between this State and Wisconsin.
By an act approved February 8, 1841, the board of internal improve-
ment was required to supply the State geologist with requisite data
for mapping improvements, but no new surveys were permitted to
exceed $25.
On the 20th of March, 1841, a joint resolution was adopted look-
ing to the encouragement of copper smelting in the United States.
The report of the State geologist, on the operations of this year
is dated January 25, 1842, and occupies less than six pages. He
says:
The geological and topographical surveys have progressed steadily toward
completion, though, in consequence of the reduction of the number engaged in
the work, which became necessary in consequence of the comparatively small
amount of funds applicable to that object, the amount of work accomplished has
been somewhat less than that of the preceding year. The Inbor so applied has
been chiefly devoted to the westerly poition of the Upper Peninsula, including a
part of that which may be designated as the mountainous district of the State,
He speaks of duties assigned relative to the boundary line be-
tween this State and Wisconsin, and says he has completed " a very
perfect geological section nearly 180 miles in length, crossing from
the mouth of the Montreal River of Lake Superior, to the mouth of
the Menominee River of Green Bay. A large amount of work has
been performed in the mountainous region, stretching from Montreal
River to Ontonagon River, and extending southerly from Lake Su-
perior, a distance of some 40 miles, including what may be termed
the westerly portion of the copper district within our State. All the
rivers between and including the two named have been carefully
examined to their sources, and the Porcupine Mountains have been
traced out through almost their entire range. The copper ores asso-
ciated with the altered conglomerate and sandstone rocks in this
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 191
portion of the range have been found to be more extensive than was
originally supposed."
He finds the southerly range of mountains before referred to, be-
ginning near the mouth of the Chocolate River, to be continued across
the Menominee River into Wisconsin. " Within the limit of this
range would fall the lead district of Wisconsin and Iowa"; but he
gives reasons for thinking no heavy deposits of lead will be found in
Michigan.
He remarks that the " field work of the geological and topographi-
cal surveys upon the plan originally contemplated, is now mainly
completed " ; but a large amount of laboratory and office work must
yet be performed in preparation for a final report. As the funds set
apart for the survey are now exhausted, and the survey expires by
limitations, he asks a small appropriation for the completion of the
work. He states that maps of the counties of Hillsdale, Lenawee,
Branch, Calhoun, Jackson, and Washtenaw have been engraved,
and enumerates 13 others as ready for the engraver. Wayne had been
engraved in 1839, and it does not appear why it is not enumerated
with the others. Of the $2,000 appropriated March 28, 1840, for
the map of the State, $1,500 remained unexpended; I am unable to
ascertain whether this became available.
SIXTH YEAR OF THE SURVEY, 1842.
Though no legislation was had perpetuating the survey after the
expiration of the four years for which provision was made in 1838,
the office of State geologist was not abolished, and I find that $3,700
were paid out of the State treasury for salaries of geologist and
topographer and for other purposes. It is probable, however, that
some portion of this was a balance from the old appropriation.
Gov. John S. Barry, in his message to the legislature of 1843, after
enumerating the great desirability of geological surveys, and an-
nouncing the substantial completion of the field work though much
office work remained, says:
If the commencement of a geological survey of the State was now a question
presented for consideration, I should have no hesitation in recommending its
postponement ; and whilst I think the survey now in progress was prematurely
undertaken, yet, as it is so nearly brought to a close, true economy seems to
require its completion. 1
The sixth annual report of the State geologist is dated January
31, 1843, and fills but four pages. It shows that most of his time
during 1842 was occupied in office work. Doctor Houghton writes
that the field work for the entire survey is completed, with the ex-
* Joint Documents, 1843, p. 39.
13607520 14
192 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
ception of some few points where the work still wants connecting,
and which will not involve any material expense. He apologizes
for the delay in the completion of the county maps, stating his in-
ability to procure such funds as would enable him to purchase paper
for striking them off. At last he ordered 1,000 each, of six of our
most populous counties, but, to his deep mortification and regret,
they had not yet arrived. He hopes to realize something from their
sale. He refers again to the arduous character of the duties per-
formed, and adds:
The labor has been rendered light by the hope that in aiding to develop the
resources of our State, in placing upon maps, her geology, topography, and the
character of her timber and soil, her settlement might be increased, and some-
thing added to her property and wealth.
The first financial exhibit made by Doctor Houghton in his en-
tire series of reports is the ludicrous statement which I here in sub-
stance append :
By amount from last fiscal year 1 $1.42
Appropriated for 1842 _ 400 00
$401.42
To amount paid sundry bills $250. 61
Rent of geographical office, etc 50. 33
Drafting, paper, stationery, binding 74. 83
Postage 19.47
395.24
Balance in hands of State treasurer $6. 18
He asks $300 for the next year.
SEVENTH YEAR OF THE SURVEY, 1843.
Gov. John S. Barry in his message of January 1, 1844, repeats the
statement that the survey has been steadily progressing toward
completion. He says the engraving of four of the county maps has
been completed and the maps received. He suggests that in cases
where the engraving of a county map has not been commenced the
work be suspended, and adds:
It Is desirable, if it can be accomplished, to take advantage of the surveys
about to be carried forward by the United States in the mineral district of the
Upper Pen'nsxila, for the purpose of perfecting the geological surveys in that
district. If this can be effected it is believed that a more perfect geological map
may be made than is to be found in any other State, and that without any addi-
tional expense.' A part of the final report of the State geologist will be ready
for publication during the present year, and an appropriation will be required
for that purpose.
1 This is probnbly Doctor Houston's account with the fund for incidental expenses.
The summary financial statement hereafter introduced seems to be in conflict with this.
Joint Documents, 1844, p. 14.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 193
The annual report of the State geologist is dated February 15,
1844, and consists of three pages. It shows that besides the four
county maps which have been struck off and placed on the market,
10 others are in the engraver's hands. An appropriation is asked for
$1,000 or $1,500 to continue the map publishing until the sales meet
expenses. He justly expresses the conviction that these maps " will
be more full and perfect than any that have heretofore been pub-
lished of any equal portion of the United States. The final report
on the Lower Peninsula, with. all the maps and sections, will, I trust,
be ready for the press during the coming summer. The engraving
of the geological sections, fossils, etc., has been conditionally con-
tracted for; but the continuance of the work requires financial pro-
vision."
He speaks of the opportunity afforded by the United States linear
surveys for perfecting the geology of the Upper Peninsula.
All that would be required would be simply a permission from the Commis-
sioner of the General Land Office of the United States to the geologist of Michi-
gan to require the deputy surveyors to make certain observations during the
progress of their survey, of a character which would connect the geological
survey of our State with the linear survey of the United States. I hope to per-
fect such an arrangement in this particular as will enable me to produce more
perfect geological and topographical maps of the Upper Peninsula than have
ever been constructed of the sjmie extent of territory in the United States.
He asks for $400 for current expenses, in addition to what may be
appropriated for county maps, wood engravings, and final publi-
cation.
EIGHTH YEAR OF THE SURVEY, 1844.
The State no longer maintained a geological survey. The pub-
lished documents do not reveal the existence of any report from the
State geologist on the operations of 1844. The message of Gov.
John S. Barry, however, explains the lacuna, and from this I make
the following extracts :
The field work of the geological and topographical survey of the Lower Penin-
sula of the State has been brought to a close, and much has been done toward
preparing the final report upon this portion of the work. The engraving of the
illustrations necessary to accompany the volumes when published has been in
progress during most of the year ; but some further time will be required for its
completion.
In consequence of the deficiency of the means required to finish the surveys
of the Upper Peninsula with the same minuteness that they had been done in the
lower, the State geologist had determined at one time to make the final report
npon that part of the work, in a more general manner; but during the past
year, such a connection of those surveys has been made with the United States
lineal surveys as will insure, without expense to the State, their completion in
the most perfect manner. By this arrangement the General Government lends
its aid in perfecting our geological surveys. The practicability of the plan was
194 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
fully tested the last season, and its utility satisfactorily established. The whole
work is performed at the expense of the General Government, under the direc-
tion of the State geologist, pursuant to a contract by that officer with the sur-
veyor general.
Thus the first geological survey of Michigan appears to have ex-
pired for lack of sustenance, like several others inaugurated nearly
at the same time, conducted with distinguished ability while funds
lasted, and finally crushed beneath the widespread financial dis-
asters of the times.
Doctor Houghton had long feared this and long struggled in hope
of carrying through his cherished enterprises. But, finding the dis-
aster inevitable, he had for two years meditated the project to which
Governor Barry refers in the passage above quoted.
This plan was fully set forth in a paper prepared and read by him
before the Association of American Geologists at Washington in
1844. The advantages of such a combination were at once compre-
hended, and the project was warmly endorsed. The land commis-
sioner, however, fearing the ordinary surveyors would not possess
sufficient geological information, hesitated until Doctor Houghton
himself offered to take the contract. This contract was signed June
25, 1844, and the remainder of that season and the season of 1845
were occupied in completing preparations and carrying on the work.
NINTH YEAR OF THE SURVEY, 1845.
Doctor Houghton, though for two years receiving no aid from the
State, was still recognized as State geologist. His contract with
the surveyor general was nearly completed when the lamentable
event occurred which put an end to his zealous and useful activity in
the development of the natural resources of his adopted State. The
notes and maps of three townships were in Doctor Houghton's pos-
session at the time of his death, and were never recovered. 1 These are
T. 58 N. 29 and 32 W ; and T. 59 N. 29 W., near the extremity of the
Keweenaw Point, on the north shore.
The administrators of Doctor Houghton's estate (Henry N.
Walker and Samuel T. Douglass) provided for a careful inspection
of the field notes and the preparation of reports to be transmitted to
the surveyor general, Lucius Lyon. Their communication covering
these reports bears date February 16, 1846. One of the reports was
prepared by William A. Burt. the inventor of the solar compass,
who had been Dr. Houghton's principal assistant in the field during
1 See Reports on the Linear Surveys with reference to Mines nnd Minerals in the
Northern Peninsula of Michigan in the years 1845-40. Octavo. Washington (printed
1840) : Annual Message and Accompanying Documents, Part 3, pp. 802-842, also pp.
933-035.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 195
1845. The other was prepared by Bela Hubbard, late assistant
State geologist.
These reports do not embody any considerable amount of new mat-
ter. They treat the subject under the subdivisions made by Doctor
Houghton in his Fourth State Report and reproduce Doctor Hough-
ton's views. As the reports were drawn up for general readers, to
whom Doctor Houghton's reports would be probably unknown, they
embrace many repetitions of matters contained in the State reports.
Some of the more important additions will be here mentioned. 1
Judge Burt's report covers Keweenaw Point and the country from
Chocolate River to Carp River, along the south shore of Lake Su-
perior. He treats of the topography and other matters under the fol-
lowing heads: Soil and timber; Streams and harbors; Trap range
of Keweenaw Point, etc.; Lake coast harbors; Rivers; Porcupine
Mountains; Geology, Primary rocks; Argillaceous slates; Red and
variegated sandstone; Conglomerate rock; Veins and limestone.
Then, proceeding westward from Keweenaw Point, he discusses Ar-
gillaceous slates ; Red sandstones ; Trap and conglomerate rocks of
the Porcupine Mountains, and drift.
Speaking of the metamorphic rocks stretching southwest from the
lower falls of the Riviere du Mort, he says:
A few veins of quartz were seen traversing these rocks, but no one was ob-
served to be metalliferous. I have, however, seen specimens of specular Iron
ore said to have been obtained in township 48 north, range 26 west.
In respect to the primary rocks he says :
No vein indicating a workable quantity of metal of any kind was observed;
but it should not be inferred from this that they do not exist here.
As to the veins, in addition to treating them nearly in the same
manner as Doctor Houghton had done, he writes that " their metal-
liferous character is developed along the junction of the trap and
sedimentary rocks on both sides of the trap range." Doctor Hough-
ton had only spoken of it on the north side.
The argillaceous slates previously reported by Doctor Houghton
on the southeast side of Keweenaw Bay are reported by Mr. Burt
8 or 4 miles east of the Porcupine Mountains, where they dip 15 to
45 in a direction between northeast and southeast. From these
facts Mr. Burt infers that they pass under the sandstone to the east
of them.
The red sandstone west of Keweenaw Point is supposed to belong
to the same formation as that to the east. "Its general character is
1 Senate Documents, 1st soss., 29th Conp., 1845-46. vol. 7, Doc. 357. 20 pp. These
reports are reprinted in Mineral Region of Lake Superior. By Jacob Houghton, jr. pp.
3-123, 1846.
'196 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the same, except that in some places it contains more mica." Its
dip is north northwest.
The report compiled by Mr. Hubbard treats the general subject
under the following subdivisions: Granite rocks; Metamorphic
Group; Clay slate; Red sandrock; Keweenaw Point; Trap rocks;
Conglomerate rock; Mixed conglomerate and sandstone; Trap dikes;
Eed sandrock ; and Mineral veins.
In the primary region west of Presque Isle the granite " is traversed
by large and irregular dikes of greenstone trap, and the granite itself
puts on a trappose character, the two rocks being sometimes with
difficulty distinguishable from each other."
The metamorphic group is divided into two belts a quartzose
portion on the south, and a trappose portion on the north. The
quartzose rocks are pervaded by argillaceous red and micaceous
oxides of iron.
These are frequently of so great extent as almost to entitle them to be con-
sidered as rocks. The largest extent of iron noticed is in township 47 north
range 26 west, near the corner of sections 29, 30, 31, 32. There are here two larg*
beds or hills of ore, made up almost entirely of granulated magnetic and specular
iron, with small quantities of spathose and micaceous iron. The more north-
erly of these hills extends in a direction nearly east and west for at least one-
fourth of a mile, and has a breadth little less than 1,000 feet, the whole of which
forms a single mass of ore.
This was the first discovery of the vast deposits of iron in the
Marquette region at Negaunee and Ishpeming. It was in June, 1845,
during a survey under the direction of Doctor Houghton, with Wil-
liam A. Burt as chief assistant.
" The rocks of the metamorphic group frequently graduate into
clay slate." This is found in township 48, north 26 west.
Mount Houghton is the name bestowed on a knob of trap 878 feet
above Lake Superior, in the southerly range of Keweenaw Point in
township 58, north 29 west.
The red sandrock is in this report pronounced " the equivalent of
the Potsdam red sandstone of the New York reports."
The study of the mineral veins confirms the views previously ex-
pressed by Doctor Houghton. Their courses are nearly at right
angles to the line of bearing of the trap range.
In closing, Mr. Hubbard regrets the meagerness of his sketch
" when compared with whatever proceeded from that master mind
whose genius first developed, and whose indomitable energy tracked
through all its difficulties, a system not only intricate in itself, but
novel to science ; and in a region at that time destitute of all the ordi-
nary facilities for scientific investigation. To the same active and
philosophic mind we owe the system of the union of geological with
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 197
the lineal surveys of lands of the United States, the first experi-
mental results of which are now returned to this department."
It may be proper to add parenthetically that the system of geolog-
ico-linear surveys was continued during the season of 1846. We find
a report by William A. Burt, announcing the discovery of masses of
iron ore in the Menominee district; a report by Bela Hubbard as
deputy surveyor and geologist with S. W. Higgins as chief assistant ;
also a report by Bela Hubbard as deputy surveyor, with William
Irons as assistant. These reports, 1844, 1845, and 1846, are accom-
panied by well engraved maps of the territory covered and work
done, together with interesting views and sections illustrative of
geology and scenery. The records of these surveys are contained in
Annual Message and Documents 1849-50, part 3, pages 802-935;
but were not published before 1850. On March 1, 1847, an act of
Congress was approved, establishing " a land office in the northern
part of Michigan," and Dr. Charles T. Jackson was appointed by
Secretary of the Treasury Robert J. Walker to make a geological
report. His report is dated Boston, November 10, 1849, and is con-
tained in the same published volume as those of Burt and Hubbard,
above cited.
Expenses. The following is a financial statement respecting the
survey from the beginning, compiled from the books of the auditor
general :
Geological Survey in account witJi the State of Michigan.
DB.
1837, 1838. General purposes $16,026.00
1839. General purposes 8,329.95
1840. General purposes : 7,161.37
1841. General purposes 6,219.55
$37, 736. 87
1842. General purposes $1,263.13
Salary of State geologist 782. 87
Salary of topographer 624.53
Incidental expenses 1, 032. 82
3, 703. 35
1843. Salary of State geologist 1, 000. 00
Salary of topographer 800 00
Incidental expenses 220. 47
2, 020. 47
1844. Salnry of State geologist 1,000.00
Salary of topographer 800.00
Engraving expenses 338. 16
Incidental expenses 397. 30
2, 535. 46
198 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Geological Surrey in account with the State of Michigan Continued.
DB.
1845. Salary of State geologist to July $500. 00
Salary of topographer 639.42
Engraving 658. 92
Incidental expenses 34. 54
$1,832.88
Total payments $47,829.03
Appropriations unexpended 4, 170. 97
$52, 000. 00
CB.
1837. Appropriation $3, 000. 00
1838. Appropriation (Overdrawn March 1 $1,026.00) 12,000.00
1839. Appropriation (Balance March 1 2,644.00) 12,000.00
1840. Appropriation (Balance March 1 7,482.68) 12,000.00
1841. Appropriation (Balance March 1 13,263.23) 12,000.00
1842. No appropriation, balance being 9,559.78 0,000.00
1843. No appropriation, balance being 7,539.31 0,000.00
1844. For engraving, making balance 5, 503. 85 500. 00
1845. For engraving, balance now 4,170.97 500.00
$52, 000. 00
THE SURVEY AFTER 1845.
Gov. Alpheus Felch, in his annual message, dated January 6, 1846,
introduces some appreciative passages respecting the geological
survey, from which I present these quotations :
The geological survey of the Lower Peninsula having been completed some time
since, the final report of the State geologist upon this portion of the work, it Is
understood, was nearly ready at the last session of the legislature.
Then, referring to connection with the linear surveys, he continues :
The recent melancholy dispensation of Providence in the sudden death in the
midst of his labors and his usefulness of the faithful and efficient officer who
has held his appointment from the first organization of the department will, It
Is feared, throw many difliculties in the way of making available all the valuable
Information acquired in the various surveys and examinations.
No report of the labors of the geologist for the past season will be made to
you, nor is any person authorized to complete or finish the final report on the
Lower Peninsula, which is understood to be nearly prepared for the press.
Many valuable engravings have been prepared for this work and much expense
has already been incurred. * * *
The expenses of the geological department since its organization, including the
salaries of officers, amount to $50,779.02. The expenditures on the State Salt
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 199
Springs made uiider the direction of the department in connection with the sur-
veys amount to the additional sum of $33,996.93. 1
The geological surveys have abundantly developed the resources of the State
and exhibited the fact that in agricultural and mineral wealth and in all the
elements of true prosperity, Michigan possesses advantages excelled by no other
State in the Union. The embarrassed condition of the treasury admonishes us,
however, to avoid every expenditure not absolutely indispensable, and I submit
to your consideration whether the duties of this department are not now so far
completed as to render it expedient to bring them to a close after making the
necessary provision to preserve the information already obtained. 1
Some statements embraced in a communication from the late State
topographer S. W. Higgins, dated January 7, 1846, and addressed
to the legislature, ought here to be cited :
As, in consequence of the lamented death of Doctor Houghton, late State
geologist, some legislative action will be called for in relation to the future dis-
position of the State survey, and in the absence of the annual report from the
head of that department, I have deemed it proper to accompany this report [on
the sixth section lands] with some observations which may be important
under present circumstances.
Mr. Higgins then proceeds to state that Mr. Bela Hubbard "had
undertaken in part the preparation of the final report, for which
purpose all the field notes and other information collected during the
progress of the State survey were placed in his hands."
Mr. Higgins refers to the fact that the period originally contem-
plated for the completion of the survey expired in 1843, 3 since which
time, the State geologist, under a greatly reduced appropriation, has
continued actively at work, chiefly in the Upper Peninsula. He
repeats the statement respecting the completion of the field work in
the Lower Peninsula. He says:
A large amount of engravings and lithographs for the final report are com-
pleted and the whole, it is thought, can be finished within another year. Most
of these are in a style of art superior to anything of the kind ever executed in
this country. 4
1 This statement may unintentionally convey a false impression. While the location of
the wells was directed by geological considerations, the sinking of them was a purely
mechanical labor, which might as well have been imposed on the attorney general or the
eupcrintendent of public Instruction. Nor did the money expended on the wells advance
materially a knowledge of Michigan geology. This expense, instead of being coupled with
geological expenditures, ought, so far as the State geologist's time devoted to well boring
is concerned, to be deducted from the aggregate expenses of the survey. The same is
true of expenses incurred in making collections for the university in locating sixteenth
section lands and in running the boundary between Michigan and Wisconsin.
* It would appear that the governor had power, if he would, to appoint a successor to
Doctor Hough (on. Had he done this the machinery would not have fallen to pieces.
8 It appears to have expired Mar. 1, 1842, the last appropriation being available Mar.
1, 1841. The most obvious interpretation of the law would make the last appropriation
available Mar. 1, 1840.
4 It is greatly to be regretted that these illustrations could not have been permitted to
ee the light. I came into the State but eight years after the date of this communica-
tion, but have never been able to discover the place of deposit of these drawings and en-
travings. I found the tradition in existence as above stated ; and I think the Impression
prevails that this class of property was placed in the custody of the university. But
200 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The whole subject as set forth in the governor's message and the
communication of the State topographer was referred to a Delect joint
committee and their report constitutes document No. 15 of the ses-
sion of 1846. They present a concise and admirable sketch of the his-
tory of the survey and of its progress and results. Their statements
are appreciative and cordial and show that the labors and difficulties
of the work have been duly considered. Since 1842, they say, no
officers in the geological department have been continued in active
employment except the geologist and topographer, and they at greatly
reduced salaries. They state that the total amount expended is
$32,829.03, which falls short of the amount appropriated $7,170.97.*
Placing a value of $8,000 on the material which has gone into the
university, there is left $24.829.03 " as the entire cost of the survey
to the State. This is enough to have constructed 2 miles of rail-
road." 2
The committee describe the collections made; the work done to-
ward the completion of maps, the very superior character of the
data and the workmanship, and give a statement of the unfinished
work. They embody a strong indorsement of the plan of com-
bining linear and geological surveys. Speaking of the character
of the materials belonging to the department, they enumerate " very
voluminous collections of notes, maps, diagrams, engravings, etc. A
wall map of the State and maps of 15 counties are in the hands of
an engraver, and, in addition to the four already published others
are nearly if not quite completed, and their reception has been de-
layed only by the failure of the engraver to fulfill his contract. To
execute the engravings for the final report, the services of a wood
engraver of great reputation and skill have been secured. These
have been cut by him from drawings by the State topographer. In
addition to these are many lithographs executed on stone by the latter
officer; and it may be said, without exaggeration, that all these are
in a style of art far superior to any that have ever been produced to
illustrate a work of the kind in this country. More than two-thirds
of all these are now finished."
such appears not to have been the fact. In January. 1871, In searching the archives of
the State cnpitol I discovered, in some drawer, buried in dust and miscellaneous papers,
two or three blocks with well-executed drawings, apparently intended for the engraver.
These are now in the university museum. Possibly the remaining drawings and engrav-
ings are preserved in the capitol. It is also not improbable that drawings not completely
engraved, or engravings not paid for, remained with the engravers ; but I find It nowhere
stated who were the engravers, though a tradition exists that they resided in Buffalo
IWinchell].
1 1 deduce different resulls as shown in the exhibit already introduced. This committee
makes an error in footing up the debits of the survey, and in the credits they do not in-
clude any appropriation for 1841. Compare also Governor Felch's statements [Winchell],
*The force of this is denied from the fact that the State was impoverishing itself in
spending hundreds of thousands of borrowed money in building railroads.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 201
The committee close by earnestly recommending the continuance
of the present organization of the survey, and the appropriation of
$1,000 for the salary of the State geologist, $800 for the State topog-
rapher, and $500 for the completion of the engravings for the final
report and incidental expenses. The report is signed by J. N.
Chipman, chairman senate committee, and G. W. Peck, chairman
house committee.
A general impression had begun to prevail that the Northern Pen-
insula of Michigan was the repository of valuable amounts of copper
and iron. Adventurers and capitalists were turning their attention
to the region and some leases had been made under authority of the
United States. Accordingly, on the 25th of April, 1846, a resolution
passed by the legislature of Michigan was approved declaring that the
title to all mines of gold, silver, and other metals is vested in the State
except on lands owned by individuals and such lands as the General
Government had reserved from sale ; and providing also for the taxa-
tion of ores.
On the 15th of May, 1846, the legislature adopted a joint resolution
authorizing the governor to " appoint some competent and suitable
person to collect, collate, and arrange all the geological notes, memo-
randa, specimens, maps, topographical delineations, engravings,
barometrical and other observations, including geological surveys,
kept, taken, made, collected, and preserved for and in behalf of the
State of Michigan by the late Dr. Douglass Houghton, State ge-
ologist, and designed and intended by him to be used in making a final
geological report for the benefit of the people of said State: and from
the material thus collected and to be collected, and the requisite addi-
tional information derived from other sources, the person thus to be
appointed may be required by the governor to prepare a final report
upon the geology of Michigan." *
I have not learned that any action was ever taken under this law.
One can not help feeling that the government of Michigan committed
a crime against the people and against posterity, to allow the vast
store of records, results, traditions, and personal recollections then
extant, to lie unappreciated and pass to decay and oblivion. Bela
Hubbard was entirely competent to do justice to the demand, and
Mr. Higgins was master of the topographical problems. Mr. C. C.
Douglass was even now at work as a mining expert in the Upper
Peninsula, and many others were in possession of personal knowl-
edge which might have been made available. It must have been a
painful experience of those geologists to see the products of years
of toil and aspiration perishing before their eyes, while they sent up
1 Laws of Michigan, 1846, p. 314.
202 BULLETIN 10i>, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
unavailing cries to a narrow and parsimonious legislature to rescue
them for the credit and benefit of the State.
By a joint resolution adopted April 7, 1846, all the collections by
the late geological survey were transferred to the university. This
provision was also embodied in an act approved May 11, 1846. The
university is also in possession of standard works on geology and
paleontology, which appear to have been once the property of the
survey or of Doctor Houghton. What amount was expended by the
survey in the purchase of books does not appear from accessible
records, but I find a joint resolution, adopted February 12, 1841,
authorizing the State geologist to pay Collins, Keese, and Company,
of New York, a balance of $664.50 due for books ordered by Governor
Mason in 1837 and 1838.
The geological researches instigated and conducted by Doctor
Houghton have proved of great importance both directly and indi-
rectly in the growth of the State. The geologists were, in both
peninsulas, explorers of a wilderness, and first promulgators of
reliable information .concerning everything which makes a State
desirable or undesirable for settlement and enterprise. In the Lower
Peninsula they established the existence of extensive deposits of coal,
gypsum, and building stones, and awakened an interest and con-
fidence in the existence of copious supplies of brine, which were not
dispelled by the qualified failures at the two State wells and Lyon's
well at Grand Rapids, but survived until, under more favorable
financial auspices, investigations were reinaugurated and crowned
with marvelous success. Extensive deposits of kidney iron ore-
were disclosed, and for their working, the Union City Iron Company
was incorporated March 17, 1847. The Saginaw Gypsum Company
was incorporated March 28, 1849.
In the northern peninsula, enterprise was awakened which con-
tinued to enlarge with the progress of development, until Michigan
has assumed a leading position in the production of copper and
iron. The Pioneer Smelting Company of the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan was incorporated by the legislature March 16, 1847. The
Copper Falls Mining Company was incorporated March 16, 1848, and
on the same date acts of incorporation were approved for the North-
western Mining Company and several others. During the session of
1848, 23 mining companies were incorporated. Jacob Houghton, jr.,
gives a list of 102 mining companies in the Lake Superior region to
July 17, 1846. To the same date he enumerates about 900 locations,
leases, and permits dating from May 13, 1844, and subsequently.'
The tide of mining enterprise was now setting strongly. With what
failures and successes this industry had been prosecuted is known to
1 Mineral Region of Lake Superior, pp. 147-191.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL.
ALEXANDER WINCHELL
STATE GEOLOGIST OF MICHIGAN. 1859-61 AND 1869-71.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL, HISTORY SURVEYS. 203
the world. Whatever wealth has accrued to individuals or to the
State, whatever renown has come to the State as one of the world's
chief centers in metallic production, whatever impulse has been felt
in the progress of settlement and improvement of a remote northern
section, all springs originally from the genius which planned the
first geological survey, and the energy which conducted it in the face
of formidable obstacles and under depressing financial circumstances
during nine laborious years.
SECOND SURVEY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ALEXANDER WINCHELL, 1859-
1860 AND 1869-1871.
The first geological survey of Michigan expired by limitation in
1842; but Dr. Houghton was officially recognized as State geologist
during 1843, and some moderate expenditures were incurred under
official sanction. But in 1844 the State geologist had entered into a
contract with the General Government for prosecuting geological
explorations in the Upper Peninsula, in connection with the linear
surveys. The work was continued for one year after Doctor Hough-
ton's death in October, 1845, when a separate geological survey
was instituted by authority of Congress; and this was continued
under the directorship of Dr. C. T. Jackson during 1847 and 1848
and of Messrs. Foster and Whitney during 1849 and 1850.
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN 1859.
On the establishment of a separate chair of geology, zoology, and
botany in the university, in 1855, and the appointment thereto of
Alexander Winchell, attention was again turned to the subject of a
State geological survey. No definite action, however, was under-
taken until 1857, when a few petitions for the reinauguration of the
survey were presented to the legislature, and a bill was introduced,
which failed to pass. When the legislature of 1859 convened, 16
years had passed since the State had suffered its survey to fail;
and it was eight years since official work had ceased in the rapidly
developing regions of Lake Superior. Both the recent progress of
industrial development and the improved financial condition of the
State prompted to the reorganization of the geological survey. Ac-
cordingly, during the legislative session of 1859, petitions were
numerously addressed to the legislature, calling for a renewal of
geological work. These were referred, in the House of Representa-
tives, to a committee who called on Prof. Alexander Winchell for a
presentation of the public benefits anticipated from a survey. These
were communicated with some fullness. 1 A bill was passed which re-
ceived the signature of Gov. Moses Wisner, February 15. 1859.
1 House Document No. 29, Legislature of 1859, p. 10.
204 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The following is the text of this bill, and those passed subsequently
with reference to this survey:
An act to finish the geological survey of the State.
SECTION 1. The People of tJie State of Michigan enact, That the governor
is hereby authorized and directed to appoint a competent person, whose duty
it shall be to finish the geological survey of this State, which shall be ac-
companied with proper maps and diagrams, and shall furnish a full and
scientific description of its rocks, soils, and minerals, and of its botanical
and natural productions, together with specimens of the same; which maps,
diagrams, and specimens shall be deposited in the library of the State
University and the library of the Agricultural College, and similar speci-
mens shall be deposited in such other library (literary) and scientific
Institutions of the State as the governor shall direct. And the governor
is further authorized to appoint, from time to time, as the exigencies of the
case may require, competent persons to act as assistants, under the direction
of the geologist.
SEC. 2. A sum not exceeding $2,000 for the year A. D. 1859, and a sum not
exceeding $3,000 for the year 1860, is hereby appropriated to defray the
expenses that may be incurred under the act, which sums shall be paid out
of the treasury, from any money not otherwise appropriated, at such times
and in such sums as the governor may direct; and an account of all the
expenditures of each year shall be reported to the legislature in the same
manner as is now required by law of the State officers.
SEC. 3. The geologist appointed by the governor shall make a report to the
legislature, whenever the same is in session, setting forth generally the
progress made in the survey hereby authorized.
Approved February 15, 1859.
An act to provide for the further geological survey of the Stat.
SECTION 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That the governor,
the superintendent of public instruction, and the president of the State
board of education shall constitute a board of geological survey; they shall
control and supervise the continuance and completion of a geological survey
of the State; they shall appoint and commission a suitable person, possessed
of the requisite knowledge of the science of geology, who shall be the director
of the geological survey hereby instituted.
SEC. 2. Such director shall have the power to appoint, by and with the
advice and consent of the board, such assistants as may be necessary to per-
form the labor herein directed.
SEC. 3. The salary of the director, and of all other persons employed in
the survey, shall be fixed by the board, and shall be payable only for services
actually rendered; such board shall regulate all expenses incident to the
survey and may require from the director such frequent reports as they
may think useful.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the director to make, or cause to be made,
a thorough geological and mineralogical survey of the State, embracing a
determination of the succession, arrangement, thickness, and position of all
strata and rocks; their mineral character and contents and their economical
uses; an investigation and determination of the organic remains of the State;
a general examination of the topography, hydrography, and physical geog-
raphy of the State; an investigation of the soils and subsoils, and the deter-
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 205
initiation of their character and agricultural adaptation; the investigation
of all deposits of brines, coal, marl, clay, gypsum, lime, petroleum, metals,
and metallic ores, building stone, marble, gritstone, materials for mortar
and cement, 'mineral paint, and all other productions of the geological world
within the limits of this State capable of being converted to the uses of man.
SEC. 5. It. shall be the duty of the director to collect ample materials for the
illustration of every department of geology and mineralogy of the State and to
determine, catalogue and label the same, and prepare them for exhibition to the
citizens of the State in suitable cases in the museums of the State University
and State Agricultural College, and the State Normal School, and such other
colleges of the State as may make application to the board prior to the taking of
the geological survey, and obligate such college to pay the extra expense neces-
sarily incurred in furnishing such specimens.
SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the director to furnish annually to the board a
report of the progress of the survey, and as often as possible a condensed state-
ment of important and interesting facts for geneial circulation, and, as soon as
the progress of the work will permit, to begin, and on the completion of the sur-
vey to finish a complete memoir upon the geology of the State, under the direc-
tion of the board, embracing such an account of all its mineral and agricultural
resources as is usual in works of that character, and a delineation of its geology
upon the map of the State and such other diagrams and illustrations as may be
needed to set forth in a creditable, intelligible, and as far as possible popular
manner the nature, location, and extent of the geological and agricultural re-
sources of the State.
SEC. 7. The one-half part of all appropriations made shall be expended iu the
Upper Peninsula, and such one-half shall be devoted, among other things, to the
collection of statistics and history of the miueial, manufacturing, and transpor-
tation interests; to the compilation and preparation of full and accurate maps
showing the topography, geology, and timber, as also the position of mines, fur-
naces, roads, and improvements ; to the determination of the position and struc-
ture of the minerals and mineral rocks; to compiling and collecting all useful
knowledge that would be of practical value in finding and extracting ores, and
in mining and smelting in those districts of the Upper Peninsula known as the
iron and copper regions.
SEC. 8. All notes, memoranda, compilations, collections, specimens, diagrams,
and illustrations that may be made in the progress of such survey by the persons
engaged therein shall be the property of the State; shall be under the control of
the board and, in case of the death or termination of connection with such sur-
vey of any such person, shall be deposited in the State University, subject to
the order of the board.
SEC. 9. To carry into effect the provisions of this act the sum of $S T 000 for
each year is hereby appropriated, to be drawn from the treasury as needed, on
the warrants of the governor, which appropriation shall be in full for all ex-
penditures under this act, exclusive of the printing of tlie reports hereby pro-
vided for.
SEC. 10. This act shall take immediate effect.
Approved March 20, 1869.
Joint resolution asking an appropriation to aid the geological survey of this State.
Whereas the State of Michigan has, by a recent act of her legislature, ap-
propriated the sum of $8,000 for a geological survey of the State;
And whereas the United, States are largely interested in the rapid develop-
ment of the well-known mineral resources of the Upper Peninsula, having yet
206 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
unsold, in that portion of the State, a large area of mineral land: There-
upon, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the House of Represensatives of^the State of
Michigan, That our Senators are hereby instructed and our Representatives
requested to ask of the Congress of the United States such annual appro-
priations, not less than $8,000, for a period of three years, to aid in such
survey, as the interest and propriety of the United States, within the
limits of the State of Michigan, would seem to justify and require.
Resolved, That the governor be requested to transmit copies of the fore-
going preamble and resolutions to each of our Senators and Representatives
in Congress.
Approved March 30, 1869.
An act to amend sections 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9, and repeal sections 2 and 7 of an act
entitled "An net to provide for the further geological survey of the State," approved
March 26, 1869.
SECTION 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That sections 1, 3,
4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 of an act entitled "An act to provide for the further geolog-
ical survey of the State," approved March 26, 1869, be amended as to read
as follows:
SECTION 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That the governor,
superintendent of public instruction, and the president of the State board of
education shall constitute a board of geological survey. They shall control
and supervise the continuance and completion of the geological survey of the
State; and for that purpose they may from time to time appoint such person
or persons to assist in making said survey as may be deemed necessary; the
length of time and the location and locations where said persons shall be
employed shall be determined by said board.
SEC. 3. The salary of the persons employed In the survey shall be fixed by
the board, and shall be payable only for services actually rendered. Snch
board shall regulate all expenses incident to the survey, and may require such
frequent reports as they may think useful.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of said board to make, or cause to be made, a
thorough geological and mineralogical survey of the State, embracing a de-
termination of the succession and arrangement, thickness, and position of
all strata and rocks, their mineral character and contents and their econom-
ical uses; an investigation of soils and subsoils, and the determination of
their character and agricultural adaptation; the investigation of all de-
posits of brines, coal, marl, clay, gypsum, lime, petroleum, and metals and
metallic ores, building stone, marble, gritstone, materials for mortar and
cement, mineral paint, and all other productions of the geological world within
the limits of this State capable of being converted to the uses of man.
SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of said board to cause ample materials to be
collected for the illustration of every department of the geology and mineralogy
of the State, and to label, arrange, and prepare the same for exhibition in
suitable cases In the museums of the State University, Agricultural College,
and State Normal School, and in each of the incorporated colleges of the
State, and in a room in connection with the State library.
SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of said board to furnish an annual report of the
progress of the survey and, as often as possible, a condensed statement of the
important and interesting facts for general circulation, and as soon as the
progress of the work will permit to begin, and on the completion of the survey
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 207
to finish a complete memoir upon the geology of the State, embracing such an
account of all its uiineial and agricultural resources as is usual in works of that
character, and a delineation of its geology upon the map of the State, and such
other diagrams and illustrations as may be needed to set forth in a creditable,
intelligent, and, as far as possible, popular manner the nature, location, and ex-
tent of the geological and agricultural resources of the State: Provided, Such
report when complete and printed shall consist of not exceeding three octavo
volumes: And provided further, That said volumes shall not contain in any con.
siderable extent compilations and extracts of or from books heretofore published.
SEC. 8. All notes, memoranda, compilations, collections, specimens, diagrams,
and illustrations that may be made in the progress of such survey by the person
or persons engaged therein shall be the property of the State, shall be under
the control of the bonrd, and in case of the death or termination of connection
with such survey of any person or persons, shall be deposited in the office of the
superintendent of public insti-uction, subject to the order of the board.
SEC. 9. To carry into effect the provisions of this act the sum of $8,000 Is
hereby appropriated for each year until the completion of said survey, to be
drawn from the tieasury as needed on the warrants of the governor, which ap-
propriation shall be in full for all expenditures under this act, exclusive of the
printing of the reports.
SEC. 2. Sections 2 and 7 of an act entitled "An act to provide for the further
geological survey of the State," approved March 2G, 1SG9, are hereby repealed.
SEC. 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved April 17, 1871.
Administration. Under the law of 1859 Alexander Winchell, pro-
fessor of geology, zoology, and botany in the University of Michigan,
was duly commissioned by Governor Wisner to perform the duties of
" State geologist." His commission bore date of March 9, 1859. On
consultation with the governor respecting a plan of operation it was
agreed that the intent of the joint resolution appropriating a sum of
money for the publication of unpublished results of the former sur-
vey would be legally fulfilled by consolidating those results, if any,
with the results of the new survey, giving due credit for all the old
matter, and employing the appropriation in the prosecution of the
general work. Under this arrangement the new survey was provided
with $3,000 for 1859, as well as $3,000 for 1860. This, however, was
sadly incommensurate with the breadth of the law's requirements and
permitted only a very meager organization.
Under the plan agreed upon the State geologist was to spend six
months of the year in the field at a salary of $1,000. He was to
have one chief assistant, who should spend the same amount of time
in field work, and receive a salary of $750. Ostensibly no salaries
were to be paid for office work. The State geologist was to direct
his efforts specially to geological investigations, but was to make
zoological collections incidentally. The assistant was to direct his
efforts specially to zoological investigations, but was to make geo-
logical collections incidentally. Each was authorized to employ a
136075-20 IS
208 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
subassistant. In working up the various departments it was an-
ticipated that the volunteer services of scientific experts could be
secured, to a reasonable extent, for the privilege of retaining ex-
amples of new and rare species. The personnel of the corps was
thus constituted as follows: Alexander Winchell, State geologist,
$1,000; Manly Miles, assistant, in charge of zoology, $750; Albert D.
White, subassistant to the State geologist, expenses; E. Doge,
taxidermist and laborer, expenses and $1 a day.
Collaborators engaged: Prof. Abrain Sager, Ann Arbor, arach-
nida, myriapoda, and Crustacea; J. L. LeConte, Philadelphia, cole-
optera.
Volunteer collectors : J. H. Goodsell, Pontiac; N. H. Winchell, Ann
Arbor, botany; E. E. Baldwin, Ann Arbor, botany; E. P. Austin,
of Lake Suney, entomology.
The State geologist began field work by spending a week at the
fishing station of George Clark on the Maumee River, where two
barrels of fishes were preserved in alcohol, embracing all the forms
captured in the fishing nets, as also several skins of the larger species,
and about a bushel of Unionidae, most of which were preserved with
the animals in alcohol.
In entering upon the geological work it was deemed advisable to
make a fresh reconnoissance of all parts of the State. Since the close
of the field work in the Lower Peninsula, in 1840, the opportunities
for observation had been much increased, and the methods of geo-
logical investigation had become more exact and in other respects
improved. It was necessary, furthermore, that a geologist new to
the field should make a personal acquaintance with it preliminarily.
Accordingly, the requisites were procured for travel by private con-
veyance and for camping. On May 18, the State geologist set out
with his assistant to begin work in Monroe County. Doctor Miles,
meantime, was occupied in studying the ornithology of the Saginaw
River and Bay, with the aid of an india-rubber boat, a camp outfit,
and an assistant.
The geological reconnoissance extended during the season over
the larger part of the four southern tiers of counties of the State
and detailed studies were made at all the principal rock exposures,
particularly in Monroe, Hillsdale, Eaton, Jackson, and Kent coun-
ties. At times, for the purpose of expediting the work, Mr. White
traveled alone by private conveyance over a region with few out-
crops, and the State geologist visited important points accessible
by the public conveyances, the various railroad companies pursuing
at that time, though heavily taxed by the State, a very liberal policy
toward the State survey. Doctor Miles, after spending some time on
the Flint and Saginaw Rivers, traversed Oakland, Washtenaw, and
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 209
Livingston counties, and late in the season visited the western part
of the State.
A printed circular, addressed to the county surveyors of the State
and dated September 1, 1859, called upon them for the contribution
of topographical facts. Several valuable responses were received,
and others were put in course of preparation by the end of the year.
One of the most important and fruitful determinations made dur-
ing the season of 1859 was the identification of the fossiliferous
sandstone of Ottawa County with the sandstone of Hillsdale County,
This determination was made August 24, and was the occasion of *
radical change in the conceptions entertained of this stratigraphical
structure underlying the southern peninsula. It revealed a reap-
pearance along the southern border of the Peninsula of strata which
on the southeast had been seen to dip toward the interior and disap-
pear. It was the first inductive demonstration of that dishlike con-
formation which is now so well understood. But the evidence of
this, of course, was not yet complete. This identification placed the
limestones and gypseous deposits of Kent County in a new light, and
changed fundamentally the theoretical position of the brine-bearing
strata. The first application of these views was made October 29,
1859, in an official communication addressed by James Scribner, of
Grand Rapids, who placed it at the disposal of the city newspapers.
The following are some passages from this communication :
The sal t-and-gypsnm-bea ring formation seems to be a deposit intercalated
between the limestone of Grand Rapids and the Napoleon series of sandstones.
The salt springs of Kent county occur at the outcrop of the saliferous rocks.
* * * These pass under the city of Grand Rapids, and it is quite possible
they form a continuous deposit, underlying the central part of the State, and
reappearing on the east shore of Saglnaw County. * * * The strongest
brine would naturally be found at the lowest point of a salt basin, and the
weakest near the outcrop. The well which you have bored (at Coldbrook, a
suburb of Grand Rapids on the northeast) is consequently more favorably
situated than if farther toward the southwest; and there is a probability of
procuring still stronger brine by boring still farther toward the north or north-
east, although, from the dip of the rocks, the salt-bearing deposit would be found
more deeply seated at Coldbrook.
In reference to your question as to boring deeper in your present well
(258 feet deep), I would say, decidedly, no. The geological structure of the
region shows that you have gone to the bottom of the salt-bearing rock. The
underlying standstone outcrops in the bed of the river half a mile above
Grandville; and there is danger that in penetrating this, you will strike a
vein of fresh water and lose all you have gained, etc.
Since the failure of the salt enterprise in 1838-1842, the belief had
never been wholly dispelled that somewhere in the rocks of the State
valuable supplies of brine were held. There were many intelligent
people who felt that further experiments ought to be made, though
210 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
it was reasonable that the expense should fall upon the public
treasury. This surviving confidence in the salt resources of the
State found expression in 1857 in the petitions for a renewal of the
geological survey, and clearly entered into the motives which led to
the reorganization of 1859. More direct aid was also sought. Grand
Rapids and the Saginaw Valley, as being the sites of the early ex-
periments, were naturally centers of active interest in salt enter-
prise. At the former place, James Scribner, in 1858, had induced
the board of supervisors of Kent County to adopt a petition to the
legislature for the enactment of a law granting a bounty on all sail
manufactured in the State. Petitions were circulated and a bill wan
introduced and passed by the legislature in 1859. In the Saginaw
Valley the influence of Dr. George A. Lathrop was strongly exerted in
favor of the bill; and the power of the press was conspicuously
illustrated by the advocacy of Henry Barns, Editor of the Detroit
Tribune. Mr. Barns was a man of broad intelligence and deeply
concerned in the development of the material interests of the State.
The geological survey felt the benefit of his influence, and his name
deserves to be commemorated. The bounty law was enacted almost
simultaneously with that reviving the geological survey. It granted
10 cents a bushel for all salt manufactured in the State after the
production of 5,000 bushels, and exempted from taxation all prop-
erty employed in the business.
Under the stimulus of the bounty, the East Saginaw Salt Manufac-
turing Company was organized in April, 1859. and began boring in
June.
The Grand Rapids Salt Manufacturing Company, with James
Scribner as president, also began boring August 12, 1859. The enter-
prise at Grand Rapids was prompted by the proximity of the par-
tially successful well bored by Lucius Lyon in 1840, while one of the
Houghton State wells, also, was distant only 4 miles.
The progress of observations under the geological survey soon en-
abled the director to offer valuable suggestions in connection with
these explorations for salt. It was in compliance with one of the re-
quests for advice that the opinions were drawn up which have al-
ready been cited in reference to the salt formation at Grand Rapids.
A geological visit was paid November 10, to East Saginaw. The well
was then down 445 feet, and Doctor Lathrop submitted for exami-
nation a complete series of rock samples brought up. Comparing
these with the rocks already studied at their outcrops on three sides of
the Peninsula, the State geologist was able to detect a satisfactory
correspondence, and announced that the bottom of the Marshall
sandstone, at present known as the reservoir of the brine, would be
reached at about 800 feet, and that there would be no need of con-
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 211
tiriuing to a greater depth unless it were decided to penetrate to
the Onondaga salt formation. On the llth of February, I860, a
similar series of well borings at Grand Rapids, reaching to the depth
of 490 feet, was submitted to the State geologist for examination.
These had been preserved by A. O. Currier, E. E. Butterworth, and
Martin Metcalf. On this occasion the State geologist delivered a
public address in Lyceum Hall, in which he set forth, with greater
fullness than before, his conception of the geological relations of
Michigan brines.
On February 7 the East Saginaw Salt Manufacturing Company
presented a formal report, in which their enterprise was pronounced
a complete success. The hole was3f inches in diameter, and had been
sunken to a depth of G40 feet, at which point the brine obtained
lacked over 10 salometer degrees of saturation. This well was subse-
quently extended to GG9 feet, reaching brine within 6 of saturation;
and a subsequent larger well was carried to a depth of 806 feet, pass-
ing quite through the Marshall sandstone. This was the point which
the State geologist had previously fixed at about 800 feet.
On February 1C, 18GO, the Saginaw Enterprise published a report
from the State geologist which had been addressed to Dr. H. C.
Potter, one of the directors of the East Saginaw Salt Manufacturing
Company. 1 In this, an attempt was made to correlate the geology of
the well borings at Grand Rapids and Saginaw with the observed
geology of the State as studied at the outcrops. It supplied the first
published statement of the stratigraphy of the lower peninsula under
the conceptions which had been based on the observations of 1859.
As a historical memorandum it seems to be worthy of reproduction
in this sketch.
ROCK FORMATIONS AS OBSERVED IN 1859.
I. CARBONIFEROUS SYSTEM.
1. Coal measures, consisting of
(a) Woodville sandstone (the "overlying" sandstone).
(6) Shale, coal, fire clays, sandstones, ironstone, etc.
(o) Parma sandstone.
(d) Cherty sandstone (probaby the coal "Conglomerate").
2. Carboniferous limestone:
(a) Upper (not seen south of Grand Rapids).
(6) Red, arenaceous limestone, 5 feet.
(c) Lower (Grand Rapids, Bellevue, Parma, Spring Arbor, etc.).
3. Gypseous series (shales, clay, cherty limestone, gypsum, salt).
4. Napoleon series, consisting of
(a) Napoleon sandstone.
(&) Striped sandstone.
(c) Ironstone (not universal), 4 inches.
1 This was also included in the report of the directors to the stockholders.
212 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
It. DEVONIAN SYSTEM.
5. Marshall series (Hillsdale, Jonesville, Marshall, Battle Creek, Holland,
Point aux Barques, etc.).
(a) Marshall sandstone.
(6) Shaly micaceous sandstone.
6. Shale, abounding in kidney iron ore.
7. Monroe limestone.
An interpretation was now for the first time placed on the facts
obtained in the State salt well and Lyon's well at Grand Rapids.
As this report announced :
The State well commenced in the lower part of the Gypseous series. It struck
the Napoleon series at 61 feet, the Marshall series at 184 feet, and the shale
series at 343 feet, which it penetrated 130 feet. The boring at Lyon's well
commenced in the Carboniferous limestone, which was here 19 feet thick. It
struck the Gypseous series at 20 feet, the Napoleon series at 191 feet, the Mar-
shall series at 309 feet, the shale series at 446 feet, and continued in this 214 feet
The boring at Sagiuaw, after passing through a great thickness of alluvial and
diluvial materials, struck upon the Woodville sandstone at 92 feet, the shales.
etc., of the coal measures, at 171 feet, the Parma sandstone at 294 feet, the Car-
boniferous limestone at 399 feet, the gypseous series at 464 feet, and the Na-
poleon series at 633 feet.
Judging from the experience at Grand Rapids and from my observations on
the outcrops of the lower rocks, you will next find 250 to 300 feet of arenaceous
rocks and then over 200 feet of shales. You will not discover as strong brine
at any point lower than this which will overflow at the top. We must, prob-
ably, content ourselves in this State with raising the salt water by pumps.
* * * I believe * * * the superior strength of your brine, the compara-
tive cheapness of fuel, and your location upon navigable waters which stretch
many hundred miles in every quarter to the west of your meridian, as well as to
the east of it, will enable you to compete with any other source of supply to the
Northwestern States.
In a report to the governor on the operations and results of the year
1859 the State geologist, under date of April 9, 1860, embodied an ex-
hibit of the stratigraphical structure of the Lower Peninsula substan-
tially identical with that already cited. For that reason it is not
necessary to reproduce it here. The same interpretation was put upon
the geology of the salt wells. It will be understood, therefore, that
the order of stratigraphical successions first formulated in February,
18GO, and standing materially unchanged to the present time, was the
result of studies made in 1859. It was not yet, however, fully under-
stood that the salt group, on account of its shaly constitution, could
not hold supplies of brine within itself, but the underlying Napoleon
and Marshall sandstones must serve as reservoirs of the brine. That
conception, however, was foreshadowed, since in his report to the East
Saginaw Salt Manufacturing Company, the State geologist, speak-
ing of the arenaceous rocks and shales beneath the bottom of the well,
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 213
as it was on February 7, said : " I have some reason for believing that
this entire series is somewhat saliferous." Also, in his report to the
governor in April, 1860, he said the sandstones below the salt group
yielded the principal volume of brine at East Saginaw. The follow-
ing passage from the same report is an interesting illustration of the
value of scientific judgments in relation to industrial enterprises:
Near the close of the season (November, 1859), I visited Saginaw County
with special reference to the prospect of obtaining salt in that vicinity. After
having become acquainted with the geological succession in other parts of the
State I was enabled to predict with great confidence the depth at which the
saliferous stratum would be pierced, and I have the satisfaction of knowing
that salt was found within two feet of the depth which I had foretold.
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN 1860.
In extending a general reconnoissance over the northern portion of
the Lower Peninsula the increased expense of outfit and transporta-
tion led to a consolidation of the workers in one traveling party.
After an examination of the valley of the Cass River all expenses of
the survey were disbursed directly by the State geologist. The con-
solidated party now proceeded by Mackinac coast to an exploration
of the lake shores. From the mouth of the Saginaw River they
coasted eastward to the vicing of Forestville. Then, returning to
the mouth of the river, the survey was extended to all the coasts of the
mainland and islands as far as Cockburn's Island on the east, Lake
Superior on the north, and Northport, in Grand Traverse Bay on
the west.
Administration. The following was the field staff for 1860: Alex-
ander Winchell, State geologist, $1,000; Manly Miles, assistant, $750;
Albert D. White, subassistant, $30 a month; Newton H. Winchell,
subassistant, $30 a month ; two voyageurs, each, $30 a month.
The geological survey made an exhibit of economic minerals at
the State agricultural fair at Detroit, in September. Geologists
who have taken a hand in such exhibitions will understand how
large a waste of time they involve.
After the close of the field work for the season attention was
directed to the elaboration of reports. The disturbed condition of
the country created a presentiment that years would elapse before
another report would appear, and the State geologist determined
therefore to draw up a concise general summary of results attained.
With his characteristic enterprise, Mr. Henry Barns of the Detroit
Tribune sought and obtained, in advance of publication, a digest of
the contents of this report, so far as they related to the industrial
interests of the State. As the public printers did not present the
complete report for general use, until November 1, 1861, the advance
214 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
publications of the Detroit Tribune 1 secured a priority of over 10
months. The synoptical table of the rocks of the Lower Peninsula
published at this date, was almost identical with that reproduced
from the report on a subsequent page of this sketch. The following
views were embodied in the same digest:
From the Potsdam sandstone to the close of the upper Helderberg period,
the geology of our State corresponds well with that of New York and other
States. From the close of the Helderberg period, Michigan seems to have
had a history somewhat special to itself. We have here a basin which at very
remote periods was isolated from the seas which transported the sediments of
surrounding States.
In this connection facts were cited pointing to the northern origin
of the sedimentary materials.
Benefits. Economically the most important discovery made dur-
ing the season of 1860 was the existence of a great gypsum formation
within an elevated riclge nearly parallel with the shore of Lake Huron,
and approaching nearest at a point about four miles south of Tawas.
This was identified with the gypsum formation west of Grand Rapids.
The inference was thus drawn that a continuous bed of gypseous ma-
terials underlaid all the central part of the Peninsula ; and this opened
the way to new views respecting the origin of gypsum. This bed was
not actually exposed in this vicinity till some years afterward; and
in the meantime, it was maintained by men priding themselves as
" practical," in opposition to theorizing geologists, that the ridge con-
tained no gypsum, and that the only gypsum on the eastern slope of
the State was at Wliitestone Point, six miles further south, at the
water level and beneath it. Here, in 1841. several tracts had been en-
tered by McDonald, an Indian trader. " He and hundreds of others,"
as tradition holds, "searched vigorously, but found nothing above
water." The deposit now brought to light has become one of the
State's great resources.
Publications. The First Biennial Report of the Progress of the
Geological Survey was presented to the governor, and by him to the
legislature, on the 31st of December, 1860. Of this the legislature or-
dered printed 5,000 copies. To the State geologist for distribution
were allotted 500 copies, and to the assistant in zoology, 200 copies ; to
each member of the legislature one copy, and for distribution by the
legislature, 2.000 additional copies stitched in paper. The printing
and binding of the report were not completed until November 16, 1861.
It forms an octavo volume of 339 pages, and embraces observations
on the geology, zoology, and botany of the Lower Peninsula. An
"introduction" of 13 pages on the History of Geology in Michigan
1 It should he said that the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit Advertiser published
quite extensive extracts and abstracts from the forthcoming report.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 215
is occupied chiefly with an account of work under the direction of
Doctor Houghton, and brings together a connected statement of the
" Succession of Strata in Michigan as published in 1838-1841."
The definite exhibit of the geological succession in the Lower Penin-
sula of Michigan had never been enunciated before the results of
1859-18G1 were attained.
The Carboniferous limestone had never before been identified in the State,
but had generally been confounded with the Monroe and Mackinac limestones.
The Michigan salt group was a totally new and previously unsuspected forma-
tion. * * * The fact that the formation underlies all the central part of
the State was not only unsuspected, but was a fact out of harmony with the
theory then prevailing respecting the origin of gypseous deposits. Geologists
generally had held gypsum to be a secondary product, resulting from chemical
reactions in the rocks, and especially from the action of sulphuric acid on
limestones and dolomites. The conception of a continuous gypsum formation
having a sedimentary origin, had probably seldom if ever been entertained. 1
That view resulted from researches made in Michigan in 1859-GO,
and at this day scarcely any other finds defenders. Salt basins, there-
fore, are the sites of ancient areas of salt water which have gradually
dried up.
Before these investigations the gypsum of Mackinac and Grand
Rapids had been regarded as of one geological age. It was now
shown that the Mackinac gypsum is of the age of that in central New
York and on Sandusky Bay. It followed that the whole peninsula is
underlaid by a second and deeper salt basin the Salina formation
and that quite probably this basin would also be found a source of
brine supplies.
The report showed that the salt springs of the Peninsula follow
especially the lines of the outcrop of the principal salt basin, and
mark the geological boundary of the formation. It showed that the
area of the Peninsula had never been subjected to disturbing agen-
cies; hence the strata were but little fissured, and few opportunities
existed for the ascent of the brine from deep underlying formations.
It raised the query how brine, which is heavier than water, should be
made to ascend, as had heretofore been assumed possible, several
hundred feet through fissures accessible to shallower fresh waters,
even if such fissures existed, and showed that, of necessity, the undi-
luted brine from any deep-seated formation must be pumped up;
and that if salt water overflows at an artesian boring, it results
simply from a head of fresh water mingled with some accidental
supply of brine. It showed that the marginal salt springs of the
State are simply drippings from the salt-bearing formations, prompt-
ed by the descent of fresh waters into them, and greatly diluted by
rains falling near the locations of the springs. It showed that the
Winchell, Sparks from a Geologist's Hammer, pp. 268, 209.
216 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
salt springs of Michigan which had been the object of so much ex-
ploration, legislation and expenditure, possess no importance, ex-
cept as "licks " for wild animals, and that the 72 sections of " salt
spring lands r ' patented to the State never possessed any value above
that of ordinary agricultural lands. 1
Financial statement for 1859-1860.
Resources, 1S59.
Appropriation for survey for 1859 $2,000.00
Appropriation to publish former unpublished reports, if any 1,000.00
Total available for 1839 $3, 000. 00
Expenditures, 1859.
Salary of Stnte geologist $1,000.00
Salary of assistant in zoology 750. 00
$1, 750. 00
Incidental expenditures for geology 709. 22
Incidental expenditures for zoology
Claims presented during 1S59 $540. 78
Claims filed and paid May 18, 1SGO, for expenses in
1859 94. 58
$3,094.58
Geological property on hand $208. 00
Zoological property on hand GS. 00
$276. 00
Incidental expenditures 1859, less property on hand
Geological $501.22
Zoological 5C7. 38
Resources, 1860.
Appropriation for survey in I860 $3,000.00
Expenditures, 1860.
Salary of State geologist $1,000.00
Salary of assistant in zoology 750. 00
$1, 7HO. 00
Paid for subassistants, voyageurs, and all incidentals 1.250.00
$3,000.00
A claim, not itemized, for part of alleged expenses in zoological
department in 18GO, amounting to $164.55, was not presented till
1 WInchell. Sparks from n Geologist's Hammer, p. 270. Compare Geological Report of
1861, especially pp. 1G5, 166.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 217
April 17, 18G1, after exhaustion of the appropriation for 1859-60,
and was subsequently paid, without indorsement by the State geol-
ogist, by order of the board of State auditors.
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FKOil 1861 TO 1869.
The report of the work accomplished under the appropriation of
1859 was submitted to the legislature of 18G1 and published by its
authority, as already stated. That appropriation being exhausted,
it remained with the legislature of 1861 to determine the question of
the continuance of the survey. The country was in a state of ex-
traordinary political excitement, and business was everywhere in a
condition of partial paralysis. Nevertheless, the outgoing governor,
Moses Wisner, recommended in his message the continuance and com-
pletion of the work. Through inadvertence, the State geologist neg-
lected to furnish the incoming governor, Austin Blair, with any
digest of his forthcoming reports or recommendations respecting the
future disposition of the enterprise; nor did Governor Blair seek
any information from the director. Accordingly he made no rec-
ommendation concerning it in his message. The legislature, how-
ever, determined to keep the survey alive and appropriated $2,000
for the year 1861 and $2,000 for 1862. They also discontinued ex-
penditures for zoological work.
Unavoidably the State geologist was compelled to devote much
time and attention to the legislature, to the general interests and
reputation of the survey, and to the passage of his report through the
press. The disturbance of the country grew more and more threaten-
ing after the adjournment of the legislature, and the auditor general,
Emil Anneke. deemed it inexpedient to indorse the State geologist's
draft for expenditures to be incurred on account of field work. Fur-
ther exploration was therefore suspended. The State geologist, how-
ever, found abundant occupation in working up paleontological ma-
terials accumulated during the two preceding years, and he made
several geological trips at private expense.
Financial statement for 1861.
Legislative appropriation $2, 000
Salary of State geologist . 1, 000
Unexpended $1,000
An indebtedness of $51.87 was incurred to A. D. White for services
to April 17, 1861, which was subsequently paid by order of the board
of State auditors.
Subsequent to 1861 all State expenditures on account of the survey
were discontinued bv order of Gov. Austin Blair. The late State
218 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
geologist, however, continued to serve the people of the State as
before, and they seemed generally to regard him as still in the employ
of the State. As the Civil War, which had broken out, was generally
supposed destined to short duration, he exerted himself to preserve
for the survey a quasi existence, believing the next legislature would
be able to make fresh provision for its support. He therefore at-
tended personally to a very large correspondence, and freely advised
citizens, touching the numberless geological questions which they
presented.
In July, 18G2, he revisited the Saginaw Valley and made detailed
investigations of the borings of numerous salt wells between Sagi-
naw and Bay City. The result of this study was the conclusion that
the shallower Bay City wells were supplied from the Parma sand-
stone, though the deeper ones, like those located farther up the river,
were supplied from the Napoleon sandstone. This conclusion, to-
gether with the reasoning employed to reach it, was first announced
in the Saginaw Courier. It followed that the coal measures in Michi-
gan are a third and uppermost salt basin; and this led the way to
the subsequent generalization that the basin-shaped conformation
of the Michigan strata has caused all of them to retain a large por-
tion of their original saline constituents.
Public interest in the discovery of petroleum was now rapidly
rising, and the late State geologist made a professional and scien-
tific study of all the oil regions east of the Mississippi River. Special
studies were made of certain districts in Michigan, and his views
were embodied in sundry reports and communications to newspapers
and scientific journals. He recorded the opinion that the bituminous
shales of Wayne, St. Clair, and Sanilac counties were of the same
geological age as those within the limits of the oil region of Ontario.
He taught that the oil-yielding Genesee shale underlaid some of those
parts of Michigan, and the equivalent of the Marcellus shale was
also present. But the conditions of oil accumulation and retention
did not appear to be favorable. Still, he maintained that some pos-
sibility existed of such a rock condition somewhere in the region
as would permit the accumulation of the oil and gas which he re-
garded as undergoing constant production, and some distinct evi-
dence of which could be detected at the surface.
The subject of official resumption of the survey was canvassed
among members of the legislature of 18G3, and Professor Winchell,
by invitation, delivered an address before the body in February;
but apprehensions respecting the future of the country still re-
strained all expenditures not immediately essential. A special ap-
propriation, 1 however, of $1,500 for 18G3, and a like sum for 18G4,
Laws of Michigan, 1863, No. 212.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 219
was made to provide that a suitable person should visit the "salt
localities " of the State and " make a special survey thereof," with
direct reference to the feasibility of salt boring; also to " collect and
arrange suitable specimens of the different strata obtained from
salt borings, and the same to arrange in a suitable cabinet in some
room of the capitol." No public report exists showing the expendi-
ture of this appropriation ; and hence the way in which the proposed
work was expected to serve the interests of the State remains obscure.
In 1865 Governor Crapo brought the subject of the survey formally
before the legislature in his inaugural address. He said:
A full and complete geological survey of the State has never yet been effected,
sud when it is remembered that for every dollar heretofore expended in this
work we have received hundreds and even thousands in return, I submit to
your judgment and discretion the propriety of making such appropriations for
the speedy prosecution of the work to its final completion as its present condi-
tion and the importance of the subject demand. In my opinion the required
outlay would be fully justified, even in times like these, in view of the value of
information which would thus be acquired.
Professor Winchell, by invitation of the State Agricultural So-
ciety, delivered an address on The Soils and Subsoils of Michigan
in Representatives Hall, January 19, 1865, in the presence of the
legislature. A bill for the completion of the survey was introduced
in the house January 23, 1865, by the committee on geological sur-
vey, to whom had been referred that part of the governor's message
relating to the subject. Mr. J. Denison Lewis was chairman of the
committee and embodied in the report accompanying the bill a
communication from Professor Winchell in response to inquiries from
the committee, in which were statements touching the condition of
geological work in the State, and the desirability of its completion.
This communication was ordered printed in the journal. 1 The bill,
nevertheless, did not become a law.
In the autumn of 1865 Professor Winchell was invited by the citi-
zens of the Grand Traverse region to make a special survey and
report on the resources of the region. This work was accomplished,
and the facts brought to light proved in.many respects very extraor-
dinary and surprising. It was found that the agricultural capabili-
ties of the district in spite of the northern latitude equaled in most
respects, and surpassed in others the centra^ portions of Ohio. A
study of meteorological records showed that the anomaly was due
to an equable state of climate caused by the comparatively constant
temperature of Lake Michigan, which had to be crossed by nearly
all the cold winds of winter before reaching the State. These dis-
closures led to a very rapid development of settlement and improve-
> House Journal, 18C5, vol. 1, pp. 248-252.
220 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
ment. The business of fruit raising, which had already gained
some foothold in St. Joseph County, was at once extended north-
ward to Grand Haven, Muskegon, Manistee, and Traverse City.
The outcome has secured for Michigan a reputation for fruit pro-
duction which is known throughout the country and extends even
to the Old World.
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN I860.
In his inaugural address to the legislature of 18G9 Gov. Henry P.
Baldwin took up the subject of the geological survey, and, after ad-
verting to the efficiency of science in the development of public re-
sources, recommended the adoption of a law reviving it. Peti-
tions were received by the legislature from the Upper Peninsula,
indorsed by leading citizens of Detroit, also from Grand Eapids,
asking a liberal appropriation for completing the survey; and a bill
appropriating $8,000 for such survey was introduced in the house
by Mr. Yawkey. The petitions and the bill were referred to a joint
committee, of which Lyman D. Norris was chairman of the senate
committee, and John Q. McKernan chairman of the house commit-
tee. The joint committee canvassed the subject with much thorough-
ness and ability. Mr. Norris, especially, did the interests of the sur-
vey most important service. After a condensed historical summary
of what had been done for the development of the resources of the
territory embraced within the boundaries of the State, both while
in a territorial condition, and when but just emerged from such con-
dition, the committee recapitulated the results of the survey of 1359-
1861 as follows:
During the first year (they say) fully one-half of the appropriations was
absorbed in zoological work. The geological results then are properly chaige-
able with only $4,000. The whole two years' work was, at the request of
Governor Wisner, kept in the Lower Peninsula, principally because the means
provided was not sufficient to inaugurate effective work in the upper. * * *
The practical results of Doctor "Houghton's survey are too far from our
day to estimate, but those of Professor Winchell are nearer our time, and can
be found, more or less, in thecurrent and contemporary news of the day.
A few of the results, addressed to those members of both houses who will
hinge their vote upon the question "Will it p;iy?" your cornnrttee beg leave
to refer to. Operations for coal in Hinsdale were arrested. The citizens of
Grand Rapids were informed that if they would find brine they must go
lower to the Salina formation. The deepest and most productive salt basin
was located beneath the Saginaw Valley [the committee here refer not to the
" deepest " but to the middle onel and as the result of pure geologic induc-
tion, in remote portions of the State, before the first brine was seen ; SoO feet
was fixed as the depth at which good brine could be found [more accurately
the bottom of the brine formation! a prophecy verified almost to a foot by
Doctor Lathrop in the Saginaw Valley. A complete table of geological forma-
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTOKY SURVEYS. 221
tions of the Lower Peninsula and their equivalences with recognized groups
in the States, was, for the first time, constructed. The existence of gypsum be-
ueath n ridge of clay on the shore of Tawas Biiy was insisted oil, aud the discov-
ery of that deposit, the commercial value of which is now a matter of notoriety,
was made under the direction of Professor Wine-hell. Projected borings for
artesian water, searches for coal, gypsum, and petroleum have been favored
or discouraged, and large outlays of money saved.
The existence of three salt basins was established, the upper of which supplies
Bay City and vicinity (except the deep wells) ; the middle, the Saginaw; and the
lower, the wells at St. Clair, Mount Clemens, and Port Austin. The wells at the
three last-named places weie undertaken under the advice of the State geologist
purely upon geological calculations according to the methods of vigorous science.
In the case of the St. Clair well the communications of the geoloir-st with
Colonel Whiting as to depth, supply, and strength of brine are instructive indi-
cations of the value of science in business enterprises.
The special survey and report upon the geology and climatology of the Grand
Traverse region in JSGG-GT has been the means (though wholly a private work)
of turning the attention of the people to that country and has largely increased
its population, particularly of those interested in fruit culture under the tem-
pering influence of the waters of Lake Michigan.
More might be added, but this ought, iu the opinion of your committee, to se-
cure a liberal appropriation.
The bill introduced by the joint committee, after sundry amend-
ments, was passed by both houses and approved by the governor,
March 26, 18G9 (see p. 204). It was entitled "A bill to provide for
the further geological survey of the State." It enacted that " a board
of geological survey " should be constituted by the governor, the
superintendent of public instruction, and the president of the State
board of education; and that "they shall control and supervise the
continuance and completion of the geological survey of the State;
that they shall appoint and commission a suitable person, possessed
of the requisite knowledge of the science of geology, who shall be
the director of the geological survey herein instituted." The board
were to approve the appointment of assistants, to fix all salaries, to
regulate all expenses, and to require such frequent reports as they
might think useful.
The law required " a thorough geological and mineralogical survey
of the State, embracing a determination- of the succession, arrange-
ment, thickness, and position of all strata and rocks; their mineral
character and contents and their economical uses; an investigation
and determination of the organic remains of the State; a general
examination of the topography, hydrography, and physical geog-
raphy of the State ; an investigation of the soils and subsoils, and the
determination of their character and agricultural adaptations; the
investigation of all * * * productions of the geological world
within the limits of the State capable of being converted to the uses
of man."
222 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Another section provided for the collection and exhibition of
numerous sets of specimens. The sixth section required the prep-
aration of a final report or " complete memoir under the direction
of the board." Section 7 required that " one-half part of all appro-
priations made shall be expended in the Upper Peninsula." The ap-
propriation made was $8,000 annually.
While the bill was pending the subject was brought up in the
Board of Trade of Detroit, by whom, after a preamble reciting the
benefits of geological surveys, a resolution was adopted earnestly
recommending the passage of the bill.
Under the above law Alexander Winchell was, by Gov. H. P,
Baldwin, commissioned as " director of the State geological survey *
on April 24, 18G9.
Widely diverse State interests seemed to necessitate three geo-
graphical divisions in the operations of the survey: 1, the Lower
Peninsula; 2, the iron region; 3, the copper region. The chief min-
ing industries were included in the Upper Peninsula, and the law had
required one-half the appropriation to be expended there. The
geological board decided that all expenditures for the general ad-
ministration of the survey should be paid out of the half set apart,
for the Lower Peninsula. The work in the mining regions was sup-
posed to be more difficult and expensive. Besides, the expenditures
under the last survey had been confined to the Lower Peninsula
only, however, because the survey was terminated just at the time
when the work had reached the northern part of the State.
Property holders in the iron and copper regions were equally
anxious for the commencement of the survey, and there were indi-
cations that impatience would be the consequence of restricting the
work for a season to either region alone. The board, therefore, de-
cided at first that $2,000 should be spent in the copper region and
$2,000 in the iron region. Under this arrangement the director pro-
ceeded to Lake Superior for the purpose of making himself ac-
quainted by personal observation and intercourse " with the views,
wants, and wishes of the people in that part of the State. I found
the people of each of the metalliferous regions," Ife says in his report
to the board dated December 20. 18G9, " somewhat discontented at
not receiving the entire appropriation assigned by the legislature to
the Upper Peninsula."
It was also apparent that $2,000 a year was insufficient to main-
tain a system of field work or for entering upon any original in-
vestigations, either in the copper or the iron region. Much, how-
ever, could be done in the collection of data already on record in
the offices of the mining companies and in the possession of private
individuals. Much could be done in the discussion of such data, and
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 223
the exhibition of the vast resources of the upper peninsula to the
commercial and manufacturing world.
In accordance, therefore, with authority which I had received, 1 made a con-
ditional agreement with Hon. John H. Forster, of Houghton, to conduct the in-
vestigation of the copper region in such manner as his experience might sug-
gest as most conducive to the interests of the region, within the limits of ex-
penditure fixed by the means at disposal. At my request he subsequently sub-
mitted a plan of operations.
*******
In the iron region the director found equal regret at the necessity
of accepting a moiety so small; but the people were in a cheerful
mood, and much cordiality was manifested. The same considerations
which had prompted to select a man from the copper region for the
inauguration of the survey prompted now to select a man from the
iron region for the work of the survey. With almost complete
unanimity, Maj. T. B. Brooks was recommended for the position,
and a contract was signed June 5, under which the work was to be
performed, according to instructions by the director in consultation
with Major Brooks and approved by him. The outline of detail in
these instructions had been embraced in section 7 of the law, which
was framed by Professor Winchell on request of the joint committee.
They embraced not alone investigations of a strictly geological char-
acter, but also historical statements, statistics, and a full compilation
of facts bearing on the finding, marketing, or reducing of the ores,
including charcoal production, transportation facilities, and the like.
On reporting the results of the trip to the geological board they
" modified their previous action," as the director's report states, " in
such a way as to appropriate $4,000 to the iron region of the Upper
Peninsula for 1869, and $4,000 to the copper region for 1870. This
change rendered nugatorj 7 my arrangement with Mr. Forster; but by
resolution, the board ratified my contract with Major Brooks, with
the understanding that it was to be so modified that Major Brooks
might prosecute his work as rapidly as convenience and economy
might dictate he to receive $4,000 in full for the completion of the
work and the presentation of a report accompanied by maps, charts,
and diagrams, according to instructions before referred to."
Major Brooks accepted the modification and devoted the season to
a study of the Marquette district.
Unhappily, however, the representatives of the copper interest
felt themselves greatly aggrieved, and they held the director of the
survey responsible; but. for the present, their complaints were not
loud.
In his report of progress for 1869, Major Brooks enumerated the
following portions of work as accomplished :
13607520 16
224 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
1. A survey of the old and new Washington and Edwards mines.
extending east and west nearly 2 miles and embracing about 400
acres. The proprietors aided to the extent of $200.
2. A survey of South Mountain in sections 4, 7, and 18, in T. 46,
R. 29. Area, about GOO acres. Owners contributed $200. A com-
plete section was obtained from the Laurentian granite on the north-
east to the same rocks on the southwest. Two complete " magnetic
sections " were also obtained.
3. A survey of the Lake Superior and Barnum mines. The
owners provided for the topographical and working map.
4. The Cannon Iron Company's lot. sec. 28, T. 47, R. 30, was simi-
larly surveyed. The company contributed $50. Area, 300 acres.
5. Iron Cascade property, 3^,120 acres, in T. 47, E. 26 and 27, had
been surveyed before the origination of the State survey.
6. Michigamme Lake and vicinity, including the Champion mine
on the east and the Spur Mountain on the west. The survey was
interrupted by close of season.
7. The Cleveland mine. This remained to be surveyed and mapped
by the company's engineer during winter of 1869-70.
8. The New England and Parsons mine and the opening made in
sec. 16, T. 47, R. 27, by the Lake Superior Iron Company were to be
grouped in one map. This would receive the geology, which had
been completely worked out.
9. The Foster and Tilden mines, surveyed by Major Brooks three
years previously, required limited resurveys.
10. The Collins Iron Company's lot, SW. i, sec. 2, T. 47, R. 27, had
been carefully examined geologically; but no topographical map
was as yet available.
11. The old Michigan mine, sec. 18, T. 47, R. 28, was in precisely
the same condition.
The above mines and properties were intended to be delineated
each on a separate map, and the whole work was now something
over half done. Major Brooks enumerated among those who had
rendered efficient aid Edward Breitung, D. G. Johnson, E. R. Liver-
more, and A. W. Maitland.
In organizing for work in the Lower Peninsula [says the director's report for
1SG9] I appointed as assistants, Profs. A. E. Dolbear and E. A. Strong. Pro-
fessor Strong devoted only some portion of the summer months to his work.
He made examinations and collected specimens in various parts of Kent and
Ottawa Counties. He submitted a report accompanied by a map, dingrams, and
a box of fossils. Professor Dolbear was to take charge of the field work in
the northern part of the Lower Peninsula and contiguous shores of the Upper
Peninsula. Prof. N. H. Winchell and Prof. E. Hannel were added as amnteur
assistants. With this party I proceeded to Traverse City on the 1st of July,
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 225
where we secured the principal articles of an outfit for field work. Oil our way
there we had the opportunity to spend some time in Muskegon and Manistee and
Its vicinity. Having fully organized, we effected first, a very thorough investi-
gation of Little Traverse Bay and its vicinity, collecting over a ton of speci-
mens, which reached the headquarters of the survey in safety.
The hardships and perils of the work proving more serious than some of the
party had anticipated, Professors Dolbeur and Huanel withdrew and returned
home. To meet the exigency thus enacted, I appointed Prof. N. H. Winchell
to act as assistant during the remainder of the year.
Having refitted at Charlevoix and employed the requisite laborers, he pro-
ceeded under written instructions to make a geological and general survey of
the shores of the inland waters accessible by the mouth of the Cheboygan River.
This hydrographic system reaches within a quarter of a mile of the head of
Little Traverse Bay.
While in the Grand Traverse Region I had made arrangements for an over-
land survey of the interior of some of the northern counties, which with some
modifications, were put in execution on the 1st of September. Prof. N. H.
Winchell and A. S. Wadsworth, having secured the requisite outfit, proceeded
from Elk Rapids on foot, through the wilderness, to Otsego Lake, in Otsego
County. This region embraces the headwaters of the Sable emptying into
Lnke Huron and of the Manistee emptying into Lake Michigan. On the head-
waters of these streams they constructed a couple of canoes, in one of which
Prof. X. H. Winchell, with an assistant, descended the Au Sable, while with the
other Mr. Wadsworth, with his assistant, descended the Manistee. Each inves-
tigated the geology of the river bank and the contiguous country, and made note
of all facts bearing upon the value of the region traversed, for lumber or culti-
vation, or for the purposes of a railroad thoroughfare.
Mr. N. H. Winchell having completed the survey of the Sable and some tribu-
tary streams, proceeded to Alpena and thence overland with his- canoe, to Hub-
bard's Lake, whence he descended through Hubbard's River to Thunder Bay
River. The latter i-iver and its vicinity were also surveyed to the distance of
some 20 m!les from the mouth, and some extensive inland trips were performed.
On the last of October the advent of snow and frost terminated field labors for
the season.
Mr. Wadsworth having completed the survey of the Manistee, devoted the
remainder of the season to the Little Manistee and Pere Marquette Rivers. Re-
turning to Traverse City, he drew up a map of the Grand Traverse region which
exhibits in detail the distribution of the pine timber within the limits of the
region, and submitted it in connection with his field notes.
In August I made an excursion with Mr. N. H. Winchell and Mr. M. W.
Harrington to Widder and Bousanquet in Ontario, for the purpose of compara-
tive observations on some remarkable outcrops of the Hamilton Group, and for
collecting a store of fossils. In both respects the excursion was very successful.
I subsequantly visited the islands on the western part of Lake Erie, where I
was joined by J. S. Newb3rry, director of the geological survey of Ohio. The
geology of these islands throws much light on that of southern Michigan; and
this trip enabled me to add a new formation the Lower Helderberg group to
the geology of the Lower Peninsula. I accompanied Doctor Newberry to San-
dusky and Cleveland. At the latter place I had the opportunity of examining the
collections of the Ohio survey especially from the Waverly sandstone which
r nm pleased to state, fully sustain positions which I have long held respecting
226 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the geology of the west, in opposition to the views of some high geological
authorities.
I have also embraced opportunities to extend my personal observations into
Jackson, Eaton, Ingham, Shiawassee, Saginaw, Ottawa, Allegan, La peer, and
Hillsdale Counties, in all of which I have aimed to supplement observations
heretofore made by me, either in a public or private capacity. * * *
Opportunities for the collection of archaeological information
were not neglected. Some mounds in Montcalm County were opened
under the direction of J. B. Steere, and descriptions of the contents
drawn up. Mr. Steere also supplied a collection of shells from Ionia
County. Assistants Wadsworth and Winchell wrote for various
newspapers popular accounts of the regions explored by them. Thus
descriptions appeared of the Manistee River and Valley ; one on the
Pere Marquette ; one on the Sable ; one on the Cheboygan region ; and
others on other portions of the State. Mr. B. F. Childs, of Hough-
ton, was engaged to supply photographic views for the final report.
Mr. J. H. Emerton had executed 289 drawings of organic remains.
The director had carried forward and completed a paleontological
investigation which had been several years in progress. For the pur-
pose of securing unity and method in the prosecution of the various
departments of the work, the director drew up and published a full
plan of the operations of the survey.
Geological corps for 1869. Alexander Winchell, director in
charge of the general geology, the paleontology, and the physiog-
raphy of the State; T. B. Brooks, assistant; Newton H. Winchell,
assistant field explorer and laboratory adjunct. Mark W. Harring-
ton, assistant laboratory adjunct and collaborator in phaenoganic
botany, entomology, and ornithology. E. A. Strong, assistant field
explorer and collaborator ; A. S. Wadsworth, assistant field explorer.
J. H. Emerton, draftsman. J. N. Armstrong, topographer and
adjunct to Major Brooks ; Oliver Newton, assistant to Major Brooks,
surveyor; Heberlein, assistant to Major Brooks, topographer
Lake Superior Mine. Collaborators: J. B. Steere, archaeology and
conchology; W. J. Beal, cryptogamic botany; S. S. Garriques, salt
statistics; C. B. Headley, statistics of lumber and fisheries, eastern
slope; D. D. Hughes, ornithology; B. F. Childs, photography; Wil-
liam H. Bruckner, chemist; J. G. Ramsdel. fruit statistics, north-
western slope.
Financial statement for 1869.
Appropriation for Upper Peninsula $4,000.00
Total drawn to Dec. 20, 1869 $1, 800. 00
Balance of appropriation 2,200.00
$4, 000. 00
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 227
Financial statement for 1S69 Continued.
Appropriation for Lower Peninsula $4,000.00
Salary of director, eight months, to Dec. 31 $1, 000. 00
Salary of N. H. Winchell, six months, to Dec. 31 500.00
Salary of M. W. Harrington, five and one-third months.. 222.22
Salary of E. A. Strong 100.00
Salary of A. S. Wadsworth, 62 days 243. 00
Salary of J. H. Emerton, two and two-third months, to
Dec. 31 408.00
Laborers 260. 25
Sundries to Dec. 20 775. 00
Permanent outlay (still on hand) 135.00
Further expenses belonging to this year (approximately) __ 40. 00
Total approximate expenditures $3,688.47
Balance to next year (approximately) 311.53
$4,000.00
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN 1870.
On March 31, 1870, a meeting of the geological board was held
in Detroit, at which the director explained his proposed plan of
operations for the season. It consisted of the following features :
1. A survey of the Peninsula west of St. Mary River in the Upper
Peninsula, by A. S. Wadsworth.
2. A survey of the coast of the Upper Peninsula from Point Seul
Choix westward to Escanaba, by N. H. Winchell. A rendezvous to
be made at Charlevoix about May 15.
3. Completion of the survey of the Thunder Bay region, by N. H.
Winchell. Survey to begin September 1.
4. Collection of statistics of the fisheries, the forest and its prod-
ucts, from Cheboygan along the coast to St. Clair, by Charles B.
Headley, at a cost of $125.
5. Collection of statistics of salt, with investigations and discus-
sions, by S. S. Garrigues. Expense not to exceed $100.
6. Survey of Higgins and Houghton Lakes and the valley of the
Muskegon River, by A. O. Currier. Expense not to exceed $150.
7. Collection of statistics of fruit production in Berrien, Van
Buren, Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, and Mason counties,
by H. S. Clubb. Traveling expenses only to be paid. (A later
agreement embraced the whole western shore of the State and in-
volved an expenditure of $100.)
8. Collection of statistics of fruit in Manistee County, by Judge
J. G. Ramsdell.
9. Collection of statistics of fruit, lumber, the forest, and fisheries
from Manistee County to Duncan, by A. S. Wadsworth. Expense,
$3 a day.
228 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
10. Completion of the survey of the Marquette iron region, bj
T. B. Brooks, under contract of 1869.
11. Survey of the developed portions of the copper region, by E.
Pumpelly.
The foregoing plan, in all its features, was fully approved by
vote of the geological board.
It had been the wish of the director to intrust the survey of the
copper region to John H. Forster, a local geologist of good repute,
with whom an agreement was reached in 1869. as already stated,
before the board had determined to postpone the copper survey to
1870. But Governor Baldwin had promptly negatived his employ-
. ment and expressed a wish that Professor Pumpelly be nomi-
nated. The director had already discovered indications of serious
disaffection in the copper region, and felt that conciliation would be
wise; but, acquiescing in the governor's judgment, he nominated
Professor Pumpelly and the board made the appointment. Un-
doubtedly, the best interests of the survey would have been sub-
served by this selection if the offended temper of the copper region
had not withheld cordial cooperation.
Before this hostility became fully known, however, a contract was
signed with Professor Pumpelly. This was dated May 28, 1870,
and $4,000 was the sum stipulated for compensation and expenses.
It required, in addition to the specific work of geological investiga-
tion, that the report should treat of " all those matters which con-
cern the well-being and prosperity of the copper regions as such."
Professor Pumpelly left Ann Arbor for his field of work on the
same date.
In the iron region the work of Major Brooks was continued at
his private expense, since the whole appropriation available had
been absorbed in 1869.
The work in the Lower Peninsula, and in some of the nonmetallif-
erous regions of the Upper Peninsula, was carried on in accordance
with the plan already stated. Under this plan the entire expense
of the general direction of the work, and of the general investiga-
tions in the climate, the physiography, and fruit, lumber, and farm-
ing statistics was developed on the moiety of the appropriation as-
signed to the Lower Peninsula.
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN 1871.
In his message presented to the legislature, January 4, 1871, Gov.
H. P. Baldwin, referring to the geological survey, said :
The director Immediately (after his appointment) entered npon the discharge
of his duties. Detailed plans for a systematic and most thorough exploration
of the whole State were made, and two corps of assistants one for each Penin
TOla were organized.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 229
This important work has been carried forward as extensively and rapidly as
the limited appropriation would allow. The results of the researches already
made, and the work accomplished, will far more than repay the expenditures.
* * * The value of these investigations aud researches is of a permanent
character, and not confined to any one section or interest of the State.
The report of Professor Winchell will be laid before you and will be found
full of interest. It also contains a carefully prepared estimate of the cost of
properly completing this important work, undertaken by the State. I respect-
fully submit to your consideration whether it may not be advisable somewhat to
increase the annual appropriation for this purpose, rather than prolong the
survey for a series of years.
No provision was made in the act of 1869 for printing or publishing the docu-
ments or reports which might be made from time to time. For information on
this subject, I refer you to the report of the director. These reports, to be of
service, should be published. I recommend that the State geological board be
authorized to publish these reports when prepared by the director, and that
proper appropriations be made therefor.
In pursuance of these recommendations the senate committee on
geological survey, of which J. L. Morton was chairman, introduced,
as early as January 16, bills making appropriations for publication
and for the continuance of the work. These were accompanied by a
highly appreciative and complimentary report, but far too rhetorical
for usefulness. These bills passed through the committee of the
whole, and were adopted January 19. The bill appropriating funds
for publication received but one negative vote, and that for con-
tinuance of the survey but five negative votes. The house on Jan-
uary 17 appointed a committee to invite the director to deliver an
evening address. On January 25 measures similar to those adopted
by the senate were introduced in the house, accompanied by a highly
appreciative report from the committee, of which Ira E. Grosvenor
was chairman. These were referred to committee of the whole and
placed on the general order.
In view of the favorable prospects, the director improved the op-
portunity offered by a trip to New York to institute some precise
inquiries in reference to publication. On February 25 he entered
into some definite but conditional negotiations with Julius Bien for
printing and illustrations. The general form and style were to be
those of the report of the fortieth parallel which was then in progress
through Mr. Bien's establishment. Some of the maps to accompany
the reports on the iron and copper regions were placed in Mr. Bien's
hands.
Meanwhile, influences unfavorable to the continuance of the sur-
vey were at work, and learning that these were due to his attaching
so much importance to the climatic elements of the State's natural
resources, the director prepared hastily a pamphlet of eight pages,
embracing two isothermal charts, for January and July, with a
230 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
small amount of explanatory text. The charts were announced as
illustrations of the paper on " Isothermals " appended to the " Re-
port of Progress." This pamphlet brought to view as sharply as
possible such facts as the following :
Extreme cold at Milwaukee is 34 below extreme cold at Grand Haven. This
difference is all that distinguishes between fruit-bearing region and one in
which fruits fail. The growing season begins at Grand Haven 6 to 13 days
earlier in the spring than it does at Milwaukee, and continues 5 to 8 days later
in the autumn. The great climatic facts touched upon in this paper and more
fully set fortli in my Report of Progress possesses the utmost practical im-
portance. * * * These facts are not known to the world. * * * The
climate of our State is one of its greatest natural resources. To make this
resource known to the world is an eminently practical work, etc.
A copy of the pamphlet was laid on the table of each member.
On March 14, on motion of Mr. Grosvenor, the house voted the
use of the hall to the director for the purpose of an interview with
the members, but without favorable result.
On March 16 there was introduced a report from which the fol-
lowing passages are extracted:
It seems desirable that the act passed at the session in 1869 should be
amended as provided by this bill; for the reason that an investigation is pro-
vided for in said act, in regard to a large number of subjects not belonging
strictly to a geological survey, such as hydrography, climatology, meteorology,
topography, magnetography, and physical geography of the State.
There is also a provision in the act of 1869, above referred to, authorizing
the "compiling and collecting of all useful knowledge" in relation to certain
matters therein contained. This, in the minds of your committee, is a serious
objection to the act, and an amendment is incorporated in the bill herewith
reported, to obviate the same. A large amount of useful knowledge is contained
in books heretofore published by various authors, and not only in a convenient
form, but the books are easily to be obtained by the people who desire the in-
formation. * * *
From the best information that your committee has been able to obtain in
relation to the matter intended for publication, now in the hands of the geo-
logical board, they are of the opinion that the great bulk of the same is objec-
tionable, for the reasons above stated; that it will be necessary to rearrange
and condense it before the same is fit for publication : that, in fact, there is now
nothing in readiness to be incorporated in the final report of the geological
survey.
Your committee would, therefore, report said joint resolution back to the
House without amendment, and recommend that it do not pass.
Your committee would also report said bill back to the House without
amendment, and recommend that it do pass. * * *
The joint resolution, which provided for publication, was laid on
the table ; and the bill for continuing the survey was ordered printed,
referred to committee of the whole and placed on the general order.
On March 18, on motion of Mr. Grosvenor. the joint resolution
was taken from the table and referred to the committee on education,
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 17
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 231
of which C. B. Grant was chairman. Mr. Grant reported April 12
with an amendment. The latter was concurred in, and, after a fur-
ther amendment, the resolution was lost by a vote of 34 to 46.
The house having by formal vote on March 18 refused to provide
for the publication of the results of the survey, the director, on
March 21, filed his resignation with the board, and on April 20
turned over, at a meeting in Detroit, all property of the survey re-
maining in his hands, and made a final settlement. 1
It may be added that the house bill amending the law of 1869, in-
troduced after various references and amendments, was passed April
11, concurred in by the senate April 12. and approved by the gov-
ernor April 17. The effect of the changes introduced was to lodge
the entire directorship in the hands of the geological board; to
eliminate all investigations in paleontology, topography, physical
geography, and climate ; and it provided that the final report should
not exceed three octavo volumes, and that they " shall not contain,
in any considerable extent, compilations and extracts of or from
books heretofore published." 2 The appropriation of $8,000 annually
was continued and made payable until the completion of said survey. 8
THIRD SURVEY UNDER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 1871-1900.
Organisation. Under the board of directors authorized by the
law of 1869, Dr. Carl Rominger, of Ann Arbor, was appointed di-
rector of the survey in 1871 and served until 1885. During the first
year of his incumbency Major Brooks and Professor Pumpelly were
continuing their researches in the westem part of the Upper Penin-
sula, and for a time he was assisted by "several young men of the
university who were recommended, * * * but none of them
1 This resignation, as the writer [Doctor Winchell] views the history of the time in the
perspective of 16 years, appears to have been ill advised. The director, sure that he was
right, nnd about to suffer wrong at the hands of others, should have held his post ; and
the geological board, under whose sanction every step had been taken, and who were
ultimately responsible for everything, should not have accepted the resignation, but
should have stood In a manly way to the defence of the director and the plan of the sur-
rey. The house might not, perhaps, have been induced to take different action, though
that is by no means probable ; but in the conflict, some discussion would have ensued,
and some facts cunningly hidden would have been brought to light. Personal injustice
would have thus been averted or duly exposed, and the true interests of the State would
not probably have been compromised as they were. The resignation was prompted by
disgust at the tricks of demagoguery, and a desire to avoid the distractions of a conflict.
The act involved the practical loss of the results of several years labor, and left a moral
Impression which time was not destined to efface.
* It is not entirely clear what features in the proposed plan this prohibition was aimed
at. The clause quoted in the report would make it appear that the requirement to com-
pile and tabulate all information useful to the iron and copper industries was the of-
fensive provision ; but the discussion led to the belief that it aimed also at compilatioiiK
of meterological and topographical data.
The director's estimate of $61.300 for the completion of the field work was thought
an astounding extravagance ; nevertheless, the State in 16 years has already expended
$128.000 besides appropriations for publications.
232 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
stayed with me over two or three weeks before they left, finding the
occupation not so pleasant to them as they expected; and for my
part, seeing not much benefit from their help in consideration of the
considerable increase of the expenses, I concluded to go on with the
work alone, simply assisted by ordinary laborers as packers, boat-
men, and cooks."
The following summary of the methods pursued and results ob-
tained is taken from Doctor Rominger's manuscript notes:
As a continuation of the survey in the Lower Peninsula did not,
under the then existing circumstances, seem to promise very im-
portant additional results, active operations were discontinued in
the area, and his efforts confined chiefly to examining the azoic
areas of the Upper Peninsula, a work which had been left in-
complete by Brooks and Pumpelly. He here soon became convinced
that this greatly disturbed and complicated complex of rocks could
not be satisfactorily studied without first making a detailed study
of a small area which should serve as a type and guide for subse-
quent work in the larger ones. He therefore selected an area near
Marquette, where nearly all the members of the azoic series were
displayed for the detailed study. As no good topographic map of
the region existed he undertook to construct one for himself, using
the Government Land Office maps as a base. In determining the
position of hills, watercourses, and the larger rock exposures, he
measured the distances by pacing, and the directions by the ordinary
hand compass, taking section corners and quarter posts as initial
points for the measurements, and at the same time making his geo-
logical obervations. In this way he surveyed over 200 square miles
from the shores of Marquette westward. Commenting on this work
later, Rominger remarked :
I candidly confess that had I to do this over again I would no more attempt
perform all the work myself, but would employ someone else to do the counting
of steps and observing the compass while I was engaged with the examination
of the geological features. Both occupations combined are too severe a strain
on body and mind. On the other hand, I nm satisfied that this mnriu* operand*
brought many things under my observation which otherwise would have es-
caped it.
The map prepared in this way, it should be stated, is the one issued
in connection with the fourth volume (1880) of the survey reports.
During the seasons of 1880-1882 Rominger continued his examina-
tion of the azoic rocks near Lake Gogebic in the western part of the
State, though a portion of the time was spent in a reexarnination of
the Fetch Mountain. Menominee, and Marquette districts. During
the summers of 1883 and 1884 he devoted himself exclusively to the
examination of the copper-bearing rocks on Keweenaw Point and in
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 233
the Ontonagon and Porcupine Mountain districts. Rominger's final
report, comprising the result of his last four years of work, was
transmitted to the board of directors early in February, 1885. In
April following he was superseded as State geologist by Mr. Charles
E. Wright, of Marquette.
Salary and expenses. The salary of the State geologist through-
out Rominger's incumbency was $2,000 a year. The sum of $8,000
for each year of the survey was appropriated with the expectation
that special appropriations would be made to pay the cost of pub-
lication. The two volumes published in 1873, at an expense of some
$20,000, were thus paid for, but the volume of fossil corals, costing
some $17,000. was paid for out of the unexpended balance of the
appropriations, the expenses of the survey during 1874, 1875, and
1876 being not over $3,000 a year. The report issued in 1880 at a
cost of upwards $4,000, was likewise paid for out of the survey ap-
propriations. The total expenses of this survey are given on p. 238.
Distribution of publications. According to the law every school
and scientific institution in the State which was already in possession
of a library of 1,000 volumes should receive the reports free of
charge. Scientific men and institutions outside of the State were
likewise favored at the discretion of the board. The remainder of
the edition was to be sold at cost price. The edition of the report
of 1873 (two volumes) was 2,000 as was also that of 1876 and 1880. 1
1 It would appear from the following that these seemingly generous intentions
were not carried out :
DRESDEN, SAXONY, July 2, 1875.
Hon. JNO. J. BAGLEY, Governor.
DEAB SIB : Yours of 10th inst. regarding distribution of the geological reports
relating to the Upper Peninsula, is at hand, and I am delighted to learn that
you have not entirely abandoned the idea of sending some of them abroad. The
work was placed in your hands for distribution a year ago, and yet, judging by
the letters enclosed, not one has yet been received on this side, Michigan enjoy-
ing the unenviable position of being the only civilized State in the world which
has neglected to send her reports to the great libraries of Europe.
The Missouri and Ohio reports which appeared, the one nearly simultaneous
with ours and the other some time after, have not only been sent to the libraries,
but to the periodicals and were reviewed in England and on the Continent
months ago ; the attention of the people of Europe being thus called in the most
effective manner possible to the resources of those States, and the advantages
they offer for settlement and investment.
Geological boards outside of Michigan do not seem to regard their reports as
intended exclusively for " home consumption." This policy seems to be hi
especially bad taste in Michigan, where a very large part of the brains, muscle,
and money expended in the development of her resources came from outside the
State.
Another use to which I believe a few copies of all geological reports here-
tofore published in the world, except those of Michigan, have been put, Is In
234 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Museum. The law provided for the collection of geological and
mineralogical specimens to be deposited in the museums of the State
university, the agricultural college, and the normal school.
Under Professor Wright's administration field work during the
season of 1885 " was confined chiefly to the north of township 48, and
paying those debts of honor and courtesy which every survey has, in the nature
of things, to contract in procuring needful information of various parties pos-
sessing it, but which can not be paid for in money. This was especially the
case in the Marquette iron region, where there is no public record of mining
and prospecting operations, no former surveys of which much use could
be made, and where the small sum available for the work made it
impossible for the survey to do all that was required. The result was,
I was obliged to draw on the people and corporations interested and possessing
the knowledge for a large part of my material. One furnished analyses, an-
other private maps, others specimens, another history and statistics, others had
special surveys made at my instigation, and gave the entire results to the State
work. The result was the accumulation of 20 times more material (much of it
yet unpublished) than all that had been accumulated before on the subjects
embraced within the scope of the survey. There was manifestly but one way
to repay these parties: First, to give them full credit for the assistance in the
report, which I have endeavored to do in the introduction; second, to present
them with a copy of the work which, as practically none were placed at my dis-
posal, was the business of the board, and to facilitate the work I gave them a
manuscript list of the parties named in the report, with their addresses (not
the larger list prepared at the request of the board), and have since, both in
letters and conversation, pointedly called their attention to the subject.
At the end of a year many of these parties have not received the report or
any communication from the board on the subject, others have received the first
volume and atlas, the second volume, which relates exclusively to the iron
region, being withheld; others have only received the reports as the result of
special effort on their part and mine to procure copies for them. Others, in
answer to their communications, have been told they could have the work for
$15, which they have bought. Others have had no notice whatever taken of
their communications on the subject, being placed in this regard in the same
category with the State geologists. I speak by the card on all these points.
In short you seem to have paid no attention whatever to the obligations of the
State to these parties. I trust she does not mean to repudiate any part of this
debt. For the time being I am placed in a very awkward position toward these
people, having acted as agent in securing the loans.
Those parties who have received the reports have not done so in virtue of
having been mentioned by me, but because they accidentally came within the
scope of your plan of distribution whatever that may be.
I know that Immediately on its publication complete copies were sent to
every newspaper in Michigan. With but half a dozen exceptions, those papers
are not read by people who have the slightest interest in the mines of the Upper
Peninsula, while the newspapers and periodicals, east and west, which are read
by those who own and administer the mines, and consume the ore, have never
seen or heard of the work. One of these editors sold his copy to a Michigan
furnace superintendent, who could not get one for $5. Another prominent Lake
Superior mining man was presented with a copy by a " crossroad " politician, on
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 235
from ranges 25 to 33, inclusive; that is, to the country to the north
of the M. H. & O. Railway to the lake between Marquette and
L'Anse, covering over 700 square miles of unexplored land." Un-
fortunately Wright died of pneumonia in March, 1888. According
to Professor Wadsworth, who succeeded him, while he had planned
and laid out the work on a broad scale, he had delayed putting his
whom it had been thrust, who had not taken interest enough in the work to
open the package in which it came.
Men who have tens of thousands invested in Michigan mines, and who have
devoted their lives to their development, thereby bringing the State to the front
rank in its mineral productions, must buy the report, or procure it at a late
date by political influences or special effort; while petty editors and officeholders
und political wirepullers, who can control a few votes, have it thrust on them
at the earlist possible moment. Some copies of a State publication must, I
suppose, be wasted on such people, but I believe they should be served after,
and certainly not to the exclusion of people who really want to know something
of the mineral wealth of Michigan and how to develop it; and also after those
libraries and periodicals, whose business it is to teach the world scientific truth.
If you wish to know why I take the liberty of criticising you severely in this
matter I will tell you: To say nothing of the personal slight 1 can't look on
it as less of being entirely ignored in this matter of the distribution of my
report by one who came into the administration of the survey when it was
nearly completed, I ask your attention to the fact that I have nearly $3,000 in
money, in addition to services which would have commanded $10,000 in the
open market, invested in this work, besides to a great extent my reputation,
which money can not measure. I have tried very hard to do my whole duty in
this business and have spared neither my time, money, or personal sacrifice.
You can therefore judge of my feelings when some of the most estimable men
I know in and out of Michigan write me that my work has been used as a
" campaign document"
I am tired of writing letters explaining that you are a very busy man and
that if they will wait patiently justice will in the end be done.
Unless you furnish me something else to say, and that promptly, I shall in
future answer these people with a copy of this letter, which meantime I send
to Mr. Baxter, who may be as much to blame as you, for aught I know.
Very truly, yours,
(Signed) T. B. B.
P. S. To answer your question I can add nothing to what I said last sum-
mer. The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C., is the usual channel
through which such documents are distributed to foreign societies and libraries.
I bought a copy and sent It to Sweden.
I do not believe my friend, Sir W. Williams, who is already interested in
Lake Superior, and is very desirous of knowing more of it, will feel compli-
mented by having a copy sent him on which he will have to pay not less than,
say, $10 expenses. He will soon be able to buy the books in London, second-
hand, cheaper.
I will undertake to distribute any copies sent me, provided I have full author-
ity to draw on you for the actual cost, which I conceive would be small on a
number of copies which could be sent as common freight through Baldwin Bros.,
72 Broadway, New York. This Is a central point for the whole of Europe.
236 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
results in writing except in a very minor degree. Being by nature
cautious, he had endeavored to look over every part of the field be-
fore committing himself. After he had grasped the work in all its
details, it was usual for him to put it into manuscript form with
great rapidity, but in this instance "he gave himself no rest, but
worked on and on until his vital force was exhausted, when he was
taken away almost as suddenly as though struck down on the field
of battle." As a result all his maps, field notes, specimens, and sec-
tions, indeed practically all the work accomplished except that of
organization, were almost valueless.
With the death of Wright, as already intimated, Dr. M. E. Wads-
worth, president of the School of Mines, at Houghton, became State
geologist. Work was resumed during the season of 1888 in T. 43 N.,
R. 35 W., this point being selected on account of the field work hav-
ing in large measure been completed westerly from Marquette to a
line drawn from Iron River village northwardly to the south end
of Keweenaw Bay, near L'Anse. During this season he covered the
ground lying between Iron River and Lake Gogebic on the west and
from the State boundary to township 46 on the north. Considerable
attention was devoted to settling problems in connection with Mr.
Wright's work. In his annual report for this year (1888-89) Doctor
Wadsworth writes that thus far some 70 townships have been ex-
plored and their geology mapped with sufficient accuracy so that
preliminary maps might be published such as would serve as great
aid to the explorers. During the season of 1889-90 the work of
mapping the area west of Gogebic Lake and south of the copper-
bearing rocks and sandstones was completed, and township No. 45
surveyed. The published boundary of the copper-bearing rocks
with the eastern sandstone, between Bete Gris Bay and southwest-
erly to Gogebic Lake, was also rectified, and careful excavations and
surveys undertaken to ascertain the exact relations of the two for-
mations. In 1890 the gold district was studied and special work
was done in the Marquette iron region. In 1891 and 1892 field work
began at Champion and the adjacent district and extended south of
Clarksburg to Palmer and the vicinity of Negaunee. Later it was
extended into the Huron Mountain district and into the limestone
region in the vicinity of L'Anse, and the South Trap Range from
Silver Mountain through to Lake Gogebic. Parties were also en-
gaged in the Crystal Falls, Iron Mountain, Quinnesec, Norway, and
Felch Mountain areas. In 1892 the work on the gas and salt wells
begun under Wright's administration was continued.
Personnel. Doctor Wadsworth 's term of service as State geologist
came to an end in 1893. Up to 1888 no geological assistant had been
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS.
237
employed. In that year A. E. Seaman, who had previously served
as topographer and woodsman, became assistant geologist, and in
1888 A. C. Lane was added to the force as petrographer. In 1890
the force was further increased by the addition of H. B. Patton, and
in 1891 by L. L. Hubbard, all of the last three being petrographers
with European training.
The expenses under Wadsworth's administration are given with
others on page 238.
Doctor Wadsworth was succeeded in the office of State geologist by
Lucius L. Hubbard, who held the position until 1899, when he re-
signed, to be succeeded in his turn by A. C. Lane. Both of the last
named, it will be noted, had served as petrographers and assistant
geologists under Doctor Wadsworth.
Salaries and expenses. The salaries of the State geologist and
others of the survey were by law left discretionary with the board
of directors, the State geologist himself, up to 1885, receiving $2.000
a year, the annual appropriation being $8,000 a year, with the ex-
pectation that the expense of publication would be provided for by
special appropriation. As has been noted, this was not, however,
in all cases called for. The following table 1 shows the total appro-
priations and expenditures up to November, 1892.
Geological survey in account with the State of Michigan, 1837-1845.
DR.
Years.
For what drawn.
Amount.
Amount.
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1812
1812
1842
1812
1843
18J3
1&13
1844
1844
1844
1844
1845
1S45
1845
1845
$16,026.00
8,329.95
7,Uil.37
6, 219. 55
1,263.13
2,440.23
S 2,020.47
2,535.46
1,832.88
Generoi purposes of survey
$782.87
624. 53
1, {->. 82
Salary of Slate topographer
Incidental expenses
Salary of State geologist
1,000.00
8110.00
220. 47
Incidental expenses
Salary of State geologist
1,000.00
800. 00
338.16
3'J7. 30
Incidental expenses '
PaHrv of State geologist (to July)
600. 00
639. 42
658. 92
34.34
Salary of Slale photographer
En;,'ravin^s
Total
2$47,829.03
2 4, 170.97
* $52, 000. 00
Returned to State
Total
l Prom Report Slate Board of Geological Survey for the years 1891 and 1892.
8 Figures have been corrected, as totals in the statement from which this was taken show palpabl*
rrors in addition.
236 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Geological survey in account with the State of Michigan Continued.
CR.
Years.
Appropriation.
Amount.
ses
$3 000 01
p 1 ! Tlr fwA-pc
12 000 09
e e nr y% O cpc
12 000 Ot
12 000.00
>12 000 M
1843
there being balance to credit survey
1844
500 00
1845
For engravings....
500. M
Total
S52.000.0*
Geological survey in account with the State of Michigan, 1859-1892*
Year.
Amount,
drawn.
Amount,
charged
Amount,
appro-
priated.
Act.
1859
$ 2,000.00
8
206, 1850
206 189*
64,1861
1860
1861
3,000.00
750.00
250.00
80.91
1,000.00
1862
1870
1873
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179. 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1371
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
179, 1871
1874
1875
2,000.00
$ 8,000.00
8 r OOO.OO
1875 . .
6 573.00
1876
5,000.00
5,000.00
1,300.00
1,500.00
4.000.00
/ 2,453.76
\ 6,000.00
2.100.00
4.000.00
2,000.00
4,000.00
4,000.00
2,000.00
2,000.00
2,000.00
6,665.44
8,000.00
^ 8,000.00
8,000.00
8.000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
8,00.000
8,000.00
8,000.00
1877
/ 82,919.09
\ 7,927.00
5,500.00
6.388.33
4,895.75
} 5,462.16
1,064.03
5,900.00
4,000.00
6,000.00
[ 2,000.00
\ 4,000.00
1,344.56
1878
1879
1880
1881 ..
188
1883
18*14
1885 . .
1886
1885 .-.
1887
July 1887
To Julv 1888
Ju!y 1888
To Julv 1889
8,000.00
8.397.36
5,738.93
} 7,950.44
4,849.49
8.000.00
8.000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
J U ly J890
1,602.64
1,604.29
49.56
3,150.51
ToJulv 1891
Julv 1891
Julv 1892
To'Nov 22 1892
Total
$109, 609. 33
<S63,807.92JS160,000.00
1 According to statement compiled from books of the auditor general (see page 198) there vrrs an
appropriation of $12,000 for the year 1841.
*It ha^ been found impoible to make these figures agree with those in Profesw Winchell's manu-
script a^ quoted in the earlier pages. It has been considered be c t, however, to quote the figures pub-
lished in the Report of the State Board of Geological Survey for 1891 and 1892 both here and in the final
summing up on page 538, where, in addition to the totals here given, the appropiation of $8,000 a year
(or eight years has been added as the estimated expenses from 1892 to 1900.
"General fund.
* Figures have bean corrected, as totals in the statement from which this was taken show palpable
rrors in addition.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 239
Connection with other institutions. The survey as organized had
no official connection with other institutions, although Doctor Wads-
worth, during the period of his incumbency, was president of the
mining school at Houghton, and cases for collections, heat and light,
use of libraries, etc., were provided, rent free, on condition that cer-
tain assistance be rendered in the school by the employees of the
survey when needed, and when it did not interfere with their pro-
fessional duties on the survey. Cooperation was also arranged for
between the State and the United States survey.
Museum. Prior to Doctor Wadsworth's administration the sur-
vey had no permanent headquarters, and collections, if made, were
soon scattered. Of the collections made prior to Professor Wright's
appointment none are stated to have been handed down to him.
Under his administration and that of Doctor Wadsworth, who suc-
ceeded him, upwards of 7,000 selected specimens were brought to-
gether and several thousand thin sections were prepared. These it is
to be inferred were kept in the survey rooms at the mining school.
The board of directors in their report for 1891-92 recommended that
there be set aside for the survey a room in the capitol.
The above recommendation was evidently not adopted, since Hub-
bard in his report for 1894 (dated November) speaks of the survey
now having a building of its own.
MINNESOTA. 1
The first effort of the State of Minnesota to institute a survey of
her domain was made in 1858 in the first legislature that met after
the admission of the State into the Union. No general law was
passed, but a reprint was ordered of a portion of former reports by
Prof. Edward Daniels on the geological survey of Wisconsin, in
which State Minnesota had then latterly been embraced.
The commissioner of statistics, Joseph A. Wheelock, also included
in his official reports for the 1 years 1859-60 general summaries of the
physical features and agricultural capabilities of the State, which
went far toward recommending the State to eastern immigrants.
The facts, however, were derived not so much from original obser-
vation as from newspaper articles, reviews, and correspondence.
These reports were widely distributed and introduced the State in
its diversified natural resources favorably to the rest of the Union,
which, undoubtedly, was the prime object of their author.
1 See History of Geological Surveys in Minnesota. Bull. Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey,
No. 3, 1880, by N. H. Winchell.
13607520 17
240 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER A. H. HANCHETT AND H. H. EAMES,
1864-1866.
An attempt to establish a regular geological survey was made by
the second State legislature, which adopted a "concurrent resolu-
tion " ordering the appointment of commissioners to report on the
geology of the State, and on a plan for a geological survey. These
commissioners made separate reports, setting forth the utility of such
a survey, but owing to the financial burdens which the young State
had to bear, incident to the inauguration of the various public in-
stitutions, and the opposition of Governor Ramsey, the legislature
did not take any further action on the subject.
The legislature of 1864, however, by joint resolution, authorized
the governor to appoint and direct a State geologist. The following
is the text of the law :
An net to provide for a geological survey of the north shore of Lake Superior within the
limits of the State, and other mineral and coal districts, and to appropriate monej
therefor.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota:
SECTION 1. That there be, and is hereby, appropriated, out of any moneys in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $2.000, to be expended, or
so much thereof as may be necessary, under the direction of the governor, in
causing to be made a geological survey of the mineral lands on the north shore
of Lake Superior, within the limits of this State, and also of other mineral or
coal districts of the State, and the governor is hereby authorized to appoint
suitable person or persons to make such survey, whose report of the same shall
be made to the governor, and by him transmitted to the legislature. 1
Approved, March 4, 1SG4.
Administration. Under this law Dr. Aug. H. Hanchett was ap-
pointed State geologist. With him was associated Mr. Thomas
Clark, who had been one of the " commissioners " of the resolution
of 1860. These gentlemen made each one report for 1864, that of
Mr. Clark containing some valuable information concerning the
physical features of the northern part of the State, but adding little
or nothing to the actual geology. For a report of progress on the
first year's work, limited in time and means, the pamphlet containing
l This snme year the following memorial was submitted to Congress, though evidently
without effect :
Memorial of the legislature of Minnesota praying Congress to make an appropriation
for a geological survey of the mineral lands on the north shore of Lake Superior within
the limits of the State of Minnesota.
Mar. 10, 1864. Referred to the Committee on Public Lands and ordered to be printed.
To the Conijress of the United States of America:
Your memorialists, the Legislature of the State of Minnesota, respectfully request that
your honorable body will appropriate money and make provision for a geological survey
of the mineral lands on the north shore of Lake Superior within the limits of this State,
believing that thereby the interests of the General Government and of this State would
alike be greatly promoted.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS.
these two papers may be considered a creditable production, and had
the survey been continued as planned by Mr. Clark, it might have
become useful and successful. But it became apparent that Doctor
Hanchett was not intelligently and wholly devoted to the work, and
on the passage of a more general act by the legislature of 1865 the
governor conferred the position of State geologist upon Mr. Henry
H. Eames. The following is the text of the new law :
An act to continue the geological survey of the mineral lands of the north shore of Lake
Superior and other mineral districts within the limits of this State, and to appropriate
money therefor.
Be it enacted by tJie Legislature of the State of Minnesota:
SECTION 1. That the governor be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered
to appoint some suitable person to continue the geological survey of the mineral
lands of the north shore of Lake Superior, lying in the Stnte of Minnesota, and
also other mineral-bearing districts within the limits of this State.
SEC. 2. Such person so appointed shall, before entering upon his duties under
the provisions of this act, take and subscribe an oath to diligently and faith-
fully discharge such duties to the best of his ability. And he shall proceed at
as early a day as practicable to continue such survey under the direction of the
governor. He shall make analyses of metal-bearing rocks that may be obtained
during such survey, to the end that thg commercial value thereof may be ascer-
tained; and he shall report the same to the governor on or before the first day
of January, A. D. 1866. He shall also make and report sectional maps showing
the location of minerals examined and analyzed, and as far as in his power
report upon the extent of the coal fields on the waters of the Big Cottonwood
River, and the extent of such other mineral deposits as he may find, and such
report shall be transmitted by the governor to the legislature of the State.
SEC. 3. The governor shall have power to draw from the State treasury, out
of any moneys not otherwise appropriated, a sufficient amount to pay the actual
expenses incurred by such person so appointed under the provisions of this act
not to exceed the sum of $1.000.
This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved, March 2, 1865.
Under the same date there was also passed :
An act to enable N. C. D. Taylor to continue the geological exploration of the country in
the valley of the St. Croix within this State.
Be it enacted "by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota:
SECTION 1. That the sum of $1,000 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated and
ordered to be paid, N. C. D. Taylor, out of any moneys in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated, to enable him to continue the geological exploration of
the country in the valley of the St. Croix within this State, and that he report
to the next legislature the result of his labors.
SEC. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved, March 2, 1865.
Mr. Eames made two brief annual reports of progress, one for
18G5 and one for 1866. The former is devoted to an account of a
bordering on Lake Superior, and the latter to observations on the
" prospecting " tour made by him through the metalliferous region
242 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
geology of some of the north-central counties of the State. It was
owing to the discoveries of Mr. Eames that the gold fever centering
on Vermilion Lake rose in speculative mining circles. This pre-
vailed for about two years and subsided after the legislature refused
further appropriations for the geological survey. Mr. Eames was
assisted by his brother, R. E. Eames.
The notes and observations of Col. Charles Whittlesey made in
Minnesota at various times, sometimes for parties at private expense
and sometimes for the United States Government, were printed at
the cost of the State of Minnesota and issued at Cleveland. Ohio, as
a " report of explorations in the mineral regions of Minnesota during
the years 1848, 1859, and 1864," dated 1866. As a geological report
this unpretentious brochure is, according to Professor Winchell. of
more value than all the previous reports issued under the auspices
of the State combined.
Mr. N. C. D. Taylor, who was authorized by act (see p. 241) of
the legislature to make surveys for copper in the valley of the St.
Croix and the Kettle rivers, made a brief report occupying about
one octavo page, which was printed in the executive documents (for
1866?), giving an account of his operations and quoting the verbal
opinion of Prof. James Hall.
In 1870 Prof. A. Winchell was appointed by the governor to ex-
amine and report on the reputed salt springs at Belle Plaine with a
view to ascertaining the propriety of appropriating money to aid in
the development of the same by the State legislature. The pub-
lished report is an octavo pamphlet of 16 pages and was the last
work of the kind done through the instrumentality of the State
before the beginning of the survey of 1872-1888.
SECOND GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY UNDER N. H.
WINCHELL, 1872-1888.
The law which organized this survey was drawn up by President
William W. Folwell, of the University of Minnesota. This, before
it was offered in the State legislature, was shown to some geologists
and educators who might have opinions or advice to offer as to its
provisions. There is no question but one of the prime motives was
to introduce another auxiliary force into the State university, by
making it the center whence should radiate information concerning
the natural features of the State, and toward which should gravitate
all collections of natural history that should otherwise be brought
to light. It would furnish information, perhaps to the body of
students through its officers, to the State at large, and to the country
through its reports, and in its museum would be seen the outward
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 243
proofs of the resources of the State and the means of illustrating the
natural sciences as they should be taught in the university. The
actual and minute study of the natural history of the State was,
perhaps, a secondary motive, although this is specifically required
by the terms of the law. It is a comprehensive law, and was intro-
duced into the State senate by Regent J. S. Pillsbury. Having
passed both houses, it was approved by Gov. Horace Austin, March
1, 1872. It reads as follows :
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota:
SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the board of regents of the University of
Minnesota to cause to be begun as soon as may be practicable and to carry
on a thorough geological and natural history survey of the State.
SEC. 2. The geological survey shall be carried on with a view to a complete
account of the mineral kingdom, as represented in the State, including the
number, order, dip, and magnitude of the several geological strata, their rich-
ness in ores, coals, clays, peats, salines, and mineral waters, marls, cements,
building stones, and other useful materials, the value of said substances for
economical purposes and their accessibility; also an accurate chemical analysis
of the various rocks, soils, ores, clays, peats, marls, and other mineral sub-
stances, of which complete and exact record shall be made.
SEC. 3. The natural history survey shall include, first, an examination of the
vegetable productions of the State, embracing all trees, shrubs, herbs, and
grasses, native or naturalized in the State; second, a complete and scientific
account of the animal kingdom, as properly represented in the State, including
all mammalia, fishes, reptiles, birds, and insects.
SEC. 4. The said surveys and examinations shall be made in the manner and
order following: First, the geological survey proper, together withthe necessary
and implied mineralogical investigations; all of which shall be undertaken as
soon as may be practicable, and be carried forward with such expedition as may
be consistent with economy and thoroughness; second, the botanical examina-
tions; third, the zoological investigations: Provided, however, That whenever
the said board of regents may find it most economical to prosecute different
portions of the surveys in conjunction, or that the public interest demands it,
they may, in their discretion, depart from the above-prescribed order. And in
the employment of ass'stants in the said surveys, the board of regents shall at
all times give the preference to the students and graduates of the University
of Minnesota, provided the same be well qualified for the duties.
SEC. 5. The said board of regents shall also cause to be collected and tabu-
lated such meteorological statistics as may be needed to account for the varie-
ties of climate in the various parts of the State; also to be caused to be ascer-
tained [by] barometrical observations or other appropriate means, the relative
elevations and depressions of the different parts of the State; and also, on or
before the completion of the said surveys, to cause to be compiled from such
actual surveys and measurements as may be necessary, an accurate map of the
State; which map, when approved by the governor, shall be the official map of
the State.
SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of said board of regents to cause proper speci-
mens, skillfully prepared, secured, and labeled, of all rocks, soils, ores, coals,
fossils, cements, building stones, plants, woods, skins and skeletons of animals,
birds, insects, and fishes, and other mineral, vegetable, and animal substances
244 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
and organisms discovered or examined in the course of the said surveys, to be
preserved for public inspection, free of cost, in the University of Minnesota, in
rooms convenient of access and properly warmed, lighted, ventilated, aud fur-
nished, and in charge of a proper scientific curator; and they shall also, when-
ever the same may be practicable, cause duplicates in reasonable numbers and
quantities of the above-named specimens to be collected and preserved for the
purposes of exchanges with other State universities and scientific institutions,
of which latter the Smithsonian Institution at Washington shall have the pref-
erence.
SEC. 7. The said board of regents shall cause a geological map of the State
to be made as soon as may be practicable, upon which, by colors and other
appropriate means and devices, the various geological formations shall be rep-
resented.
SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of the said board of regents through their presi-
dent, to make, on or before the second Tuesday in December of each and every
year, a report showing the progress of the said surveys, accompanied by such
maps, drawings, and specifications as may be necessary and proper to exem-
plify the same to the governor, who shall lay the same before the legislature:
and the said board of regents, upon the completion of any separate portion of
the said surveys, shall cause to be prepared a memoir or final report, which
shall embody in a convenient manner all useful and important information accu-
mulated in the course of the investigation of the particular department or por-
tion ; which report or memoir shall likewise be communicated through the gov-
ernor to the legislature.
SEC. 9. To carry out the provisions of this act the sum of $1,000 per annum
is hereby appropriated, to be drawn and expended by the (said) board of re-
gents of the University of Minnesota.
SEC. 10. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its approval.
Approved March 1, 1872.
This is the organic law which remained in force in all its provisions
throughout the life of the survey. The legislature in some of its sub-
sequent sessions, however, passed laws to facilitate the execution of
this, or amplifying some of its provisions, but in no respect was a
single clause of the law abrogated or modified.
Although the law of 1872 was approved on the 1st day of March,
the regents took no action looking to its execution till the July fol-
lowing, when Prof. N. H. Winchell was summoned to St. Paul from
active field work in the State of Ohio to meet the board of regents
there in session and to assume the position of State geologist under
this law. Engagements in Ohio, however, would not permit the be-
ginning of the season's work till September.
A moment's examination of the law was sufficient to convince Pro-
fessor Winchell that the sum of money appropriated for the work was
wholly inadequate for the purposes which the law contemplated, and
it was evident that the legislature did not so much expect the law
would effect a complete survey of the State as that it would pay for
the services of an officer at the university who should be made useful
in any waj r the rogents should find it convenient to have him work,
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 245
giving particular attention to the natural sciences. The survey in
this respect was not in an encouraging position, and the appointment
at its head implied that the man who accepted it would either fail
ignominiously or must find some way to increase the means that were
vital to its continuance and its success. It was in view of this that
the first annual report closed with the following recommendation :
In connection with the subject of increasing the means provided for the geo-
logical survey, it is suggested that the State lands known as Salt lands may
be so sold or appropriated, under the management of the board of regents of
the university, as to be available for that purpose. It would be in perfect con-
sonance with the original design in the reservation of these lands from sale, if
they were placed in the custody of the board of regents, conditioned in their use
on the prosecution of the geological and natural history survey of the State,
with a view to the early and economical development of the brines of the State.
*******
The question of the existence of brine in the State of Minnesota is one of the
most important, in an economical sense, that can be presented for the investi-
gation of the survey. It should not be hastily answered. Too much is involved
to be rested on the result of a guess. Too much also is involved to be preju-
diced by the failure of unguided expenditures. The tests that may be made
ought to be made in the fullest light of all the facts that science with its gen-
eralizations can throw upon them. It comes within the scope of geological
investigation, and ought not to be hazarded in the hands of empirical novices.
The salt springs said to occur in this State may have either of two origins:
They may be the results of overflow of extensive salt basins embraced in the
rocky structure of the State, or they may be the result of superficial accumu-
lations similar to the other saline and alkaline deposits that are scattered
largely over the western plains. It is not intended now to give this question
the discussion its importance demands at the hands of the survey. No investi-
gation of the phenomena of the regions where these springs exist has been made.
It is only intended to suggest the importance of correct scientific processes in
the future efforts for their development.
It was fortunate for the survey that at this juncture the public
became convinced pretty generally that the legislative aid sought by
the Belle Plaine Salt Company, which had been granted by the dona-
tion of some of the salt spring lands of the State, even contrary to the
recommendation of the geologist, was a scheme to make inroads on
the salt spring lands more than for an exploration in good faith of
the brine springs that were said to exist at Belle Plaine. It was
evident that unless some other use were made of this United States
land grant to the State, other enterprising communities or mining
companies would discover salt water and would demand more of
these lands to aid in the development of the same. Indeed, Pro-
fessor Winchell was hardly known to have been appointed State
geologist before he was requested to accompany the officers of the
Belle Plaine Salt Company to some other part of the State in order
to designate where the next deep well should be sunk for finding brine
at the expense of the salt spring lands. Several far-seeing public
246 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
officers, it seems, about the same time suggested that these lands be
saved for some better purpose. Among those who had thus con
f erred and had concluded that these lands might be appropriated
to the maintenance of the geological and natural history survey of
the State, should be mentioned A. J. Edgerton. then State railroad
commissioner; H. B. Wilson, superintendent of public instruction;
O. P. Whitcomb, State auditor: and J. S. Pillsbury, one of the
regents of the university.
The suggestion first came to Professor Winchell from Mr. W. D.
Hurlbut, of Rochester, and it was almost solely through his repre-
sentatives that the following rough draft of a law was prepared by
the State geologist and forwarded to J. S. Pillsbury, with a request
that he would remodel it according to his judgment and offer it in
the State senate of the following winter. Mr. Pillsbury, however,
turned it over to Senator Edmund Rice, of St. Paul, who introduced
it exactly as drafted, and so it passed both houses and was approved
by the governor. The following is the text of the law :
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota:
SECTION 1. The State lands known as State salt lauds, donated by the Gen-
eral Government to aid in the development of the brines in the State of Min-
nesota, shall be transferred to the custody and control of the board of regents
of the University of Minnesota. By said board of regents these lands may be
sold in such manner, or in such amounts, consistent with the laws of the State
of Minnesota, as they may see fit, the proceeds thereof being held in trust by
them, and only disbursed in accordance with the law ordering a geological and
natural history survey of the State.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the said board of regents, as soon as prac
ticable, to cause a full and scientific investigation and report on the salt springs
of the State, with a view to the early development of such brine deposits as
may exist within the State.
SEC. 3. The board of regents of the university shall cause the immediate sur-
vey and investigation of the peat deposits of the State of Minnesota, accom-
panied by such tests and chemical examinations as may be necessary to show
their economical value, and their usefulness for the purpose of common fuel ; a
full report thereon to be presented to the legislature as soon as practicable.
SEC. 4. The sum of $2,000 is hereby appropriated annually (in lieu of $1,000)
for the purpose of the geological and natural history survey until such time as
the proceeds of the sales of the salt lands shall equal that amount, when such
annual appropriation shall cease.
SEC. 5. The sum of $500 is hereby appropriated for the purchase of apparatus
and chemicals for the use of the geological and natural history survey, the same
to be expended by the order of the board of regents of the University of Min-
nesota.
SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the board of regents of the University of Min-
nesota to cause duplicate geological specimens to be collected, and to furnish
to each of ihe three normal schools suites of such specimens after the univer-
sity collection has become complete.
SEC. 7. When the geolo.arical and natural history survey of the State shall
have been completed, the final report on the same by the said board of regents
GEOLOGICAL AXD NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 247
shall give a full statement of the sales of the salt lands hereby given into the
custody and control of the board of regents of the University of Minnesota,
together with the amount of money received therefrom, and of the balance, if
any, left in the hands of said board of regents.
SEC. 8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved, March 10, 1873.
It is reasonable to suppose that after the passage of this law all
private schemes for the development of fictitious salt springs and the
reduction of the fund by doubtful attempts at exploration would
cease, but such was not the case. A bill was introduced in the house
of representatives at the next session of the legislature to grant the
Belle Plaine Salt Company more land in aid of their enterprise, re-
quiring the board of regents to give up to that company a certain
amount of the salt spring lands for every 100 feet deeper that com-
pany should sink their well at Belle Plaine, aggregating six sections
of land in all. It was duly referred to the proper committee, but
was never reported for consideration by the house.
The salt spring lands originally granted the State aggregated
46,080 acres. By various inroads and conflicts with other grants,
the selections made by the State not having been duly certified and
reserved from the available public domain, the amount that was
found capable of being used for the survey was only 18.771 acres.
The officers of the United States Government were responsible for
this deficit, as Governor Silby, the first governor of the State, had
complied with the law and all the terms of the grant in having them
selected. When this fact was represented to the State legislature, a
memorial was passed, addressed to Congress, asking the privilege of
making reselections of land in the State of Minnesota sufficient to
make the deficit good to the State. Such permission was granted
and 24 sections were added to the available land grant of the geo-
logical survey. These, however, were not turned over to the regents
for this purpose till the winter of 1885. when the legislature passed
the following:
An act to transfer to the custody and control of the board of regents of the University
of Minnesota the lands granted by Congress to the State by an act entitled "An act
granting lands to the Slate of Minnesota In lieu of certain lands heretofore granted to
said State," approved March 3, 1879, to authorize the said board to sell such lands and
dispose of the proceeds of such sales.
Whereas the State lands known as State salt lands were by an act approved
March 10, 1873, chapter 133, general laws of 1873 transferred, to the custody
and control of the board of regents of the University of Minnesota, to be by
eaid regents sold, and the proceeds thereto held in trust by them, and dis-
bursed in accordance with the law ordering a geological and natural history
survey of the State ; and
Whereas it was found that certain parcels of such State lands had been
otherwise disposed of by the United States to actual settlers upon such lands,
248 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
for which indemnity lands have since been granted to the State by an act of
Congress approved March 3, 1S79 : Therefore
Be it enacted by the legislature of the State of Minnesota:
SECTION 1. That the lauds granted by Congress to this State by an act en-
titled "An act granting lauds to the State of Minnesota in lieu of certain lauda
heretofore granted to said State," approved March 3, 1879, be. and the same are
hereby, transferred to the custody of the board of regents of the University of
Minnesota, which lands the said board mny sell in such amounts as they may
deem most expedient and beneficial, the proceeds thereof being held in trust
by them, and only disbursed in accordance with the law ordering a geological
and natural history survey of the State, and the said board shall make report
of their doings in the premises, as provided by law.
SEC. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved February 24, 1885.
Administration. The administration of the survey was almost
wholly in the hands of the State geologist. He was left to lay such
plans as he chose, governed by his own apprehension of the financial,
economic, scientific, and educational circumstances that might be in-
fluenced by them. These were submitted to the regents or to their
executive committee prior to their execution for their formal approval.
In some instances certain public or widespread want for information,
expressed in correspondence or in the public press, such as the demand
for information concerning the grasshopper plague and the ways and
means of alleviating the evil, the call for peat fuel on the woodless
prairies, the ravages of insects injurious to horticulture, the general
belief in the existence of coal in the State or of mineral wealth in the
northern part of the State, the demand for authoritative statements
founded on scientific data touching the nature and extent of the
forests, or the quality of the soil, or the water used for domestic pur-
poses, or the probability of brine for the manufacture of salt, or the
quality of native building stones. While answering these purposes as
nearly as possible the survey was rendered useful to numerous indi-
viduals by private correspondence, saving the useless expense of ill-
guided exploration in many instances, and directly influential in
promoting economic industry by advising expenditures where a rea-
sonable expectation existed of remunerative results.
This economic side of the survey was kept in mind constantly,
though not made conspicuous. The annual reports embodied com-
mon, patent facts, and descriptions, cast in a semiscientific mold.
They were addressed primarily to a home constituency in order to
show them the utility of the work of the survey. It is highly prob-
able that if such a moderate course had not been pursued the legis-
lature, instead of always manifesting good will and determination to
have the work well sustained, would have refused the financial aid
that was asked of it, and the work might have had the short-lived
existence that has been the fate of so many other State surveys.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 249
Personnel. N . H. Winchell, State geologist, 1872-1888; Warren
Upham, assistant geologist, 1879-1885; C. W. Hall, assistant geolo-
gist, 1878-1880 ; C. M. Terry, laboratory assistant, 1879-1881 ; O. E.
Garrison, occasional field assistant; P. L. Hatch, ornithologist,
1876; C. L. Herri ck, zoological collector and laboratory assistant,
later in charge of mammalia, 1876-1885; L. B. Sperry, geological
assistant, 1877; P. B. Eose, chemist, 1873; S. F. Peckham. chemist,
1873-1880; James A. Dodge, chemist, 1881; M. W. Harrington,
assistant geologist, 1875; Allen Whitman, entomologist. 1876-1878:
Benj. Juni, botanical and field assistant, 1878; P. P. Furber, field
assistant, 1873 : C. E. Chatfield, field assistant, 1873 ; W. E. Leonard,
botanical and field assistant, 1875; H. V. Winchell, field and labora-
tory assistant, 1881, 1885; Albert H. Chester, report on the iron re-
gion, 1882; Leo Lesquereux, paleobotanist, 1883, 1886; O. W. Oest-
lund, entomologist, 1885 ; U. S. Grant, conchology, 1885 ; J. C. Arthur,
botanist, 1885; E. O. Ulrich, paleontologist (bryozoans), 1885; F. L.
Washburn, assistant in ornithology, 1885; A. Woodward and B. W.
Thomas, foraminifera of the Cretaceous, 1886 ; Frank N. Stacy, field
assistant, 1886; A. W. Jones, field assistant, 1886; A. Winchell, as-
sistant geologist, 1886; M. E. Wadsworth, assistant geologist, 1886.
The selection of these men was made by the State geologist, but
their appointment was always passed on by the regents or by their
executive committee. The only guide in making the selections, aside
from availability and fitness for the work, was the clause in the
general law requiring the employment of students and graduates of
the University of Minnesota, \vhen such could be found qualified for
the work, and a general enactment of the regents to the effect that the
professor of chemistry at the university should, by virtue of his posi-
tion, be the chemist of the survey.
These men were not continuously employed, even for the time ex-
pressed above, except in the case of the State geologist, Warren Up-
ham, C. M. Terry, and O. W. Oestlund, but were engaged during the
season of field work, or to perform some specific work for which they
had such compensation as the services demanded.
The salary of the State geologist was $2,400 ; salary of Warren Up-
ham was $1,200; C. M. Terry, $1,200; O. W. Oestlund, $900; C. L.
Herrick, from $600 to $1,200.
The chemist was paid a percentage of schedule prices for work
done for the survey. Dr. P. L. Hatch, the ornithologist, worked for
the survey from pure love of birds and asked only the payment of his
field and traveling expenses. Other employees were paid by the
month from $50 to $100, or by the job.
Museum and library. The general museum of the university is the
outgrowth of the survey, and during the existence of the survey it was
250 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
sustained by the survey fund. The report of 1889 gave the entries
in the geological and mineralogical department 6,190. and in the zoo-
logical 1,633, embracing several times as many specimens. In arch-
eology the entries numbered 198. Besides these, several valuable col-
lections were deposited by their owners for exhibition and safe-
keeping.
The library of the survey contained, as reported in 1889, perhaps
225 books and pamphlets, obtained by exchange and by purchase, and
was stored in the office of the State geologist at the university, where
it was available only to the officers of the survey or to students spe-
cially interested.
Expenses. The annual cost of the survey was between $8,000 and
$4,000, the aggregate from 1872 to August 1, 1884, being $39,267.10.
These figures do not include printing and publication. The annual
reports were printed as State documents at the expense of the general
printing fund, under the direction of the commissioners of public
printing. They were transmitted as a part of the reports of the re
gents of the university. The final report was published by the com
mission specially appointed for that purpose, according to the general
law already given, and the cost met from time to time by special ap-
propriations by the legislature. The edition of the annual report-;
was 2.400 copies and of the final report 5,000 copies. The former
were distributed gratuitously and the latter sold at $3.50 and $5 H
copy, according to the style of paper and binding, though of the latter
also a generous free distribution was made to libraries and scientists
in this and foreign countries, according to the foregoing law.
The sums received for the support of the survey by the university
treasurer during the various years were as follows :
1872, cash from State treasurer $1,000.00
1873, cash from State treasurer 2, 500. 00
1874, cash from State treasurer 2,000.00
1875, cash from State treasurer 2,000.00
1876, cash from State treasurer 2,000.00
1877, cash from State treasurer 2,000.00
1878, cash from State treasurer 2,000.00
1S7S, cash sale of salt spring land (balance) 2,893.64
1879, cash from State treasurer 2, 000. 00
1880, cash sales of salt spring land 6, 822. 89
1881, cash sales of salt spring land 2,158.80
1882, cash sales of salt spring land 6,539.43
1883, cash sales of salt spring land 8,451.17
1884, cash sales of salt spring land 4, 539. 72
1885, cash sales of salt spring land 4,423.95
1886, cash sales of salt spring land 5,349.05
1887, cash sales of salt spring land 2,971.01
1888, cash sales of salt spring land . 1,955.31
$61, 604. 97
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 251
Of this sum, as will be noted, $15,500 was received from the State
treasurer as the proceeds of the laws of 1872-73 making direct
appropriations for its support, and $46,104.97 was derived from the
sale of salt spring lands.
Publications. The legislature of 1876 passed the following law
relating to the printing of the annual reports of progress of the
survey :
Be it enacted, by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota:
SECTION 1. One thousand copies of that portion of the annual report of the
board of regents of the University of Minnesota which embraces the report
of the State geologist on the progress of geological and natural history survey
of the State shall hereafter be paged and bound separately, and shall be sub-
ject to the disposition of the said board of regents.
SEC. 2. Whenever in the progress of said survey a full and final report shall
be made on the geology of any of the counties of the State, 500 extra copies of
each county report so made by the board of regents shall be printed for the
use of the counties so reported on, said copies being subject to the order of the
county commissioners of said county.
This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved March 6, 1876.
The legislature of 1885 also made provision for the publication of
the final report of the survey by the enactment of the following
general law :
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota:
SECTION 1. The governor, the secretary of state and the State geologist are
hereby created a commission for the printing and publication of the reports
of the regents of the university on the geological and natural history survey
of the State.
SEC. 2. It shall be their duty to supervise the printing of the final reports
of said survey and the engraving of the accompanying maps and illustrations,
in such style and manner as they shall determine and judge best calculated
to exhibit to the people of the State the natural resources of the State as re-
quired by the law creating the geological and natural history survey.
SEC. 3. They shall cause to be republished in the same manner the third,
fourth, and fifth reports of progress of said survey at as early a date as prac-
ticable, in an edition of 2,000 copies.
SEC. 4. The volumes of the final report of said survey, as they may be pre-
pared by the State geologist from time to time, shall be issued in an edition
of 5,000 copies each, and shall be distributed, in the name of the board of
regents of the university, under the direction of the State geologist, to scientific
and educational institutions and to individuals as follows: To the library of
each chartered college and scientific institution in Minnesota, three copies;
to each normal school, three copies; to the libraries of the institute for the deaf
and mute, the insane asylums, the State prison, and every public library in the
State not otherwise designated, one copy each; to each of the offices in the
capitol, one copy; to each member of the board of regents, three copies; to
the library of the State university, 200 copies; to the historical society and to
the Minnesota Academy of Sciences, 10 copies each; to each newspaper pub-
lished in the State, one copy each; to each senator and representative of the
252 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
present legislature, one copy each; to the governor and lieutenant governor,
each one copy; to each assistant on the survey who has famished manuscript
and illustrations published in the report, three copies; to the general office
of each railroad that hus furnished aid to the survey, three copies; to the
library of each high school, furnishing students fitted for the freshman class
of the State University, one copy; to the State library of each State in the
Union, one copy; to each State university and each college of agriculture and
mechanic arts, one copy; to geologists and naturalists of Minnesota, 50 copies;
to the geologists and naturalists of other States, 200 copies; to other colleges
and scientific institutions in the United States, 100 copies; to foreign insti-
tutions and scientists, 100 copies; and to the State geologist, 25 copies. The
remainder shall be deposited in the State University, and shall be sold at such
prices as the board of regents may determine, and the proceeds of such sales
shall be used by said regents for the purchase of apparatus and books for the
survey, aad, after its completion, for the departments of natural science at the
State University.
SEC. 5. The expense of printing, engraving, binding, and distribution of said
reports shall be paid out of any moneys not otherwise appropriated in the State
treasury, on warrants of the State auditor, approved by the governor and secre-
tary of state.
SEC. 6. The commissioner hereby appointed shall perform the duties herein
designated without further compensation than the payment of the actual ex-
penses incurred in the discharge thereof.
SEC. 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved March 7, 1885.
These comprise all the laws that have passed the legislature re-
specting the present survey. The fund on which the survey depends
arises entirely from the sale of lands intrusted by the legislature to
the board of regents. The regents manage the sales according to
their judgment, limited only by the State law that requires no State
land to be sold for less than $4 an acre. This minimum price
would produce a fund which in the aggregate reached $136,524.
The geological and natural history survey is one of the important
wards of the university, and is constantly demonstrating the wisdom
of the law that made it one of its functions to conduct it. The
mutual benefits that spring from this relationship need not be dwelt
on here.
Benefits. If no mention be made of the invisible benefits that
result to the State, and particularly to the university, by the prose-
cution of this survey, it will perhaps be proper to enumerate some of
the tangible beneficial results that have accrued to the people of the
State directly through the agency of the survey :
1. Beginning with the inauguration of the survey, the first that
should be mentioned is the fact that the professorship of geology
and mineralogy, with the added work of instruction in botany and
zoology, in the university, was maintained for six years solely at the
expense of the survey fund. This also included much of the equip-
GEOLOGICAL. AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 253
ment, cases, maps, and apparatus of that department. The same
fund also placed several hundred dollars' worth of books in the
general library of the university.
2. The salt spring lands of the State were saved from being grad-
ually devoured by such enterprises as the Belle Plaine Salt Com-
pany, and were appropriated, through the direct interposition of the
survey at a critical juncture, to the prosecution of this far-reaching
public enterprise.
3. On the discovery after a laborious investigation of the official
records of the fact that the State was still entitled to a large addi-
tional amount of land under the original grant, the initial efforts of
the survey were successful in obtaining from the United States about
15,000 acres of indemnity lands, which have since been devoted by
the legislature to the support of the survey.
4. The general museum of the university is one of the tangible
beneficial results of the survey.
5. There was a widespread belief among the citizens of the
southern part of the State, prevalent when the survey began, that
workable coal of the age of that found in Iowa could be discovered
by making the proper exploration, and individuals had incurred
considerable expense on such efforts looking for it. One of the
first efforts of the survey was to settle this question; and the pub-
lished result of such investigation went far toward stopping further
useless expenditure of money.
C. The agitation of this subject by unscrupulous prospectors and
well drillers culminated in a proposed law, which was introduced
in the legislature of 1877 (?) offering a reward of $20,000 for the
discovery in the State of " coal " in workable quantities. This law
was so drawn that it did not discriminate as to the age or the quality
of the coal to be discovered ; and anyone familiar with the Cretaceous
lignites of the State could have made a legitimate demand for the
reward within 60 days after the adjournment of the legislature.
Through the agency and advice of the State geologist this law was
adversely reported by the committee having it in charge. It is only
on the principle that " a penny saved is 2 pence gained " that this
can be claimed as one of the tangible effects of the survey.
7. A similar law ordering the appointment of a " commissioner ou
peat," at a salary of $2,000 a year, was also defeated in the State
legislature, largely through the influence of the survey, in 1874.
8. A law ordering the donation of further subsidy to the Belle
Plaine Salt Company, and another for the investigation of the grass-
hopper plague, and another appointing a " State mineralogist," with
special reference to supposed great wealth of the State in gold and
eilver, each looking to the unguided expenditure of the revenues of
254 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the State, were severally proposed in the State legislature, and were
either rejected or shown to be unnecessary by the existence and the
agency of the survey.
9. In the prosecution of the regular work of the survey general at-
tention has been called to the economic resources of the State. The
survey has been directly instrumental, either in instigating in the first
instance or by guiding by counsel when once begun, nearly all the in-
dustries of the State arising from the rocky substructure. This has
been done officially and by private correspondence. The native build-
ing stones especially have been compared with those from other
States and some of their excellencies have been brought out promi-
nently, resulting in a great increase of the use of stone native to Min-
nesota.
10. In 1879 an examination was made of the water used for domestic
purposes in the western part of the State. It had been discovered
that very many of the common wells were foul, and that seri-
ous diseases that frequently terminated fatally were traceable to
the use of the water in this condition. So general and widespread
was this that serious alarm was felt by parties who were largely in-
terested in the settlement and habitability of the prairies, particularly
in the valley of the Red River of the North, lest the growing evU
should render the country unfit for general agricultural occupancy.
But the examination showed that the evil was due, not to any un-
wholesomeness inherent in the water, but to the general habit of using
white pine for curbing for the wells. In the open air, water, which
is naturally alkaline, confined in the impervious clay reservoirs,
such as nearly every well was, will act rapidly on any organic
matter that comes into contact with it. The pitch of the pine
was thus converted into organic acids, giving off hydrogen disul-
phide. Infusorial organic germs took up their abode in the foul
waters and the natural result of the use of such water inevitably
followed. It was at once recommended that the use of wooden
curbing be abandoned and that in its place some earthen stone,
brick, or iron substance be substituted. This recommendation was
widely published, both in Minnesota and the newspapers of Manitoba.
The consequence was a rapid decline of the evil. Many wells which
had been abandoned were recurbed with other materials. It was very
soon known that pine curbing generated disease, and in a year or so
nothing more, or very little, was heard further concerning the sup-
posed foul waters of the western prairie portion of the State. The
correction of this evil and the removal of the supposed alarm that was
felt by some capitalists and by the health officers of the State may be
considered one of the most important visible benefits that have re-
sulted from the survey.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 255
At the same time the survey called attention to the possibility of
obtaining artesian water at a moderate depth in the drift deposits
over a wide tract of country in the northwestern part of the State
a circumstance that has latterly been widely improved with the most
satisfactory results.
While these material benefits can easily be enumerated, those that
are invisible can not so readily be pointed out. Some good must
result from a diffusion of knowledge concerning the physical fea-
tures of the State, and from the publication of accurate statements
concerning its natural undeveloped resources. There must be some
benefit to the State in having its geology and natural history known.
The scientific facts that are ascertained help to swell the data on
which important conclusions are based, and to point out needed cor-
rections in others that may have been published. The additions to
science which have resulted from the survey can not here be enumer-
ated. They are the common property of educators and scientists
who may wish to use them, and, at the same time, some of them are
still subject to further investigation, and hence can not be concisely
described nor categorically stated.
MISSISSIPPI. 1
Organization. The geological and agricultural survey of the State
of Mississippi had its origin in an act of the legislature entitled "An
act to further endow the University of Mississippi," approved March
5, 1850, which took effect on the 1st of June following. This act is
worded as follows:
SECTION 1. Be it enacted, etc., Tliat the further sum of $3,000 be, and the
same is hereby, seniiannually appropriated, subject to the draft of the president
of the board of trustees of the University of Mississippi, to be applied by them
to the purchasing of books and apparatus, and the payment of the salaries
of professors and assistant professors of agricultural and geological sciences
in said university: Provided, That one half only of the amount of said appro-
priations shall be from the revenue in the treasury and the other half shall
be made out of the sale of the lands belonging to the seminary fund, hereafter
to be sold as provided by law.
SEC. 2. That the authority required by the State treasurer for the payment
of the trustees shall be the warrant of the president of the board of trustees,
drawn in favor of any person whatever.
SEC. 3. That at least one-half of the amount herein appropriated shall be
expended in making a general geological and agricultural survey of the State,
under the direction of the principal professor to be appointed under the first
section of this act.
SEC. 4. That the survey herein provided for shall be accompanied with proper
maps and diagrams, and furnish full and scientific descriptions of "its rocks,
1 See Historical Outline of the Geological and Agricultural Survey of the Stale of
Mississippi, by E. W. Hilgard. American Geologist, vol. 27, 1901, pp. 284-311.
13607520 18
256 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
soils, and geological productions, together with specimens of the same; which
maps, diagrams, and specimens shall be deposited in the State library, and
similar specimens shall be deposited in the State University and such other
literary institutions in the State as the governor may direct: Provided, That
the survey shall be made in every county in this State.
SEC. 5. That the trustees of the State University shall cause a report to
be made annually to the governor, to be by him laid before each session of the
legislature, setting forth, generally, the progress made in the survey hereby
required.
SEC. 6. That this act take effect and be hi force from and after the 1st day
of June next.
In 1852 this law was amended as follows :
An Act to amend An act to further endow the University of Mississippi, approved March
5, 1850, the provisions of which are as follows :
SECTION 1. That the fourth section of the above-recited act be so amended
as to read " zoological " instead of geological productions.
SEC. 2. That the room adjoining the State library, formerly occupied by the
surveyor general, be appropriated and set apart for the deposit and safe-keeping
of such specimens as may be collected during the progress of the geological
survey provided for in the above-recited act, and that the sum of $200 be ap-
propriated, out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated,
to defray the expense of fitting up and preparing said room for tlie reception
of said specimens.
SEC. 3. That the fitting up of said room shall be done under the direction
of the governor, upon whose requisition the auditor shall issue his warrant
for the sum herein appropriated, or so much of said sum as may be necessary.
SEC. 4. That the said room after being so fitted up shall be under the charge
of the State geological society, who shall be authorized to employ the librarian
as curator of the same.
SEC. 5. That the said room shall be open to the public during such hours as
the State libi'ary is now required by law to keep open, and the librarian shall
be allowed an additional compensation of ?50 per annum for the services re-
quired by the fourth section of this act.
In 1854 further legislation relative to publication was enacted, as
below :
An Act to authorize the printing of the first annual report of the agricultural and
geological survey of the State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted toy the Legislature of the State of Mississippi. That
2,000 copies of the report of Prof. B. L. C. Wailes, State geologist, be printed un-
der his supervision, in quarto form, and in such manner and with such illus-
trations and plates, as his excellency, the governor, shall deem appropriate and
necessary for its illustration.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That, when printed and bound, the said report
be deposited in the oflace of the secretary of state, to be by him distributed as
follows: Fifty copies to be deposited in the State library; 25 copies to be
deposited in the State University; one copy to each State in the Union; one
copy to be given to each incorporated college and academy in the State; one
copy each to the governor, secretary of state, auditor of public accounts, State
treasurer, adjutant general, the chancellor and vice chancellors, the judges
of the high court of errors and appeals, the attorney general, the judge and
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 257
district attorney of each district, each member of the present senate and house
of representatives; and 100 copies to the said State geologist, to be by him ex-
changed for similar reports from other States, and to furnish to scientific
societies and public libraries.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That 1,000 copies of said report shall be de-
posited in the office of the secretary of state, to be sold by any agent or agents
to be appointed by the governor, under such regulations and for such sum
each as he may deem proper and advisable, for the purpose of reimbursing the
State for publishing the same, and the balance to be distributed among the
(several counties of the State, in proportion to their representation in the
legislature, to be furnished to the people thereof, in such manner as the boards
of police of the several counties may direct.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That, previous to the printing of said report,
it shall be revised and completed by the said State geologist; and the portion
of it which treats of zoology, as far as prepared, shall be omitted, and in lieu
thereof a catalogue of the fauna of the State, as far as ascertained, shall be
ubsti tuted.
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That, for the further and more efficient
prosecution of the survey, analyses of the marls, soils, mineral waters, and
the chief agricultural productions of the State shall be made at the University of
Mississippi, as the trustees may designate; and the State geologist may, from
time to time, furnish such toils, marls and waters as may be required for
analysis, and shall receive in return from the chemist full and precise reports
of all analyses which may be made; and specimens of soils and marls shall
be preserved in convenient glass bottles in the State cabinet, and in the cabi-
net of the State University, properly labeled with the chemical character of
the substance and the locality from which the same was obtained.
SEC. 6. And le it further enacted, That the said geologist shall make collec-
tions of specimens to illustrate the mineral character and paleontology of the
State, in addition to the zoological productions which by law he is now re-
quired to collect, and to cause them to be suitably arranged and preserved in
the State cabinet and in that of the university; and any duplicates that remain
may be distributed by him among such of the incorporated colleges in the
State as may apply for them.
SEC. 7. And le it further enacted, That a sum not to exceed $2,500 be appro-
priated out of any money in the treasury, to be drawn upon the requisition of
the governor, for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act.
SEC. 8. Be it enacted, That this act shall be in force from and after its
passage.
Approved March 1, 1854.
In 1857 a portion of the act of 1850 was repealed and certain other
changes made, according to the following:
(Extract of act to provide for the printing of the Second Annual Report of the Agricul-
tural and Geological Survey of the State, and for other purposes.]
SECTION 1. Be it enacted ~by tlie Legislature of the State of Mississippi, That
so much of " An act to further endow the University of Mississippi," approved
March 5, 1S50, as appropriates out of the treasury $3,000 per annum to aid
In making an agricultural and geological survey of the State, and also so
much of said act as connects the said survey in any manner whatever with
tho university, be. nnd thp samp is hereby, repealed.
258 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the agricultural and geological survey of
the State shall be prosecuted to completion according to the provisions of the
above-recited act, and of an act entitled " An act to authorize the printing of
the First Annual Report of the Agricultural and Geological Survey of the
State," approved March 1, 1854, by a State geologist, to be appointed by the
governor.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the State geologist shall keep his office
in the city of Jackson, etc.
SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That 5,000 copies of Professor Harper's re-
port be printed, under the direction of the governor, to be bound in boards,
with such plates, charts, and woodcuts therein, as his excellency may deem
appropriate and necessary for its illustration.
SEC. 7. Be it further enacted, That when said report shall be printed and
bound, it shall be distributed according to the provisions of the last-recited act.
SEC. 10. Be it further enacted, That the State geologist to be appointed under
the provisions of this act shall enter upon the discharge of the duties of his
office on the first Monday in March, 1857, and this act shall go into effect from
find after its passage.
Approved January 31, 1857.
Still again, in I860, there was passed :
An act to prosecute the geological survey of the State of Mississippi, and for other
purposes.
lie it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Alississi-inti:
SECTION 1. That the Governor of this State be and is hereby authorized to
appoint an assistant State geologist, who shall act in subordination to and un-
der the direction of the State geologist, at an annual salary of not more than
$1,500.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the expenses of the State geologist and
his assistant shall be paid by the State, an accurate account of the same being
kept by said officers, and reported to the governor of the State, as now provided
by law for the State geologist, provided the same shall not exceed the sum of
$1,300.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the sum of $545 be, and the same is
hereby, appropriated out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, to reimburse the State geologist for expenses necessarily incurred in
fitting up a chemical laboratory for making analyses in the prosecution of said
survey, to be drawn from the treasury, upon the requisition of the governor,
and paid over to said State geologist.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That 5,000 copies of Dr. E. W. Hilgard's report
be printed under the direction of the governor, to be bound in board, with
such diagrams and maps as he may deem necessary for its illustration ; and it
is hereby expressly enjoined upon his excellency, in the publication of said
book, to have the same performed in the South, if the same can be done at n
cost of 10 per cent upon the cost of its publication in the North, and that
same when published shall be distributed ns provided by law for the distribu-
tion of Professor Harper's report.
SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That the sum of $3,500 be placed at the dis-
posal of the governor, to be drawn from the treasury, upon his requisition, to
carry into effect the provisions of the fourth section of this act.
SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That the State geologist may, at his election,
keep his office at or near the University of the State of Mississippi, and he is
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 259
hereby authorized to make the necessary arrangements, if the same has not
already been made, for suitable accommodations for his collections and labora-
tory in that place ; and that all laws in conflict with the provisions of this act
be, and the same are hereby, repealed.
Approved February 10, 1860.
Administration. Under the somewhat loose provisions and phrase-
ology of the act of 1850 Dr. John Millington, at the time professor
of chemistry at the University of Mississippi, was in June of that year
appointed to the position of State geologist and additional duties pro-
vided for by it. No assistant was obtained until July 15, 1851, when
Oscar M. Lieber, of South Carolina, was appointed to the position.
No record or report of Lieber's work was made. During a portion of
his incumbency (presumably in the autumn of 1852) he made, on
horseback, a reconnoissance of the Yazoo Bottom, but nothing beyond
that fact appear? from the letters written by him under the regulation
defining his duties, which provides that :
When not actually engaged in making explorations and surveys, he shall aid
the principal professor of geology, agriculture, and chemistry, in the discharge
of his duties ; and while engaged in making such surveys, he shall make reports
at least monthly to the principal professor; and the salary of said assistant
professor shall be $1,000 per annum.
Lieber resigned on January 14, 1852.
In January, 1852, the position of geologist was accepted by Prof.
B. L. C. Wailes. then of the faculty of Jefferson College, near Natchez.
This gentleman had alread} r made a collection of rocks and fossils of
the southwestern part of the State and had an extended knowledge of
the general features of that region.
It will be noted that, by the verbal correction made in the first sec-
tion of the act of 1852, the survey was practically made a complete
natural history survey, since the only branch not specifically provided
for (botany) might be understood to be necessarily included in the
provision for an agricultural survey. The State society mentioned
had but a very ephemeral existence during the two succeeding years,
namely, 1852 and 1853. Mr. Wailes traveled chiefly in the southern
and eastern part of the State, with his own team and outfit, examining
the territory of the Cretaceous in northeast Mississippi and the Ter-
tiary and Quaternary areas in the southern part of the State.
Collections of Tertiary fossils, especially from the shell bed at
Jackson, were sent by Wailes to Conrad, and mammalian and other
bones from the loess to Leidy, for determination and description ; and
collections of these and other fossils as well as of rocks were by him
deposited both at Oxford and at Jackson.
In January, 1854, Wailes presented to the board of trustees of
the University of Mississippi the manuscript of his report on the
260 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
work of the two preceding years, which was transmitted through the
governor to the legislature, with the recommendation that it be
printed. The legislative committee to whom it was referred reported
back the act of March 1, 1854, already referred to, under which the
survey was thereafter carried on for a number of years.
It will be noted, further, as stated by Professor Hilgard, that,
although the act of 1854 designated Wailes as State geologist, it did
not create that office, which still remained an appendage of the chair
of geology in the University of Mississippi. It was expected that
Wailes would be elected to that chair, which in the autumn of 1853
had been vacated by Doctor Millington. At an election held in June,
1854, however, the choice fell on Lewis Harper, 1 then a teacher of
natural science at an academy near Greenville, Alabama. Wailes
thereupon immediately resigned his position, which remained vacant
until September, 1855. Up to the summer of 1855, Harper, bearing
the titles of professor of geology and agriculture and State geologist,
had not taken the field himself. He was now, by action of the board
of trustees, relieved of a portion of his duties as instructor, and di-
rected to take the field personally, for the purposes provided for in
the act, while Dr. F. A. P. Barnard, then professor of physics at the
university, was requested to secure a competent assistant geologist
at a salary of $1.000 a year during a contemplated visit to the North.
Dr. Barnard fulfilled his mission by tendering the appointment to
Dr. E. W. Hilgard, then lately returned from Europe, who promptly
accepted it.
Reaching Oxford about the middle of September, 1855, Hilgard
found that Harper had then just returned from a rapid reconnois-
sance of the Cretaceous and Tertiary prairie regions in eastern
Mississippi, and it was agreed that they should as soon as possible set
out on a joint exploration over the same route, to be continued to
the Gulf shore, thence across the southern counties of the State to
the Mississippi River. The start was made early in October, the
outfit consisting of an ambulance carrying a camping outfit, and a
negro driver, who at the same time performed the office of cook. The
Cretaceous prairie country on the Tombigbee River was reached near
Okolona, whence the route lay through Aberdeen to Columbus;
thence, leaving the Cretaceous territory, through Neshoba and Kem-
per counties to Enterprise on the Chickasawhay River, and along that
stream, crossing all the marine Tertiary stages, as far south as Leaks-
ville, Green County, whence, owing to the lateness of the season, thej
were obliged to return to Oxford by way of Fort Adams, Mississippi,
and Memphis, Tennessee.
> Properly. Ludwip Hafner. of Hnmburg. Germany, a law student, who, for political
reasons, left his country before graduation and subsequently became Interested in natural
history,
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 261
This expedition was too hurried and with too few facilities for
making collections to afford anything more than a very general in-
sight into the character and relations of the several Cretaceous and
Tertiary stages. It had shown conclusively that the dip of all the
marine Tertiary beds is southward, except only as regards the Grand
Gulf rocks, whose relations to the rest they had no opportunity of
observing, since they are unrepresented in the Chickasawhay section,
save by clays of which the equivalence was not then apparent.
Meanwhile, it had become apparent to the university trustees that
in its present form the survey was in more than one respect a burden
to the university, and, accordingly, at the legislative session of 1855-
56, Governor McRae, in transmitting to the legislature the regular
report of the trustees of the University of Mississippi, accompanied
it by a special message, in which occur the following passages :
The first portion of the trustees' report relates to the geological survey of
the State geologist, and proposes the separation of this survey from the uni-
versity, and asks that it may be taken charge of by the State as an independent
work under the direction of the governor. The reasons for this are fully set
forth in the report and may be recapitulated in brief as follows:
1. The geological survey does not form a part of the course of instruction
in the university and is not properly connected with the business of the
institution.
2. The duties of the State geologist, under the present arrangement, being
partly as professor in the university, partly in the field survey, neither position
can be fully or satisfactorily filled by him. Either the classes in his department
must suffer 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 in bestowing a por-
tion 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, apparatus, etc., amounting to as much more,
have to be provided for out of the college funds. This is unjust to the uni-
rersity and the divided time of the State geologist between the university
and the field operates injuriously both to the interests of the university and
the State. I would not be understood by this, nor would the board of trustees,
as casting any reflections 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 understood, and
the board 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 there-
fore recommended 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.
262 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The report of Professor Harper, herewith submitted, contains much valuable
information, shows a high degree of sciencific 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 de-
signed 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, favorably acted
upon by the legislature. The matter was left without change, but
with the understanding that a vigorous prosecution of the work should
pave the way to more satisfactory legislation at a succeeding session.
After passing the winter at Oxford in the arrangement of the col-
lections and preparations for analytical work Hilgard proceeded in
April, 1856, to make a detailed exploration of the northeastern por-
tion of the State, where the geological structure seemed most complex
and varied. In the course of this expedition, made with the same out-
fit that had served the years before, he determined the character,
stratigraphical relations, and limits of the Carboniferous, Cretaceous,
and Tertiary beds of that part of the State, making extended collec-
tions especially of what was afterwards designated as the Ripley
group of the Cretaceous by Conrad.
He also investigated closely the features and geological relations of
the " Orange sand," now better known as the stratified drift, of the
southwest, showing its derivation partly from northern sources, partly
from the underlying formations, of which it contains the fossils, dis-
tinctly characterizing it as a Quaternary deposit of the drift age.
It having been clearly apparent to Professor Hilgard by this time
that the survey would never maintain itself in public esteem on the
basis of mineral discoveries, and that it must seek its main support in
what services it might render to agriculture, he made a point of pay-
ing close attention to and recording the surface features, 1 vegetation,
soils, the quality and supply of water, and especially the marls, which
were found to occur in large supply and great variety. He also made
a collection of plants which, although omitted from the subjects men-
tioned in the act creating the survey, he thought was essential toward
the characterization of soils. In the prosecution of these studies the
close connection between the surface vegetation and the underlying
formations became so striking that he soon largely availed himself of
the former in tracing out the limits of adjacent formations in search-
ing for outcrops, etc.
1 No instrumental topographical work was ever done in connection with the Missis-
sippi survey, partly because it was not provided for by law, partly because the continu-
ally recurring violent barometric changes during the working season rendered the use of
the aneroid, so useful elsewhere, very unsatisfactory. The railroad levelings then avail-
able were, however, fully and extensively used and were excluded from the report of
1860 simply by the absolute need of brevity for the sake of reducing the expense of pub-
lication.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 263
During the latter part of the season of 1856 Hilgard extended the
detailed survey of the Cretaceous area as far south as Columbus;
and thence, as the beginning of the rainy season rendered further
field work unprofitable, drove across the country to Tuscaloosa, Ala-
bama, in order to compare notes and consult with Tuomey, then State
geologist of Alabama, and to gain an insight Into the works of refer-
ence for Cretaceous and Tertiary paleontology. He was thus enabled
to ascertain the relations of the " Tombigby (sic) sands " fossils to the
" Rotten limestone," which he had thus far designated as Upper, but
agreed henceforth to consider as Middle Cretaceous. Hilgard there
also learned for the first time that Tuomey had found fossils well
preserved ammonites and several gasteropods silicified in the
"Lower Cretaceous" clays near Eutaw (or, rather, Finchs Ferry),
Alabama, and it was agreed to designate this lower clayey stage,
which in Mississippi had been found entirely barren of fossils, as
the " Eutaw " group. Subsequently, prior publication gave prece-
dence to Safford's name of " Coffee group " for the lower clays, and
similarly Hilgard's " Tippah group " received from Conrad the
prior name of " Ripley " for the uppermost Cretaceous.
Tuomey had at that time a portion of his second report in manu-
script, and as, unfortunate!} 7 , he died six months after the conference
above noted, that report, which was posthumously edited by J. W.
Mallet, does not show the latest phase of Tuomey's knowledge of the
Cretaceous stages. As his collections were mostly destroyed during
the war it is of interest to record here that almost all the Cretaceous
fossils marked " Miss." in list "A," page 257 of that report, were
from the " Tombigby sand " and the immediately overlying portion
of the " Rotten limestone," in Lowndes County. Mississippi ; the
"Ammonites Bi-Nodosus " recorded in the same list, from Eutaw,
Alabama, was considered by him as a " leading fossil " of the Lower
Cretaceous clays. The specimens were all silicified and in excellent
preservation.
Hilgard returned to Oxford in November across a country ren-
dered almost impassable by copious rains, and found matters rapidly
coming to a crisis at the university. Harper had been provided
with a separate ambulance outfit, and had taken the field for a few
weeks during the season of 1856 in the northwestern counties, but
he seemed to be unable to keep away from Oxford for any length
of time. Finally, the dissatisfaction of the board of trustees with
his personal acts, in relation both to the survey and to the university,
came to a head in November, 1856, when he was forced to resign.
Hilgard was continued as assistant, with compensation increased to
$1,500 a year, and was for the time being placed in charge of the
survey, the office work of which he continued during the winter.
264 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
At the legislative session of 1856-57, however, Harper procured the
passage of an act entitled "An act to provide for the printing of the
Second Annual Report of the Agricultural and Geological Survey of
the State, and for other purposes," approved January 31, 1857. Th
substantial provisions of this act were : First, the complete separation
of the survey from all connection with the State University; second,
that the survey should be prosecuted to completion according to the
provisions of the previous act by a State geologist to be appointed by
the governor and to receive a salary of $2,000 a year, to be furnished
with such an outfit as may be necessary to be provided under the di-
rection of the governor. " He shall also keep an exact account of his
expenses in making said survey and submit the same to the examina-
tion of the governor, who shall issue his requisition upon the treasury
for the amount, provided the sum shall not exceed $1,000 per annum."
In appropriation of $1,200 was also made for the purchase of chem-
ical apparatus for making analyses, and the State geologist was au-
thorized to " occupy as a laboratory the two front rooms in the second
story of the penitentiary building, and he shall be allowed the assist-
ance of one convict, to be named by the inspectors, to aid him in keep-
ing his apparatus in good order." It was also ordered " that 5,000
copies of Professor Harper's report be printed," and thereafter dis-
tributed in accordance with the provisions of the former act. The sum
of $3,500 was appropriated for this publication, and Harper entered
upon the office on March 1, 1857, but was voted compensation from the
date of his resignation, in November preceding. The only work per-
formed by him during his tenure of office under this act was the writ-
ing and publication of his report, which was done under his personal
supervision at New York, although, like the former report, it bears
the imprint of the State printer at Jackson. The circulation of the
report through the State soon produced the inevitable result of dis-
crediting its author to such an extent that toward the end of the year
1857 he was obliged to resign his office.
Shortly afterwards the appointment was tendered to Doctor Hil-
gard, who entered upon its duties early in 1858. At Jackson he
found in the " two front rooms in the second story of the peniten-
tiary," under the charge of the convict assistant, the outcome of the
purchases made by Harper under the provision for the outfitting of
an analytical laboratory. It consisted essentially of apparatus for
elementary lectures in chemistry and an expensive microscope. Tha
analytical balance was represented by a pair of apothecary's scales,
etc. Under authority of the governor a portion of these articles
were sold and the proceeds applied to the purchase of necessaries
for analytical work, and under the same authority and by permission
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 265
of the board of trustees of the State university, the whole was trans-
ferred to a front room in the university building at Oxford, which
Hilgard fitted up as a laboratory, at a personal expense of $GOO, for
the time being. By this evasion of the law framed under Harper's
auspices (which was mandatory only in respect to the location of the
" office." but not of the laboratory), the survey was again practically
restored to its original connection with the university, without which
the work could not be successfully carried on under so small an
appropriation.
Hilgard took the field again in April with the same outfit an
ambulance with two mules and a negro driver and, starting at the
Ripley Cretaceous, devoted the season to the verification of a full
section across the Tertiary areas, from north to south, including
also the detailed examination of the fossiliferous localities near
" Jackson " and " Vicksburg " stages in their most characteristic
development.
In passing through the State Hilgard became painfully conscious
of the fact that the survey had become extremely unpopular, as a
consequence of Harper's incumbency and report, so much so that it
was often very difficult to obtain information or even civil answers to
inquiries. He felt that it would be necessary to throw off and purge
the survey completely of the obnoxious antecedents if the appropria-
tion was to be sustained at the coming session of the legislature.
He therefore, after consulting with Governor McWillie, wrote a short
Report upon the Condition of the Geological and Agricultural
Survey of the State of Mississippi, of 22 octavo pages, which was
printed by executive order and circulated prior to the session of the
legislature in the winter of 1858-59. In this report he discussed
first, the need and advantages of a thorough geological and agri-
cultural survey of the State; recited the causes of the slow progress
and failure to satisfy the public, chief among which were inadequate
appropriations and the incompetency of the late incumbent; also
gave examples of what had been done in the matter in other States ;
and closed with a recommendation for the repeal of the law locating
the headquarters of the survey in the State penitentiary and for the
restoration of the geological assistantship, in connection with a
more reasonably adequate appropriation.
The storm, however, broke loose when the legislature assembled.
Those who had been instrumental in passing Harper's bill in 1857
were now most eager to have the survey " wiped out " to allay their
soreness. A special committee was appointed to investigate the
subject, and, without giving Hilgard a hearing, that committee
promptly reported "A bill to abolish the geological and agricultural
266 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
survey of the State." In presenting this report the chairman in-
veighed fiercely against the insolence exhibited in the report, above
alluded to, and the attempt to " coerce the legislature by forestalling
public opinion." The report to abolish would undoubtedly have
been promptly adopted but for Hilgard's forcing a personal confer-
ence with the chairman, in which he presented to him the documents
in the case and exhorted him to abolish the geologist, if he thought
there was cause, but not the survey, the revival of which would be
only a question of time. After this the " bill to abolish " was not
called up, and the survey remained in without change during 1859.
The previous season's work having settled conclusively the suc-
cession of the several stages of the Tertiary and their prominent
stratigraphical, lithological, and paleontological features, he de-
voted the season of 1859 to the- filling in of details. He went more
leisurely over the ground intended to have been covered by the pre-
vious joint expedition with Harper in 1855 namely, from the
southern border of the Cretaceous area, near Columbus, down the
Chickasawhay and Pascagoula valleys to the seacoast; along the
coast to Pearl River, up that river to Columbia, Marion County,
and thence across to the Mississippi; thence northward along the
eastern border of the loess region to the belt marine Tertiaries, which
he also examined more in detail between Jackson and Vicksburg.
All these observations only served to largely confirm and complete
his previous conclusions.
Returning from the field somewhat earlier than usual, Hilgard
began the arrangement of materials for a report, to be presented at
the legislative session of 1859-60, with a view to its publication and
the procurement of a better endowment for the survey.
As an example of the work done by the survey he put up a col-
lection of soils and marls, gathered during the three years' work, and
had it on exhibition at the State fair held at Jackson in November.
It excited a good deal of attention and newspaper comment, and
gave a favorable turn to public opinion previously aroused by fre-
quent communications of results made to agricultural and other
papers of the State.
Outside of the fair work he carried on the work of analysis and
writing, simultaneously and unremittingly, assisted by Prof. W. D.
More, then holding the chair of English literature at the University
of Mississippi. The manuscript was not nearly completed when the
legislature convened in December. 1859. but there was enough to
satisfy a special committee that it should be printed and that the
working facilities should be enlarged.
The bill reported by that committee and afterwards passed with
little difficulty by the legislature made no radical changes in the
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 267
previous act defining the objects of the survey, but provided for the
appointment of an assistant geologist at a salary of $1,500, enlarging
the limits of the annual " expenses necessarily incurred in fitting up
a chemical laboratory," and repealed the provision for keeping an
office at Jackson, permitting the alternative of having it at Oxford.
Soon after the beginning of the Civil War the university faculty
was dissolved and the survey discontinued, Professor Hilgard being
first detailed by the governor to take charge of the State property
at the university and afterwards appointed an agent of the niter
bureau. In these and kindred capacities he served until the renewal
of the work in 1866.
The mule team of the survey was sold under authority from the
governor soon after the suspension of the survey. There being no
legal mode of turning the proceeds into the State treasury, they
remained in the custody of Doctor Hilgard in the form of notes,
issued during the work by the State upon cotton pledged for their
redemption and hence known as " cotton money." At the close of
the war these notes were worthless and the survey left without
means for repurchase. Subsequently, however, a suitable team was
procured out of the appropriation for current expenditures.
Dr. George Little, formerly professor of natural sciences at Oak-
land College, near Rodney, Mississippi, was appointed assistant
geologist in July, 1866, and shortly thereafter took the field for de-
tailed exploration of the loess region from Rodney to its farthest
point in Louisiana, the especial object being to ascertain its relation
to the " coast Pliocene " or Port Hudson beds on the one hand, and
to the southern equivalent of the " yellow loam " of Mississippi and
Tennessee on the other. The general results of this exploration are
briefly stated in Memoir No. 248 of the Smithsonian Contributions,
page 4, namely, that the loess material gradually changes toward
that of a noncalcareous and nonfossilferous hardpan or indurated
silt, from a point about 8 miles below the Louisiana line, and seems
also to thin out. No detailed report or field notes of this trip are
on record.
In view of the difficulties and insecurity besetting the office of
State geologist under the regime then existing in the State of Missis-
sippi, in October, 1866, Doctor Hilgard accepted permanently the
chair of chemistry at the university, and Doctor Little was then
appointed State geologist. He took the field in the autumn of 1867,
in order to reexplore the section of the Tertiary strata afforded by
the Chickasawhay River, between Enterprise and Winchester. He
descended the stream in a canoe, making numerous portages over shal-
low stretches. The result of this reexamination was simply a con-
268 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
firmation of the observations previously made by Hilgard, going by
land, in 1859; of this exploration, also, no detailed record or report
is on file.
No field \vork was done by Doctor Little in 1868, partly because
by consent of the governor he \vas then acting as professor of geology
and mineralogy at the university, in addition to the survey work in
the laboratory and collection rooms.
In October, 1870, however, he definitely resigned the State geolo-
gistship for the professorship of geology and natural history in the
university, and in order to prevent the survey from being either
abolished or falling into the wrong hands, Hilgard again assumed
its direction without additional compensation, it being understood
that he should be under no obligation to take the field personally.
In November, 1868, the assistantship had been filled by the appoint-
ment of Dr. Eugene A. Smith, of Alabama, then just returned from
his studies in Europe. Doctor Smith took hold of the work with
energy, although the first duties were not of the most interesting
character namely, the farthest prosecution of the analyses of soils
and marls selected so as to cover, as nearly as possible, all parts of the
State. This work was carried on by him through the year 1869 and a
portion of 1870.
In September of the latter year he took the field with the usual out-
fit of a two-mule ambulance and driver. There were then two regions
in the State that had not been at all satisfactorily explored one the
belt northward of the Jackson area, of which only the portions lying
in Neshoba and Lauderdale counties on the eastern border of the
State, and a small area in Attala County, near the Central Railroad,
had been somewhat minutely examined. This being the connecting
link between the " northern lignitic " and calcareous marine stages,
its examination was of especial interest, but at the same time a
difficult task on account of the extreme variability of its materials
and fossils and the scarcity of outcrops. The other comparatively
unknown region was the great " Yazoo bottom," the geological ex-
ploration of which had become of especial interest in connection with
the question of the age of the formations of the Gulf coast and Delta.
While the latter region was to be the chief objective point of the
first expedition, Doctor Smith availed himself of the opportunity of
observing a section across the older Tertiary in passing from Oxford
to Yazoo City by way of the Pontotoc " flatwoods," Kosciusko, and
Jackson.
He then descended into the Yazoo bottoms and traversed them, zig-
zagging from the river to the bluff from near Vicksburg to its head
near Memphis. On this laborious and insalubrious trip he studied
both the surface features of the great alluvial plain and the geological
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 269
features of the deposits that form its substrata. A summary report
of this important exploration was given by him at the Indianapolis
meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
and was published in the volume of proceedings for 1871 (p. 252).
The outcome of these observations is there summarily stated to have
been that " the true river deposits " of any considerable thickness
are mostly confined to narrow strips of land lying on both sides of
the Mississippi and of the bayous and creeks and to ancient channels
since filled up ; while a large proportion of the superficial area of the
bottom, including some of the most fertile lands, is derived from
the clays of older formations into which these beds have been ex-
cavated. The equivalence of this older clay formation with that of
the Port Hudson profile, already suggested, was thus verified.
Returning to Oxford early in December, Doctor Smith carried on
the chemical work until the end of May, 1871, when he took the field
again in order to trace across the State the "siliceous Claiborne"
belt above referred to. His route lay from Leake County southeast-
ward to the Alabama line, along the northern contact of the prob-
lematic " Red Hills " and yellow sandstones with the lignitic forma-
tion; then westward again in the more southerly portion of the belt,
to the border of the Yazoo bottom (the "Mississippi bluff"). In
this trip he traced the connection and established the equivalence of
the ferruginous formation as a local feature, with the sandstones of
Neshoba and Newton Counties, which again connect unequivocally
with the characteristic " buhrstones " of Lauderdale.
In September, 1871, Doctor Smith resigned the assistantship to
take the chair of geology and mineralogy in the University of Ala-
bama, with which, through his efforts, the office of State geologist of
the latter State was afterwards connected.
His successor in the assistantship of the Mississippi survey was
Mr. R. H. Loughridge, of Texas, who had for some time previously
acted as Hilgard's assistant in the chemical laboratory and subse-
quently as instructor in general chemistry. Mr. Loughridge prose-
cuted the chemical work of the survey during a part of the year
1872, while Doctor Hilgard was preparing for the elaboration of
another report covering the work done since the publication of the
report of I860, when, by arbitrary ruling of the State auditor of
public accounts, the survey appropriation was withheld, and thus
in the autumn of 1872 the work was preemptorily stopped and has
not been revived since, although the act of 1860 has never been
legally rescinded. No provision for the publication of the results
has ever been made by the State. The records and collections of
the survey remained in custody of the University of Mississippi, and
were left by Doctor Hilgard fully labeled as to locality and time of
270 BULLETIN 10D, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
collection, with reference to the field notes, and to the name or
designation under which the specimens of fossils appeared in the
report of 1860.
Expenses. Satisfactory statistics bearing upon the expenses of
the survey are not available. So far as can be determined by the
reading of the various acts establishing the survey and making the
appropriations, they were approximately as follows:
By act of March 5, 1850, $3,000 a year for seven years $21,000
By act of 1852, for museum 200
By act of 1854, for publication 2, 500
By act of 1857, for laboratory 1,200
By act of 1860, for laboratory 545
By act of 1860, for publication 3,500
Total appropriations $28, 945
Salaries. Under Professor Millington, the assistant geologists
were paid $1,000 each, annually. Professor Hilgard, under Harper,
received at first $1,000, which was later increased to $1,500 annually.
Professor Harper's salary is given as having been $2,000 annually.
Publications. The official reports of the several surveys were com-
prised under five reports and a circular announcing the resumption
of work in 1866.
Wailes's report (the first of the Mississippi geological reports),
of which the publication was provided for by the law of 1854, bears
the imprint of E. Barksdale, State printer, 1854. but was actually
printed at Philadelphia, where Wailes remained during the greater
part of 1854 to superintend its passage through the press. The
volume is an octavo of 371 pages, with 17 illustrations, partly of a
historical character, partly referring to the cotton industry. Eight
of these illustrate geological subjects, the most important being
four plates of shells from the Jackson shell bed, named and de-
scribed by Conrad. The report begins with a " historical outline,"
covering 125 pages; a treatise on the agriculture of the State, partlv
historical and dealing largely with cotton culture, followed by some
analyses of marls, cotton, ashes, and mineral waters, and covering
81 pages; meteorological data, 12 pages; lists of fauna and flora, 46
pages; appendices, with documents, 25 pages. This summary is
sufficiently indicative of the fact that Wailes was not and did not
write as a specialist in any department. He made no attempt to
classify the rocks he described otherwise than as Cretaceous, Terti-
ary, and Quaternary, and inferentially classed among the latter
the sandstone of the Grand Gulf group, which is mentioned as over-
lying " diluvial gravel." He traced correctly the northern limit
of the Grand Gulf rocks from the Mississippi, across Pearl River
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 271
to Brandon, and described their occurrence in southwestern Missis-
sippi.
The printing of Professor Harper's report was provided for by
the act of 1857, which effected the separation of the survey from the
university. The sum of $3,500 was voted for its publication. Con-
cerning this Hilgard writes :
Of this report it need only be. said that it is a literary, linguistic, and
scientific curiosity, and probably unique in official publications of its kind.
It is the labored attempt of a socialist to show erudition and to compass the
impossible feat of interpreting and discussing intelligently a considerable mass
of observations mostly recorded by another, working on a totally different plane
from himself. In making use of my field notes, which of course passed into
his hands, the facts as well as the conclusions suffered such distortion that, but
for the introduction of all the figures and diagrams given in my manuscript,
I should have been unable in many cases to recognize my own work. It is thus
that the " Orange sand " becomes in his hands " the Miocene formation,"
while what he saw of the Port Huron beds, as well as the Quarternary gravels,
Is referred to the Eocene. Shortly after the publication of the book I publicly
disclaimed all responsibility for either facts or conclusions pretended to be based
upon my work, since, although my name is nowhere mentioned in the volume,
the innumerable errors would in the course of time be likely to be laid at my
door.
The legislature of 1859 made an appropriation of $3,500 for print-
ing Hilgard's report, " with such diagrams and maps as the governor
shall deem necessary for its illustration ;" and " it is hereby espe-
cially enjoined upon his excellency, in the publication of said book,
to have the same performed at the South, if the same can be done
at an advance of 10 per cent upon the cost of its publication at the
North." The latter clause was a characteristic sign of the tunes.
The act was approved by the governor February 10, 1860.
It was soon and easily ascertained that the 5,000 copies of the
volume could not be printed anywhere at the South at an advance of
10 per cent on New York prices, but Governor Pettus declared that
he would not allow it to go North under any circumstances, even if
it had to remain unprinted. The estimates prepared by Mr. E.
Barksdale, the State printer, showed that to do the work in his office
would cost over $4,000 at the lowest estimate placed upon the un-
completed manuscript. Finally, Mr. Barksdale proposed that if
Hilgard would be responsible for $250 of the excess of cost over the
amount allowed by the State, he would cover the rest. This proposi-
tion was accepted, and the governor relented so far as to allow the
map, which could not be furnished by any southern establishment, to
be prepared by the Coltons of New York ; the other plates were pre-
pared at New Orleans.
The printing was begun at Jackson in May, I860. The latter parts
of the report were largely written while the first portion was passing
136075-20 19
272 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
through the press, but several forms were not yet in print when, in
August, imperative business called Doctor Hilgard to Europe, and
the work of seeing the report through the press fell upon Dr. W. D.
Moore.
On Hilgard's return from Europe in November, 1860, he found
the report in print, and shortly afterwards it was shipped to St.
Louis for binding. The political events which soon afterward con-
vulsed the country prevented the return of the bound edition to
Mississippi. It remained warehoused in the binders hands during
the entire war between the States, and it was not until 1865 that
measures were taken for its recovery. The war and the " 12 months
thereafter" having expired, the survey was revived ipso facto on
the basis of the act of 1860, and Hilgard found the State printer,
Mr. E. Barksdale, determined to carry out to the letter his agree-
ment in respect to the publication of the report, thus likewise reviv-
ing his obligation to contribute $250 toward the payment of its cost,
which, under the conditions then existing, was a heavy tax. The
edition was received at Jackson early in 1866 and thence distributed
according to the following law :
An act to regulate the distribution of the reports on the geology and agriculture of the
State of Mississippi.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted 6y the legislature of the State of Mississippi, That
2,500 of Doctor Hilgard's reports on the geology and agriculture of the State
shall be distributed by the secretary of state to the counties and public insti-
tutions in accordance with the provisions of the act regulating the distribution
of the preceding report, except so far as relate to the State University.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the secretary of state
to deposit at the State University 250 copies of said report for the use of the
institution and for distribution to and exchange with scientific and literary
men and institutions by the librarian of the university, under the direction of the
faculty.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the copies not distributed in accordance
with the provisions of the preceding section shall remain deposited in the capital,
subject to the control of the secretary of state, who shall have authority to issue
one copy gratuitously to any citizen of the State making application for the
same, and to citizens of other States upon the payment of $1 per copy, or in
exchange for works of similar character, to be deposited in the State library.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That this act shall take effect and be in force
from and after its passage.
Approved, February 18, 1S67.
Benefits. The benefits of the surveys under direction of Doctor
Hilgard are summarized by him :
In this report I undertook to separate, as far as possible, the purely scientific
part from that bearing directly upon practical points, in order to render the
letter as accessible to unscientific readers as the nature of the case permit-
ted, while at the same time giving scientific discussion full swing in its proper
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 273
place, Tliis was the more necessary as my predecessor's reports had been
sharply criticized in this respect; and I thiiik the result has justified niy judg-
ment in the premises. The volume is thus divided nearly evenly between a
" geological " and " agricultural " portion ; the former giving, under the special
heading of " useful materials," the technically important features of each for-
imitinn, after its geological characters have been discussed. In the agricultural
portion it seemed needful at the time to give by way of introduction, a brief
discussion of the principles of agricultural chemistry, then but little understood
by the general public; and accordingly, 50 pages are given to this subject
and discussed with reference to the agricultuarl practice of the State. In
the special or descriptive portion of the agricultural report the State is divided
into " regions " characterized by more or less uniformity of soil and surface
features; and each is considered in detail with respect to all natural features
bearing on agricultural pursuits, special attention being given to the nature of
the soils as shown by their vegetation and analysis.
In the latter respect I departed pointedly from the then prevailing opinions,
by which soil analyses was held to be practically useless. My exploration of the
State had shown me such intimate connection between the natural vegetation
and the varying chemical nature of the underlying strata that have contributed
to soil formation, as to greatly encourage the belief that definite results could
be eliminated from the discussion of a considerable number of analyses, of soils
carefully observed and classified with respect both to their origin and the
natural vegetation, and a comparison of these data with the results of culti-
vation; and that thus it would become possible, after all, to do what Liebig
originally expected could be done, viz, to predict measurably the behavior
of soils in cultivation from their chemical composition. To what extent this
expectation has been fufilled, is hardly apparent from the very limited num-
ber of analyses which my unaided work was able to furnish for the report of
I860. But lights then obtained encouraged me to persevere in the same line of
Investigation, in the face of much adverse criticism, when wider opportunities
presented themselves afterwards. By the aid of these I think I may fairly
claim that the right of soil analysis to be considered as an essential and often
decisive factor in the a priori estimation of the cultural value of virgin soils,
has been well established alongside of the limitations imposed by physical and
climatic conditions and by previous invention of culture. 1
With the recognition of these facts the importance of agricultural surveys
to the population especially of the newer states and territories becomes suffi-
ciently obvious to command at least the same attention as those investigations
directed specially to the recognition of the geological and mineral resources of
the same regions; and the "classification of lands," provided for under the
law creating the United States Geological Survey, assumes a new and more
pressing significance. Even apart from any special investigations of soil com-
position, the right of the agricultural interests to at least a good intelligent and
intelligible description of the surface features of a region, given with respect
to its agricultural capabilities and its attractions for settlers, can hardly be
denied. With the additional possibilities opened by the intelligent application of
soil investigation, there is no excuse for the neglect, sometimes almost absolute,
with which this branch of the public surveys has thus far been treated by those
charged with their execution.
1 For a more extended exemplification and discussion of the nature and utility of such
work, see the Report on Cotton Production In the United States, vols. 5 and 6 of the
Reports of the Tenth Census ; also Amer. Journ. ScL, December, 1872, p. 434 ; also issue
for September, p 183,
274 BULLETIN lUy, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Dr. David D. Owen was, among the older American geol )gists, the one who
most steadily kept the agricultural interests in view and gave them prominence
in his researches and reports; and while my personal intercourse with him
predisposed me to follow his example iu this respect, my further experience has
only served to strengthen my conviction that a reasonable proportion of atten-
tion given to agricultural work would effectually smooth the path of our public
surveys, whose fate is forever trembling in the balance at each reassembling
of the legislative bodies upon which their continued endowment depends and
by whose country members their utility is constantly called in question. No
such question was raised in Mississippi after the publication of my report for
I860, and legislative appropriations for substantially similar work done by
me on behalf of agriculture have since been liberally maintained in California,
despite the conspicious disfavor with which the geological survey of that State
has for 12 years past been regarded by the public. Had that survey been adapted
to the legitimate needs of the State, by proper diligence in the pursuit of its
agricultural side, the discontinuance of the work would never have been carried
through the legislature.
As a striking exemplification of the change wrought in public sentiment by
the energetic prosecution of agricultural survey work, I may quote the action
taken at the called session of the Legislature of Mississippi in August, 1861.
Under the terrible stress brought to bear on the State even then by the impend-
ing conflict, it would have been natural to expect the complete extinction of the
appropriation for the survey work. Instead of this, an act was passed sus-
pending the appropriation for the geological survey " until the close of the war
and for 12 months thereafter; except the sum of $1,250 per annum, which shall
be applied to the payment of the salary of the State geologist, and the purchase
of such chemicals as may be necessary to carry on the analysis of soils, minerals,
and mineral waters and to enable him to preserve the apparatus, analyses,
and other property of the State connected with said survey."
This appropriation was actually maintained during the entire struggle of the
Confederacy, and, so far as the vicissitudes of war permitted, the chemical
work (and even some field work) was continued by me during the same time.
The scarcity of salt suggested the utilzation of some of the saline waters and
efflorescences so common in the southern part, of the State, and some 40 (un-
published) analyses of such saline mixtures are on record. I made an official
report on the subject to Governor Pettus, dated June 9, 1SG2. I also made a
special exploration on the several limestone caves of the State with a view
to the discovery of nitrous earths; but from the fact that these caves are all
traversed by lively streams. I found nowhere a sufficient accumulation of ni-
trates to render exploitation useful.
MISSOURI. 1
FIRST SURVEY UNDER GEORGE C. SWALLOW, 1853-1862.
Organization. About the earliest record available of official ac-
tion on the part of the State of Missouri in the direction of a geo-
logical survey is given in the message of Gov. Lilburn "YV. Boggs to
the tenth general assembly, in 1833. In this he recommended an
1 See also Geological Survey of Missouri, Journal of Geology, vol. 2, 1894, pp. 207-221.
*nd Trans. St. Louis Acad. Sci., vol. 4, 1878-86, pp. 611-624.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL.
^^9^
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 275
appropriation for a geological survey as a part of a general sys-
tem of internal improvement.
Apparently as a result of the spirit prompting this recommenda-
tion, surveys of the Meramec, the Salt, the North, Grand, and Osage
rivers were started, under a board of internal improvements, and the
geological examination of the Osage River was made under Dr.
Henry King, president of the Western Academy of Natural Sciences.
After this the matter of investigation by the State seems to have
fallen into neglect for several years.
In October, 1846, at a convention held in Springfield in the interest
of internal improvement a memorial was framed to the general as-
sembly, in which special stress was laid upon the value of the de-
velopment of the mineral resources of the State.
In the message of Gov. John C. Edwards to the assembly in the
same year the subject of a geological survey was again recommended
for consideration. The matter was referred to the committee on in-
ternal improvement, of which Dewitt C. Ballou was chairman. In
a report of eight pages this committee strongly advised the inaugura-
tion of such an undertaking. No immediate action, however, fol-
lowed, and at the session of the general assembly of 1848 a memorial
of 13 pages was presented from the Historical and Philosophical So-
ciety of Missouri, again inviting the attention of the legislature to
the matter. The immediate effect of this was another memorial from
the legislature to Congress urging that the National Government
have made a geological survey of the State. Nothing seems to have
resulted from this memorial, and in the following year (1850) Gov.
Austin A. King, in his message to the sixteenth general assembly,
again urged the importance of attending to these matters. Again
nothing immediate seems to have been done, but the matter con-
tinued to be agitated, and during the session of the legislature of 1853
an act creating the first geological survey of the State was passed and
approved.
The following is the text of this act :
An act to provide for a geological and minernloglcal survey of the State.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follotcs:
1. The governor of this State is hereby authorized and required, as soon as
may be after the passage of this act, to appoint a State geologist, who shall be
a jterson of competent scientific and practical knowledge of the sciences of
geology and mineralogy; and the said State geologist shall, by and with the
consent of the governor, appoint any number of suitable persons, not exceeding
four, to assist him in the discharge of his duties, who shall be skillful, analyti-
cal, and experimental chemists ; and may appoint such other subordinate assist-
ants, as he may deem necessary.
2. It shall be the duty of the said State geologist, and his said principal as-
sistants, as soon as may be practicable after their appointment, to commence
276 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
and carry on with as much expedition and dispatch, as may be consistent with
minuteness and accuracy, with a view to determine the order, succession, ar-
rangement, relative position, dip, or inclination, and comparative magnitude
of the several strata, or geological formations, within this State: and to dis-
cover and examine all beds or deposits or ore, coal, marls, and such other
mineral substances, and mineral waters, as may be useful or valuable, and to
perform such other duties as may be necessary to make a full and complete
geological and miueralogical survey of the State.
3. It shull be the duty of the said assistants to make full and complete exami-
nations, assays, and analyses of all rocks, ores, soils, or other substances,
as may be submitted to them by the State geologist for the purpose, and to
furnish him with a detailed and complete account of the results so obtained,
4. It shall be the duty of the said geologist on or before the 1st day of
December in each and every year during the time necessarily occupied by said
survey, to make an annual report of the progress of said survey, accompanied
with such maps, drawings, and specimens as may be necessary and proper to
exemplify and elucidate the same, to the secretary of state, who shall lay
such report before the legislature.
5. It shall be the duty of said State geologist to cause to be represented on
the map of the State, by color and other appropriate means, the various areas
occupied by the differeat geological formations in the State, and to mark
thereon tlie localities of the respective beds or deposits of the various mineral
substances discovered; and on the completion of the survey to complete a memoir
of the geology and mineralogy of the State, comprising a complete account of
the leading subjects and discoveries which have been embraced in the survey.
6. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to forward to the secretary
of state from time to time, during the progress of the survey, such specimens
in triplicate of the rocks, ores, coals, soils, fossils, and other mineral sub-
stances discovered and examined, and may be proper and necessary to form a
complete cabinet collection of specimens of the geology and mineralogy of the
State; and the said secretary shall cause one set thereof to be deposited, in
proper order, in some convenient room in the State capitol, there to be preserved
for public inspection, and another set with the State university, and another
set with the city of St. Louis, to be deposited by said city in some convenient
place or with some public institution in that city for public inspection.
7. For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act the sum
of $10,000 is hereby annually appropriated, for the term of two years, to be
expended under the direction of the governor: Provided, hotcever, That the
salaries of the said State geologist and his assistants shall not commence until
they have been entered upon the execution of their duties; and upon presenta-
tion by the said State geologist of the proper vouchers, the auditor of public
accounts is hereby required to draw his warrant on the treasurer for the amount
of the cost of any chemical apparatus or other outfit, deemed necessary by said
State geologist, and also for the amount of the quarterly pay of the said State
geologist and his assistants, on presentation of the proper vouchers, by said
State geologist, and upon the order of the governor, who shall be satisfied that
the services for which such pay shall be demanded have been performed;
Provided, That the amount of such cost and pay shall not, in any one year, ex-
ceed the amount herein appropriated.
8. The said State geologist and his principal assistants, before entering upon
the discharge of their duties, shall each take an oath before some judge or
justice of the peace faithfully to perform all the services required of them under
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 277
this act, and to abstain from all pecuniary speculations for themselves or others
in the objects of their survey during its progress.
9. The annual salary of said State geologist shall not exceed $3,000; the an-
nual salary of the principal assistants shall not exceed $1,500; and the pay of
subordinate assistants or servants shall not exceed $1 per day for every day of
actual service.
10. Before appointing said State geologist, as provided for in the first section
of this act, the governor is requested to correspond with men of science on the
subject, with the view of procuring the services of a person entirely suitable
and competent.
11. This act to take effect from its passage.
Approved, February 24, 1853.
This survey, it will be noted, had no connection with other insti-
tutions, although the State geologist was, during a part of his term
of service, professor of geology in the State University. It was sus-
tained by the regular annual appropriations made by order of the
legislature.
Administration. Under the act of 1853 Prof. G. C. Swallow, who
had been engaged in teaching in Maine, was made State geologist;
Prof. A. Little, of St. Louis, chemist ; and R. B. Price, of Brunswick,
Missouri, draftsman. Subsequently, B. F. Shumard, of Louisville,
Kentucky, was appointed paleontologist and assistant geologist. In
1854 F. B. Meek was commissioned assistant geologist; in 1857 G. C.
Broadhead and Henry Engelmann received like commissions; and
in 1858 Dr. J. G. Norwood was appointed assistant geologist. Mr.
R. B. Price, resigning in 1858, his position was filled by the ap-
pointment of H. A. Ulffcrs, who served also as assistant geologist
Mr. C. Gilbert Wheeler was assistant geologist from 1860 to 1861.
In addition to these, R. B. Price, Fred. Bass, F. Hawn, Warren
Hough, Edward Harrison, and Daniel Crosby are mentioned in the
annual report as having rendered assistance. All the assistants
were, as noted in the law, appointed by the State geologist, by and
with the consent of the governor.
The salary received by the State geologist was at the rate of $3,000
a year and the assistants $1,000 and $1,500 a year.
The aim of the survey, as stated in the first report, was to make (1)
an outline of the general geology of the whole State; (2) a general
view of the mineral wealth of the mining district; (3) an exposition
of the agricultural and manufacturing resources of the State; and
(4) reports in detail of as many counties as possible.
The character of the work was mainly preliminary. It aimed to
mark down on accurate maps the boundaries of the geological forma-
tions, the limits of the prairie and timber, mineral localities, and all
matters necessary to form a geographical as well as geological map.
Sections were corrected and grouped, and minerals, fossils, rocks, ores,
and mineral waters collected, and also soils.
278 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Besides noting the geology, the members of the survey were ex
pected, when convenient, to make botanical and zoological collections.
There were, as a rule, two parties in the field, with camp equipage,
horses, etc., the property of the State. The office and headquarters of
the survey were in rooms of the State University at Columbia.
Concerning the work of this survey "Winslow remarks:
Reviewing briefly this work of the geological survey, we must recognize as
remarkable and excellent the classification of the rocks which are involved,
as well as the general accuracy with which the distribution of the formations
was defined, especially when the short time is considered. Under the control
of Hall's new classification and nomenclature published in 1843, though un-
doubtedly assisted, yet not mislead by Owen's results, Swallow and his assist-
ant established a table of formations and outlined a geographical map of the
State, which remains to this date unchanged in its main features.
The law required that the collections should be made in triplicate,
one set of which should go to the State University, one to the city of
St. Louis, and one to be deposited in some convenient room in the
capitol. The Civil War interfered and the collections, though made,
were not distributed, the specimens for the most part remaining in
boxes until 1884, when they were unpacked and partly arranged in
the museum of the State University.
Expenses. The total cost of the survey during the nine years of
its existence was $105,000.
Publications. Five reports of progress were issued, dated 1853,
1854, 1856, 1859, and 1860, respectively. Of these only the second,
comprising 447 pages, contained anything of geological importance,
and is the one commonly known as Swallow's report on the geology
of Missouri. The others are all brief and partly administrative.
The annual reports were distributed through the members of the
legislature and by the geologist.
SECOND SURVEY UNDER ALBERT D. HAGER, 1870-1871.
Organization. The survey under Professor Swallow came to an
end, as noted, in 1862, owing to the disorganized condition of
the country caused by the Civil War. The matter was not, how-
ever, long allowed to remain dormant, and even before the close of
the war a James McKenzie presented a petition to the legislature,
the object of which was to secure the publication of information
concerning the resources of the State for foreign distribution.
In the report of the corresponding secretary of the board of
agriculture for 1865, the importance of a scientific survey was dwelt
on, but no definite recommendations made. In the report of the secre-
tary of the same organization, for 1866, the need of geological work
again found expression, and at the meeting of the board of agri-
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 279
culture in December, 1867, a resolution was passed to memorialize
the general assembly to appoint a State geologist.
The first movement on the part of the legislature, in response to
these solicitations, was the bill passed in 1866 authorizing Professor
Swallow and L. D. Morse (or Moore) to publish the manuscripts of
the first geological survey. This idea was, however, abandoned on
account of the expense.
In 1867 a memorial was presented to the legislature from the St.
Louis Academy of Sciences advocating the reestablishment of the
geological survey and calling attention to the loss which would re-
sult if no provisions were made for the publication of results of the
work done by the previous organization.
Nothing seems to have been done until Gov. J. W. McClurg, in his
message of January, 1868, devoted considerable space to a considera-
tion of the resources of the State, and paid tribute to the value of the
Swallow report, and recommended the publication of further de-
tailed information. The effect of this message was immediate, and
on March 24 an act was passed creating the second geological survey.
The provisions of this act were in the main the same as those of
the act creating the first survey, differing, however, in some particu-
lars, and mainly in that the bureau was placed under the control of
a board of managers of nine members, whereas, by the provisions of
the first act the State geologist was subject to the direction of the
governor alone. The following is the text of this act:
An act to establish a mining, metallurgical, and geological bureau for the State of
Missouri, and to provide for Its support and management, and to authorize a geologi-
cal survey.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows :
SECTION 1. There Is hereby created and established a bureau of the mines,
metallurgy, and geology for the State of Missouri, and the same shall be in the
charge and under the control of a board of managers, consisting of the gov-
ernor, who shall be the president of the bonrd, and one member from each con-
gressional district, who shall be appointed by the governor, and hold their offices
for the term of four years, and until their successors are appointed and con-
firmed.
SEC. 2. The governor shall, as soon as the board of managers is constituted
as provided in the preceding section of this act, and with the advice and consent
of said board, appoint a fit and competent person as State geologist, and said
State geologist may appoint, subject to the approval of the board of managers
one assistant State geologist, who shall be a skillful, analytical, and practical
Chemist, to assist him in the discharge of his duties, and the said Stnte geolo-
gist may employ such other subordinate assistants as may be found necessary.
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the said State geologist and his assistant, as
soon as may be practicable after their appointment, to commence and carry on,
with as much expedition as may be consistent with minuteness and accuracy, a
thorough mineralogical and geological survey of this State, and determine the
280 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
extent, value, order, succession, arrangement, relative position, dip or inclina-
tion, and comparative magnitude of the mineral deposits and the several strata
or geological formations within this State, and also determine the extent of the
agricultural, horticultural, and vine lauds, and their adaptability to the varied
products of the soil, and also to determine the extent and capacity of the water
powers of t'^e various streams, and shall also make full and complete assays
and analyses as they may deem necessary, of all minerals, soils, and other sub-
stances necessary for a complete and satisfactory report of the material dis-
covered and so treated.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the said State geologist to make a monthly
summary of his work, and forward the same to the president of the board of
managers for publication, and shall also, on or before the 1st day of December
in each and every year during the time necessarily occupied by said survey, to
make a full report of the progress of said survey during the preceding year,
which shall be accompanied by such maps, drawings, and specimens as may be
necessary and proper to exemplify and elucidate the same, and deliver the same
to the aforesaid president.
SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of said State geologist, upon the completion
of the survey, to represent, or cause to be represented, ui>on proper maps of
the State, by distinctive lines, marks, and appropriate colors, the area and mag-
nitude of the various beds of different minerals, valuable rocks, marls, agricul-
tural, vine, and horticultural lands, and the various interesting or anomalous
stratified rocks discovered, and the water powers aforesaid, and shall accom-
pany the same with a complete memoir of all the minerals, rocks, agricultural,
vine, and farming lauds thus delineated, as well as the watercourses required
by this act to (be) examined; and he shall embrace within such memoir a full,
entire, and accurate account of the leading discoveries made in the State, and
also a glossary of the scientific terms used in the report; and the said report,
so made, when being completed, shall be deposited with the president of the
board of managers.
SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to forward to the president
of the board of managers, from time to time during the progress of the survey,
such specimens, in triplicate, of the rocks, ores, coals, fossils, and other mineral
substances examined, properly labeled, giving the names of such specimens and
localities from which they were taken, for the purpose of forming a complete
cabinet of specimens of the mineralogy and geology of the State. One set of
said specimens shall be placed in the school of mines and metallurgy whenever
the same shall be established; one set shall be placed in the State University;
and the other shall be preserved in such manner as the board of managers may
direct; and the said specimens shall be open to public inspection at all reason-
able hours, under such regulations as are necessary for their proper care and
preservation.
SEC. 7. The State geologist and his assistant, before entering upon the dis-
charge of their duties, shall each take an oath before some officer of this State
qualified to administer oaths, that they will honestly, faithfully, and fairly per-
form all the duties required of them by this act, to the best of their abilities,
and that they will not permit any person to have access to any of their books
or papers, or communicate their contents to any person or persons; and that
they will not disclose or make public any nr.ne or valuable deposit, otherwise
than in their official reports to the board of managers, and that they will abstain
from all speculations in their own behalf, or in behalf of others, during the
progress of such survey and in relation thereto.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 281
SEC. S. The annual salary of the State geologist shall not exceed $3,000; the
annual salary of the assistant shall not exceed $2,000, and the pay of the sub-
ordinate assistants shall not exceed, for each of them, the suui of $1.50 per day
for each day employed.
SEC. 9. The board of managers of the bureau herein provided for shall have
a superintending control over the surveys and reports contemplated by this act;
shall have power to make yearly agreements with the State geologist and his
assistants as to the amount of their salaries; to appoint a committee of their
body to examine, audit, and allow all necessary expenses of such survey as they
occur, and to certify the same to the governor; to remove from office, for cause,
the said State geologist or any of his assistants; and so soon as possible after
their organization under this act, should they deem the best interests of the
State to require it, they shall provide for the establishment, at the most acces-
sible point in the State, of an office for assayer of ores. And when so estab-
lished, the governor of the State, by, and with the consent of said board, shall
appoint an assayer for such office, whose duties shall be prescribed by the board
of managers, who shall by contract determine the amount of salary, which in no
case shall exceed the sum of $2,000 per year.
SEC. 10. The said board of managers shall demand and take possession of all
the geological reports of this State, published and unpublished, instruments,
implements, and all other paraphernalia which were used in connection with
the geological surveys of this State by the former geologist employed by the
State. And all persons now in possession of the same are hereby authorized and
required to turn the same over to the president of the board of managers of
the bureau herein established, and when received, the said board shall have
power to turn the same over to the State geologist, or make such other disposi-
tion of them as they may deem the best interest of the State demand.
SEC. 11. The president of the said board of managers of the said bureau shall
receive all the reports of the State geologist contemplated by this act; shall lay
the same before the board of managers for the'r consideration and approval,
at their annual meeting, to be held at any time, at the discretion of the presi-
dent, before the meeting of the general assembly; and after the day fixed by
this act when the State geologist is required to make his annual report, and at
such meeting the president shall lay before the said board an accurate account
of all expenditures incurred in prosecuting the objects for which this bureau has
been created, all of which, after the action of the board thereon, shall be laid
before the general assembly at the first following session by the president.
SEC. 12. The board of managers herein provided for shall be allowed, as a
full compensation, their necessary expenses whilst attending to any of the duties
required of them by this act, the accounts therefor to be made out under oath
and filed with the State auditor, and the pay of the State geologist and his as-
sistant shall be out of the appropriations applicable to the payment of other
civil officers of the State.
SEC. 13. The sum of $7,500 is hereby appropriated out of any money in the
State treasury not otherwise appropriated to defray the general expenses of
the bureau created by this act, and no larger amount shall be expended for such
purposes in any one year. The president of the board of managers is hereby
authorized to certify to the State auditor, from time to time, the sums of money
required to pay the salaries of the State geologist and his assistant and for the
general expenses of the bureau, and on receiving such certificates the auditor
shall draw his warrant on the treasurer of the State for the requisite amounts
282 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
In favor of the parties and persons entitled to receive the same, and shall charge
tlie several sums so pnid to the account of the proper appropriation.
SEC. 14. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved, March 24, 1870.
Administration. Under the act of 1870 Albert D. Hager, of Ver-
mont, and at one time connected with the survey of that State under
Dr. Edward Hitchcock, was appointed by the board State geologist,
and headquarters were established at St. Louis. He held this posi-
tion only until August, 1871, when Dr. Joseph G. Norwood was
placed temporarily in charge and held office until November 25 of
the same year. With Doctor Norwood were appointed G. C. Broad-
head and C. M. Litton, assistants.
The board of managers for this survey were elected for two years
and the State geologist for an indefinite period. The latter was au-
thorized to appoint one assistant and one chemist and such other
assistants as the board might deem necessary. The members of the
board themselves received no salary, but were allowed necessary ex-
penses for traveling, etc., and a secretary, who was paid $50 per
month.
By law the salary of the State geologist was not to exceed $3,000
a year and that of the assistants not to exceed $2,000; the subordi-
nates to be paid at the rate of $1.50 per day so long as employed.
Expenses. The total appropriations for this survey were $12.500.
Publication. Mr. Hager published but one report of progress a
pamphlet of 21 pages, in which were briefly noted the chief minerals
and building stones of the State.
THIRD SURVEY UNDER R. PUMPELLY AND GEORGE C. BROADHEAD, 1872-1874.
The law of 1870 being found unsatisfactory it was amended iii
1871 by the passage of the following act. It will be noted that
among other changes, the board of managers was reduced from 10
(the governor and one for each congressional district) to 5.
An act to provide for a bureau of geology and mines to complete the ecological survey of
the State of Missouri.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
SECTION 1. There is hereby created and established a bureau of geology and
mines for the State of Missouri, which shall be under the direction and la
charge of a board of managers, which shall consist of the governor, who shall
be president of the board, and four citizens from the State at large, who shall
be appointed by the governor, shall hold their office for the term of two years
and until thoir successors are appointed and qualified.
SEC. 2. As soon as the board of managers is organized, as provided in the
preceding section, the present State geologist may appoint, subject to the ap-
proval of the board of managers, one assistant paleontologist and geologist and
one assistant chemist to assist him in the discharge of his duties: and said
State geologist may employ such subordinates and laborers as may be
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 283
deemed necessary by the board : Provided, The whole expenditure of the board
shall not exceed the sum hereinafter appropriated.
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the State geologist and his assistants, under the
instructions and directions of the board of managers, to carry on and complete
the geological survey of the State already begun, with a view to determine the
order, succession, arrangement, relation, position, dip, or inclination and com-
parative magnitude of the several strata or geological formations within this
State, and to discover and examine all beds or deposits of ore, coal, marls, and
snch other mineral substances and mineral waters as may be useful or valu-
able; make full and complete examinations, assays, and analyses of such rocks,
clays, marls, ores, and other substances as may indicate useful results, and to
perform such other duties as may be necessary to make a full and complete
geological and miueralogical survey of the State.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to make, or cause to be
made, a detailed report of each county as soon as the survey thereof shall be
completed. Each county report shall be accompanied by an accurate map and
section of the county, on which shall be represented by colors and other appro-
priate means, the various areas occupied by the prairie, timber and bottom lauds,
and by the different geological formations in the State, and to mark thereon
the localities of the respective beds or deposits of the various mineral sub-
stances discovered; and on the completion of the survey of the State he shall
make complete report of the geology and mineralogy of each county, comprising
a full account of the discoveries made, and each of such reports shall be deliv-
ered to the board of managers as soon as completed.
SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to collect, in triplicate, all
rocks, ores, coals, fossils, and such other mineral substances discovered as may
be necessary to form a complete cabinet collection of the geology and mineralogy
of the State.
SEC. C. It shall be the duty of the board of managers to report to the general
assembly, on the first week of each session, the progress and condition of the
survey, a detailed account of all moneys spent, and all such reports of the State
geologist and his assistants as have been completed, together with all such
information as may be deemed necessary and useful.
SEC. 7. It shall be the daty of said board to collect and take possession of
all materials accumulated by the previous surveys, whether reports, maps, sec-
tions, collections, instruments, or other property belonging to the State; and all
persons now in possession of the same shall deliver them up to the order of the
president of the board of managers.
SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of the board to determine, as far as may be, what
work has been done by each one employed in previous surveys, the character of
the work done by each, the condition of such work, how much of the State has
been actually surveyed, and how much of said work may be made available in
completing the survey of the State, and embody the same in their first report
to the general assembly.
SEC. 9. The board may make such by-laws and regulations for the government
and control of its own meetings and the labors of the State geologist and his
assistants as may be deemed necessary. It may appoint officers and commit-
tees to audit and allow accounts and look after particular departments of
tho work, and discharge such other duties as may be necessary to carry on the
objects of this bureau.
SEC. 10. As a full compensation for the members of the board of managers
they shall be allowed their necessary expenses while attending to the duties
284 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
assigned them by this act. The board shall fix the salaries of the State geolo-
gist, not to exceed $3,000 per annum of actual service, arid of all others em-
ployed in the work of the survey.
SEC. 11. All accounts for salaries and expenses shall be made under oath, and
certified by the board and filed with the auditor of the State ; and the pay of
the State geologist and his assistants shall be made out of the appropriation
made for civil officers of the State.
SEC. 12. The sum of $5,000 is hereby annually appropriated, out of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to defray the incidental expenses of
the bureau created by this act and the geological survey, and no more than this
amount shall be thus expended in any one year.
SEC. 13. The board of managers shall have the general management of the
survey, and have full power to remove the State geologist or any of his assist-
ants, and appoint their successors when deemed necessary for the good of the
work entrusted to them.
SEC. 14. It shall be the duty of the board to cause the geological collections
made previous to the year 1870 to be distributed in accordance with the laws
under which those collections were made, except the one collected for the State
capitol, which shall be given to the School of Mines and Metallurgy, and all
subsequent collections made in triplicate shall be given, one suite to the State
University, one to the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, and one to the
city of St. Louis, which shall be deposited by the authorities of that city in
some institution for the advancement of science or general education.
SEC. 15. The president of the board shall, from time to time, certify to the
State auditor the sums of money required to pay the salaries of the State geolo-
gist and his assistants, and for the incidental expenses of the bureau; and on
receiving such certificates the auditor of State shall draw his warrant on the
treasurer of the State for the requisite amounts in favor of the parties and
persons entitled to receive the same, and shall charge the several sums so paid
to the accounts of the proper appropriation.
SEC. 16. The entire expenses of carrying out the provisions of this act shall
not exceed in any one year the sum of $10,000.
SEC. 17. The State geologist and his assistant, before entering upon the dis-
charge of their duties, shall each take an oath before some officer of this State
qualified to administer oaths, that they will honestly, faithfully, and fairly
perform the duties required of them by this act to the best of their abMity,
and that they will not permit any person to have access to any of their books
or papers, or communicate their contents to any person or persons, and that
they will not disclose or make public any mine or valuable deposit, other than
in their offic'al reports (except to the owner or owners of the land surveyed),
and that they will abstain from all speculations in their own behalf, or in the
behalf of others, during the progress of such survey and in relation thereto.
SEC. 18. An act entitled "An act to establish a mining, metallurgical, and
geological bureau for the State of Missouri, and to provide for its support and
management, and to authorize a geological survey," approved March 24, 1S70,
and all other acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the act are hereby re-
pealed.
SEC. 19. This net shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved March 18, 1871.
Administration. Under this act Raphael Pumpelly, of New York,
was appointed State geologist, with G. C. Broadhead. W. B. Potter,
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 285
J". R. Gage, Adolph Schmidt, W. E. Guy, C. J. Norwood, and Alex-
ander Leonard, assistant geologists, and Regis Chauvenet, chemist,
During Pumpelly's management of the survey the board of man-
agers consisted of Gov. B. Gratz Brown, ex officio president; Mr.
Edwin Harrison. Prof. Sylvester Waterhouse, Mr. Forrest Shep-
herd, and Gen. J. H. Hammond. Governor Brown was succeeded
in 1873 by Gov. Silas Woodson. Professor Waterhouse and General
Hammond resigned in the summer of 1872, and their places were
filled by A. W. Morris and M. L. Brown.
The plan of the work adopted by Pumpelly recognized two classes
of investigation : One was the study of the general stratigraphic
geology of the State; the other the study of the distribution and
manner of occurrence of the various important mineral deposits,
which latter investigation he put in charge of specialists or men
whose previous experience had proven them especially adapted to
the work.
In harmony with this plan the work on the general stratigraphy
was divided into five departments ; that is, a survey of the northwest,
a survey of the southwest, a survey of the northeast, a survey of the
southeast, and a survey of the porphyry regions of the southeast.
The work relating to economic geology was divided into three de-
partments namely, a department of iron ores and metallurgy, a de-
partment of ores other than iron, a department of fuels and con-
struction materials other than iron and wood.
With the retirement of Mr. Pumpelly, Mr. G. C. Broadhead was
elected State geologist, assuming charge in July, 1873. Dr. A.
Schmidt and C. J. Norwood remained as assistant geologists; Regis
Chauvenet, chemist ; Messrs. Alexander Leonard, P. N. Moore, H. H.
West, T. J. Caldwell, and C. Heinrichs, assistants.
The policy of the Pumpelly survey was continued under Broad-
head's administration, though a larger proportion of time was de-
voted to the preparation of county reports. The examination of the
iron ores was continued, and in addition there was begun an ex-
amination of the lead deposits of the southwest. Surveys for county
reports were made in Jasper, Cedar, Barton, Vernon, Bates, How-
ard, Linn, Adair, and Sullivan counties. In 1874, the lead deposits
of Cole, Miller, and other central counties were studied, and ex-
aminations for county reports were made in Putnam, Schuyler,
Chariton, Cole, and Madison counties.
The survey was discontinued after the year 1874, and most of its
working material transferred to the State School of Mines at Rolla,
the president of which, Dr. Charles P. Williams, was made acting
State geologist, with a nominal salary. Little field work was carried
286 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
on under Doctor Williams, and after the year 1876 no further sup-
port appears to have been extended to the work by the State.
Expenses. The total appropriations for the surveys of 1872-1874
amounted to $60,000 and an additional $19,320 for printing.
Publications. Up to the time of Mr. Pumpelly's appointment very
little had been made public of the results of the surveys, and the
changes of management had necessarily retarded and weakened the
work. Under Pumpelly's management two reports were issued, both
in 1873, one of 323 pages, consisting entirely of county reports, and
the other of 655 pages, devoted largely to economic subjects. But
one report was issued by the Broadhead survey this a large octavo
of over 700 pages, transmitted in August, 1874. Under Doctor
Williams one report a small octavo of about 200 pages was issued.
The cost of printing these reports is given in the final summation of
expenses at the end of this article.
FOURTH SURVEY UXDER ARTHUR WTNSLOW, C. R. EEYES, AXD OTHERS,
1889-1000.
Organization. After the suspension of the survey under Professor
Williams no public geological work was conducted until the year
1884, when topographic work was begun in the State by the United
States Geological Survey. This was continued until July, 1889, up
to which time about one-third of the State was mapped on sheets
of a scale of 2 miles to the inch and with contour intervals of 50 feet.
In addition, W. J. McGee was detailed in 1887 by the national survey
to make a brief study of the geology of a portion of Macon County.
The law of May 13, 1889, was evidently framed upon the laws of
the preceding survey, though it differed somewhat in detail. The
most noticeable differences are the absence of a requirement to col-
lect specimens in triplicate and of a clause requiring county maps
and reports to be prepared. The State geologist was, however, di-
rected to complete any detail maps and reports of counties or dis-
tricts already prepared. The following is a transcript of this law :
An act to provide for a bureau of geolojry and mines to complete geological and mlner-
alogical survey of the State of Missouri.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
SECTION 1. There is hereby created and established a bureau of "geology and
mines" for the State of Missouri, which shall be under the direction and in
charge of a board of managers, which shall consist of the governor (who shall
be ex offlcio president of the board) and four citizens from the State at large,
who shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the consent of the senate,
and shall hold their office for a term of four years.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 287
SEC. 2. The board of managers are authorized, as soon as they are organized,
to appoint one State geologist, who shall be a person of competent, scientific,
and practical knowledge of the sciences of geology and mineralogy, and who is
not connected with any school or college as an instructor, and who shall be the
director of the survey ; and said State geologist may appoint such assistants
and subordinate assistants and laborers as may be deemed necessary in order
to make a thorough and scientific, geological, and minera logical survey of the
State.
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the State geologist and his assistants, under
the instructions and directions of the board of managers, to carry on, with as
much expedition and dispatch as may be consistent with minuteness and accu-
racy, a thorough geological and minera logical survey of the State already begun,
with a view to determine the order, succession, arrangement, relative position,
dip, or inclination, and comparative magnitude of the several strata or geo-
logical formations within this State, and to discoA-er and exami e all beds or
deposits of mineral contents and fossils, and to determine the various position,
formation, and arrangement of the many different ores, clays, rocks, coals, min-
eral oils, natural gas, mineral and artesian waters, and other mineral substances
as may be useful or valuable; also to note carefully the character of the soils
and their capacities for agricultural purposes, the growth of timber, and other
scientific matters that may be of practical importance and interest; and said
geologist shall cause to be represented on the map of the State, by colors and
other appropriate means, the various areas occupied by the different geological
formations of the State and to mark thereon the localities of the respective beds
or deposits of the various mineral substances; and, on the completion of the
survey, complete a memoir of the geology and mineralogy of the State, com-
prising a complete account of the leading subjects and discoveries which have
been embraced in the survey.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to make, or cause to be
made, detailed maps and reports of counties or districts as fast as completed,
which maps shall embrace all such geological, mineralogical, and scientific de-
tails necessary to make complete reports of said districts and counties. The
State geologist may also, from time to time, publish or cause to be published
any reports of work completed in the form of pamphlets or bulletins for general
distribution.
SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to collect full suites of all
minerals, ores, fossils, or other mineral substances of scientific or practical in-
terest or utility as may be discovered, and that may be necessary to form a
complete cabinet collection, to illustrate the various resources of the State, as
may be necessary to assist in preparing the various reports of the survey.
SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the said assistants to make full and complete
examinations, assays, and analyses of all such rocks, ores, soils, or other sub-
stances as may be submitted to them by the State geologist for the purpose,
and to furnish him with a detailed and complete account of the results so
obtained.
SEC. 7. The State geologist, from time to time, may furnish Items of general
information or new discoveries for publication in newspapers: Provided, The
preparation of the manuscript and publication thereof does not interfere with
the progress or add to the expense of the survey. He mny also have authority
to furnish cabinets for colleges or public museums, located within the State of
Missouri, of minerals, rocks, or fossils: Provided, Said institutions shall pay the
13607520 20
288 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
expense of preparing, labeling, transporting, and putting up said collection; and
also, further, that in the selection of said specimens the general State collection
is not deprived of duplicates of the same, and that the State collection is not
seriously injured.
SEC. 8. The board, with the State geologist, may determine the place for the
State cabinet and headquarters of the survey.
SEC. 9. It shall be the duty of the board of managers to report to each gen-
eral assembly the progress and condition of the survey, an accurate account of
money spent, such reports of the State geologist and his assistants as have been
completed, together with all such information as may be deemed necessary and
useful.
SEC. 10. The board shall have power to take possession of all property of
former surveys, whether reports, maps, collections, instructions, or other prop-
erty belonging to the State, and all persons now in possession of the same shall
deliver them up to the order of the president of the board of managers: Pro-
vided, That no cabinet or library already arranged shall be removed, but the
State geologist and his assistants shall have the power at any time to examine
or study such collections in preparing their reports.
SEC. 11. The board may make such by-laws and regulations for the govern-
ment and control of its meetings and labors of the State geologist and his as-
sistants as may be deemed necessary.
SEC. 12. As full compensation for the members of the board of managers they
shall be allowed their necessary expenses while attending to the duties assigned
them by this act. The board shall fix the salary of the State geologist, not
to exceed $3,000 per annum, and his chief assistant, which shall not exceed
$1,800 ; for the principal assistant or paleontologist, if one is employed, not over
$1,800.
SEC. 13. The State geologist may. with the approval of the board, appoint
other necessary assistants, whose pay shall not exceed ?5 per day; such other
necessary laborers or assistants as may be necessary, who shall receive a fair
compensation for their work. He shall also have power to negotiate for such
chemical work, chemical apparatus, and chemicals as may be necessary, and
may, from time to time, with the approval of the board, have such work done.
He may also, with approval of the board, employ special assistants in paleon-
tology, provided it be deemed necessary.
SEC. 14. All accounts of salaries and expenses shall be made under oath, cer-
tified by the board, and filed with the auditor of State.
SEC. 15. The board, of managers shall have the general management of the
survey, and have full power to remove the State geologist and appoint his suc-
cessor, when deemed necessary for the good of the work entrusted to him ; and
the State geologist shall have full control over his assistants and have power
to remove them when deemed necessary.
SEC. 10. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act the sum
of $20.000 is hereby appropriated, or so much as may be needed thereof.
SEC. 17. The board of managers, the State geologist, and each of Irs principal
assistants shall, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, t;?ke the
nsunl oath of office to faithfully perform all the services required of them under
this net. and to abstain from all pecuniary speculations for themselves or others
lu the objects of their survey during its progress.
SEC. IS. The president of the board shall, from time to time, certify to the
State auditor the sums of money required to pay the salaries of the State
geologist and his assistants and the incidental expenses of the bureau: and on
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL H1STOKY SURVEYS. 289
receiving said certificates the auditor of State shall draw his warrant on the
treasurer of State for the requisite amount in favor of the parties and persons
entitled to receive the same, and shall charge the several sums so paid to the
account of the proper appropriation.
SEC. 19. All previous acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are
hereby repealed.
SEC. 20. The importance of the completion of the geological and mineralogical
survey of Missouri at an early d:iy creates an emergency within the intent and
meaning of the constitution which requires this act to take effect at once;
therefore, this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved May 13, 1SS9.
Administration. Under this law Arthur Winslow was appointed
State geologist. He was assisted by Prof. H. A. Wheeler, Frank L.
Nason, Paul Schweitzer, G. E. Ladd, Hiram Philips, Erasmus Ha-
worth, J. E. Todd, and Charles E. Keyes. These assistants were
appointed by the State geologist with the approval of the board.
The salary of the State geologist was fixed as before at $3,000 a year
and that of his chief assistants not to exceed $1,800 a year, other
necessary assistants receiving amounts not exceeding $5 a day.
Under Winslow's administration the plan of work adopted was
(1) to prepare a series of monographic reports upon separate sub-
jects, those of economic importance received first consideration;
(2) to prepare successively a series of detailed maps of different
portions of the State to be accompanied with special reports con-
taining descriptive details. The subjects undertaken in pursuance
of this course were :
1. Lead and zinc deposits; 2, the coal and coal regions; 3, the
clays; 4, the iron ores; 5, the mineral waters; 6, the building stones
and crystalline rocks ; 7, the Quaternary, or, more exactly, the glacial
geology; 8, the paleontology; 9. hypsometry; 10, general geological
mapping.
The study of lead and zinc deposits was begun in cooperation with
the national survey. The work on coals was placed in the hands of
Prof. H. A. Wheeler ; that of iron ores in those of Frank L. Nason.
Paul Schweitzer studied the mineral waters; G. E. Ladd and Hiram
Philips, the building stones. Crystalline rocks were studied by
Erasmus Haworth, and field work for the preliminary report on the
glacial geology was carried on by J. E. Todd. An exhaustive review
of the paleontology of the State, by Charles R. Keyes, was also pre-
pared, and many data relating to hypsometry were collected and
tabulated.
Winslow continued in the office as State geologist until 1894, when
he was succeeded by C. R. Keyes. In 1897 the management (?) of
the survey passed into the hands of J. A. Gallaher. E. R. Buckley
was appointed State geologist in 1901.
290
BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Expenses. The appropriations for this survey for the two years
1889-90, were $20.000 ; for 1891-92, $40,000. Out of this sum were
paid all salaries and expenses, including cost of publication. The
following table shows the total appropriations and expenditures
from 1853 down to 1903-1904:
Table showing appropriations for the various geological surveys, with corre-
sponding expenditures; also the size of the editions of the reports issued and
cost of the same.
Appropriated.
Expended.
Appropriated.
Expended.
1853-1862
$103,000
$95.200.00
1S93-9I
$20,000 00
$19 998 9t
1870-71
12 500
2 500.00
1S9.V96
20 Ol!C 00
19 999 S9
1872-71
60,000+12,000
72.000.00
1897 9=5
20.000.00
17. 84(1. 13
1S70-77
(1,500.00
1899-1900 .. .
30 000.00
>29 181. C
1889-90
20 000
19 909 fQ
1901-02
20 O.ii.M
17 039 54
1891-92
40,000
39,999.00
1903-04
20. 101. 10
20, 101. 10
i This includes a special appropriation of $10,000 for core drilling, of which sum $9,181.CO was expended .
Reports during above period.
Prof. Swallow's report, 1854.. . . .
(?)
$5,000.01
Report, 1855-1871
2000
300000
Pnmpellv's report on iron ore": and foal fields, 1873 ...
4,000
9.000.00
Report of O. C. Hroadhead. 1S7I
4,000
7,320.00
Report of C. I 1 Williams 1877
5 000
1 500.00
Reiort on Coal Depot's of Missouri, 1891
(?)
6,520.00
Volume 2. Ref>ort on Iron Ores of Missouri 1892
(?)
(?)
Volumes Report on Mineral Waters of Missouri 1892
(?)
(?)
Volumes 4 and 5. Report on the Paleontology of Missouri. 1891, two volumes
Volumes C aiirl 7. Report on 1 ead and Zinc Ores o( Missouri, 1894, two volumes
Volume 8, Annual Report 1S94
2.000
5.000
2 000
1,597. IS
2,305.96
1,039.94
1 500
670 71
Volume 10. Surface Features of Missouti, 1S9G
1,194
997.48
Volume 11, Clav Deposits, 1S%
1 loS
1. 510. 45
Volume 12 A real Oeologv 1898
2 000
1 152.91
Preliminary Report on Structural and Economic Geology of Missouri. 1900
7,000
2.0U8.M
Edition Cost of
(copies), publication.
Mv.sewn. In accordance with the various enactments collections
were made by each and all the surveys. Those made by organizations
prior to that of 1889 are referred to on page 278. By section G of the
law of 1889 it became the duty of the survey to collect full suites of all
minerals, ores, fossils, or other mineral substances that might be neces-
sary to form a complete cabinet to illustrate the mineral resources of
the State. The cabinet thus formed was at first installed in the State
capitol building, but later moved to the armory building.
NEBRASKA.
Prior to 1901 no geological surveys of Nebraska had been under-
taken under direct appropriations from the legislature, although an
attempt was made in 1877 to get a bill through the State legislature to
complete the work as left by the United States geologist, F. V. Hay-
den. It is impossible at this date to learn all the details, but corre-
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 291
spondence in the hands of the writer would indicate that jealousy on
the part of the Wheeler organization and local personal prejudices
had much to do with it. Samuel Aughey, of the State University,
would appear to have been actively interested and at one time aspired
to the directorship. The bill, however, failed of passage. The re-
gents of the State University, in recognition of the importance of a
survey, provided in 1899 the sum of $500 to be expended in the work
and $250 for each of the years 1900, 1901, and 1902. In 1901, how-
ever, the matter was taken up by the legislature, and Prof. E. H. Bar-
bour, of the State University, appointed State geologist. The work
of the survey thus organized passes beyond the time limit of this
paper.
NEVADA.
Organization. No systematic and independent geological survey
of the State was ever carried through, although an abortive attempt
was made in 18G5, the year following the admission of the State to
the Union. The following is the text of the act under which the
attempt was to be made :
The people of the State of Nevada, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as foUoics:
SECTION 1. The office of State geologist is hereby created and the board of
regents is hereby authorized to appoint a competent person who shall act and
be known a (as) " State geologist of Nevada."
SEC. 2. The person appointed as State geologist under the provisions of this
act shall, Immediately upon his appointment, proceed to make a preliminary
and superficial geological survey of the mineral regions of this State, and to
collect suitable specimens, and arrange and classify them in a cabinet, to be
formed and kept at the capitol of the State, and to prepare a map, marked, and
colored in such manner as to indicate the general geological divisions as de-
veloped of the country examined. The making of this preliminary or super-
ficial survey shall not occupy more than eight months. At the conclusion of
the making of this survey and the report thereon the geologist's cabinet, report,
profiles, and map shall be turned over to the State librarian.
SEC. 3. The sum of $G,000 is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys not
otherwise appropriated, to be expended toward defraying the expenses which
may be incurred under the provisions of this act. The controller of State is
hereby authorized and required to draw his warrant on the treasurer in favor
of the person whom the board of regents may appoint State geologist, in such
sums as the board of regents may truly certify their approval of, the aggregate
of the sums drawn for being within the amount hereinbefore specified and
appropriated.
Approved March 20, 1803.
So far as can be learned this law was never carried into effect. The
year following the matter of a survey came once more before the
legislature in a somewhat different form and in connection with the
establishment of a State mining school. The following is the text
292 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
of the act passed at this time, together with its subsequent modifica-
tions :
The people of the State of Nevada, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. There shall be established a mining school, which shall be a nucleus
of the State University and a part thereof, as provided in the constitution of
this State, and shall be under the control of the board of regents of the same,
consisting of the governor, secretary of state, and superintendent of public
instruction, and their successors.
SEC. 2. The board of regents shall, within 20 days after the passage of this
act, appoint a State mineralogist, who shall be superintendent of said school,
and he shall appoint such assistants as may be allowed by the board of regents.
He shall hold his office during the term of office of the board by whom he is
appointed, and his assistants shall hold their respective offices during the pleas-
ure of the State mineralogist.
SEC. 3. The board of regents shall fix the compensation of the State mineralo-
gist and his assistants, and, subject to the provisions of this act, shall prescribe
his duties; but they shall not change his compensation during the term for
which he is appointed, unless the office becomes vacant, when said board shall
appoint his successor for the unexpired term. The compensation of the State
mineralogist shall not exceed $4.000 per annum, and that of his assistants shall
not exceed $3.000 per annum each.
SEC. 4. Before entering upon the discharge of their respective offices the State
mineralogist and his assistant shall take and subscribe to the constitutional
oath of office, and they shall hold their respective offices until their successors
are elected or appointed and qualified.
SEC. 5. The board of regents shall provide suitable buildings for said school
and for a geological and mineralogical collection, or State museum, in connec-
tion therewith, and such furniture, fixtures, and apparatus as may be necessary.
They shall, subject to the provisions of this act, make such rules and regula-
tions for the government of said school as may be required, and shall, annually,
on or before the 1st day of November of each year, make a report to the
governor of the State, who shall cause the same to be published annually, and
shall communicate a copy thereof to the legislature at the next ensuing session.
Said report shall embrace the report or reports of the State mineralogists, or so
much thereof as said board may deem necessary to publish. Said report shall
contain a full statement of the condition of said school, financially and other-
wise, and such recommendations and other matter as the board may deem
proper, and they shall cause the same to be distributed.
SEC. 6. The State mineralogist, subject to the provisions of the act and the
rules and regulations adopted by the board, shall have the control and manage-
ment of said school. He shall at such times and in such manner as he shall
determine, visit and examine, with reference to their mineral and other re-
sources, the different portions of the State, and collect such geological, miner-
alogical, and other specimens, and such information as are of scientific in-
terest or have a practical bearing on the subject of mines or mining or the
other natural resources and industrial pursuits of the State.
SEC. 7. All specimens collected by him shall be carefully marked and cata-
logued at the time he obtains them, and he shall, in connection therewith, as
soon as may be, prepare a description of every such specimen and of the
locality from which the same was obtained.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 293
SEC. 8. Specimens of all ores, assayed or analyzed at said school, and of all
ores presented, shall be kept in said museum, and shall be properly marked
and catalogued, in connection with the names of the depositors, and a descrip-
tion of such ores, and such description of the locality from which the same
were obtained, as may he procured from reliable sources. With a view of
securing uniformity in the classification of rocks, the State mineralogist shall
procure and place in said museum characteristic specimens of all the principal
rocks, to each of which he shall attach the name and a description thereof,
and of the locality from which the same was procured, written, or printed in a
legible manner.
SEC. 9. Said specimens, properly catalogued, shall be deposited in the State
museum, where they, together with the catalogues, shall be safely kept; and
at all reasonable hours they shall be subject to examination by any person
who shall conform to the rules and regulations prescribed by the State min-
eralogist for the government of said school, the museum being regarded as a
part of the same.
SEC. 3D. In preparing such descriptions and arranging said specimens in the
museum careful reference shall be had to the correct illustration of the min-
eral and other natural resources of this State, and the analogies existing be-
tween those of this State and those of other mining sections; and when, at a,
reasonable cost, it is possible to do so, a statement as to the assay or analyses of
said specimens shall be embraced in said description. In addition to the
scientific terms used in such descriptions, the terms in common use shall he
applied, and in all descriptions and reports the quantities and values, shall be
given in the English language and in accordance with the standards adopted
by this State.
SEC. 11. He shall, subject to the approval of the board of regents, prescribe
the course of studies to be pursued in said school; said course and manage-
ment of the school shall have special reference to the imparting of the com-
bined scientific and practical knowledge concerning the subject of mines and
mining and matters relating thereto.
SEC. 12. He shall annually deliver at least, one course of lectures on said
subject, at said school, or at such places within the State as the board of
regents mny direct; and he shall, on or before the 1st day of October of
each year, make a report to the board of regents, in which he shall present
such facts and recommendations, in regard to mines and mining, and matters
rein ting thereto, and in regard to the character and extent of the natural
resources of this State, as in his opinion are calculated to promote the full
development of the same.
SEC. 13. In the course of his examinations he may, in his discretion, dis-
seminate information on such subjects, by means of free lectures or otherwise.
SEC. 14. He shall take such compass bearings and barometrical and other
observations, and make such notes in regard to the same, and in regard to
approximate distances, as will furnish materials for the outlines of a map of
the localities over which he shall have traveled in the course of his examina-
tions. He may procure, for the use of said school, maps and diagrams of
mines, representing the different classes of mines, and illustrative of their
geological, mineralogical, and other leading characteristics, and having par-
ticular reference to the position in which the metalliferous deposits have been
found ; and he shall procure, or cause to be procured, drawings of mining
machinery, and of machinery, furnaces, and other works, for the separation of
metals from the various ores, and the parting of different metals. He may
294 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
also procure and arrange in some convenient form, for the use of said school,
all information concerning the different modes of working mines and reducing
ores, that may be obtained at reasonable cost.
SEC. 15. At the earliest practicable period measures shall be taken to procure,
for the use of said school, a library, embracing standard and reliable works on
mines and mining, and subjects relating thereto; and all of said maps, dia-
grams, plans, and information, and said library, shall, at all reasonable hours,
and without charge, be subject to the examination of any person who conforms
to the rules and regulations concerning the same that may be established by
the State rniiieni legist in accordance with this act.
SEC. 16. Connected with said school there shall be an assaying and analytical
department, in which the assaying and analyzing of ores shall be taught: and
all ores delivered therein for assay or analysis, shall be assayed or analyzed
at a cost to the parties delivering the same, which shall only cover the actual
expenses of such work, the charges for the same to be determined by the State
mineralogist. At said school a careful and uninterrupted record of meteor-
ological observations shall be kept and forwarded, as nearly as may be, in
accordance with the " directions " of the Smithsonian Institution.
SEC. 17. Said school shall be established at such place as the board of regents
shall decide upon ; provided, that at the place so selected the people, or authori-
ties thereof, shall, free of cost to the State, place at the disposal of said board,
for the use of said school, such buildings and grounds as may be required for
said school ; and said authorities are hereby authorized to procure and so fur-
nish such buildings and grounds.
SEC. 18. If the people or authorities of such place, in consideration of the
permanent establishment of said school therein, shall convey to said board, for
the use of such school, suitable buildings and grounds, and the same shall have
been duly accepted as such by said board, said school shall be permanently
established at such^ place; and it shall not be removed therefrom until after
said board shall have paid or tendered to the authorities of such place at
which said school is located the value of said buildings and grounds, the sum
to be determined by a majority of three commissioners, one of whom shall,
within a reasonable time, be appointed by said authorities one by said board,
and one by the two thus chosen.
SEC. 19. The State mineralogist shall be allowed, for actual expenses incurred
by him while traveling in the service of the State, a sum not exceeding $10 per
day while so engaged, and not exceeding in the aggregate $1,000 per annum;
such demands, together with the demands for salaries and other expenses of
said school, shall, by said board, monthly, be audited, and ordered paid out of
the mining school fund or any money in the university fund, subject to such
order of the board of regents; and all demands (except salaries fixed by law)
shall be subject to the action of the State board of examiners; and, upon the
presentation of any such order, duly approved by said examiners, the controller
shall draw his warrant on the State treasurer in favor of the party to whom
such order was thus given for the amount so allowed, and the State treasurer
shall pay the same out of any moneys in said funds subject to such order.
Approved March 9, 1866.
An act to create the office of State mineralogist and define the duties of such officer.
The peopJe of the State of Nevada, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The office of State mineralogist is hereby created.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 295
SEC. 2. A. F. White is hereby appointed State mineralogist. He shall hold
said office until his successor shall have been elected and qualified as herein-
after provided.
SEC. 3. At the election in the yeav 1870, and every four years thereafter, there
shall be elected by the qualified electors of the State of Nevada a State min-
eralogist, who shall qualify and enter upon the discharge of his official duties
on the first Monday of January next succeeding his election, and who shall
hold said office for four years thereafter, and until his successor, shall have been
elected and qualified.
SEC. 4. He shall reside and keep his office at the seat of government of this
State, except when absent on official duty within the State. He shall be com-
missioned by the governor, and shall take and subscribe thereon the oath of
office prescribed by the law.
SEC. 5. He shall receive as salary the sum of $3,GOO per annum, payable
quarterly. All the necessary contingent expenses of his office, the expense of
an appropriate outfit, and his necessary traveling expenses, shall be allowed
by the board of examiners, and audited and paid as are other claims against
the State.
SEC. G. It shall be his duty to visit and examine, with reference to their min-
eral, agricultural, and other resources, the different portions of the State, and
collect such mineralogical, geological, and other valuable specimens, and also
such information as is of scientific interest, or which may have a practical
bearing upon the subject of mines and mining, agriculture and other resources,
and industrial pursuits of the State. He shall visit the several mining dis-
tricts in each county, ascertaining a record of their history, describe their pre-
vailing geological formation and altitude, the characteristics of the mines, and
peculiarities of the ores, products, richness, and development; also he shall ascer-
tain the locality, proper quantity, and character of all the arable grazing and
timbered lands belonging to the United States within the bounds of Nevada, and
from time to time report the same to the authorities having charge of the public
lands belonging to the State, for their information, particularly recommending
to them for selection such portions as are valuable, and desirable to be selected
by this State in satisfaction of lands granted by the United States to the State
of Nevada.
SEC. 7. He shall collect, mark, and catalogue mineralogical and geological
specimens, and carefully prepare a description of every such specimen and of
locality where each specimen was obtained.
SEC. 8. He shall assay or cause to be assayed, analyzed, and described, so far
as practicable and deemed expedient, all specimens of ores, which, together
with the statement of the locality from which the same was obtained, shall be
printed and attached, or referred to specimen.
SEC. 9. The specimens properly catalogued shall be deposited in a museum,
so soon as one shall have been prepared by the State, where they, together with
the catalogue, shall be carefully kept, and shall at all reasonable times be
subject to examination by any person, subject to the rules prescribed by the
State mineralogist.
SEC. 10. He shall have power, and he is hereby authorized to engage the
services of one employee, at such times as he may think necessary, fix the
wages find time of service of said employee, certify the amount to the board of
examiners, who shall audit the same.
SEC. 11. He shall, on or before the second Monday in January, 1871, report
to the leg'slature In detail all acts performed and information obtained under
the provisions of this act
296 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
SEC. 12. An act entitled "An act to provide for establishing and maintaining
a mining school, and create the office of said mineralogist," approved March 9,
1866, and all acts and parts of acts in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
SEC. 13. This bill shall take effect from and after its passage.
Approved March 1, 1869.
An act to abolish the office of State mineralogist and provide for the care and preserva-
tion of the State museum.
The people of the State of Nevada, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The office of State mineralogist of the State of Nevada is hereby
abolished.
SEC. 2. On and after the 1st dny of January, A. D. 1879, the superintendent
of public instruction shall be ex offlcio curator of the State museum of min-
eralogical, geological, and other specimens.
SEC. 3. The curator, when visiting the several school districts in this State,
in his capacity as superintendent of public instruction, as is required by law,
shall make inquiry so far as is practicable into the resources of the mines
situated in the respective districts, and inspect the same; collect specimens of
ores, ascertain their value, catalogue, and place them in the State museum, and
prepare for publication in the appendix of his biennial report as superintendent
of public instruction a report as curator of the State museum in detail of his
acts performed and information obtained under the provisions of this act.
SEC. 4. The sen-ices rendered and expenses incurred by the State superin-
tendent of public instruction as curator of the State museum as aforesaid, he
shall be allowed a sum not exceeding $500 per annum, and he shall have further
power to engage the services of one or more employees, at such times as he may
deem necessary, to clean, real-range, and catalogue all specimens that are now
or that may hereafter be placed in said State museum, who shall be paid a
compensation, subject to the approval of the board of State examiners, and on
the certificate of the said curator, of a sum not exceeding fuOO per annum.
SEC. 5. All claims for services rendered, as is provided in section 4 of this act,
shall be allowed by the board of State examiners, and paid by the State
treasurer out of any moneys not otherwise appropriated on the warrant of the
State controller.
SEC. 6. An act entitled "An act to provide for the establishing and maintain-
ing a mining school, and to create the office of State mineralogist," approved
March 9, 1866, is hereby repealed.
SEC. 7. An act entitled "An act to create the office of State mineralogist and
define the duties of such officer," approved March 1, 1869, is hereby repealed.
SEC. 8. This act shall not take effect and be in force until on and after the
first Monday in January, A. D. 1879.
Approved February 1, 1877.
According to the law of March 9, 1866, an office of State miner-
alogist was created, which was connected with a proposed State
mining school, although it was to be sustained by independent
appropriations.
Administration. Under this act B. H. Stretch was appointed
State mineralogist, serving only during the year 1866 and being
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 297
succeeded the year following by A. F. White, he, in his turn, being
succeeded in 1871 by H. K. Whitehill, the latter continuing to serve
until the abolition of the office in February, 1879.
The State mineralogist was appointed by the board of regents,
who also fixed the rate of compensation; and. although a limit of
$4,000 a year was made by the law of 1866 and $3,600 by the act of
1869, the actual amount of salary, as indicated in the reports, appears
to have been $2,400.
So far as can be learned, no assistants were regularly employed,
although section 3 of the original bill made provision for the same,
number not stated, who were to receive salaries not exceeding $3,000
a year each.
It would appear from the report of State Mineralogist Stretch for
1866 that the act creating the office provided for the payment of his
salary out of the mining fund, which was expected to accrue from an
act passed at a previous session of the legislature, entitled " The loca-
tion and possession of mining claims," or from the university fund.
It appears further that the former act produced no available pro-
ceeds and that the university fund was not segregated from the school
fund. For these reasons the State mineralogist was compelled to
work without any funds whatever to meet current expenses. Never-
theless, on receiving the appointment in the spring of 1866, he pro-
ceeded to lay out plans comprising a visit in succession to every
mining district in the State, collecting from each a complete series
of its minerals and geological formations, and such other informa-
tion as should be available. During the year he was enabled to se-
cure a collection of some 600 specimens, which it was expected would
form a nucleus for further operations. Steps were also taken toward
securing a collection to represent the mineral resources of the State
at the coming Paris exposition.
Mr. Stretch was apparently succeeded in 1867 by Mr. A. F. White,
who seemed to labor under the same financial disadvantages as did
his predecessor, and who, in order to accomplish a maximum amount
of work with a minimum amount of expense, associated himself with
one of the parties under the Clarence King survey then operating in
Nevada along the line of the Central Pacific Railroad.
Although an act had been passed providing for the establishment
of the mining school, White found no funds at hand from which the
board of regents could draw to defray the expenses of the necessary
buildings or for organizing and maintaining the contemplated school.
The collections made by Professor Stretch and designed for the
international exposition at Paris were taken as far as San Francisco,
but not forwarded, as originally intended. They were, therefore,
298 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
returned to Carson, where it was expected they would form a part
of the permanent State museum.
During the seasons of 1869 and 1870 work was continued under
the same unsatisfactory conditions as had previously existed, Mr.
Calvin Swift serving as an assistant for a period of three months.
Some 3,500 miles were traversed during the two years. In 1871
Mr. White was succeeded by Henry R. Whitehill, whose first season's
work was largely in the southern portion of the State.
During the seasons of 1873 and 1874 Whitehill spent about seven
months in the field, traveling over 4.000 miles and visiting nearly
every town and mining district within the State. Necessarily the
work was of an exceedingly superficial nature and had to do mainly
with the noting of the condition of the mining industry.
During 1875 considerable time was devoted by the State mineral-
ogist to collecting and arranging an exhibit of the mineral resources
of the State for the centennial exhibition in Philadelphia. Some
six months of the year were consumed in this work, and in April of
the year following Mr. Whitehill proceeded to Philadelphia and
remained there three months, classifying and installing the exhibit.
The remainder of 1876 was devoted to visiting the mining districts
in close proximity to the Central Pacific Railroad, there not being
sufficient funds at his disposal to defray the expenses of a more
extended trip.
Expenses. The total expenses of the office of the State mineralogist
during the period of its existence, so far as can be gleaned from the
annual reports, were as follows:
1866, salary of State mineralogist $2,400.00
1867-68, salary for two years 4, 800. 00
1867-68, expenditures, including outfit, traveling expenses, and
freight 1, 545. 24
1869-70, salary for two years 7,200.00
1869-70, expenditures, including outfit, traveling expenses,
etc. $2, 734. 54
1869-70, credit by sum realized from sale of outfit 480. 00
2,254.54
1871-72, salary for two years 7, 200. 00
1871-72, expenditures, as above 3, 991. 19
1873-74, salary for two years 7, 200. 00
1873-74, expenditures, including outfit, traveling expenses, etc 4, 322. 40
1875-76, salary for two years 7, 200. 00
1875-76, expenditures, as above 1, 868. 25
1877-78, salary for two years 7,200.00
1877-78, expenditures, as above $1, 260. 50
1877-78, credit by sum realized from sale of outfit 500. 00
760.50
$57, 942. 68
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 21
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 299
Museum. In the early reports of the survey reference is made to
the preparation of a State museum, and in the report for 1871-72 it
is stated that one of the largest and best furnished rooms in the
capitol had been allotted for the purpose and five cases suitable for
the display of specimens had been prepared. The exhibit at that
time contained from 800 to 1,200 specimens. The report for 1873-74
notes the addition of three cases and the preparation of a catalogue
of the collections. Beyond this, no printed information is available.
Publications. The publications under the office of the State miner-
alogist are limited to seven brief reports, which contain little of
other than mining interest. No systematic geological \vork whatever
was accomplished. With the discontinuance of the survey in 1879,
under the act of February, 1877, all effort on the part of a survey
under State auspices ceased and has never been renewed.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
FIRST SURVEY UNDER CHARLES T. JACKSON, 1839-1844.
Organization. In 1839, in response to a popular demand and
through the personal efforts of Dr. C. T. Jackson, there was estab-
lished by the State Legislature of New Hampshire a mineralogical
and geological survey of the State. The following is the text of the
act:
An net to provide for the geological and mineralogical survey of the State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives in gen-
eral court convened, That the governor of this State is hereby authorized
and required as soon as may be after the passage of this act to appoint a State
geologist, who shall be a person of competent scientific and practical knowledge
of the sciences, geology and mineralogy ; and the said State geologist shall,
by and with the consent of the governor and council, appoint one suitable per-
6oii to assist him in the discharge of his duties, who shall be a skillful, analyti-
cal, and experimental chemist.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the State geolo-
gist and his said assistant, as soon as may be practicable after their appoint-
ment, to commence and carry on, with as much expedition and dispatch as may
be consistent with minuteness and accuracy, a thorough geological and mineral-
ogical survey of this State, with a view to determine the order, succession, ar-
rangement, relative position, dip, or inclination, and comparative magnitude of
the several strata or geological formations within this State, and to discover
and examine all beds or deposits of ore, coal, clay, marls, and such other mineral
substances as may be useful or valuable, and to perform such other duties as
may be necessary to make a full and complete geological and miueralogical
survey of the State.
SEC. 3. And le it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the said
assistant to make full and complete examinations, assays, analyses of all such
rocks, ores, soils, or other substances as may be submitted to him by the State
geologist for that purpose; and to furnish him with a detailed and complete
account of the results so obtained.
300 BL'LJuETI-N' 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the said geolo-
gist, on or before the 1st day of Juue iu each aud every year during the
time necessarily occupied by said survey, to make au annual report of the prog-
ress of said survey, accompanied with such maps, drawings, aud specimens as
may be necessary and proi>er to exemplify and elucidate the same to the secre-
tary of the state, who shall lay such report before the legislature.
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the said State
geologist to cause to be represented on the map of the State, by colors and
other appropriate means, the various areas occupied by the different geological
formations in the State, and to mark thereon the localities of the respective
beds or deposits of the various mineral substances discovered, aud on the
completion of the survey to compile a memoir of the geology and mineralogy
of the State, comprising a complete account of the leading subjects and dis-
coveries which have been embraced in the survey.
SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That it shall also be the duty of the said
State geologist to forward to the secretary of the state from time to time during
the progress of said survey such specimens of the rocks, ores, coals, soils,
fossils, and other mineral substances, discovered and examined, as may be
proper and necessary to form a complete cabinet collection of specimens of geol-
ogy aud mineralogy of the State; and the said secretary shall cause the same to
be deposited in proper order in some convenient room in the State capitol,
there to be preserved for public inspection.
SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That for the purpose of carrying into
effect the provisions of this act. the sum of $2,000 is hereby annually ap-
propriated for the term of three years to be expended under the direction
of the governor : Provided, hoiccter, That the salaries of the said State geolo-
gist and his assistant shall not commence until they shall have entered upon
the execution of their duties; and upon the completion of said survey and of
the duties connected therewith they shall wholly cease and determine.
Approved June 24, 1839.
This law remained in force throughout the existence of the survey,
further enactments being made only for the purpose of making addi-
tional appropriations and to provide for publication. The survey
was not connected with any other institution and was sustained
wholly by annual appropriations.
Administration. Under the act above given Dr. Charles T. Jack-
son, of Boston, was appointed State geologist, and J. D. Whitney,
Moses B. Williams, E. Baker, W. F. Channing, and John Chandler
served as volunteer assistants, even to the extent of paying their
own expenses. In December of 1840 J. D. Whitney was appointed
chemical assistant. These appointments were made by the prin-
cipal with the consent of the governor and counsel. Neither the
salary of the State geologist nor that of the chemist can now be
ascertained. The assistants, as noted above, served as volunteers.
The officers were not salaried by any other institution.*
1 It Is stated (Life and Letters of J. D. Whitney, p. 40) that this system of volun-
teers was adopted to nvoid political pressure in favor of the appointments of loc.il and
none-too-well equipped assistants. A verbal understanding was, however, entered into to
the effect that on completion of the term of service the State legislature should be op-
pealed to to make good the deficiency. The plan is said to have worked successfully.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL, HISTORY SURVEYS. 301
Three suites of specimens are mentioned by Jackson in his first
annual report as having been collected and put up in cabinet form,
and the suggestion is made that one set should be sent to the Ports-
mouth Athenaeum and one to Dartmouth College, the remaining por-
tion being sufficient for the use of the legislature. Among these
materials was a specimen of the first bar of tin smelted in America,
the same having been prepared from tin ores found at Jackson, New
Hampshire. This bar was subsequently destroyed by fire, but a
second portion is still preserved among the collections of the United
States National Museum at Washington.
In the first annual report the method of procedure is outlined
somewhat as follows : Knowing the strata to pursue a general north-
east course, Jackson proposed to cross them several times at right
angles and also to follow along their lines of strike. " These lines of
exploration will divide the territory into triangular areas, the
boundaries of which will be known, and various excursions across
them will make the knowledge of each strike more or less accurate."
Cross sections were described from Portsmouth to Claremont
through Concord, from Concord to Wakefield, from Wakefield to
Haverhill all measured by Messrs. Whitney and Williams. Doctor
Jackson personally measured another from Concord to Winchester.
Messrs. Whitney and Williams also traveled to the northern corner
of the State as far as Mount Carrnel. The field work closed after a
tour to the White Mountains.
The second year's explorations began at Nashua, a party of assist-
ants exploring the southern range of towns between Nashua and the
Connecticut River. Doctor Jackson himself explored between
Nashua and Portsmouth in the opposite direction. Thence he
traveled to Madison, Mount Chocorua, Jackson, Randolph, Lancaster,
Shelbourne, back to Lancaster and Dixville Notch. Next he meas-
ured a section through Vermont from Lancaster to Lake Champlain.
Meanwhile Messrs. Channing and E. E. Hale examined the northern
frontier. The remainder of the year's work consisted of explora-
tions in Littleton, Franconia, Landaff, Orford, Lyme, Canaan, Graf-
ton, Amherst, and Keene.
The third report states that towns not previously surveyed were
examined as far as possible.
No library was formed.
Expenses. The total cost of the survey was $9,051.15, the amount
being appropriated at the rate of $2,000 annually for the first three
years and $3,051.15 for the fourth. This was exclusive of the cost
of publication, the figures for which can not be ascertained. A bill
for $2,417.35, paid in full of all claims on December 19, 1844, was
thought by Prof. C. H. Hitchcock to relate to the illustrations of
302 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the final report, though it is possible it may have been used for the
relief of the volunteers already mentioned.
Publications. Three annual reports were rendered, the first two
in the form of octavo pamphlets of 1G4 and 8 pages, respectively,
dated 1841 and 1842. The third annual was included in the final re-
port, which formed a quarto^ -volume of 384 pages and 11 plates.
A resolution of the senate jhjid house of representatives, dated De-
cember 10, 1840, directed the secretary of state to procure 1,000
printed copies of the first annual report. The second annual was not
issued separately from the general legislative document. The addi-
tional final report was limited to GOO copies. The reports were
distributed with the legislative proceedings, and the final report sent
to special institutions and individuals who were named to receive
them. The cost of this report is supposed to have been between $3
and $4 a copy.
SECOXD SURVEY UXDER CHARLES H. HITCHCOCK, 18GS-1S78. 1
In June, 1868, in response to a renewed demand, a second survey
was inaugurated. The following is the text of the second law :
An act to provide for the geological and minernlogical survey of the State.
Be it enacted l>v the senate and house of representatives in general court
convened :
SECTION 1. That the governor of the State, by and with the advice of the
honorable council, is hereby required and authorized, as soon as may be after
the passage of this act, to appoint a State geologist, who shall be a person of
competent, scientific, and practical knowledge of the sciences of geology and
mineralogy; and said State geologist shall have power to appoint such suitable
person or persons as he may deeui necessary to aid him in carrying out th
purposes of this act
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of said State geologist, as soon as may be practi-
cable after his appointment, to commence and carry on, with as much expedition
and dispatch as may be consistent with minuteness and accuracy, a thorough
geological and mineralogical survey of this State, with a view to discover and
examine all beds or deposits of ore, coal, clay, marls, and such other mineral
substances as may be useful or valuable, and to perform such other duties as
may be necessary to complete such survey.
SEC. 3. It shall be the further duty of said State geologist to make a brief
annual report of his progress to the secretary of state, who shall submit the
same to the legislature, and shall forward from time to time such specimens of
mineral substances as may be proper and necessary to form a complete cabinet
collection of specimens of the geology and mineralogy of the State, as follows,
viz : One complete set to the secretary of state, for preservation at the capitol of
the State, which shall be so classified and arranged as to be accessible to all inter-
ested in the mineral capacity of the State, and one complete set to the museum
of the agricultural college, to be used in the instruction of the young men who
may resort there for an agricultural education.
1 Mainly from manuscript notes by Prof. C. II. Hitchcock.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 303
SEC. 4. Whenever said survey shall be completed, a report of the same, ac-
companied by such maps and drawings as may be necessary to elucidate and ex-
emplify the same, shall be published under the direction of said State geologist
SEC. 5. That, for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act,
the sum of $3,500 is hereby annually appropriated, to be expended under the
direction of the governor and council.
SEC. 6. This act shall take effect from its passage.
Approved July 3, 1868.
This law remained in force throughout the existence of the survey.
N r o additional acts were passed, with the exception of one providing
for the publication of reports. The survey was not connected with
any other institution and was sustained wholly by annual appro-
priations, and continued uninterruptedly for 10 years.
Administration. Under the law given above C. H. Hitchcock was
appointed principal on September 8, 1868, and continued in office
until the expiration of the work May 31, 1878. Various assistants
were appointed from time to time. J. H. Huntington was appointed
in 1869 and served more or less constantly until 1878, though doing
no field work after 1875. Warren Upham was appointed in 1871
at first temporarily and served until 1878, his special field of study
being the glacial drift and surface geology. He also attended to
drafting of the maps, plans, and illustrations. Dr. George W. Hawes
prepared the part of the final report pertaining to mineralogy and
lithology, being employed between two and three years in the work.
Other temporary assistants were Prof. George L. Vose, of the Massa-
chusetts Institute of Technology; Prof. Charles A. Seeley, of New
York, chemist ; and Dr. A. M. Edwards, who studied diatoms. Prof.
Thomas Egleston, of Columbia College, commenced work on the
optical mineralogy in 1874. but was obliged to give it up because of
ill health.
The salary of the State geologist was at the rate of $1,500 a year;
that of J. H. Huntington, $500 annually; and that of Warren Up-
ham, about $3 a day. George W. Hawes received $800 a year, this
amount being paid from appropriations for publishing the report.
The principal was himself connected with Dartmouth College, but
the college had no connection whatever with the survey.
The methods of procedure employed by the survey are outlined be-
low. The State being located entirely upon crystalline rocks, the
methods employed were not exactly the same as those used in regions
of sedimentary deposits. A contour map upon a scale of 2 miles to
the inch was first prepared. The trigonometric stations were ob-
tained through the United States Coast Survey, the boundary survey
of 1842, various private surveys, and considerable special work. The
roads, villages, streams, and other fixed points were chiefly located
from county maps prepared shortly before the survey commenced.
136075-20 21
304 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Fitting these to the trigonometric stations obtained as explained, a
very accurate map was prepared. The elevations were obtained
chiefly by leveling along the railroads. Rarely, 'use was made of the
railroad survey data. The hills were determined by aneroid and
mercurial barometers and estimates. Guyot's . measurements for the
higher mountains were accepted as correct. Leveling from the sea to
two stations of the United States Coast Survey enabled certain cor-
rections to be made. Contours on the maps were 100 feet apart, save
in the extreme north and south, where they were often given for every
50 feet.
The parallel linear arrangement of the formations allowed the
measurement of 13 sections from east to west across the State. Every
ledge along these lines was examined and specimens collected of every-
thing important. These were subsequently arranged in the museum,
as noted later.
Two fields, each 400 to 500 square miles in extent, were studied with
unusual care one the Ammonoosuc mining field and the other the
White Mountains. Every ledge in these districts was visited and
special collections made for the museum.
An extraordinary number of observations, it is claimed, were taken
of the surface geology, and the survey was the first to give prominent
attention to the subject of micropetrology. This work was in the
hands of Dr. George W. Hawes.
The several methods employed by the survey, and which were
original with it. were as follows:
1. Determining topography by careful surveys of the ridges of
land or watersheds and river courses and filling in subsequently the
rest of the field by estimate.
2. Methods of studying surface geology.
3. Microscopic methods in lithology.
As already noted, the survey collections were assigned to the New
Hampshire College of Agriculture, located in a building belonging
to Dartmouth College. This museum consists of (a) rocks illus-
trating sections; (b) rocks illustrating ledges between the section
lines, about 500 localities being represented; (c) special collections,
much more minute, as of the White Mountains, Ammonoosuc mining
field, Helderberg region near Bernardston, Massachusetts, and a
large collection of rocks to illustrate the dispersal of fragments by
ice, also a lithological series; (d) fossils of Niagara age, full repre-
sentations of all stones valuable for economic purposes, also a system-
atic collection of ninety-five mineral species found in the State, with
slides for microscope. Duplicate sets of the first section collection
were placed in the State Normal School and in the American Museum
of Natural History in New York. To the last named were added the
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 305
continuation of the sections across Vermont and a relief geological
map on the scale of 1 mile to the inch.
No library was formed, the publications received being placed in
the private library of the State geologist.
Expenses. All the funds provided by the State were devoted to
exploration in the field and the necessary office work; $3,500 were
annually appropriated, but the expenditure from year to year varied.
The following figures are taken from the official books :
September 8, 1868, to May 31, 1869 $1, 150. 00
June 1 1869, to May 31, 1870 3, 879. 13
June 1 1870, to May 81, 1871 3, 163. 15
June 1 1871, to May 31, 1872 3, 296. 52
June 1 1872, to May 31, 1873 3, 235. 72
June 1 1873, to May 31, 1874 3, 463. 03
June 1 1874, to May 31, 1875 3, 500. 00
June 1 1875, to May 31, 1876 3, 508. 47
June 1 1876, to May 31, 1877 3, 233. 25
June 1, 1877, to May 31, 1878.- 3, 750. 00
Total $32, 199. 27
The cost of the annual reports was intended by the law to have
been provided for in the appropriation for the State printer. In
several cases the maps engraved were erroneously charged to the
expense account of the survey, but this is not the case with the figures
given below:
The first annual report cost $219 ; the second, $482.02 ; the third,
$548.78 ; the fourth, $210. The final report consisted of three volumes
and an atlas. The cost of printing the latter, as paid from year to
year, was as follows: 1874, $685.86; 1875, $4,713.40: 1876, $790; 1877,
$2,571.05; 1878, $19,638.29; 1879, $5,560.57; making a total for the
three volumes and atlas of $33,959.17.
The total cost of the survey, then, was: For expenses, $32,199.27;
publication of annuals, $1,459.80; publication of final reports,
$33.959.17; for maps and cases, $500. There was also appropriated
$200 for the completion of a relief map of the State and $300 for cases
in the agricultural college to hold the specimens. The building hold-
ing the museum cost $40,000, but contained, in addition to the mu-
seum, the chemical laboratories of both colleges and recitation rooms
for geology and natural history. For this building the State appro-
priated $15,000 and Dartmouth College $25,000. In addition, again,
a special meteorological observatory was established upon Mount
Washington during the winter of 1870-71, costing some $2,000, the
amount being obtained by private subscription.
Publications. Three annual reports in pamphlet form were issued
of about 1,500 copies each, and 1,000 copies of the final report. Mr.
306 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
E. C. Eastman, of Concord, had 300 additional copies of the final re-
port, with the exception of volume 3, printed at his own expense.
The annual was printed in connection with the usual legislative
documents and distributed with them to all applicants. The final
report was distributed by vote of the legislature somewhat as follows:
One copy each to every town and academy in the State; six copies each
to the New Hampshire Historical Society, New England Genealogical
Society, Dartmouth College, and the State College; 100 copies to
scientific institutions and individuals and others specified, including
seven to the Smithsonian Institution. The balance was placed in the
hands of the trustees of the State library for sale and exchange.
The provisions for the sale of these documents were somewhat pe-
culiar. A certain number of copies, equal to the number of repre-
sentatives and senators, were authorized to be sold at $4 each or $16
for the set, to citizens of New Hampshire, who were required to pre-
sent certificates of residence in the State, signed by the selectman of
the town in which they live. No provision was made for sale in any
other way by the State. The cost of publication was $33.85 a set.
Benefits. Among the benefits enumerated are : First, a knowledge
of the mineral resources of the State, which had aided in the de-
velopment of gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc properties, besides
quarries of granite and mica ; second, the published accounts relative
to the White Mountains were the means of adding several thousand
dollars annually to the revenues of individuals; third, the additions to
science lay mostly in the classification of the metamorphic and crys-
talline rocks of northern New England and the establishment of the
distinction between the Atlantic and Appalachian systems of eleva-
tion carried out through the eastern United States; fourth, studies in
lithology; and fifth, discussions leading to the doctrine of the ter-
minal moraine, descriptions of the lenticular hills of drift, later called
drumlins, and the discovery of the true origin of the eskers, etc.
From the study of the rocks themselves a triple succession was
thought to have been discovered: First, gneiss; second, feldspathic
mica schists; third, hydromica and chlorite schists. Purely local
names meaning nothing by themselves, they were correlated with the
extensions of the terraces into Quebec, Laurentian, and Huronian
applied to the first and third, while the middle division was consid-
ered of enough importance to have the local name employed Mont-
alban. All were called Eozoic, in preference to any of the terms of
later suggestion for the entire group. It will thus appear that min-
eral characters were used to distinguish the divisions. The foliated
igneous rocks were not separated from the related gneisses. Many
quartzites, mica schists, and slates were referred to the Paleozoic
column for stratigraphical reasons. Well-defined Silurian fossils
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 307
determined satisfactorily the age of certain limestones, slates, and
sandstones in the Connecticut Valley.
Later interpretations, by Professor Hitchcock included, after 1878,
the study of the crystalline schists which attracted considerable at-
tention. Locally the plan of measuring sections in New Hampshire
and Vermont in east and west directions was resumed. Dartmouth
College came into possession of the collections amassed originally for
the State agricultural college and authorized additional work upon
them, increasing the number of the sections from 13 to 18, one of
which lay chiefly in Quebec and another in Massachusetts. Professor
Hitchcock was constantly revising the conclusions of the earlier
reports and collecting new specimens of all sorts up to 1908, when
his official connection with the college ceased. Complete catalogues
of all the sectional and petrographical collections, arranged in accord-
ance with the latest conclusions, were left behind in the cases accom-
panied by colored profiles and a large relief map. The localities of
all the specimens upon the sections are indicated both upon the
profiles and accompanying quadrangles.
Some of the later conclusions are the following:
1. The Green Mountain axis is clearly proved to be post-Cambrian.
Related to this is a short range of gneiss from Halifax to Reading,
Vermont. The Connecticut-Merrimack watershed is underlaid by a
well-characterized gneiss, connected in Massachusetts with what some
call Algonkians, and passing into Maine north of the White Moun-
tains. Others similar are the Winnipiseogee range running into
western Maine, the Manchester range cutting across the southeast
part of New Hampshire, and short, parallel ranges in Essex County,
Massachusetts.
2. The hydromica-chloritic formations of middle Vermont and the
upper Connecticut Valley may be Cambrian or Ordovician.
3. The mica schists, partly calciferous, of eastern Vermont, carry
the graptolites of the lower Trenton both in Vermont and Canada,
and others are closely related to some of the Montalban areas.
4. The areas of the upper Silurian upon the Connecticut and its
tributaries have been enlarged and multiplied, and pass into the
Devonian.
5. Patches of the Carboniferous are anticipated.
6. Igneous protrusions occur at several horizons all through the
Paleozoic.
NEW JERSEY.
FIRST SURVEY UNDER HENRY D. ROGERS, 1835-1837.
Organisation. As early as 1832, Gov. Peter D. Vroom, in his
message to the legislature, advocated the establishment of a geological
308 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
survey of the State on the ground that it would result in most valu-
able discoveries in the way of mineral wealth. The legislature, how-
ever, took no action. In 1834 the governor returned to the subject
again and wrote:
I am iuduced to believe that such a survey would lead to the discovery of
valuable mineral and metallic resources. A small appropriation will be sufficient
to commence with, and I think it due to the State, as well as to the age in which
we live, that a commencement be made.
The committee of the assembly, to whom this portion of the mes-
sage was referred, reported the following bill, which was passed
February 26, 1835 :
To provide for a geological and mineralogical survey of the State of Nr-w Jersey.
That the governor or person ministering the government of this State be, and
he is hereby, empowered to employ some suitable and scientific person or per-
sons to make a geological and mineralogical survey of the State, and make a
report thereon to the next session of the legislature, and that he be authorized
to draw upon the treasurer for any sum not exceeding in the whole $1,000,
in order to defray the expenses of the same.
The legislature of 1836 and 1837 each made appropriations of
$2,000 for the continuance of the survey established under this act.
Administration. Under the act above given, Henry D. Eogers,
professor of geology in the University of Pennsylvania, received the
appointment to make the proposed survey. He was assisted by no
one, so far as shown by the records. Professor Rogers entered at
once upon the work which was prosecuted with a systematic plan and
enthusiastic earnestness, his first report being submitted to Governor
Vroom on February 16, 1836. The plan of work adopted was an-
nounced to "lay down upon the map of the State (Gordon's) a series
of straight lines, five in number, so drawn as to cross nearly at the
same angle all the various formations. The regions adjacent to these
lines, embracing a width of several miles on both sides of each, were
then selected for more particular and detailed examination; and the
extent and boundaries of the several formations, as far as determin-
able, were delineated upon these portions of the map. The five geo-
logical sections or profiles thus surveyed embrace all the strata and
afford a general insight into the principal features of the stratification
of the State."
The five profiles laid down and studied were: First, a line of coun-
try extending across Bergen and Sussex counties, from the vicinity
of Fort Lee on the Hudson River, to near Dingmans Ferry on the
Delaware; second, a tract extending from the seashore, in Mon-
rnouth, to the Water Gap of the Delaware in Warren: third, a
tract extending from the bend of the Delaware at Easton. parallel
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 309
with the general course of the river at Trenton, and thence prolonged
to the seashore, south of Barnegat; fourth, a section across Glou-
cester, reaching from the Delaware River, at Camden, to the sea-
shore near Leeds Point ; fifth, a tract traversing Salem, Cum-
berland, a-nd Cape May counties, from the Delaware to the seacoast.
This plan as carried out has furnished the basis for all the geo-
logical investigations which have since been made in the State.
In his report for 1837 the general plan outlined above was ad-
hered to, but investigations were conducted with an eye to more
system and greater scientific accuracy. In place of "crossing the
strata, as hitherto, in certain lines with a view to determining their
more obvious contents and relative situations, they have this year
been traced also longitudinally, in order to delineate on the map,
with precision, their true boundaries, and to behold throughout their
entire area every modification their rocks or mineral deposits might
present."
It was noted that considerable chemical work was done and many
specimens collected to form a cabinet for the better elucidation of the
final report and geological map. No library was formed.
The field work of this survey was practically finished in 1838 and
the final report printed in 1840.
Expenses. The entire cost of the survey, exclusive of publication,
would appear to be 1835, $1,000 ; 1836, $2.000 : and 1837, $2,000. No
appropriations were asked for after that for 1837.
Publications. 1. Report on the geological survey of the State of
New Jersey for 1835 (1836), 174 pages. 2. The same, 1836 (1837).
3. A sketch of what has been achieved toward the geological survey
of New Jersey during the past year, 1839, 2 pages. 4. Description
of the geology of the State of New Jersey ; being a final report, by
H. D. Rogers, State geologist. Octavo, 301 pages, with colored map
of State on the scale of 6 miles to 1 inch.
SECOND SURVEY UNDER WILLIAM KITCHELL, 1854-1856.
In his annual message to the legislature, dated January 17, 1854,
Gov. R. M. Price made the following recommendation :
It is reported tb.it valuable mineral depos'ts are frequently discovered by
foreigners, and lands purchased from our landholders at nominal prices. A
thorough geological survey of the State would doubtless discover mineral de-
posits to the advantage of our citizens and prevent the speculation now prac-
ticed upon them, and increase the value of taxable property beyond the cost
of the survey and promote the great interest of agriculture. Fifteen years ago
a survey was made which does not meet the progress of scientific d'scovery.
The benefits and practical returns from that survey greatly increased our
agricultural productions. The value of marl previous to the survey was un-
known, and its use as a fertilizer has greatly enhanced the value of lands.
310 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
It is thought other natural fertilizers, veins of phosphate of lime, are known
to exist; vast beds of pent and muck, which, if properly composted, would be
of great value to our farmers and which a survey would develop, and the State
be benefited by the increased wealth of its citizens and value of its hinds. I
express the hope that a geological survey may be ordered, if a suitable person
can be found to perform the service.
In accordance with this recommendation the following act was
passed and approved March 2, 1854 :
An act to cause a geological survey.
1. Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey, That the governor of this State be, and is hereby, authorized to employ
some competent person or persons to make a geological survey of the State.
2. And be it enacted, That the person or persons who mny be employed by
the governor as aforesaid shall have the right, without molestation or hindrance,
to enter upon any lands within this State, not doing any unnecessary damage
thereto, with such others as assistants as he or they may deem necessary, to
make the required investigations and to effect the objects of said survey.
3. And be it enacted, That it shall be the duty of the person or persons so
employed as the surveyor or surveyors to make an accurate, thorough, and
complete geological survey of the State; which survey shall be made and de-
scribed in sections of one township each, accompanied by proper maps, diagrams,
profiles, and references, with a full scientific and practical description of the
rocks, minerals, ores, sands, clays, marls, peat, fossils, soils, and other sub-
stances, with a detailed and alphabetical list of the principal localities of rocks,
minerals, ores, sands, clays, marls, peat, fossils, soils, and other substances
which may be valuable to the people in the several townships of this State.
4. And be it enacted, That the governor of this State shall have a general
supervision of said survey, the power to employ such person or persons as afore-
said to make said survey, and to discharge and dismiss them as he may think
rfght and proper to further and secure the object of this act; to stipulate and
agree with said person or persons so employed, in regard to their compensation,
allowance for stationery used, the completion of said survey in manner afore-
said, at the earliest period for the publishing of the work and securing the
copyright of the same to the State, and further, to cause a report of the prog-
ress of the work to the legislature of this State at the annual meeting thereof,
until the same be completed and finished ; and the governor of this State for
the time being is hereby authorized, by his draft in favor of such person or per-
sons as may be employed as aforesaid, to draw on the treasurer of this State
for such sum or sums of money as may be necessary from time to time to pay
Biich persons employed as aforesaid: Provided, The several sums so drawn
for shall not exceed the whole amount hereinafter appropriated for the survey;
and the said treasurer is hereby authorized to pay, out of any moneys not
otherwise appropriated, for the purpose and in manner aforesaid, any sum
not exceeding $4,000.
5. And be it enacted. That it shall be the duty of the governor to require of
the surveyor or surveyors aforesaid to collect specimens of the different min-
erals, rocks, fossils, marls, clays, sands, peats, and of such valuable substances
as may be found in the State, to be disposed of in such manner as the legisla-
ture may hereafter direct: and also to collect specimens of such substances aa
may be valuable and peculiar to each county, to be disposed of in such manner
as the board of freeholders of the counties where collected shall direct.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 311
6. And &e it enacted, That when the survey of a county shall be completed
In manner aforesaid, it shall be the duty of the governor to require the same to
be published and bound in a strong and substantial manner; and as the survey
of the State shall progress by counties, published and bound as aforesaid, it
shall be the duty of the treasurer to distribute duplicate copies of the same to
each of the county clerks, to be by them preserved and kept for the free use
and benefit of the people of said counties.
An additional appropriation of $20,000 was made for carrying on
the work during 1855, and one of $25,000 for 1856. It was early
discovered, however, that State funds were not available to the ex-
tent of this last appropriation and the work was curtailed as a
consequence. The total amount expended that year was $16,902.69.
Administration. Under the act of 1854 Dr. William Kitchell was
appointed superintendent and State geologist, taking charge of the
work in the northern district of the State. Prof. George H. Cook,
assistant geologist, was put in charge of the work in the southern
district. Dr. Henry Wurtz was appointed chemist and mineralogist,
and Gen. Egbert L. Viele was authorized to conduct a topographical
survey. The salaries attached to these positions can not at this date
be ascertained.
In the northern division work was begun by making detailed sur-
veys, measurements, and other examinations of the iron and zinc
mines and of the beds of calcareous marls. In the southern divi-
sion the geological structure of the greensand marl was studied and
its three greater divisions made out and described. Chemical work
was begun with an exhaustive examination of the calcareous marls
of the northern division. Topographic work was begun in Sussex
County, two parties working with plane tables and one by triangula-
tion.
The first report of the survey, issued for the year 1854, comprised
103 octavo pages.
The work of this season was regarded as highly satisfactory and,
as noted, a further appropriation of $20.000 was made for carrying
on the survey along the lines laid down.
In 1855 active work was prosecuted throughout the entire year,
and at its close a report upon the work done was submitted to the
governor. This report is an octavo of viii and 248 pages, with an out-
line map of the State on a scale rtnnnnr, on which the triangula-
tion projected for the northern portion of the State was laid down ;
a large map and profile of the Hibernia iron mine, and numerous
illustrations of scenery, of geological formations, and of mines and
mining machinery.
In the topographical department General Viele reported that the
triangulation had been begun at 25 stations, and 460 observations
had been made. Plane-table parties were put in each of the counties
312 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
of Sussex, Morris, Salem, Monmouth, Hudson, Warren, Cape May,
Cumberland, and Atlantic. The surveys of Sussex and Cape May
were completed and the maps drawn, and good progress had been
made in several other of the counties.
In the southern division geological work was continued in tracing
out and describing the subdivisions of the greensand marl beds and
the Cumberland marls, in studying the geological structure of the beds
of fire and potters' clay, and the geology of the formations on the sea-
shore and on Delaware Bay, with the evidences of recent change and
subsidence. Chemical examinations of the marls, clays, and other
substances were given, with much matter relating to the agriculture of
the country.
In the northern division a detailed statement of the physical geog-
raphy of the country was given, with its mountains, valleys, lakes,
rivers, and then a summary of its geology, its rocks, minerals, and
ores. Numerous local details of mines were also given, and with it the
work of Doctor Wurtz is included, where the latter describes minutely
the composition of the rocks in the mine walls and the ores them-
selves.
This report was received with much interest, and was printed and
widely circulated. The appropriation of $25,000 was made at the be-
ginning of the year for the work of 1856, and for the expenses of en-
graving the maps of Sussex and Cape May, and printing 1.000 copies
of the report and map of Sussex, and 500 copies of the report and map
of Cape May. Provision was also made for the distribution of copies
to various bodies of persons, amounting to 200 or more, and the rest
were to be sold at $3 a copy for that of Sussex and $2 for that of
Cape May.
As previously noted, however, the State funds were not available
for the sum appropriated, and the work was greatly diminished in
its extent and some portions entirely suspended. The limited amount
of work which was done was by those in the service who were willing
to go on at their own charge and trust to the succeeding legislature to
provide the means for reimbursing them.
The report for the year 1856 was made to Governor Price at the
close of his term of office.
This report was printed as an octavo of 79 pages, and contains an
account of the work done in the geology of the northern and southern
divisions of the State, and in its topographical survey. It was also
accompanied by a catalogue of plants of Monmouth and Ocean
Counties, by Dr. P. D. Knieskern, of Shark Eiver.
Doctor Kitchell reported that detailed surveys of the geology, scien-
tific and economic, were about completed for the counties of Sussex
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 313
and Morris and were considerably advanced in Essex and Hudson
counties. He wrote out a fuller account than had been given be-
fore of the magnetic iron ores and their occurrences and distribution
in the rocks, and in the use of the magnetic needle in searching for
new beds of that mineral; he also wrote upon the methods and
economy of working the ores.
In the southern division the assistant in charge reported that the
geology of the county of Cape May was completed and the report
and map published. The county of Monmouth had been nearly all
surveyed, and a considerable portion of Cumberland, and much
of the chemical work connected with the analyses of soils, marls,
and other fertilizers was done. The report also contained a full
statement of the agriculture of that portion of the State, the op-
portunities offered for its further development, and the natural ad-
vantages furnished for its profitable pursuit.
It was the plan of the survey to publish its results in county re-
ports, each of which was to be accompanied by a topographic map of
the county. The county of Cape May, in the southern division, was
the only one that was completed and published. It is a large
octavo of 208 pages, and contains a folded map of the county
on a scale of ^ n ; ftft . It also contains numerous illustrative views
and sections. The geology is very simple, only the Quaternary to
be found in the county, and the surface so uniformly level that there
is not an elevation 40 feet above the sea in it. Its sandy and gravelly
loams, its salt marshes, and its sand beaches are described, and the
wear of its shores, and the changes of level, for which it furnished
remarkable proofs, are treated at length. Its climate and its agri-
cultural resources are given, and lists of animals, birds, fishes, flower-
ing plants, and algae are also published ; a sketch of the early history
of the county of Cape May, by Maurice Beesley, is also included.
General Viele reported for the topographical department that
work on a diminished scale had been vigorously prosecuted, though
under discouraging circumstances, during the year, and that the
following was a summary of the work thus far accomplished :
County of Cape May: Survey completed; map drawn, engraved
and published.
County of Sussex : Survey completed ; map drawn and partly en-
graved.
County of Monmouth : Survey completed and map drawn.
County of Morris : Survey nearly completed and map partly drawn
(could have been completed in about three weeks).
County of Warren : More than half surveyed.
County of Salem : Half surveyed.
County of Cumberland: Half surveyed.
314 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
County of Hudson : This county could have been completed in four
weeks, with the aid (which had been offered) of the New York Har-
bor commissioners' work.
The legislature failing to make appropriations, the work of the
survey was brought to a close at the end of 1856. As noted in article
6 of the act establishing the survey, the surveyors were required to
collect specimens of the different minerals, fossils, etc., subject to
the disposal of the legislature, but no museum seems to have been
established, and apparently no library.
Expense. As already noted, the total expenditures of this survey
amounted to $36,902.69.
In 1860, through the interposition of the State agricultural society,
Doctor Kitchell was allowed the free use of the materials collected
by the surveys just mentioned, and authorized to complete and pub-
lish results of the three years' work in one volume, with map, on a
scale of not less that 3 miles to 1 inch, the same to be done without
expense to the State. Under this authority Doctor Kitchell, working
in connection with G. M. Hopkins, a civil engineer, prepared and pub-
lished a good geographical map on a scale of 2^ miles to the inch.
The death of Doctor Kitchell, which took place in 1861, before he had
written out any full account of the geology of the State, put a stop
to the proposed volume on geology.
THIRD SURVEY UNDER GEORGE H. COOK AND J. C. SMOCK, 1864-1900.
In 1863 the State agricultural society again interested itself in
survey matters and obtained the passage of an act authorizing its
officers to receive the State property which had been in the possession
of Doctor Kitchell and transfer it to Prof. George H. Cook or some
other suitable person, in order to complete the survey as proposed in
the original agreement of Doctor Kitchell. During the season of
1863 a section across the State, from the Atlantic shore at Shark River
Inlet to the Delaware Water Gap, was carefully studied and drawn
and a short report prepared by Professor Cook on the State surveys
as made by Professor Rogers and Doctor Kitchell and the benefits de-
rived from them. This report he was invited to read before the sen
ate and the assembly in their regular sessions. In it was said:
The importance of having the geological survey so executed and published
that all of our citizens may understand the geology of the State can hardly
be overestimated. To the practical man it is of the first importance to know
that the materials of the globe are not jumbled together in a confused mass,
where any particular substance can only be found by chance, but that there
is an orderly arrangement of them, and each is to be found in its appropriate
place. The soils upon each rock formation have their peculiar characteristics,
and the farmer who wishes to devote himself to dairying* to the raising of
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 22
GEORGE HAMMELL COOK
STATE GEOLOGIST OF NEW JERSEY, 1864-89.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 315
stock, of grass, of grain, of fruits, or of garden vegetables will look for the
rock formation and soil upon which his special product is most profitably
raised.
Our iron need only be looked for in one kind of rock, and that rock is con-
fined to a particular district of country. The limestones are all in regular
layers, traversing the country in a northeast and soutliwest direction, and never
in any other. Our greensand marls are only found in one favored portion of
the State. The fire clays are only in one belt of country which crosses the
middle of the State from northeast to southwest. It would be worse than
useless to look for magnetic iron in southern New Jersey, marl in the northern
part of the State, or coal beds anywhere within our bounds. It is only by
surveys of this kind, carefully carried out over the whole country, faithfully
described and illustrated, and the results brought within the reach of all our
citizens, that we can fully and profitably make this arrangement known and
appreciated. Our abundant but undeveloped resources require from the State
this kind of survey and publication.
Following the reading of this report the bill for the completion ot
the geological survey was prepared, passed by both houses, and
signed by the governor, the Hon. Joel Parker. It is as follows :
An act to complete the geological survey of the State.
Whereas, the senate and general assembly of the State, by an act passed
March 2, 1854, authorized a geological survey of the State to be made, which
survey was subsequently suspended by the State; and
Whereas, the State agricultural society, under the authority granted to it by
the act of February 25, 1863, has shown a laudable zeal in continuing the said
survey; and
Whereas, it appears by the report of Robert C. Bacot and Jacob Herbert
(committee of the legislature), made March 11, 1857, that of the former appro-
priations made by the State there was, at that date, an unexpended balance
amounting to $8,897.31, which balance still remains to the credit of that ac-
count; and
Whereas, it is the duty of the State to develop and render available to the
fullest extent the facts relative to its great natural resources, as also of its
agricultural, mining, mechanical, and other industrial interests: Therefore
1. Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey, That the duty of completing the said survey be, and is hereby, resumed
by the State, said survey to be completed within a period not to exceed four
years, and at an expense not to exceed the sum of $20,000, aside from the
cost of publication, and all laws conferring on the State agricultural society
authority to continue the survey, or transferring to it the State property used
by the survey, be, and the same are hereby, repealed.
2. And be it enacted, That the sum of $20,000, of which the unexpended bal-
ance of former appropriations shall be part, be and is hereby appropriated to
carry out the provisions of this act.
3. And be it enacted, That the appointment of George H. Cook by the State
agricultural society is approved of, and that the said George H. Cook is hereby
appointed State geologist, with authority to receive from the State agricultural
society the State property used by the survey, and employ, control, and use
the same; to employ such assistant or assistants as shall seem to him necessary
for the proper prosecution of the survey ; and it shall be lawful for the said
George H. Cook and the person or persons employed by him to enter, without
316 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
molestation, upon any lands in this State which he or they may deem neces-
sary to further the object of the said survey ; and it shall be the duty of the
State geologist, on or before the first day of January of each year, to furnish
to the president of the board of managers (hereinafter to be created) a de-
tailed statement of his expenditures, with the vouchers thereof, and also a
report of his operations for the preceding year.
4. And be it enacted, That to promote the objects which this act has in view
there shall be a board of managers of the same, to consist of 11 members, one
of whom shall be the governor of the State, who also shall be president of the
board, and two members from each of the five congressional districts of the
State; and the State geologist shall make his annual report to the president,
who shall appoint from the members of the board a committee to examine the
annual accounts of expenditure, and the president shall submit the same and
all matters j;ertainiug to the survey at the first following session of the legis-
lature; and it shall be lawful for the president and board of managers, or a
majority of them, to make yearly agreements with the State geologist as to
his own and the salaries of his assistant or assistants, but such temporary as-
sistance as may be needed, the purchase of the necessary implements and
materials, the means necessary for transportation and all other incidental
excuses shall be under the control of the State geologist; ami it shall be the
duty of the members of the board, in addition to those already specified, to
furnish from time to time to the State geologist any and all information which
will contribute to the more full and complete development of the facts relating
to the agricultural, mining, mechanical and other industrial interests of the
State.
5. And be it enacted, That the governor of the State is hereby authorized, by
his draft in favor of the State geologist, to draw on the treasurer of the State
for such sum or sums of money as may be called for by the State geologist:
Provided, The several sums so called for shall not in any one year exceed the
one-fourth part of the appropriation made in section 2 of this act, to wit:
$20,000.
G. And be it enacted, That it shall be lawful for the State geologist to take
from the first yearly installment a sum not to exceed 500 to reimburse himself
for the expenses incurred in prosecuting the survey of the past year.
7. And be it enacted, That the board created by this act shall be a committee
of public!! tion, with authority to print and publish the annual and final reports
of the State geologist, and also to direct the distribution of suites of the geolog-
ical, mineralogical, and other specimens collected in the survey, to such literary,
scientific, and other institutions as will best conduce to the interests of the
citizens of the State.
8. And be it enacted, That the following-named persons are hereby apiwiuted
and shall constitute the board of managers of the geological survey of the
State, viz: President, Joel Parker; managers, David Potter, of Cumberland,
Andrew K. Hay, of Camden, in the first district; William Parry, of Burling-
ton, John A. Roebling, of Mercer, in the second district; Isaac R. Cornell, of
Somerset, Henry A!tkin, of Union, in the third district; Abram S. Hewitt,
of Passaic, Andrew B. Cobb, of Morris, in the fourth district; William W. Force,
of Essex, J. R. Wortendyke, of Hudson, in the fifth district; and power is hereby
given to the said board, or a majority of them, to fill any vacancies which may
occur.
9. And be it enacted, That this shall take effect immediately.
Approved March 30, 18G4.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 317
This act was afterwards amended and supplemented as follows:
15. SEC. 1. That so much of the act to which this is a supplement as directs
and requires the geological survey of the State to be completed within a period
not to exceed four years, be, and the same is hereby, repealed.
Approved March 29, 1868.
1. Be it enacted by he Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey, That for the purpose of completing said survey, the annual appropria-
tion of $5,000 be and is hereby continued for a further period of four years,
subject to be suspended at the discretion of the governor; arid the treasurer
of this State, upon the warrant of the comptroller, shall be, and is hereby, au-
thorized to pay such bills of expenses as may be audited and approved by the
board of managers in favor of the State geologist.
2. And be it enacted, That this shall take effect immediately.
Approved April 1, 1869.
A supplement to the act entitled "An act to complete the geological survey
of this State," approved March 30, 1864:
1. Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey, That for the purpose of completing said survey the annual appropriation
of $5,000 be and the same is hereby continued for a further period of four
years; and the treasurer of this State upon the warrant of the comptroller
shall be. and is hereby, authorized to pay such bills as may be audited and
approved by the board of managers in favor of the State geologist.
2. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect immediately.
Approved March 11, 1873.
16. SEC. 1. That the board of managers authorized by section 4 of said act
are hereby authorized to increase the number of their members from 11 to 15,
one of whom shall be the governor of the State, who shall be president of the
board, and two members from each of the seven congressional districts of the
State; and the powers and duties of the board thus constituted shall be the
same as defined in the act to which this is a supplement.
Approved April 9, 1875.
17. SEC. 1. That for the purpose of completing said survey, an annual ap-
priation of $8,000 be, and is hereby, made and continued for the period of
five years ; and that the treasurer of this State, upon the warrant of the
comptroller be and is hereby authorized to pay such bills as may be audited
and approved by the board of managers in favor of the State geologist. 1
Approved March 30, 1876.
A supplement to the act entitled "An act to complete the geological survey of
the State," approved March 30, 1864.
1. That the annual appropriation of $8,000 per annum for the completion
of the geological survey of the State, made in the supplement of this act, which
was approved February 18, 1880, be further continued for five years.
Approved May 2, 1885.
20. SEC. 1. That section 7 of said act (see sec. 14, ante) be amended so as
to read as follows:
That the board created by this act shall be a committee of publication with
authority to print and publish the annual reports of the State geologist; and
also to direct the distribution of suites of the geological, mineralogical, and
'Section 2 of this act repealed a " Supplement to said act approved March 11, 1873."
318 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
other specimens collected in this survey, to such literary, scientific, and other
institutions as will best conduce to the interests of the citizens of the State;
and should the general demand for its publications require, the said board is
hereby authorized to furnish said publications at the cost of paper, printing,
and distribution, or to authorize agents duly appointed to make sales on like
terms; and any money which may be received for making sale shall be paid
into the Treasury of the State.
Approved March 7, 1888.
Under the act of 1864 work in the survey was resumed with the
purpose of collecting together all that could be found relating to the
geology and natural resources of the State in the four years allotted
to the work, and to prepare and put these in such form as might
be most useful and acceptable to the people. Short pamphlet reports
of the conditions and progress of the survey were made every year
to the governor. That of 1864 contains 24 pages, with a colored
geological map and a profile of the rocks of the State, each in an
octavo page. The report of 1865 contains only 12 pages; the one
of 1866 has 27 pages ; and that of 1867 has 28 pages. The matter in
these, however, is all reproduced in the Geology of New Jersey, which
was printed in 1868, and is the only report of that year.
The organization of the survey for those years was as follows:
George H. Cook, State geologist ; John C. Smock, assistant geologist.
Maj. T. B. Brooks was engaged in topographic and magnetic sur-
veys of iron mines and iron-ore lands in 1864; Dr. David Murray
was engaged in preparing projection for a new map of the State, and
in collating and revising in the field the materials for such a map in
1864-65; Dr. Charles C. Abbott voluntarily devoted himself to the
preparation of catalogues of the vertebrate animals of the State dur-
ing the years 1864-1867; and G. M. Hopkins, civil engineer, com-
piled the maps for the use of the survey and for publication, using
such material as was available from former surveys and from old
maps. He also surveyed and drew a topographic map of about 80
square miles of the district of Morris County in which the largest
iron mines are located. His work was done in 1865-1867. Edwin H.
Bogardus was employed as chemist through the years 1866-67;
Francis C. Van Dyck was engaged in chemical researches during part
of the years 1866-67; Paul Cook was occupied in tracing lines of
magnetic attraction and beds of iron ore in 1866-67; lines of mag-
netic attraction were also traced by John Hance and others.
The work of the four years was completed as proposed, and at an
expense within the appropriation made for it. The report, however,
was not ready for publication, and the section requiring its com-
pletion in four years was repealed March 24, 1868.
The report, which was issued the latter part of 1868, was entitled
The Geology of New Jersey. It is an octavo of xiv and 899 pages
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 319
and is illustrated by numerous explanatory sections and sketches
and is accompanied by a portfolio of eight maps. In this report
was brought together the work of all those who had been engaged,
with recognition of their services; the geographical material which
could be made available; the systematic geology of the State as
given in four divisions namely, the Azoic and Paleozoic, Triassic,
Cretaceous, Tertiary and recent formations; historic geology; eco-
nomic geology ; and an appendix including lists of Invertebrate Fos-
sils, by T. A. Conrad ; of Extinct Mammalia and Reptilia, by E. D.
Cope ; of Minerals, by Eev. E. Seymour ; of Vertebrate Animals, by
Dr. C. C. Abbott; and of Elevations in New Jersey, from various
sources.
The four general maps were on a scale of 2 miles to an inch and
covered the whole State, following the four divisions mentioned
above. The map of a group of iron mines in Morris County was
drawn to a scale of 3 inches to a mile. Those of the zinc mines of
Sussex County, of the Oxford and Rlngwood iron mines on a scale
of 8 inches to 1 mile.
By the act of April 1, 1869, the survey was continued for another
four years, an annual appropriation of $5.000 being provided for.
Professor Cook was again appointed geologist and continued to act
in this capacity and under the several supplemental acts until his
death in 1889. He was assisted during these years as follows : 1869,
1870, E. H. Bogardus (chemist), E. A. Bowser (engineer); 1871,
1872, John C. Smock (assistant geologist), E. H. Bogardus, E. A.
Bowser, George Howell ; 1874, the same, with J. K. Barton, assistant
to Bowser; 1875, the same, with Ed. Eeiley and R. A. Meeker, col-
lectors.
In the spring of 1875 Professor Bowser was appointed assistant in
the Coast Survey Service, with the duty of conducting triangulation
survey over New Jersey. He continued this work until 1885.
The legislature of 1876 passed an act continuing the survey five
years longer, with annual appropriations of $8,000. Doctor Cook
served, as already noted, with the assistance of the same corps as
in 1875, including also W. C. Whitehead and George McC. Taylor,
survej^ors. The personnel of the survey remained the same until
1880. when C. C. Vermeule was added as a topographic assistant.
Profs. J. S. Newberry and R. P. Whitfield undertook the descrip-
tion of the fossil plants, fishes, and invertebrates, and N. L. Britton
the preparation of a list of the wild plants of the State. The assist-
ants from 1880 to 1884 were the same but that Mr. Bogardus closed
his work in April, 1881.
13607520 22
320 BULLETIN 100, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
In 1885 the personnel was limited to Doctor Cook and C. C. Ver-
meule. In 1886 it was increased by the addition of N. L. Britton
and F. J. H. Merrill, who continued to serve during 1887. In
1888 the force remained the same, with the exception of F. L. Xason,
who replaced F. J. H. Merrill. In 1889 Irwin S. Upson was added
to the force. With the death of Doctor Cook, Upson was appointed
assistant in charge of office and served until the appointment, on
October 1. 1800, of J. C. Smock as State geologist.
Collections. The act of 1854 and those of the ensuing years pro-
vided for the collection of specimens of rocks and minerals to be dis-
posed of as the legislature might direct. Under these conditions an
excellent collection of the minerals, fossils, building stones, rocks,
woods, and everything to represent the natural products of the State
was placed in a museum in the statehouse at Trenton. The burning
of the statehouse during the winter of 1885 resulted in the destruction
of all but that portion which had fortunately been sent to the expo-
sition at New Orleans. Suites of specimens representing the rocks of
the State were also sent to the various colleges.
Publications. By section 7 of the act of 1864, and again by the sup-
plemental act of 1888. the board of managers was constituted a board
of publication, the supplement of 1888 giving authority, should the
general demand require, to sell the publications at cost of printing
and distribution, or to authorize agents, duly appointed, to make sales
on like terms, any money thus received to be paid into the treasury of
the State. The legislature in assuming the publication had also the
right of free distribution, which was liberally exercised. Hence few,
if any, copies were sold.
The editions of the annual reports have varied from 3,000 to 8,000
each, and the final reports and maps in editions of from 1,000 to 2,000
copies each.
Doctor Cook died on September 22, 1889. The legislature in the
spring following passed supplemental acts, which were still further
supplemented in the spring of 1894. The text of these various enact-
ments is given below :
A supplement to an act entitled "An net to complete the geological survey of this State,"
approved March 30, 1864.
1. Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey, Tliat the annual appropriation of $8,000 per annum for the completion
of the geological survey of this State, made In the supplement to this act,
which was approved May 2, 1SS5. be further continued for five years.
2. And le it enacted. That whereas the office of State geologist, formerly
held by George H. Cook under this act. is now vacant, said office shall hence-
forth, from time to time, be filled by the appointment thereto of a competent
person by the board of managers of the geological survey, who shall hold office
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS.
321
during the pleasure of the board, such appointment to be subject to the ap-
proval of the governor; and the person so appointed State geologist, and hia
assistants, shall have the same authority and perform the same duties as if
he had been named and appointed in this act, subject at all times to the direc-
tion of the board.
3. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect immediately.
Approved May 12, 1890.
An act to provide for the establishment of a museum of the geological survey of the State.
1. Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of Jfcw
Jersey, That a museum for the reception and exhibition of collections of the
natural products aud minerals of the State, and of classified collections of
specimens illustrating the structural and economic geology, physical geology,
and natural history of the State, be, and hereby is, established.
2. And be it enacted, That the direction and management of said museum shall
be committed to the board of managers of the geological survey, who shall ap-
point a curator therefor.
3. And be it enacted, That the officers in charge of the statehouse are hereby
authorized and directed to provide a suitable room or rooms therein for the
permanent location of said museum, and, in connection therewith, suitable and
convenient office room for the geological survey of the State, such rooms to be
furnished and provided with all necessary appliances.
4. And be it enacted, That the museum hereby established shall be known as
the museum of the geological survey.
Approved, May 23, 1890.
A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to complete the geological survey of the
State," approved March 30, 1864.
1. Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey, That the State geologist, under the direction of the board of managers
of the geological survey and with the assistance of a competent botanist to
be selected by said board for his expert knowledge of forestry and of the forest
trees of this State, and such other expert assistance as may be required for
the purpose, shall make an Investigation to ascertain the extent, character,
and location of the wild lands in this State which are suited for permanent oc-
cupation by forests rather than by agriculture, and shall report the results of
such investigation to the legislature, together with a statement of what part
or parts of such lands would be suitable for a State forest reserve, and the
advantages as regards the timber supply, water supply, scenery, and climate of
the State, which would accrue from the conservation of existing forests by
the establishment of such reserve or otherwise. The investigation so to be
made shall determine the extent to which forests of timber of commercial value
now exists in the State, and include a study of the localities and areas which
are especially adapted to the growth of designated kinds of timber of commercial
value. It shall also include an examination as to the presence or absence of
forest cover upon the slojies and summits of more important watersheds of the
State, and a study of the effect of such conditions as now exist upon the main-
tenance of the streams therein and the regulation of the freshet flow tbereof.
The report to the legislature shall state the arguments touching the beneficial
effect upon climate and rainfall attributable to the presence of forests, and shall
likewise present an outline of the policy and legislation of other States and
322 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
countries for the preservation of the forests and their regulation for public
ends, so far as the same may be applicable to th : s State.
2. And be it enacted, That the expense of making such investigation and re-
port, shall, when duly audited by the board of managers and appro veil by the
governor and comptroller, be paid out of any funds in the treasury not other-
wise appropriated, and shall be limited to $5,000.
3. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect immediately.
Approved May 1, 1S94.
A further supplement to an act entitled "An act to complete the geological survey of the
State," approved Marcb CO, 1864.
1. Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey, That the board of managers created by section 4 of said act are hereby
authorized to increase the numbers of their members so that there shall be
two members representing each congressional district as at present constituted,
or as they may be hereafter established, besides the governor of the State,
who shall be president of the board : Provided, That all members of the board
now in office shall remain in office the same as if appointed under the present
act, and shall represent the districts from which they were respectively ap-
pointed, and the board thus constituted shall have and exercise all the powers
heretofore conferred by law upon the board of managers.
2. And be it enacted, That the further supplement to said act wh'ch was ap-
proved March 23, 1892, and which is known as chapter 118 of the laws of the
year 1892, be, and the same is hereby, repealed, and that this act shall take
effect immediately.
Approved April 24, 1894.
Administration. Under the act of May 12, Prof. John C. Smock
was appointed State geologist, in which capacity he continued to
serve until July 1, 1901. The assistants during 1890 were F. L. Nason
and I. S. Upson, as before, and C. W. Conian. In 1891 and 1892 the
force of assistants consisted of Messrs. Upson. Vermeule, and Coman,
with the addition of Prof. R. D. Salisbury. During 1893 and 1894
the number was reduced to Upson and Salisbury, though the latter
was assisted by H. B. Kiimmel, Charles E. Peet, and G. N. Knapp.
A. H. Chester served as chemist to the survey. In 1895 Lewis Wool-
man took charge of investigations relative to artesian wells. The
force thus constituted served until 1898, when Gifford Pinchot was
added as forester. In 1889 Mr. Kiimmel, hitherto Professor Salis-
bury's assistant, was appointed on the survey staff, and Mr. Stuart
Weller was placed in charge of the paleozoic investigations. Profes-
sor Smock continued as State geologist until July 1, 1901, when he
resigned and was succeeded by Henry B. Kiimmel.
Results. The results of the various surveys as detailed in the
final and special reports, are as follows :
The work of the early surveys was chiefly economic and the atten-
tion and effort were concentrated on the preparation of a report
v)pon the geology and a geological map of the State. These were
published in 1868. This report was in great demand, as it gave the
GEOLOGICAL AXD NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 323
first elaborate account of the mineral resources and geology of the
State. The geological map was based upon the county atlases and
was perhaps as accurate as could be expected under the circum-
stances.
Even at the time of publication of this report it was recognized by
Doctor Cook that, through lack of time and means, many important
problems had been neglected altogether or only briefly touched upon.
A series of annual reports was, therefore, planned, which should
successfully deal with important topics. These reports have been
published each year since 1869, each volume, as a rule, treating of
several topics rather than a single one.
Since 1868 the work has been divided into three groups economic,
topographic, and scientific. No hard and fast lines have, however,
been drawn between the groups, and many of the problems investi-
gated belong equally well in either one or even in all three.
The topographic work, in the preparation of accurate maps, has
been of great economic value, and much which, on its face, was of a
purely scientific nature, has led to results of great practical value
on the economic side. For convenience, however, there was grouped
under economic work only those investigations which bore most
directly upon the wealth of the State. The topographic work in-
cluded the surveys and publication of geological maps, while under
scientific work was placed those investigations which had chiefly an
educational aspect, either in increasing human knowledge or in
giving wider currency to facts of geologic and geographic interest.
Economic work. The nature and extent of the iron ores of the
State received much attention from Doctor Cook. Magnetic surveys
were made in numerous instances and at frequent intervals; all the
active mines were visited, samples of the ore collected, and numer-
ous analyses made. The reports for 1873, 1874, 1870, 1883, 1890, and
1896 contain the most important papers on this subject. Since 1896
brief annual reports only have been made to cover the operations of
the active mines.
Clay deposits received early attention. Considerable data was
published in the report of 1868, and 10 years later Doctor Cook wrote
a special report on the Woodbridge and Amboy clays, which was the
first elaborate report on this subject by any survey and was for years
regarded as standard. The greensand marls of the southern portion
of the State, being in the early days of the survey in great demand
for fertilizers, the first geological map was made to include the loca-
tion of all the marl belts, and in the reports of 1868, 1873, and 1886
the deposits are described and numerous analyses given, as well as
instructions for their use. In the report for 1892 there was an inter-
esting paper concerning the origin of the beds. Between 1875 and
324 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
1880 many analyses of soils were made and results of value to agri-
culturists were obtained. These were made public in the annual
reports for 1878-1880.
The wide extent of sand for glass making in southern Now Jersey
was pointed out in the volume for 1868, and in the annual for 1878
all the known beds were located and described. Several reports
contained brief papers upon the building stones of the State, but an
exhaustive study remains yet to be made. The geological map of
the State showed the distribution of the trap sheet which affords the
best material for road metal and concrete, and the report of 1898
contained a list of all the trap-rock quarries then in operation. In
the report for 1896 was shown the distribution of all the available
road gravel in Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland, and parts of Salem,
Burlington, and Monmouth counties.
The first permanent Portland cement plant in the State was estab-
lished near Phillipsburg, partly as a result of the information fur-
nished by the survey. Later, as a result of an investigation of the
fossil faunas of the rocks of "Warren and Sussex counties, it was
found that the cement beds could be traced readily by their fossils,
and a report upon the manufacture of Portland cement and the
occurrence of cement rock was published in the annual for 1900.
The drainage and reclamation, for purposes of agriculture, of the
large areas of swamp land along the Pequest. Wallkill, and Passaic
Rivers was early advocated by Doctor Cook. Surveys of all these
areas were made, and between 1873 and 1875 the drainage along the
Pequest, recommended by the survey, was carried through by a
commission appointed by the supreme court for that purpose. In
1896-97 plans and estimates for the reclamation of the Hackensack
meadows were prepared.
The water power and water supply of the State were early recog-
nized as an important subject for the survey and were included in
its field of investigation. The quality of the surface waters was
tested by numerous chemical analyses, and the quantity of potable
waters on the various watersheds was determined by a long series
of stream gaugings to determine the amount of stream flow, and by
studies of rainfall records to determine the amount of precipitation
and evaporation. These studies were made public in a special re-
port upon the water supply in 1894. Since that time the subject of
great floods has also been specially investigated.
In 1894 the survey was charged by the legislature with the in-
vestigation of the forestry resources of the State. Reports on this
subject were made in 1895, 1896, 1898, and a special report was
issued in 1899, accompanied by a forestry map. The principal ques-
tions investigated relating to this subject were :
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 325
1. Location, extent, and quality of the forest areas.
2. Kate of growth as compared with cutting.
3. Forest fires, their cause, the damage occasioned, and their pre-
vention.
4. Effects of deforestation upon stream flow, stream pollution, and
floods.
5. Effects of insects on forests.
Topographic work. In 1873 the old New York-New Jersey
boundary was resurveyed and marked with appropriate monuments.
About 1878 there was begun a State topographical atlas on a scale
of 1 inch to the mile. This was finished in cooperation with the
United States Geological Survey in 1887, forming an atlas of 20
sheets. The entire cost of this work was $54,744, exclusive of en-
graving and printing the maps, or $6.93 to the square mile. Through
the cooperation of the State with the national organization the ex-
pense to the State was reduced to less than half that sum. New
Jersey, it may be stated, was the pioneer in this cooperative work.
In 1898 a new series of topographic maps on a scale of 2,000 feet
to the inch was begun.
Scientific and educational. Much attention was given to the study
of the geologic structure of the State, the order in which the for-
mations occur, their thickness, lithological character, and fossils, if
any, and the conditions under which they were formed. Much of
this work has a direct economic value.
The rocks of the Kittatinny Mountains and Valley, the Green Pond
Mountain region, the red sandstone belt, and the Cretaceous clays,
sands, and marls have thus been studied. The crystalline rocks of
the highlands have also been studied, in cooperation with the United
States Geological Survey. The glacial deposits have likewise been
studied, and a full report issued, forming volume 5 of the present
organization.
In 1895 a report upon the physical geography of the State and its
development was issued, the same forming volume 4 of the final
report of the series. This report was accompanied by a photo-relief
map of the State.
The fossils of the marl beds were studied by Prof. R. P. Whit-
field under Doctor Cook's direction, the results being published in
two volumes, by cooperation with the United States Geological
Survey.
In the annual report for 1881 a discussion of the climate of the
State was presented.
Salaries and expenses. From 1864 to 1895, inclusive, a definite
sum was appropriated in four or five year periods for salaries and
326 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
expenses. In addition to this the board of managers had authority
to publish maps and reports, the cost of which to any amount were
paid by the State treasurer without specific appropriation until 1895,
when the amount was limited to $5,000 annually, making the total
annual appropriation at that time $13,000. Previous to 1891 un-
expended balances were carried over to the next year, since which date
they lapse. Furthermore the annual reports, being a part of the
legislative printing, have been paid for in the main, at least, from
the fund for that purpose, and not charged to the geological survey.
Messrs. Cook and Smock each received a salary of $3,000 a year.
The nssistants were paid on a daily basis, amounting in some cases
to $600, and in others to $2.000 a year. The following table shows the
appropriations and expenditures for the years 1864-1900.
Year.
Appropria-
tion.
Geological.
Publication
account.
Fore^rvandprin'ing
(legislative fund).
Special,
Reports.
1861....
$20,000
20,000
20,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8.000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
18,000
13,000
15,000
13,000
13,000
13,000
$1,350.00
5,620.38
3,999.07
5, 135. 31
3,804.24
2,395.97
5,062.84
5,542.41
4,800.34
4, 609. 56
5.638.38
4,853.72
5,022.07
7,447.97
8,175.86
8, 634. 84
8,059.89
6,994.97
6,819.32
8,024.60
8,887.85
8,216.28
7,659.54
5,217.97
8,030.74
7,677.81
5,582.87
9,039.32
8,000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
7,992.47
7, 999. 67
7, 996. 01
7,999.97
1865
$283. 03
934.95
1,355.08
4,562.05
8,244.86
1,8?8.39
1,170.00
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870 ,
1871
1872
1873
339. 10
1,984.50
242. 75
1,114.80
577.25
257.51
1874
18T5
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
70. ii
1881 . .
188?
$5,080.82
1,654.53
1883
18SJ
1885 ..
15,546.82
9,200.45
15,222.42
10,507.31
5,044.79
7,365.18
6, 155. 49
6,634.35
3,231.34
4,654.15
4,810.51
4 657 16
1886
1887
1888
1,020.80
4,853.72
1889
1810
1891
3,261.38
7,972.60
6, 122. 72
13,569.01
'17,657.72
5,725.23
2,480.42
2,745.83
10,459.83
1,300.00
$83,904.61
1892
1893
1894
"$4,~854."93~
1895 ....
1896
1897
5,000.00
4,999.68
5,000.00
4,999.71
1,816.44
1898
1899
1900
Total . .
"$67671.37
$289,000 j$244,292.24 | $125,993.74
Chiefly en irivin^ an I printing topographical atlas; also for 1888, 1889, 1890.
Vol. 3 and Annual for 1894.
Vol. 4 and Annual for 1895.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 23
TIMOTHY ABBOTT CONRAD
EBENEZER EMMONS
WILLIAM WILLIAMS MATHER LARDNER VANUXEM
STATE GEOLOGISTS OF NEW YORK, 1836-46.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 327
NEW YORK.
The histoiy of the New York State surveys can not well begin
without reference to the pioneer work of Amos Eaton, who began
his scientific career in 1816, and in 1818, on the invitation of Gov.
De Witt Clinton, delivered a course of lectures on natural history
before the members of the State legislature. In 1821, under the
patronage of Stephen Van Rensselaer, he made a geological and
agricultural survey of Rensselaer County, and later (1824), under
the same auspices, a survey of the district adjoining the Erie Canal.
These surveys, together with his textbooks and other writings, served
to arouse the interest of the public, and to him doubtless more than
to any other one man was due the early establishment of a survey
under State auspices.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS UNDER HALL, EMMONS, AND OTHERS.
As early as 1827 among the laws of the State is the following:
4. And be it further enacted, That for the purpose of encouraging mineralogi-
cal researches it shall and may be lawful for the said commissioners of the
land office to grant to any discoverers of mines, minerals, and fossils, other
than gold and silver, such lands as they may apply for, not exceeding 500 acres
of land, without estimating in the valuation thereof the said discoveries, and
retaining to the people of this State one-half of any land in which such mines,
minerals, and fossils may be discovered.
It was not, however, until 1835 that the subject of a State survey
assumed a definite form. In that year it appears the Albany Insti-
tute of New York presented a memorial to the legislature, which
seemed to have formed the basis for subsequent action. The im-
mediate result of this memorial was the following resolution by the
house of assembly :
ResoJred, That the secretary of state be requested to report to the legislature
at its next session the most expedient method of obtaining a complete geological
survey of the State, which shall furnish a scientific and perfect account of its
rocks, soils, and minerals, and their localities; a list of all its mineralogical,
botanical, and zoological productions, and provide for procuring and preserving
specimens of the snme; together with an estimate of the expenses which may
attend the prosecution of the design, and the cost of publication of an edition of
3,000 copies of the report, drawings, and geological map of its results.
On the 6th of January of the following year, John A. Dix, then
secretary of state, submitted an elaborate report upon the subject. 1
Realizing that " the principal object of the survey is to procure in-
formation which may be applied to useful purposes, it is desirable
to complete the work as soon as possible in order that the results
may be available at the earliest practical date," he proposed that the
'Report of the secretary of state in relation to a geological survey, Jan. 6. 1836.
328 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
State be divided into four districts, and to assign to each district
two geologists and a skilled draftsman. The first district was to
comprise all the easternmost counties of the State from Washington
southward an area of 12,263 square miles; the second, the northern
tier of counties from Lake St. George to the St. Lawrence River
an area of 9,G92 square miles; the third, the central group of coun-
ties including the salt springs an area of some 12,293 square miles;
and the fourth, those counties in which a continuation of the coal
formations of Pennsylvania was to be expected an area of 11,594
square miles. 1
In addition to geology it was proposed to include zoological and
botanical surveys. The proposed organization is tabulated below:
Two geologists in each district, at a salary of $1,500 a year each 4 dis-
tricts, 8 individuals $12,000
One draftsman to each district, at a salary of $800 a year 1 dis-
tricts, 4 individuals 3,200
One zoologist for the whole State, at $1,500 a year 1, 500
One draftsman for the whole State, at $800 a year 800
One botanist for the whole State, at $1,500 a year 1, 500
One draftsman for the whole State, at $800 a year 800
Packing and transporting specimens 100
Total annual expense of proposed surrey $19, 900
An appropriation of $20,000 a year for four years would, it was
thought, certainly cover the whole expense of making the survey.
The cost of publishing 3,000 copies of the report, drawings, and
map of the results, was estimated as follows :
It is supposed that the entire account of the survey may be contained
in three volumes, 8vo., of 700 pages each, 3,000 copies; 9,000 vol-
umes, in boards, at 81 cents each $7,290
The maps may be lithographed, and with the necessary drawings of
fossil remains, will not exceed $4.&3J per atlas 3,000 copies 13, 000
Coloring of maps will be additional charge of, say 3, 000
Cost of fitting up cabinet for specimens 1, 000
$24,290
It will be observed that the survey thus planned comprised the
entire field of natural history and was to be independent of any other
institution; and, further, was to be supported by annual appropri-
ations of $26,000, or $104,000 for the four years. For reasons ex-
plained later the survey with enlarged scope was extended several
years beyond the original intended limit and the ultimate cost to
more than four times that first estimated.
It was proposed also to preserve for a State cabinet specimens of
natural history and mineral products, for which purpose it was
1 This subdivision is stnted to have been made on the advice of Prof. Edward Hitchcock.
American Geologist, vol. 16, 1895. p. 138.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 329
thought a room might be found on the third floor of the capitol
building.
It was in accordance with this report and recommendation that
the following law was enacted :
An act to provide for a geological survey of the State.
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly,
do enact as follows:
1. The governor is hereby authorized and directed to employ a suitable num-
ber of competent persons, whose duty it shall be, under his direction, to make
an accurate and complete geological survey of this State, which sh;ill be accom-
panied \vith proper maps and diagrams, and furnish a full and scientific descrip-
tion of its rocks, soils, and minerals, and of its botanical and zoological pro-
ductions, together with specimens of the same; which maps, diagrams, and
specimens shall be deposited in the State library; and similar specimens shall
be deposited in such of the literary institutions in this State as the secretary
of stnte shall direct.
2. The sum of $20,000 is hereby appropriated annually for four years to
defray the expenses that may be incurred under this act, which sum shall be
paid by the treasurer on the warrant of the comptroller in such manner and at
such times as the governor may direct.
3. The person or persons employed by the governor for the purposes men-
tioned in the first section of this act shall make a report annually to the legis-
lature, on or before the first day of February in each year, setting forth gen-
erally the progress made in the survey hereby authorized.
This act was followed by others as given later.
Administration. The suitable number of competent persons to
carry out the conditions of the law as appointed by the governor,
included TV. TV. Mather, of Connecticut, in charge of the first dis-
trict; Ebenezer Emmons, of Williams College, of the second; Tim-
othy Conrad, of Philadelphia, of the third; and Lardner Vanuxem,
of Bristol, Pennsylvania, of the fourth. 1 The mineralogical depart-
ment was assigned to Prof. L. C. Beck, of Rutgers College, New
Jersey; the botanical to Dr. John Torrey, of New York City, and
the zoological to Dr. James E. De Kay, of Long Island.
By the end of the first season it had become apparent that the
work could be more readily accomplished by discontinuing the ap-
pointments of assistant geologists and through the appointment of
one person as paleontologist of the entire survey. Timothy Conrad
was therefore appointed to this latter position, while James Hall,
who had served as assistant to Emmons, was made geologist of the
fourth district, Lardner Vanuxem being incidentally transferred
to the third.
'It Is snid in the American Geologist, vol. 16. 1805. p. 138. thnt Edward Hitchcock
was first appointed to take charge of the survey with C. D. Adams as assistant, but that
toe resigned in order to devote his attention to the re.survey of Massachusetts. This
statement is also made in the elder Hitchcock's History of Amherst College.
330 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The annual compensation suggested for each geologist was $1,500.
When later it developed that some of those employed could not de-
vote their entire time to the work, such were paid $1,200 a year. The
assistants were to receive $800 a year, and each geologist, zoologist,
botanist, and mineralogist was to receive $300 in addition to salary
for executing the necessary drawings, packing specimens, and for
the expenses of concentrating such at places convenient for trans-
portation to Albany. These rates of compensation seem to have
remained as fixed throughout the existence of the survey, although
naturally the total expense of any one department was greater some
years than others. The expenses for 1838, under these conditions,
are given on page 335.
Work continued under the law of 1836, as above outlined, without
serious complications until 1840, the limit set for the life of the
organization. During this time annual reports were issued, and a
casual inspection would lead one to suppose that the survey might
readily have come to an end at that period. It was found, how-
ever, on investigation that such was by no means the case, an in-
vestigating committee reporting under date of April 28, 1840 :
The condition of the survey is such that it will be utterly impossible to com-
plete it in a manner commensurate with its object and the character of the
State during the time originally assigned for its completion. Several counties
are yet entirely unexplored and several others only partially explored. The
constant labor of the geologists will be required in the field until next Novem-
ber. The winter season following will be required for making the annual report
and arranging the collections in the building which shall be appropriated for
that purpose. The season following will be required for a reexamiuation of
some portions of the State, for supplying any deficiencies which shall be found
to exist in the collections after their arrangement, and for the preparations of
maps, sections and other drawings, together with the final report. The amount
of labor to be done in the field, the arrangement of the collection, and the
preparation of the report will render it quite impossible to complete it with
any degree of perfection in a shorter period of time. * * *
From this brief sketch of the condition of the survey it is very evident to
your committee that an abrupt discontinuance of it at the expiration of the
time contemplated in the original plan would greatly injure its usefulness and
dishonor the whole enterprise. It is believed it will require no further appro-
priation to complete it, and they have therefore come to the conclusion that it
will be carrying out the views of the legislature which authorized the survey,
and meet the approbation of the people, to authorize its continuance until the
first Tuesday in January, 1842.
It was in accordance with this recommendation that the following
act was passed :
An act to continue the geological survey of thp State, passed May 8, 1840.
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly,
do enact as follows:
1. The governor is hereby authorized to continue the geological survey of the
State, in the same manner in which it has heretofore been conducted, until the
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 331
first Tuesday in January, 1842: Provided, The expense shall not exceed the
unexpended balance of moneys appropriated for the survey by the act passed
April 15, 1836.
Under this act the survey was continued as before, the fifth and
last annual report bearing date of 1841, when the various geologists
turned their attention to the final reports, those of Emmons and
Vanuxem being issued the year following (1842). The reports of
Hall and Mather would appear, however, not to have been completed
within the limit set, and on April 9, 1842, another extension was
granted, as follows:
An act relating to the geological survey of the State, passed April 9, 1842.
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly,
do enact as follows-:
1. The governor is hereby authorized to continue, until the first Tuesday In
January, 1843, such of the various departments of labor connected with the
geological survey of this State, as may be necessary to insure its ultimate com-
pletion and publication according to the plan heretofore contemplated.
2. The sum of $26,000 is hereby appropriated to pay any money now due for
materials furnished or services rendered under the act passed May 8, 1840, en-
titled "An act to continue the geological survey of this State," and to defray
such expenses as may be incurred under this act.
3. The secretary of state is hereby directed to secure a copyright of the geo-
logical survey for the benefit of this State.
4. Whenever two or more volumes of the geological survey shall be pub-
lished, the governor and secretary of state may cause such books to be sold at
such prices as they may deem expedient, and any moneys derived from such
sales shall be applied to the same purposes as the appropriation made by the
second section of this act.
5. The geological survey, as fast as completed (except such volumes as may
be sold according to the provisions of section 4), shall be distributed as fol-
lows: Two copies to the governor; two copies to the lieutenant governor; one
copy to each member of the present legislature ; one copy to each of the geolo-
gists engaged in said survey; three copies to the State library; one copy to
each county clerk's office in this State; one copy to each incorporated college in
this State; and the remaining copies shall be deposited in the office of the sec-
retary of state to be sold or disposed of in such manner as the legislature may
hereafter direct.
6. The concurrent resolution of the senate and assembly, passed May 26, 1841,
in relation to the distribution of said geological survey is hereby repealed.
7. This act shall take effect immediately.
Even with the expiration of the limit set by this act the work was
still unfinished, and on April 8, 1843, a supplemental act was passed,
as follows:
An act in relation to the natural history of New York, passed April 8, 1843.
The people of the State of New York, represented in senate and assembly,
do enact as follotvs:
1. The governor is hereby authorized to continue such of the various depart-
ments of labor connected with the geological survey of this State as may be
332 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
necessary to insure its ultimate completion and publication according to the
plan heretofore contemplated, and to contract with the printers to the assembly
for the publication of the same at prices advantageous to the State.
2. The treasurer shall pay on the warrant of the comptroller the necessary
cost and expenses already incurred or hereafter to be incurred in the comple-
tion of the said work, to the person or persons entitled to the same, out of any
moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3. The governor is hereby authorized to coutiuue the services of one or both
of the geologists who are now residing in Albany for the purpose of completing
and arranging the said collection of specimens in the old State hall, and doing
any works connected therewith he may deem necessary.
4. Whenever two or more volumes of the said work shall be completed, the
governor and secretary of state may cause such books to be sold at such prices
as they shall deem proper, not less than $2 per volume, and any moneys de-
rived from such sales may be applied to the payment of the geologists for any
debt due them from the State on account of services connected with said work.
5. The volumes to be published shail be uniform with those already pub-
lished and of as good materials.
6. This act shall take effect immediately.
By the first section of this act it will be noted that the governor
was authorized to continue such of the departments of labor con-
nected with the geological survey of the State as might be necessary
to secure its ultimate completion and publication according to the
plan heretofore contemplated. The final reports of Hall and Mather
appeared during this year (1843), and may be said to mark the limit
of the first survey. But by the third section of the act the governor
was authorized to continue the services of one or both of the geol-
ogists then residing in Albany (Hall and Emmons) for the pur-
pose of completing and arranging the said collections of specimens
in the old State hall, and doing any work connected therewith he
might deem necessary. By section 2 of the same act all limit of ex-
pense was removed from a further prosecution of the work. Under
the license of this act Governor Bouck entered into the following
contract with Ebenezer Emmons and James Hall.
The undersigned hereby propose and engage to make the necessary survey
and examination, prepare the reports, superintend the drawings, engraving, and
printing, and binding, to complete in all respects, and publish the geological
survey of the State to its ultimate completion, according to the plan heretofore
contemplated and as indicated in the annexed paper signed by us.
As far as it may be practical, in the opinion of the governor, the work is to
progress in such manner as will insure its completion in May or June, 1844.
This proposition is to include every kind of labor and expense necessary to a
full completion of the geological survey in all the departments excepting the
printing, coloring the map, drawing, and engraving, and the employment of one
assistant geologist the 1st day of June, 1S44.
The services find expenses indicated by this proposition are to be performed
for n compensation equal to a salary of ^l.'iOO for each of us, and a sum not
exceeding $500 for the assistant, unless the time occupied by each of us should
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 333
be less than one year and that of the assistant less than five months, in which
case there shall be a corresponding reduction, but under no circumstances is
a larger sum to be paid.
Under this contract Professor Hall undertook the preparation of
his comprehensive works on the paleontology of the State and Pro-
fessor Emmons began an agricultural survey, neither one of which
was contemplated by the original plan, and which later aroused con-
siderable criticism on the part of the legislators.
By the close of 1845 it appears that under this last arrangement
nine volumes of reports had been printed, and it was estimated that
six more would be requisite to complete the work. There had thus
far been expended $311,321.72, and an addition of $54,268.92 was
estimated as needed to carry the project through. In this year Gov-
ernor Wright entered into a further contract with Professor Hall
for the completion of the geological work with the specific under-
standing that the time requisite should not exceed two years, and
his salary be continued at the rate of $1,500 a year. Professor Em-
mons reported this year to the assembly committee that for the vol-
ume on agriculture, then under his charge, 100 pages had been
printed. He also was allowed a continuation, with a salary at the
rate of $1,500 a year up to October 1, 1846. On the meeting of the
assembly in 1847 the work of neither Hall nor Emmons was com-
pleted and more time and more money was asked. After an investi-
gation the joint committee reported the following bill by which both
departments were continued for two years at the same salaries as
heretofore, and the sum of $25,000 appropriated. The following is
the text of the bill:
An act for completing the publication of the natural history of New York, passed May
7, 1847, " three-fifths being present."
The people of tJie State of New York, represented in senate and assembly,
do enact as follows:
The governor is hereby authorized to cause to be completed, and for that
purpose to continue in employment the geologists now engaged upon that por-
tion of the natural history of this State relating to agriculture ami to paleon-
tology for the period of two years from the time when their salaries ceased
under an arrangement with Governor Wright, and for no longer period or term
than above mentioned, and at the same salary as has been hitherto paid them.
2. The governor is also authorized to contract for all the work connected,
such as drawing, engraving, coloring, and all other necessary work connected
therewith, to be done in such manner as he shall direct
3. The treasurer shall pay on the warrant of the comptroller the costs and
expenses already incurred or to be hereafter incurred in the completion of
eaid works to the person or persons entitled to the same out of any moneys
not otherwise appropriated, but no such account shall be paid unless the same
be certified as being correct by the governor of this State.
4. The sum of $23,000 is hereby appropriated for the purposes of this act.
334 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
5. Should either of the present geologists decline acting, the governor is au-
thorized to employ some other person for the same purpose.
6. This act shall take effect immediately.
Under this act Professor Emmons's term of service expired on
October 1, 1848, and Professor Hall's on April 1, 1849, but neither
brought his work to completion within the time limits set. The chief
causes for this continual extension, in both time and expense, were
thus stated in the report of the assembly committee for 1849-50 :
Some of the causes are very obvious :
1. The original plan of survey was very closely adhered to, and the expense
of the survey was within the limit up to 1840. The estimate was exceeded in
respect to the time necessary for the field. One year and a half more proved
requisite.
2. The whole original plan of publication was departed from, instead of 3
volumes octavo there are to be 20 volumes quarto. In 1842, when the quarto
size wns determined on, it was supposed eight volumes would be the number.
3. The addition from time to time of new departments to the work. Paleon-
tology and agriculture alone add eight volumes not originally contemplated.
4. In the increase of illustrations and the amount of coloring will be found
the great cause of expense. To the former, including the atlas, was assigned
$13,000 by the original plan; and of coloring, none was contemplated to be done,
except in the case of the maps, which it was supposed $5,000 would cover.
There has been an exceeding looseness about the making and preservation of
contracts relating to certain parts of the work. By several of the governors
verbal contracts have been made and verbal directions given, about which their
successors could have no knowledge from the papers left in the State depart-
ments. The embarrassments under which successive governors have labored
from an ignorance of the acts of their predecessors is very apparent to anyone
who examines their certificates attached to the different warrants. Your com-
mittee believe it would be well if by law it was rendered requisite to the valid-
ity of every executory contract made with the State, that it should be in writing
cud duly signed. There should, moreover, be a common and sole depository for
contracts made with the executive of the State. Of the contracts relating to
this work, some have been found in the executive department, some in the
comptroller's, and several nowhere.
Very much of the difficulty that has attended the progress of the natural his-
tory, and much unnecessary expense has arisen from the absence of uniform
control. Governor succeeded governor, and after a few years had elapsed from
its commencement, no one of them could be expected to know, or could anyone
be familiar with the details of the past progress of so extended a work, wh'ch
would be necessary to enable him properly to direct its present and provide for
its future. Thus deviation after deviation occurred from the original plan.
Tour committee are led to the belief that the control and direction of a work
of this kind would be more properly vested ui some literary or sc'entific board
of a permanent character than was the executive overcharged with other busi-
ness and liable to frequent change. 1
In asking for a further continuation this year it was estimated
that in all $150,000 would be needed. Hall thought to be able to
1 f ee report of tbe select committee of the lepisla'ure of 1840 on the publication of
the Nntural History of the State of New York, made to the legislature January 22, 1850,
for full details. Assembly document, 73d session, vol. 1.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS.. 335
complete his work in five years, while Emmons found it " impossible
to fix the time it will take to complete the letterpress of the work in
his department as accurately as he wishes." Up to this time the
actual amount paid out on warrants on the survey account was
$425,844.74, as itemized below.
Expenses. The estimated annual expenses of the survey as given
by Secretary Seward in 1836 were $24,290. The actual expenses for
1838 were as follows:
John Torrey, in botany, salary $1, 200
Allowed for drawings 300
$1,500
1-ewis C. Beck, M. D., in mineralogy, salary 1,200
Allowed for drawings 300
Allowed for assistance and some expenses 150
1,650
James E. De Kay, in zoology, salary 1,500
Allowed for drawings 300
- 1,800
John W. Hill, in zoology, employed as draftsman 800
Timothy A. Conrad, in paleontology, salary 1, 500
Allowed for drawings 300
J CAQ
William W. Mather, (first district), in geology, salary 1,100
Allowed for drawings 300
Allowed for cases of specimens 175
1, 575
B, Emmons (second district), in geology, salary 1,500
Allowed for drawings 300
1,800
I^ardner Vanuxem (third district), in geology, salary 1,500
Allowed for drawings 300
James Hall (fourth district), in geology, salary 1,500
Allowed for drawings 300
1,800
Total $14,525
The total expenses of the survey during the four years ending
July 1, 1840, when it was expected to come to an end, was $72,982.12.
It had become evident by this date, however, that the work could
not be satisfactorilly completed within the limits set, and an ex-
tension was asked of 18 months, which was granted, as already noted,
with the understanding that the additional expense should not ex-
ceed the unexpended balance of money appropriated by the original
act, namely, $104,000. Through an error in bookkeeping it later
developed that this amount had been already exceeded by $228.80,
with considerable still due on salaries and publication of reports as
yet unprovided for. It was then estimated that the sum of $45,363.90
additional would be required.
136075-20 23
336 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
On April 9, 1842, and January, 1843, additional appropriations of
$26,000 each -were made. The total cost of the survey and results up
to February 6, 1844, when the survey proper may be said to have
come to an end, and as given in the report of the secretary of state,
is as follows:
Statement of moneys paid out of the treasury on account of the geological sur
vey of the State of New York, viz:
For surveying and attendant expenses $116, 970. 65
For engravings and attendant expenses 50,678.05
For printing and binding 44, 228. 21
$211, 871. 91
Add for printing annual reports, 1S36-1S41 19, 530. 30
Fitting up geological museum 4, 500. 00
Total $235, 902. 21
The select committee appointed by the legislature of 1849, to in-
quire into the affairs of the survey presented the following table
showing the total amount of expenditure :
Part I, showing persons.
Professor Torrey $9.025.00
Professor Vanuxem 11,022.93
Professor De Kay 13, 550. 00 i
Professor Mather 12, 503. 82 j
Professor Beck 13, 098. 25 j
Professor Conrad 9, 225. 00 j
Professor Emmous 23, 162. 04 |
Professor Hall 25, 062. 10 j
Drawing allowances 6.564.50
Geologists' assistants 13,842.78
Museum 2, 979. OS !
Transportation 3, 126. 44
Miscellaneous 491. 38
Carroll & Cook 33, 889. IS
Van Benthuysen & Co 14, 460. 14
Thurlow Weed
Packard, Gavit & Co
George Endicott
R. H. Pease
John H. Hall
Gavit & Duthie
E. Einnions, jr
F. J. Swinton
Draper, Toppan & Co
Specimens of engravings. _
Original drawings, not in-
cluded in payments to
any of above
$40, 723. 11
5, 378. 84
127, 399. 97
11, 293. 35
14, 895. 50
8. 659. 32
20, 100. 00
307. 50
614. 00
601. 30
3, 869. 21
$425, 844. 74
Part IT, shoicing subjects.
Professors' salaries, etc.__ $116, 649. 14
Professors' drawing allow-
ances 6, 564. 50
Geologists' assistants 13, 842. 78
Museum 2. 979. OS
Transportation 3, 126. 44
Miscellaneous 491. 38
Original drawings 8,360.71
Steel engravings 9,871.80
Stone engravings 16.818.00
Wood engravings $20.363.35
Printing, letterpress, and
binding 89, 072. 43
Coloring 73, 212. 00
Lettering 490. 00
Printing impressions of
plates 38. 582. 93
Paper 25, 414. 20
$425, 844. 74
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 337
The actual amount paid out by Governors Marcy and Sewaixl, arid
by warrants is S^SjSTo.TG. 1 The probable reason. for the difference
($488.98) is shown in the report.
The following letters relating to the subject are of sufficient inter-
est to warrant reproduction entire :
CAMBRIDGE, July 22, 1SW.
MY DEAB SIR: I understand from Doctor Gould tliut you [i. e. Hall] have
goon to report progress before a committee of the house upon your paleontology
and that there are those who complain of the slow advance you make. I regret
deeply that I have no direct connection with your committee, as it would afford
me great pleasure to explain to them various things about it. Can a private let-
ter be of any use to you to bring this before them? In the first place, let me re-
mark in a general manner that it is deeply to be regretted that with the most lib-
eral dispositions legislative bodies and governments scarcely ever understand the
wants of science; and having no opportunities of intercourse with men of sci-
ence, I do not mean professional men in scientific professions, but men of origi-
nal research, they can not understand fully how science can be promoted, and
make often the greatest blunders with the best intentions. It is unpleasant to
say, but it is so, and unless you can make your people understand that no
investigation can be hurried, you will never have independent investigators in
this country, and the few who prefer their scientific reputation to any position
In society will be left to struggle with never-ending difficulties. I have seen
your collections, your drawings, your preparatory investigations, and I must
say that I have never seen more labor better done in so short a time. Science shall
be forever indebted to your State, if you prevail upon your legislature to grant
you time and time and time to accomplish the task you have so beautifully
conducted up to the present day. Your first volume is valued in Europe as the
largest and best recent contribution to geological science, and it is a pity there
is no scientific tribunal here to ackonwledge it. If I was an American I would
appeal to my country to shake off this dependence upon European authority
for appreciation of American works, and I only mention it now to induce your
political friends to rely more than they have been in the habit of doing upon
the testimony of your best scientific men.
I am not in the habit of appealing to authority, but I say &ono auctori sit
auctorilas, and until there are men in America whose authority is acknowledged
in matters of science there will be no true intellectual independence in America,
however great be their political freedom. Is it not a shame for instance, that
you, you, Professor Hall, should feel anxious about showing that you could not
have written more than one volume in two years. Come forward with
Cuvier's Ossemens fossiles, or Goldfuss Petrefacten, or any other work of the
game kind, and compare them with your own volume, and point with legitimate
pride to the date of publication of the successive volumes of those works, and
you will silence every remark. If your engravers are troublesome and un-
willing to do the work to that degree of perfection which is now required in
such publications, send them away nnd have others come from Europe. They
w*ll be happy to come at present, under the disturbed circumstances that have
Interrupted so many splendid piihlfoations: but for mercy sake for the dignity
of our science, do not allow such Individuals to boss you. If you want him I
This sum (?4?- r >.37~>.70> does not Include the amount paid for printing the geologists'
annual reports from 1830 to 1841. $10.ri30.no (comptroller's report of 1844). nor the '
value of the lot nnd building for museum, $25,000 (comptroller's report of 1847).
338 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
will fiiid for you an artist who will engrave your fossils from nature, almost
without an original drawing.
If you have d'Orbiguy's Paleontology franchise at hand, you can tell your com-
mittee that the lithographer, Mr. De la Rue, never had other original drawings
before him except such offhand sketches as were necessary to arrange the fig-
ures of a plate, and nevertheless how beautiful his figures are. So was Hob6
never provided with more than simple sketches for the magnificent work of
Goldfuss. Let that be known and repeated everywhere, and you will soon be
left quiet. Is it not a pity that an engraver who never had anything to do
with such drawings before should now come forward and stand against you
with his pretenses? Give him up simply; you can not progress with one who
will not submit to your directions.
*******
Your sincere friend,
(Signed) L. AGASSIS.
MARCH, 1849.
Hon. Mr. BEACH.
DEAB SIB : At your request have prepared a statement of the amount of en-
graving necessary to complete the report on paleontology.
I wish, however, to say a few words in explanation of the past transactions
in regard to this part of the survey. In 1843, after the resignation of Mr.
Conrad, Governor Bouck had decided to bring the survey to a close in one year
and required that this part should be done hi that time. I signed the agree-
ment, though protesting against it as not giving time to prepare a proper or
authentic work on this subect. In the course of that year, however, I did pre-
pare materials for a single volume, but as the specimens were obtained from
all the formations nothing had been thoroughly done, and had the work been
completed at that time and in that manner, it would have been discreditable
to the State and to myself, as well as being of no authority in the science.
Subsequently, and when the time was extended, I devoted myself to the in-
vestigation of the lower rocks, and from them I have obtained all the species
described in the present volume. At the time of my engagement with Gov-
ernor Wright I sincerely believed that the work could be completed in about
two years and the number of plates in all would not exceed 150. At this time
I had allotted to the fossils of the lower rocks, comprising the Potsdam sand-
stone, Calciferous sandstone, Chazy, Birdseye, Black River, and Trenton lime-
stones, Utica slate and Hudson River group, about 50 plates. The result of
a thorough investigation has shown that very nearly 100 plates are required
properly to represent these fossils.
I conceived it to be the object of the State in this matter to make the work
as perfect as it can be made under existing circumstances, and I have therefore
examined with the greatest care every fossil that has fallen under my obser-
vation. I believe I have made the volume already printed as perfect and com-
plete in every part as this one, and should the work be suspended before the
whole is completed in this manner I propose that as far as I do go to work up
the materials from each rock in its order in the same thorough manner that
so far as I shall have gone it may be satisfactory and creditable as well as of
sufficient authority to be cited hereafter.
I have already made myself considerably acquainted with the fossils of the
hipher rocks and have about 30 plates already engraved in wood and litho-
graphy. I have carefully gone over each rock and estimated the number of
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 339
plates which will be required to finish the whole in the manner I propose and
In as complete a manner as the volume already printed is done. I find this
number will be scarcely less than 250, and it can not vary 10 plates from this
number.
This amount is much larger thau I ever anticipated, but you can readily
understand why it is so. Until the work was commenced so little was known
of the matter that it was impossible to estimate with any certainty the number
of plates required. The increased number of plates arose from the discovery
of a great number of species of fossils before unknown, which in the volume
published has been more than quadrupled since the work began. For the same
reason the time originally regarded as sufficient has been extended from neces-
sity, and there are already engraved as many plates as it was supposed origi-
nally would be required for the whole work. Hut I repeat that no person could
have anticipated this from the commencement and no better estimate could have
been given at the time.
In regard to time in future, I shall state very frankly that, if this work is
to be completed as I propose it can not be done in two years. Had there been
no legislative action at this session I proposed to complete the second volume
and present it to the legislature at its next session, showing that the amount
of work actually done was more than originally contemplated for the whole.
Under present circumstances I must abide the decision of the committee In
relation to the subject.
*******
(Signed) JAMES HALL.
ALBANY, November 20, 1849.
Hon. NELSON J. BEACH.
DEAR SIR: * * * Since you may not be aware of the reasons why I need
more room than I have at present, I will briefly state my objects. In the first
place, I collect from different and distant localities. When I open my boxes
and arrange the specimens it is not sufficient to have a single good specimen
from any one locality, but I wish to have before me several specimens from
different localities to compare. I want, in fact, a geographical collection of
the species, that I may see their greater or less importance or preponderance
In certain localities, their condition arising from the conditions of the ocean,
and the variations in form, size, etc., as indicating more or less favorable
circumstances for their growth. I wish also to observe whether the grouping
or congregating of certain species continues through wide areas or not, as
well as numerous other facts, only to be ascertained by having an extensive
collection before me. It is acknowledged on all hands that the manner in
which palaeontology has heretofore been studied it has been of little avail
I wish to have the palaeontology of New York take a higher position and to be
in some sort an equivalent of the liberality of the State government.
I can not forbear at this time to call your attention to these facts in other
bearings. The State of New York is publishing a work on the natural history
of her territory which is exciting more attention at home and abroad than all
else she has ever done. Already is the work sought after in all parts of Great
Britain and from Rome to St. Petersburg on the Continent of Europe from every
State in the Union come letters expressing the strongest desire to obtain the
work. The man who laid the foundation of this work has earned himself a repu-
tation undying, and the several legislatures of the State have with exceeding
liberality carried out this plan. I would ask you, however, if there are not
340 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
other influences in operation which, though they can not materially affect the work
at present, will nevertheless subvert much of the good results. Instead of any
endeavor heing made to enlist those engaged in the work, in its permanent,
constant and future advancement, and in the perfection of a collection which
must ever remain the standard one for the country, the expressions are " How
soon can we get rid of you and why con you not complete the work In one
year as well as a longer time? " The interest which one feels is alienated by
such a course, and the constant annoyance from petty remarks, joined with
a conviction that as soon as possible we shall be dismissed from the work,
renders the instinct of self-preservation active in devising ways of accomplish-
ing its objects and in providing against future contingencies.
In order to accomplish such a work, your scientific men should be left per-
fectly quiet, and every facility afforded for their progress. If their own interest
In the subject, and a proper regard for their scientific reputation will not
induce them *to progress with the work as rapidly as is consistent with its
perfection or utility, rest assured that no other measures, however annoying
or harassing they may be, will ever effect the objects.
Of course, I must admit that those persons who have the direction of these
collections know what objects are desirable to be attained nnd will take the
proper measures to accomplish the end. But I must call your attention to the
condition of the several sciences embraced in this work. The sciences of
zoology and botany are in a state of such advancement that there appears
little room for new discoveries or great progress except in organic analysis,
which is the province of chemistry. On the other hand, in geology embracing
both mineralogy and paleontology, there is far more room for discovery and
much research is yet required on the one hand, among the metamorphlc
rocks, and the changes which all strata undergo by subsequent influence, and
on the other hand, the problem of the development and the successive appear-
ance of races on our planet are subjects in which the deepest interest is felt,
and concerning which comparatively little is yet known.
Without going into further detail, I wish to show you the necessary conse-
quences of alienating the feelings and interest of those persons engaged in the
perfection of a work like that already commenced. The moment that the per-
sons who have been engaged in this work shall cease their connection with it,
and the charge of it go into the hands of curators knowing little of the progress
of the work and of what has been done or yet remains to be accomplished,
your collection becomes, if I may use the expression, a dead one. It will no
longer possess the interest it now does, for it will cease to advance, and in
censing to advance other collections and other individuals will soon be in ad-
vance of you. I need not go into detail of all the reasons and facts to convince
you of this. Let me cite a single case. While Professor Agassiz remained at
Neufchatel, every eye was directed there to learn from him as the master what
were the laws, the facts, and the results in most departments of zoology; the
collections of Neufchatel bore the stamp of authority, and the place, though
comparatively an obscure one, was the center of advancement in science.
Professor Agassiz is no longer at Neufchatel but at Harvard University, and
where now does the world look for the advancing of natural history and the
promulgation of laws before unknown? Not to Neufchatel, but to Harvard
University, where science is to take the lead of the world.
Now, sir, New York has made progress in all the sciences, but in geology
she stands preeminent and her localities will be classic ground for centuries
to come, but the scepter may depart and I say unhesitatingly that the
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY STJRVFA'S. S41
course likely to be pursued as that already manifested, will prevent any further
progress, and in all probability New York will be in 50 years hence just where
she now stands, while science will have made mighty strides, and the vantage
ground she now holds will be given up, indeed thrown away, from mere igno-
rance and ill nature.
I speak without any selfish motives in saying what I have done, for I un-
hestitatingly aver that I have no ulterior objects beyond completing the work
I have in hand in a creditable and satisfactory manner. I wish to feel a lasting
Interest in the future progress and the continual approximation of the collection
to perfection, but as I before said, it is impossible to feel any interest when a
desire to prove that interest constantly involves me in difficulties, and I am
made to feel that I am only wanted for a little time, and the shorter that time
and the more annoyances I am made to suffer, the more perfectly will the inter-
ests of the State be served.
I commenced the work with all the zeal of a devotee, and thus pursued It
till I found myself compelled to look to self-preservation, and I freely confess
that it is impossible to keep up such an interest without a slightly corresponding
interest in those who have the power at least to annoy me.
I have wandered from the subject, but I could not avoid saying what I have
done, and I might say much more, but there may be other occasions.
I ask your advice as a senator of the State, as one of the chief officers of
the public works, whether I shall continue to work here under the disadvantages
I have mentioned, when the adjoining room, almost wholly unoccupied and
of no importance to anyone, is denied me or whether provision is to be made at
my private expense for the necessary accommodations for the performance of
my duties.
T am, with sentiments of esteem and respect,
Very sincerely, yours,
(Signed) JAMES HALL.
The six following acts relate only to the distribution of the reports
of the survey :
STATE OF NEW YORK,
In Senate, May 26, 1841.
Resolved, (if the Assembly concur), That the report of the geological survey
of this State, when completed shall be distributed as follows: Five copies to the
governor; five copies to the lieutenant governor; one copy to each member of the
senate and assembly, and to the several officers of the same; one copy to each of
the several State officers; three copies to the State library; one copy to each
county clerk's office in this State ; one copy to each incorporated college in this
State: and that the remaining copies thereof shall be deposited in the office of
the secretary of State, to be distributed in such manner as the said secretary
may deem expedient and proper or as the legislature may hereafter direct.
By order:
SAML. G. ANDREWS, Clerk.
IN ASSEMBLY, May 26, 1841.
Resolved, That the assembly do concur in the above resolution.
By order:
P. B. PBINDLE, Clerk.
342 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
An act in relation to the Natural History of New York, passed May 8, 1844, by K two
thirds vote.
The people of the State of New York, represented in senate and assembly,
do enact as follows:
1. As fast as the several volumes of the Natural History of New York are
published the governor and secretary of state are thereby authorized and
required to present and transmit one copy of the same with colored plates, in-
cluding a copy of the geological map of the State, to James Wadsworth, of
Geneseo ; one like copy to each of the governors of the several States of the
Union, to be deposited by them at their discretion in some public library or
literary institution within their respective States; one like copy to the Library
of Congress; and 100 like copies to such foreign governments and foreign
literary or scientific institutions as the governor or secretary aforesaid may
select, including in their discretion such foreign governments, institutions, cor-
porations, or persons as may have made donations to the State library.
2. The secretary of state is hereby authorized and directed to sell to such
of the academies, public libraries, and literary associations in this State
which are incorporated, as shall make application therefor within six months
from the passage of this act, a copy of the Natural History of this State, at
the price of $1 per volume, and a copy of the geological map of the State at the
price of $1 per copy, and 300 copies of said volumes and map shall be
reserved for that purpose.
3. The governor and secretary of state are authorized to make a distribu-
tion of the remaining copies and map of the Natural History, not otherwise
appropriated or disposed of, among the several counties of this State accord-
ing to the ratio or population by the last census, and transmit to the county
treasurer of said counties, respectively, the number of copies to which each
county shall be entitled by such distribution. The said treasurer of each of said
counties shall cause the same to be sold at the price of $1 per volume, and the
map for $1 per copy, and account from time to time to the secretary of State
for the proceeds of the sale thereof; but he shall not sell more than one copy
to any corporation, association, or individual.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
An act concerning the Natural History of the State of New York, passed May 5, 1846.
The people of the State of New York, represented in senate and assembly,
do enact as follows:
1. The secretary of State is hereby authorized and directed to sell to such of
the academies, public libraries, and literary associations in this State which
are now incorporated, as shall have made or which shall make application
therefor, a copy of the Natural History of this State, at the price of $1 per
volume, and a copy of the geological map of the State at the price of $1 per
copy, out of the remaining 300 copies of the said volumes and maps reserved
for that purpose by the second section of the act entitled "An act in relation
to the Natural History of New York," passed May 3, 1844 ; but no sale of the said
volumes and map shall be made by' the secretary of State after the expiration
of one year from the passage of this act, nor a second copy to an institution
which has received a copy of the said work under the provisions of chapter 254
of the laws of 1844.
2. Any person, corporation, or association other than such as purchase from
the several county treasurers of this State, under the act entitled "An act In
relation to the Natural History of New York," passed May 3, 1844, who shall,
within one year from the passage of this act, prove to the satisfaction of
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 343
the governor and secretary of State that he, she, or they are the actual and
bona fide owners of the first volumes or of any of the consecutive volumes, be-
ginning with and including the first of the Natural History of this State, shall
be entitled to purchase from said secretary the remaining volumes necessary
to complete such imperfect sets of said Natural History, now published and
which shall hereafter be published, together with the map accompanying the
same, at the price of $1 per volume and $1 for said map; but no person who
shall become such owner of the said first volume or of any of the said consecu-
tive volumes, beginning with and including the first as aforesaid, under the
fifth section of the act entitled "An act relating to the geological survey of the
State," passed April 9, 1842, shall be entitled to such remaining volumes, except
apon payment of $1 per volume for all such previous volumes of which he shall
become the owner as aforesaid.
3. If the booksellers with whom contracts for the sale of the said work were
heretofore entered into shall deliver to the secretary of state unsold copies
thereof forming complete sets of the same, as far as published, the said
governor and secretary are hereby authorized to sell and dispose of such com-
plete sets with the volumes remaining to be published and the said maps, at
the price of $1 per volume and $1 for said map.
4. The governor and secretary of state are hereby authorized to sell the
copyright of said work in separate portions or otherwise as soon as the re-
maining volumes thereof shall be published.
5. It shall be the duty of the several county treasurers of this State, in selling
the volumes of the Natural History of New York, in pursuance of the act
entitled "An act in relation to the Natural History of New York," passed May
8, 1S44, to sell and deliver the volumes of said Natural History, first, to any
such person or association as shall within six months after such treasurer
shall have received hereafter the several volumes of said Natural History,
prove to the satisfaction of said treasurer, that he, she, or they are the
present bona fide owners of the preceding volumes of said Natural History,
sold under the said act of May 3, 1844, by the treasurer of the same county
to whom application shall be made.
6. This act shall take effect immediately.
AD act in relation to the Natural History of the State of New York, passed May 5, 1847.
The people of the State of Netv York, represented in senate and assembly,
do enact as follows:
1. The provisions of the first and second sections of the act entitled "An act
concerning the Natural History of the State of New York," passed May 5,
1846, are hereby continued, and shall be in force for the term of one year from
the passage of this act; and the secretary of state is hereby authorized and
directed to sell to such of the institutions named in the first section of the
above-mentioned act which now are or hereafter may be incorporated during
the continuance of this act, copies of the Natural History of this State, upon
the conditions and subject to the restrictions therein contained.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
An act In relation to the Natural History of the State of New York, passed April 16,
1852.
The people of the State of New York, represented in senate and assembly,
do ennct as folloics:
1. The provisions of the first and second sections of the act entitled "An act
concerning the Natural History of the State of New York," passed May 5,
344 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
1848 (see p. 35), are hereby continued, and shall be in force for the term of
two years from the passage of this act; and the secretary of state is hereby
authorized and directed to sell to such of the institutions named in the first
section of the above-mentioned act which now are incorporated during the con-
tinuo.nce of this act, copies of the Natural History of this State upon the condi-
tions and subject to the restrictions therein contained.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
An act In relation to the Colonial History of the State and the Natural History thereof,
passed April 10, 1859, three-fifths being present.
The people of the State of Neic York, represented in senate and assembly,
do enact as folloics:
*******
SEC. 3. The volumes of the Natural History of the State, hereafter to be
published, shall, when sold, be disposed of at not less than $o each, instead of
the price now fixed by law: Provided alicavs, That all colleges, academies^
scientific institutions, and library associations, which own the volumes already
published, or the greater part of them, shall have the right to complete their
sets on the terms heretofore established for that purpose.
SEC. 4. All acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this act
are hereby repealed.
SEC. 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
Early in 1850 an act was passed transferring the control of the
survey and State cabinet into the care of the secretary of state and
the board of regents of the State university. The following is the
text of this act :
An act to provide for the completion of the geological survey of the State, passed April
10, 1850.
The people of the Stale of New York, represented in senate and assembly,
do enact as follows:
1. The secretary of state is hereby authorized and directed to take charge of
all the matters pertaining to the prosecution and publication of the geological
survey of the State.
2. It shall be the duty of the secretary of state and the secretary of the
regents of the university to examine into and report to the next legislature
upon all claims that may be made upon the State for work done on account of
the geological survey, and upon all contracts that may exist between the State
and individuals for work yet to be done on account of the survey.
3. It shall be the duty of the secretary of state and of the secretary of the
regents of the university to report to the next legislature a plan for the final
completion of said survey, and to submit the estimates of the cost of eucb
completion.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Shortly after the passage of this act the secretary of the board
removed Doctor Emmons from the curatorship and deprived both of
the geologists of their quarters in the old State house. Expelled
from the State house, writes Stevenson, 1 Hall at once erected a build-
Bull. Geol. Soc. of America, vol. 10, 1898, p. 428.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 24
JAMES HALL
STATE GEOLOGIST OF NEW YORK, 1843 98;
IOWA, 1855-58; WISCONSIN 186062.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 345
ing adjoining his residence, where his work was carried on until
18-52, when he removed to a larger house. In 1857 he erected a very
commodious brick building in which the work was carried on until
his death.
By the act of 1850 the legislators cut off all appropriations for
current expenses and salaries, according to J. J. Stevenson, though
for some reason, which is not apparent, the contract for engraving
illustrations for the reports was carried on and small appropriations
made for drawings. Although the State thus signified its intention
to abandon the work, Hall refused to give up. 1 Confident that it
would some time be resumed, he retained his assistants for a time
and continued the collecting and drawing until 1855 at his own
expense. About that time, despairing of any assistance from the
State, he accepted a proposition made years before by Sir William
Logan that he become paleontologist of the Canadian survey. This
came to the ears of the Hon. Elias Leavenworth, then recently elected
secretary of state, who realized that to abandon the work in its in-
complete condition would be discreditable to the State. He urged
Professor Hall to delay, and called a meeting, which was attended
by J. D. Dana, Louis Agassiz, W. E. Logan, Mr. Blatchford, L. C.
Beck, and others, to consider the matter. At this conference a plan
for continuing the work was prepared, Professor Hall consenting to
remain in case the legislature confirmed the agreement. Through
the influence of Mr. Leavenworth such agreement was reached, and
Professor Hall remained to carry on the work for 43 years longer.
With the apparent purpose of showing the legislative committee
the value placed upon his work by others than those immediately
interested. Hall in 1855 submitted to Sir William Logan, of the
Canadian survey, a series of questions bearing upon the subject.
These, together with their answers, are given below :
1. Have you been acquainted with the progress of the paleontology of New
York, and for how long a time?
2. What is your opinion of the value and usefulness of the work to geologi-
cal science and to the advancement of a knowledge of the geological structure of
the United States?
3. Has this work, as far as published, been of use to you in your geological
explorations in Canada?
4. At the commencement of the investigations of the paleontology of New
York, the collections of the geological survey contained some 50 or 60 species
1 In the report of the assembly committee (Assembly Doc. No. 124, Apr. 1, 1851) ap-
pointed to take cl-arge of the publications of the geological reports. April, 1851. nn esti-
mate is given by Professor Hall of three additional volumes on paleontology. These it is
thought would cost S1G.OOO a volume 1 , exclusive of salaries and printing. They recom-
ttended that the work be completed In accordnnco with these estimates, and that for the
purpose of entering this the sum of $2.500 be paid Professor Hall on the presentation of
the manuscript letterpress of each volume ready for the printer, together with the foettlln
described therein. Nothing seems to have come from this.
846 BULLETIN 10S>, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
of Lower Silurian fossils. Do you think it would have been judicious or de-
sirable to publish a work upon the paleontology of the State of New York,
in which only this number of Lower Silurian fossils should have been given?
5. There were less than 50 species in the same collections from Medina sand-
stone, Clinton group and Niagara group, being in each instance less than
one-sixth of the number published from these formations respectively in the
first and second volumes of the paleontology of New York. The same condi-
tion also existed in relation to the fossils of the lower Helderberg period
and Oriskauy sandstone, which are comprised in the third volume, now in
progress. What, in your opinion, would have been the estimation and the pres-
ent opinion of that portion of the public capable of judging of a work entitled
the " Paleontology of New York " which would have given some 50 or GO species
from each of the periods here mentioned; and would it have been creditable
to either the author or to the State under whose patronage the work is pub-
lished?
6. In the volumes of this work already published a few species of fossils
are introduced from adjoining States into which the same geological formations
extended, and where they had been studied by the author with a view to bring
them into harmony with the system and nomenclature adopted in New York,
What is your opinion of the propriety and importance of such a course, and
how does it affect the value of these publications?
7. Do you or do you not consider that New York has by this publication en-
hanced or sustained her claim to the nomenclature adopted in her geological
reports: and what would probably have been the result in reference to this
nomeclature, had a paleontology been published in that work, and without any
reference to the extension of the same formations, into other States, or their
identification by fossil remains?
8. Have you any means of knowing the opinion of other geologists or
naturalists in this country or in Europe in reference to the value and importance
of this work to American geology?
9. It has been complained of that too many illustrations of each species
are given in the plates of this work. Have you had occasion to use the volumes
for the comparison of your species, and if so, have you often found superfluous
figures of species?
10. Have you had an opportunity of examining the collections which have
been made during the progress of the work on the paleontology of New York,
and what Is your opinion of the same?
11. With your knowledge and experience of the labor and expense of collect-
ing specimens for such a work, what would you estimate as the cost of making
the necessary collections for each volume of those published, or upon what foot-
ing would you consider it necessary to organize such a department, and what
time would be required with that organization to make the collections from the
entire areas occupied by the different formations embraced therein; and to com-
plete a volume of the work in the manner already done?
12. With all the assistance I can employ in making collections, and with the
necessary field examinations to be made by myself, the superiuteudence of
drawings, engravings, comparisons of species with others described in similar
works, writing descriptions, and superintending the printing of work. I have esti-
mated that four years is but a reasonable time to be allowed for each volume.
Will you express an opinion on this point?
13. The proposition made by the commissioners having direction of the
department is that I shall receive $2,500 when a volume is completed, and (his
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 347
sum shall include the fossils described; will you give me your opinion of this
proposition, and whether it is such a one as any man competent to do this work
would accept as the only remuneration for his services.
14. I have claimed that the labor and expense of making a proper collection
for the preparation of the work on the paleontology is fully equal to, or even
greater, than that of making the original geological surveys and collections in
the same districts of country in the State of New York. What is your opinion
in regard to this point?
15. I shall be further under obligations to yon if you will offer any suggestions
as to the proper mode of organizing this department; and also for any facts
or arguments that might have weight with the authorities in New York having
charge of this work, which would show the necessity and importance of carrying
out to a proper degree of perfection in the collections the results of the survey
of New York. In this connection I would consider a few words upon the plan
and ultimate objects of your geological museum of great importance.
March 17, 1855.
To this the following reply was received:
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFFICE,
Montreal, March 17, 1855.
To Prof. JAMES HALL,
Paleontologist of New York.
DEAR SIB : In reply to the questions you have proposed to me on the subject
of the publications connected with the paleontology of New York I beg to send
you what follows :
1. I have been acquainted with the progress of the work upon the paleon-
tology of New York ever since I came to America in 1843.
2. The value and usefulness of the work to geological science can not be too
highly estimated. It constitutes the only safe guide that I am acquainted
with to enable us to understand with accuracy, as far as it goes, the true se-
quence of the rocks of North America and thus to follow out the physical
structure of the continent.
8. After undertaking the geological survey of Canada I availed myself of the
first opportunity that offered, which was, I believe, in the beginning of 1866,
to pay a visit to Albany for the purpose of making myself acquainted, as far
as I could, with what was known of the paleontology of New York. The first
volume of your work was not then published, but by your kindness I was put
in advance of the public and enabled to complete a tabular list comprehending
every fossil known. Many of these were not then specifically named; and in
addition I was permitted to make manuscript copies of such drawings and
plates as you had, representing the forms. Without this I should have been
nrder the necessity of establishing by very laborious comparison a set of
paleontological rules for myself. But with it I was at once enabled to enter
upon a determination in detail of the sequence of such Canadian rocks as came
under my observation. This was, however, chiefly in regard to the Lower Silu-
rian series. But even in regard to this I found when your first volume came
before the public in 1866 that you had added greatly to the number of species,
and this volume has ever since been a most valuable guide. Bulky as it is,
I have frequently considered it expedient to take it to the field with me when
examining Lower Silurian rocks In distant localities. In the list I obtained
from you the number of species in the higher rocks were so much fewer that
until the second volume came out the want of equal detail from undisturbed
locality rendered the determination of the various members of the Upper Silu-
348 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUAl.
rlan and Devonian Series of Gasp6, where the rocks are much disturbed, so
very difficult a problem that I considered it would be a saving of time to
wait uutil that volume should appear before venturing on the task; and your
late examination of our collection of Gaspe, fossils will have shown you how
lh;ble I should have been to commit errors; some of the results you have ob-
tained indicating the propriety of a reexainination of parts to ascertain whether
small local troughs of upper rocks are not placed on lower ones, when mere
mineral evidence would lead to no suspicion of the fact. It will be readily
seen from this of what indispensable use your paleontology is in the examina-
tion of Canada.
4. It would have been a misfortune to the geological world if the paleontol-
ogy of New York had stopped at 50 Lower Silurian species, but possibly Canada
In that case, with a larger number of unpublished species in her collection,
might the sooner have been tempted to figure and publish them.
5. As long as the 50 species for each formation were considered to be all or
nearly all that were to be found after diligent search, although the paucity of
species might have surprised naturalists, and have led to wrong conclusions
in respect to the life of the periods, when it became ultimately known that
this was only one-sixth of the whole, it could not fail to be considered that
in giving it as the result of a national work, the State had been lamentably
deficent.
6. The more extended the comparison, the more valuable the result; and in
traveling out of the State of New York in following the geographical distribu-
tion of the formations which compose its subsoil, you have only the more clearly
shown what I have frequently heard Sir Charles Lyell remark, that the com-
plete geology of New York is the key to that of all North America.
7. Until some other State in the Union or some other country in North
America shall have published a greater number than New York of the fossil
species which characterize the formations common to both, the nomenclature
of New York will remain perfectly secure. Through the volumes which have
been published on the paleontology of New York the nomenclature of her rocks
has become classical in Europe as belonging to North America. If New York
had given but one-sixth of the species now published, it seems to me not improb-
able that Canada would ultimately have a fair chance (considering the unity
of design with which the investigation of the geology is carried on) of giving
a nomenclature to the rocks of North America. In regard to those formations
of New York of which the fossils are not yet published, we shall, if the probable
recommendations of the present geological committee of our legislature assem-
bly are carried out, very possibly be treading on your heels. It would only be
the personal consideration due to one who had done so much as you have for
the paleontology of North America and so materially abridged our labor by
your own that would restrain us from interfering.
8. In 1850 I carried to England upwards of 50 boxes of Canadian fossils,
each box requiring two men to lift it, with a view of mnkinsr, with the aid
of the paleontologists of the geological survey of the United Kingdom, a com-
parison between American and European tyi>es. A partial examination of the
collection was made by Mr. Salter. In the course of it mnny English and con-
tinental European authorities in paleontology were referred to, but to ascer-
tain whether the fossils were new to America the only reference it was con-
sidered necessary to make was to your publications. This, of course, regnrded
Lower Silurinn species, your second volume not being then published, but you
can judge from th's the estimation in which the first volume is held in Eng-
land as an American authority.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 349
9. It appears to me it can be only those who have not the task of comparison
Imposed on them that can complain of too much illustration. In working out
my fossils I have often regretted that you do not always give five distinct views
of each bivalve shell to make it understood in all its aspects. In regard to all
shells it is of great importance when you light upon a fertile habitat of some
one species to gi\e the gradations of form that constitute varieties, often show-
Ing such diversities in the extremes as without the gradations might be taken
for different species. It is important also to give the gradations from young
to old.
10. On a very recent occasion I had an opportunity of examining the collec-
tion made by you for the purpose of enabling you to bring out in the best man-
ner the paleontology of New York. In my opinion it is a most valuable and
magnificent one.
To the remaining questions I shall endeavor to reply on a future occasion.
I am, dear sir,
Very truly, yours,
(Signed) W. E. LOGAN.
GEOLOGICAL SUBVEY OFFICE,
Montreal, March 20, 1855.
To Prof. Js. HALL,
Paleontologist of New York.
DEAR SIR : In addition to the replies I sent you yesterday I have further to
state in answer to your questions 11, 12. 13, 14, and 15. that it must unavoidably
require a very considerable time to make such a collection of material as you
exhibited to me at Albany. Either through personal observation or the work of
persons in whose skill and fidelity you can place implicit reliance, it is necessary
to ascertain the exact locality of every specimen, not merely geographically
but geologically, and to know how each individual bed of rock from which a
fossil is derived is related to all the rest. Where individual species are largely
developed it is requisite to ascertain what conditions in the deposit accompany
so fruitful a habitat, and a very large number of individuals from such a
locality should be taken in order to determine what is normal and what ab-
normal in the form. The variations of the same species in different localities
must be attended to and the differences in the deposits which accompany these
variations. When exposures of great thickness in any formation are met with,
each bed should be observed separately, and all the fossils from it should be
kept and registered separately until a proper comparison of the contents of the
bed is made with those of all the rest, and all the evidence made available
for n history of the accumulation of the deposits and of the events affecting the
life of the period. When apparent defalcations occur in the sequence especial
care must be exercised to ascertain whether formations supposed to be absent
may not be represented by some thin layer characterized by its fossils. Much
confusion and dispute has occasionally arisen from the foss ; ls of a bed of this
description having been mingled with those of the deposits above or below.
To make such a collection as you have, and to attend in so doing to all such
details as are here enumerated, over a great area, more time, labor and expense
would be required than were absorbed in the original geological exploration of
New York.
It appears to me that four years is a very moderate time for the production
of such an original and valuable volume as each of yours on the paleontology
of New York and $2,500 a wholly inadequate remuneration for the work
350 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
of a pei-sou capable of producing it, in such a mariner as will be creditable to
himself and to the State. In the estimate which I have given to our geological
committee for the publication of fossils, I have stated that for a decade such
as those published by the government geological survey of the United Kingdom,
comprehending drawings and engravings of 10 octavo plates, with letterpress
descriptions and the printing of 2,000 copies, one decade to be put forth in a
year, the sum of 500 currency or $2,000 would be required. But this of course
excludes the collection of the fossils, which would be a labor to be paid for
separately. At present the collection of the fossils is part of the work performed
by the officers of the survey and great attention is devoted to making the col-
lection as copious as possible, in order that the provincial museum may contain
as full evidence as can be obtained to prove the true sequence of the formations
and of the useful materials with which they are associated.
The arrangements of the museum are intended to be an imitation of those
of the museum of practical geology in Ixmdon connected with the British Gov-
ernment survey. The objects held in view are the science of geology and its
application to the useful purpose of life. In the ordinary arrangements of min-
erals in museums they are exhibited as they are related to one another in
crystalline form, chemical composition or some other marks of individuality
by which they can be grouped. Such an arrangement teaches mineralogy.
They may be shown as they are grouped together in the veins or beds which
contain them, with the character and attitude of the beds and of the veins
which intersect them. If to these particulars be added the sequence of the
strata and the fossils which mark them, the arrangement would illustrate the
geological relations of minerals. Another mode of displaying them might com-
prehend the useful purpose to which they can be devoted and it is in this ar-
rangement perhaps that a national collection of mineral substances can be
made most available for the instruction of the public.
Including this branch of the subject the provincial museum is intended to
display by specimens the mineral and mechanical character of the rocks of which
the country is composed; by geological maps and sections, their geographical
distribution and their attitude; by fossils, the marks and brands which distin-
guish them in their sequence; and by examples, the useful purposes to which
their contents can be applied. In a new country just beginning to ascertain
Its possession of useful minerals, one of the most difficult things is to intro-
duce the skill required to make them available. Descriptions of them and their
applications may be written and printed, but it is not easy to get the descriptions
read; hut it requires little tuition to comprehend the objects of industrial art
when they are addressed to the eye, and imitative skill is more easily excited
by the sight of such objects than by written descriptions, even where they are
understood. In a collection of such objects many persons to whom the knowl-
edge would in no other wny come, may recognize many substances wh'ch they
have in abundance at their own door, but of which they know not the use. The
examples which show this use may prompt attempts to make them available;
and the collection thus becoming a school of mineral arts might be the means
of exciting native Industry.
T f>m, dear sir.
Very truly, yours,
(Signed) W. E. LOGAN.
Benefits. According to Hall, the few years' field work of the gre.o-
logical survey of New York resulted in harmonizing: the conflicting
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 351
views before entertained regarding the relations of the eastern and
western parts of the State; they had traced the boundaries of the
successive geological formations, had shown the extent and limits of
the iron-bearing strata, and had rectified the erroneous views which
had been held until sometime after the commencement of the survey,
regarding the boundaries and distribution of the salt-bearing forma-
tions of the State. They had also shown the extent of the granitic
formations and their associated mineral products, the thickness and
extent of all the limestone, sandstone, and shale formations of the
State, and had definitely settled the relations of the rocks of New
York to the coal measures of Pennsylvania and the geological for-
mations of the Western States.
Their labors had in a great degree quieted the feverish anxiety
regarding the discovery of coal within the limits of New York, for
which frequent explorations had been made in the black slates of
Hudson River valley and elsewhere, involving the expenditure of
much money * and loss of time. During these years the New York
geologists had accumulated a vast amount of material and of facts
regarding the geological formations within the State, proving con-
clusively that they could not be paralleled with any of the de-
scribed and well-determined formations of Europe. The Silurian
system of Murchison, although covering a portion of similar ground,
was not broad enough to meet the requirements of the geology of
New York. Thus failing to find the means of comparison and
identification, the term " New York system " was proposed, to em-
brace the sedimentary formations from the Potsdam sandstone to
the base of the Carboniferous system; or, as the formations were
developed in New York and southerly into Pennsylvania, the up-
ward extension of this system reached the base of the coal measures.
The term, then, was made to include the formations ordinarily em-
braced in the names of Cambrian. Silurian, and Devonian of Eng-
land and the continent of Europe. The geological series of New
York was found to be so complete that the succession left no lines or
breaks for the establishment of systems, the whole being but a single
system, and, it is added, had the older rocks of the globe been first
studied in New York no such terms or subdivisions would ever have
found their way into geological nomenclature. There being no
possibility of identifying the individual rocks and groups of strata
with those of Europe as they had been described, the New York
geologists felt compelled to give names to the different members of
the series, and since the sandstones, limestones, slates, and shales
1 Dnrlne the r>0 ypars preceding 1840 more than n quarter of a million dollars had
been thus expended In the Hudson Valley alone.
13607520 24
352 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
were so similar in different and successive groups, it was impossible
to give descriptive names which would discriminate one from the
other. Local names, as Potsdam sandstone, Trenton limestone,
Niagara limestone, etc., were therefore adopted.
This method or system of nomenclature left no probability of
mistake or confusion which might arise from a different appreciation
of descriptive terms, since the typical locality as indicated by the
name always remained for study and reference. The progress of
geological science in the country had been under great indebtedness
to this system of nomenclature.
Referring to the cost of the survey, Hall says :
The value of the results is sometimes estimated by a similar standard tht
is. by dollars but the people of the State of New York might with equal pro-
priety measure the value of the common-school system by the commercial value
of their schoolhouses and grounds. The absurdity would be equally as great in
the one as in the other. Like the system of public education, the results of the
geological survey have penetrated into every school district and into every corner
of the State, and these results are not to be measured by the figures representing
dollars, but by the increased intelligence of the people and the proud satisfaction
that we have been able to lay broad and deep foundations of geological science
In the soil of a people whose motto is " Excelsior." *
State museum. In his report for 1836 relating to the establish-
ment of the survey, the secretary of state called attention to a peti-
tion by the Albany Institute in 1834 asking State aid in forming
"a grand and comprehensive collection of the natural productions
of the State of New York to exhibit at one view and under one roof
its animal and mineral wealth." He did not, however, recommend
that such an arrangement be entered into with the institute, but
rather that rooms on the third floor of the capitol building be pre-
pared for the exhibition of the collections. This arrangement, how-
ever, proved inadequate, and in his message to the legislature, dated
February 27, 1839, Governor Seward wrote as follows :
It ought to be known to the legislature that the collections of specimens will
far exceed in number and value the expectations indulged at the time of the pas-
sage of the act and can not be profitably nor conveniently deposited in the State
Library or in any apartments in the capitol which can be appropriated for that
purpose. The whole collection will form a museum of the highest scientific
interest. Unless suitable arrangements are made for its preservation and ex-
hibition the benefits of the survey will be in a great measure lost.
Later (in 1840), in response to a memorial from the geologists
urging the importance of providing suitable rooms or a separate
building for the collections made during the survej', Governor
Seward recommended that the old state hall be thus utilized. This
was provided for by the act of April 12, 1842.
'Popular Science Monthly, vol. 22. 1882-83.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 353
In the reports of the survey, dated January, 18-12, it is stated that
eight suites of specimens had been collected, the one which was de-
signed for preservation by the State comprising some 20,000 speci-
mens.
By the act of 1843 (see p. 332) the governor was authorized to
continue the services of one or both of the geologists who were
living in Albany, Ebenezer Emmons and James Hall, for the purpose
of completing and arranging the collections of specimens in the old
state hall, and in accordance with this authority, Doctor Emmons
was for a time charged with this arrangement. The building re-
ferred to as the old state hall followed on the same site the original
building erected for State offices in 1797 during the governorship of
John Jay, and which was made over in 1855 into the geological hall.
By virtue of an act passed May 10, 1845, and constituting chapter
179 of the laws of that year, the regents of the university, to whom
was committed the care of the " State cabinet of natural history,"
were authorized to make a suitable provision for the safe-keeping of
the collections and a small appropriation ($800 annually) was made
to defray the expenses of custodianship. Under the authority thus
vested in the regents of the university, annual reports were begun
upon the condition of the State cabinet of natural history, the first
of these being dated April 11, 1848. The administration of the
affairs of the natural history collections was carried on as an inde-
pendent charge of the regents for many years, during which period
the scientific investigations, which were being prosecuted by Prof.
James Hall in paleontology, Dr. Ebenezer Emmons in agriculture
and geology, and by Dr. Asa Fitch in entomology, were entirely
independent of the organization of the State cabinet.
The custodianship of the collections was first assigned to John
Washington Taylor, who was succeeded by John Gebhard, jr., and
he, in 1859, was followed by Col. Ezekiel Jewett. After seven years
of service Colonel Jewett resigned, and in I860 Professor Hall was
made curator of the State cabinet, as noted later.
Up to this time the development of the museum along truly scien-
tific lines had been but slight. The collections had failed to exem-
plify the progress of scientific investigations in the State, and
although it was supposed that they would continue to be the deposi-
tory of the scientific work still in progress, this did not altogether
prove to be the case. Provision was made for their development and
increase only by the most meager annual appropriations and the
condition aroused the solicitude both of the board of regents and of
the friends of science throughout the State.
Following this the regents of the university addressed a letter to
numerous scientific men throughout the country asking suggestions
354 BUIJLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
as to the best mode of putting in force the objects of the legislature
as expressed in the resolution referred to. The following is a literal
transcription of this letter :
OFFICE OF THE REGENTS OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YOSK,
Albany, June 1, 1865.
SIK: The seriate and the assembly of the State of New York, on the 24th of
April last, each adopted the following resolution :
Whereas the collections in geology, mineralogy, and other departments of
natural history, made by the geological survey of the State, were committed to
the charge of the regents of the university by act of the legislature in 1845,
and the reports published before and since that period as the results of the sur-
vey, have conferred great credit upon the State of New York, both at home and
abroad, and the nomenclature proposed by her geologists has been adopted by
other States, and in the geological survey of Canada, and is well known, appre-
ciated, and recognized by the scientific men of Europe; and
Whereas great progress has been made since that period in geological in-
vestigations, both here and abroad, and it is due to science, as well as a suitnble
recognition of the great credit given to the State of New York, that her pre-
eminence be sustained by keeping up the character and authenticity of her col-
lections as a museum of practical and scientific geology : Therefore be it
Resolved, That the regents of the university report to the legislature at its
next session what means may be necessary, together with a plan, for placing
the State cabinet of natural history in the condition required by the present
state of science, and to maintain it in full efficiency as a museum of scientific
and practical geology and comparative zoology; and whether the establishment
of a system of free lectures in connection with the cabinet is desirable, and If
so, on what general plan the same should be founded.
The regents of the university have committed the duty of preparing their
answer to this resolution to their standing committee on the State cabinet of
natural history.
In the discharge of this duty the committee desire to avail themselves of the
aid of those whose special studies relate to the subject of natural history in any
of its branches and of all who are interested in the increase and spread of knowl-
edge. They trust that the general scientific and economic interests to be sub-
served by the action contemplated in the resolution will induce cordial coopera-
tion with them on the part of those to whom this circular letter is addressed.
They will be obliged to you for the expression of your views and suggestions
npon any or all of the following topics, or upon any branch of them :
1st. Plans for placing the State cabinet of natural history in the condition re-
quired by the present state of science and for maintaining it in full efficiency as
a museum of scientific and practical geology and comparative zoology.
2d. The proper organization of a scientific staff to carry out such plans and
estimates of the proper compensation thereof and of the other expenditures,
temporary or permanent, requisite to the attainment of the ends in view.
3d. The desirableness of a system of free lectures in connection with the cabi-
net, and if deemed desirable, a general plan for founding such a system of
lectures.
Answers are requested as early at least as the 1st of September next, to be
addressed to the undersigned at Albany.
I hnve the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
S. B. WOOLWOBTH,
Secretary of the Regents, on behalf of the Committee.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 355
Replies to this were received from J. D. Dana, W. E. Logan, T.
Sterry Hunt, Alexander Winchell, Oren Root, Alexander Agassiz,
F. B. Hough, A. A. Gould, and J. J. Thomas. 1 As a result, the
regents, in the annual report for this year, submitted a "plan for
placing the State cabinet of natural history in the condition re-
quired by the present state of science : to maintain it in full efficiency
ns a museum of scientific and practical geology and comparative
zoology," communicating therewith the replies to their circular letter
from the various scientific men of eminence, noted above.
In 1866, again, in accordance with the plan and resolutions, James
Hall was appointed by the regents to take the position of curator of
the State cabinet with a view to carrying out the recommendations
embraced in their report. During 1867, 1868, and 1869 fruitless
efforts were made at each session of the legislature to secure the
passage of a suitable law, but action was not formally taken until
1870, when a law was passed organizing the cabinet as the " State
Museum of Natural History." and appropriating $10,000 annually
to provide for the salary of the director and his assistants and for
the increase and preservation of the collections. At this time also
the additional sum of $1,500 was appropriated for the annual salary
of the botanist.
Following is the text of the act :
An act In relation to the State Cabinet of Natural History, passed May 2, 1870, three-
fifths being present.
The people of the State of New York, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as folloics:
SECTION 1. The State cabinet of natural history is hereby established as a
museum of scientific and practical geology and general natural history, at the
capital of the State, under the care and custody of the regents of the university,
to be known hereafter as " The New York State Museum of Natural History."
2. The museum shall be organized in accordance with the plan recommended
to the legislature by the board of regents in their report of 1866, and the present
curator shall act as director of the museum and shall supervise and direct all
Its scientific and practical operations, and he shall appoint such assistants or
curators of departments as may be required for the accomplishment of said
plan, with the concurrence of the chancellor of the board of regents or the com-
mittee of the same having charge of the museum.
3. It shall be the duty of the director of the museum and the chancellor of
the board of regents to organize a plan and make the necessary arrangements to
establish an annual course of free scientific lectures in connection with the mu-
seum as goon as practicable and within two years from the passage of this act.
4. For the salary of the director as established in the appropriation bill of
1870, for three assistants as now employed by him, and for the increase and
preservation of the collection, the sum of $10,000 annually shall be, and Is
bereby, appropriated, and all expenditures for compensation of assistants or for
1 Printed in full in the Nineteenth Annual Report of the State Natural History Survey,
1866.
356 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the increase and preservation of the collections shall be made by the director
with the approval of the chancellor of the board of regents.
5. The botanical department as now organized shall be continued, as originally
contemplated, for three years from the end of the present year.
6. This act shall take effect upon its final passage.
This was supplemented the following year as below :
An act to amend an act entitled "An act in relation to the State Cabinet of NatnnU
History," passed May 2, 1870; passed April 25, 1871, three-fifths being present.
The people of the State of yew York, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The assistants and curators of departments provided for by the
second section of the act entitled "An act in relation to the State Cabinet of
Natural History," passed May 2, 1870, shall be appointed by the director of the
State Museum of Natural History, with the concurrence of the board of regents
of the university.
2. The annual course of free scientific lectures authorized by the third section
of said act shall be organized under the direction of the board of regents and
the director of the State museum.
3. The moneys appropriated by the fourth section of the act above named shall
be expended by the director of the State Museum of Natural History, with the
approval of the board of regents of the university.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
For James Hall, as State geologist, for the use of working rooms,
fuel, lights, and other expenses incurred, for the preparation of the
paleontology of New York, and for the distribution of duplicate
fossils, as provided by law. to the 1st of January, 1871, there was
appropriated $1,000.
The following letter illustrates pretty clearly the disadvantages
under which Hall had been laboring and the necessity for such
action :
ATJ-.ANY, March 27, 1871.
Hon. DE WITT C. LITTLEJOHN.
DEAB SIB : I send you with my sincere regards volume 4, Paleontology of New
York, and I hope I may have the pleasure of sending you the succeeding vol-
umes, though I learn that the committee of ways and means at its last session
struck out the appropriation for the original drawings for the work.
I have yet to come before the committee of ways and means to ask for a sum
to defray in part the expense of working rooms and other expenses while en-
gaged in this work and I bespeak your patience and forbearance. For all my
own labor upon this work in superintending drawings and engravings I have
received nothing since 1866. Three separate laws have been passed requiring
that I arrange and label a collection of duplicate fossils for several institutions.
There are no working rooms at the State museum adapted for this work and I
have been compelled to furnish them. In order to have greater conveniences T
have begun and nearly completed the fitting up of the principal part of an entire
building of 30 by 45 feet, two-thirds of the basement and all of the principal
and part of the second story being devoted to this work. Between November of
last year and the month of May, 1871, I shall have expended at least $1,500 to
prepare working rooms, drawers, etc., required for this work.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 357
With these additional duties, as also that imposed by a resolution of the legis-
lature and commissioners of the land office requiring me to be on duty two even
ings in the week, I shall receive no extra compensation, and I hope the com
mittee may feel disposed to grant a part of the money I have found it necessary
to expend hi the manner specified.
I am very sincerely and respectfully, yours,
(Signed) JAMES HAU,.
In 1883, by legislative enactment, the work of the State Museum
of Natural History, of the State paleontologist, of the State botanist,
and of the State entomologist, was brought together under the charge
of the regents of the university, each becoming a department of the
museum. The following is the text of this act :
AD act to regulate the State Museum of Natural History and the publication of the pale
ontology of the State, passed May 4, 1883, three-fifths being present.
The people of the State of yew Yorfc, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follotcs:
SECTION 1. For the purpose of providing sufficient and fireproof accommoda-
tions for the collections of natural history belonging to the State the regents of
the university, as trustees of the State Museum of Natural History, are hereby
directed, in pursuance of the concurrent resolution of the legislature, passed on
the 24th day of March, 1SS1, to occupy for the purposes of said museum the
several rooms of the State hall as they may be vacated by the present occupants,
and said trustees are hereby directed to fit up and prepare said rooms in a suit-
able manner and to remove thither and arrange in order for exhibition, as soon
as may be, the collections of said museum. Said trustees shall also make pro
vision for and remove to said State hall, to be a part of said museum, all the
fossils, minerals, and other property of the State now in the charge of the State
geologist, In pursuance of the provisions of chapter 270 of the laws of 1S82 ; and
the sum of $20,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appro-
priated for the expenses of fitting up and removal as provided in this section, to
be paid on vouchers approved by said trustees.
SEC. 2. The scientific staff of the museum, to be appointed by said trustees,
shall consist of a director, who may also be Stale geologist, ;\nd whose com-
pensation shall be the same as now fixed by law, and of three assistants, to-
gether with such special assistants as may be necessary, whose compensation
shall be fixed from time to time by said trustees, together with the State geolo-
gist and State entomologist and botanist, as these officers! are now defined and
provided for by law; and all the collections made by the members of said staff
during their terms of service shall belong to and form a part of the collections of
the museum; and the trustees of said museum shall be authorized to publish
each year the scientific contributions of said staff and such other original
scientific contributions as they may deem expedient, which publication shall be
in lieu of the reports now required by law from the State geologist and State
entomologist, and of the scientific papers communicated each year to the legis-
lature, along with the annexed report of said trustees ; and it shall be the duty
of said trustees to distribute from the duplicate specimens of the museum to
Institutions of learning such collections as may be available and suitable for
that purpose, as directed by a concurrent resolution of the legislature, passed
on the 14th day of March, 1881, and to provide facilities in the museum for the
358 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUsLL'Al.
study of its collections, and by means of printed handiHiokH de*< i.i'HiL; said col-
lections, and in such other ways as may be practicable to make said museum ft
means of instruction to the citizens of the State. In order to provide for the
expense of printing the aforesaid scientific publications, and in order to increase
the usefulness and efficiency of said museum as aforesaid, the annual appropria-
tion to be made for its maintenance shall be $15,000, to be paid on vouchers
approved by said trustees.
SEC. 3. The trustees of the State Museum of Natural History are hereby
appointed to supervise the completion of the pubM cation of the paleontology
of the State, to contract for the preparation and printing thereof, and to
audit and certify to the expenditures therefor; and it is hereby provided that
one volume of said paleontology shall be published within one year from the
execution of the contract for its prepa'ration, that a second volume shall be
published within two years, and that the entire work shall not extend beyond
five bound volumes in addition to those already issued, all of which shall be
published within five years from the passage of this act, and shall comprise
the following subjects; that is to say, the Lamellibranchiata (bivalve shells)
to be bound in two volumes; the Bryozomis (fossil corals) to be bound in two
volumes; the Brachiopoda (lamp shells) to be bound in one volume; and the
Crustacea, etc. (crabs, etc.) to be bound in one volume; and the sum of
$15,000 shall be appropriated annually for five years for the purposes of this
section, p-iyable on vouchers certified by said trustees; which sum of $15,000 or
BO much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of said publication
for the current year.
SEC. 4. The volumes of the natural history hereafter to be published and the
copies still remaining of the volumes already published shall be in the charge
of the trustees of said museum, who shall distribute and sell the same in ac-
cordance with the provisions of law now In force for such distribution and sale,
and the proceeds of such sale said trustees shall use for the purpose of forming
a suitable library for said museum, and they shall have authority to make ex-
changes with such portion of the volumes of said work as are not required for
distribution or sale and to receive donations and deposits of books and spec!
mens on such terms as they shall deem advantageous for said museum.
Under this provision a scientific staff was created, subject to
appointment by the trustees, to consist of a director, " who may also
be State geologist." and " of three assistants, together with such
special assistants as may be necessary, whose compensation shall be
fixed from time to time by the said trustees, together with the State
geologist, State entomologist, and botanist as these officers are now
defined and provided for by law."
With this incorporation of the departments into the general or-
ganization of the State museum, the scientific staff became in ft
certain definite sense subsidiary or contributory to the general func-
tions of the museum as a depository of scientific collections.
The same law recognized the fact that the geological hall was in-
sufficient both in capacity and in construction for the accommodation
of the greatly increased collections of the State* museum and the
scientific work of its departments, and authorized the regents of
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 359
the university to take possession of the present State hall, as its
rooms should be vacated by the State officers who were to be accom-
modated in the new capitol. In pursuance of this provision several
of the rooms in the State hall were in 1886 occupied by the staff of
the State geologist and paleontologist and by the State botanist,
and the more valuable and typical portions of the paleontologic and
botanic collections removed thereto. It subsequently proved im-
practicable to acquire full possession of the State hall on account of
the reluctance of its occupants to remove to other quarters, but the
office of the State paleontologist and the larger part of the collec-
tions in paleontology have been in this building from that date to the
present.
The following letter from Hall to Governor Cleveland is self-
explanatory :
ALBANY, May 20, 1S84.
His Excellency GEOVER CLEVELAND,
Governor of Neio York.
SIR : I beg leave to offer you the explanation I had proposed to give when I
called upon your excellency in regard to the appropriation of $2,500 foi the
services of the State geologist, the expenses of working rooms, etc., and to do
this it is necessary to state the original cause of this agreement.
In 1855 I \vas charged with the duty of collecting fossils to be used in the
preparation of the paleontology of the State, At that time and previously the
wing of the museum building (the old State hall) was and had been in use for
working rooms and laboratory. This building was demolished and the pres-
ent one erected in 1856 and 1857. In the allotment of rooms in the new
building the entire wing was awarded to the agricultural society, leaving no
rooms for the geological work. After repeated applications to the proper officers
I was informed that there were no rooms to be had in the museum or any other
public building and that it would be necessary to procure outside quarters.
The collections, packed in boxes and stored in a cellar, could not be used and
were of no value for the object intended. In 1857 I began the erection of a brick
building on my own ground, and in the following year completed and fitted up
the same with drawers, library, and other facilities for carrying on the work
which I was required to do. As the collections accumulated more room was re-
quired, and later I erected another building 1 for their accommodation.
During subsequent years some appropriations were made to cover the neces-
sary expense, but these were irregular and uncertain. In 1871 I applied for the
ase and expenses of these buildings and for my own services, furnishing a memo-
randum of the several sources of expenditure. The subject was referred to
the lieutenant governor, comptroller, and secretary of state, who recommended
an appropriation of $2,500 as a proper compensation for the duties and expenses
therein specified.
A copy of this memorandum with the recommendation of the officers is h^ro-
with appended.
The appropriation of $2,500 has been annually made since that time. In the
meantime tlie collections have continued to accumulate, more conveniences
The brick building consists of a main part 30 by 42 feet and a wing for working
room and library of 28 by 30 feet. The second building is of wood 30 by 45 feet. The
tost of erection and fitting up these buildings has been more than $10,000, while my
private library necessary for use in this work is worth $6,000.
360 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
for working rooms and for the arrangement of the specimens have been de-
manded and supplied, and the expenses have constantly increased. At tit*
same time increased duties have been imposed upon the State geologist, which
he has endeavored to perform to the best of his ability.
It has been provided in the item of appropriation that whenever the collec-
tions shall be removed no further rent of the buildings shall be paid, and anj
unexpended balance shall be used to pay for the removal. The collections still
occupy the buildings, the expenses named in connection with their custody and
safe-keeping are incurred. The other duties specified in the memoranda, at
well as additional ones, especially in the requirement to make an annual
report on the condition of the work, are being performed as may be shown in
part by the recent publication of a volume of the paleontology, and the per-
formance of work pertaining to the other volumes can be shown if required.
In my contract with the trustees of the State museum under the laws of
1883 for the authorship of the paleontology, it is provided that my compensa-
tion shall be from this appropriation and is not to be paid from the appropria-
tion for the publication of the paleontology. The same is true regarding the
payment for the original drawings on the work.
It will not be practicable to fit up rooms in the State hall for the reception
of these collections during the present year, and in the meantime these build-
ings which I provided must remain occupied as heretofore and the necessary
expenses of their custody be incurred. In my first statement of the costs and
expenses pertaining to the care and custody of these collections, and the prepa-
ration of the work upon the paleontology, the estimates were all upon the most
economical scale, and I am quite sure that the collections can never be so well
and so economically cared for in any public building as they have been while
In my custody.
In this arrangement with the State I have endeavored to perform my part
of the contract faithfully and conscientiously, and while the same conditions
and requirements continue I can see no reason why the State should annul the
existing arrangement.
I have here endeavored to state, as concisely as possible, the principal facts
in this case. I shall be ready to give any further information which may b*
required and I would feel very thankful if your excellency will make a thorough
inquiry into all the facts connected with this matter, and the conditions past
and present under which these collections have been accumulated and th
work carried on to its present state.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
(Signed) JAMES HAIX.
In 1889 the State museum was made an integral part of the Uni-
versity of the State of New York, and the section of the law which
specially relates to the affairs of the museum says :
All scientific specimens and collections, works of art, objects of historic
interest and similar property appropriate to a general museum if owned by
the State and not placed in other custody by specific law shall constitute th
State museum, and one of its oflicers shall annually inspect all such property
not. kept in the State museum rooms and the annual report of the museum tt>
the legislature shall Include summaries of such property with its location and
any needed recommendation as to its safety or usefulness.
Together with the other departments of the university, the museum
became a constitutional body in 1895, and in the revised university
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS.
361
law of 1896 the functions of the organization are defined as already
given.
In 1885 Dr. John C. Smock was appointed assistant in charge of
the State museum under the directorship of Prof. James Hall.
Professor Hall resigned his position as director of the State museum
in 1894 and was succeeded by Dr. F. J. H. Merrill, who had pre-
viously held the position of assistant director from 1890. Upon the
death of Professor Hall in 1898 Doctor Merrill was also appointed
State geologist. 1
Expenses. The following statement includes the annual and total
expenses of the museum and survey from the beginning in 1836 to
1887:
Paid up to January, 1S50 $425,375.76
Paid up to January, 1850, for printing annual reports 19. 530. 30
Appropriated July 15, 1853, for arrearages, publication 20,000.00
Appropriated July 15, 1853, for printing 10, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 14, 1855, expenses 5,000.00
Appropriated Apr. 15, 1857, James Hall, salary 2, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 15, 1857, for collecting 1, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 19, 1859, J. Hall, salary 2, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 19, 1859, expenses 9, 642. 75
Appropriated Apr. 16, I860, J. Hall, salary 2,000.00
Appropriated Apr. 16, I860, collecting 1, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 13, 1861, collecting 1, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 13, 1861, salary, J. Hall 2, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 16, 1861, drawings 1, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 23, 1862. salary, J. Hall 2, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 23, 1862, collecting 1,000.00
Appropriated Apr. 23, 1862, drawings 1,000.00
Appropriated Apr. 15, 1863, three items as above 4, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 22, 1864, three items as above 4, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 28, 1865, J. Hall, rent of room, fuel, etc., for
seven years 3, 500. 00
Appropriated Apr. 28, 1865, J. Hall, for collecting 1,000.00
Appropriated Apr. 21, 1866, J. Hall, for services 3, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 10, 1866, drawings 2,000.00
Appropriated Apr. 22, 1867, Hall, services 2, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 22, 1867, drawings 1, 500. 00
Appropriated May 8, 1868, deficiencies 5,000.00
Appropriated May 10, 1869, J. Hall 3, 000. 00
Appropriated May 6, 1869, drawings 2,500.00
Appropriated May 10, 1S69, Hall, compensation as curator, etc 10, 000. 00
Appropriated Apr. 19, 1870, Hall, compensation as curator 3, 500. 00
Appropriated Apr. 19, 1870, Hall, assistants 2,500.00
Appropriated Apr. 19, 1870, drawings 2,500.00
Appropriated Apr. 19, 1870, collections 1, 500. 00
Appropriated Apr. 26, 1871, Hall, for rooms, fuel, etc 1,000.00
Appropriated Apr. 26, 1871, Hall, for distributing duplicates 2, 500. 00
Appropriated Apr. 26, 1871, Hall, for drawings 2, 500. 00
Twenty-fourth Rep. State Geol. of N. Y., 1904.
862 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Appropriated Apr. 26, 1871, Hall, for salary of director, three
assistants, increase of collections $10,000.00
Appropriated Apr. 14, 1877, Hall, as in 1872-1875 2, 500. 00
Appropriated May 29, 1873, Hall, for authorship *nd superintend-
ence 2, 500. 00
Appropriated May 9, 1874, Hall, for authorship and superintendence- 2, 500. 00
Appropriated May 17, 1875, Hall, for authorship and superintend-
ence 2, 500. 00
Appropriated Apr. 29, 1876, for drawings 2,500.00
Appropriated Apr. 14, 1877, Hall, as in 1872-1875 2, 500. 00
Appropriated Feb. 25, 1878, Hall, as in 1872-1875 2,500.00
Appropriated Feb. 25, 1878, drawings 1, 800. 00
Appropriated Apr. 5, 1879, same as in 1878 4,300.00
Appropriated Apr. 22, 1880, same as in 1878 4, 300. 00
Appropriated Apr. 21, 1881, same as in 1878 4, 300. 00
Appropriated June 3, 1882, same as in 1878 4, 300. 00
Appropriated June 16, 1883, same as in 1878 4, 300. 00
Appropriated June 14, 1884, same as in 1878 4,300.00
Appropriated June 14, 1884, for publication and reports 15,000.00
Appropriated May 8, 1885, for J. Hall 2, 500. 00
Appropriated May 8, 1885, for drawings 1, 408. 00
Appropriated May 8, 1885, for publication 15,000.00
Appropriated May 18, 1886, Hall 1, 200. 00
Appropriated May 18, 1886, Hall, for rent of room 1.300.00
Appropriated May 18, 1886, Hall, drawings 1. 408. 00
Appropriated Apr. 23, 1887, for printing 15,000.00
Total $670, 964. 81
The personnel and salaries for 1888 were as follows :
Museum staff.
James Hall, director '$3, 500
Joseph A. Lintner, entomologist l 2,000
Charles H. Peck, botanist * 1,500
John C. Smock, assistant in charge* 2,000
William B. Marshall, assistant in zoology 1,000
Charles E, Beecher, consulting paleontologist* 600
Jacob Van Deloo, clerk and messenger 480
Martin Sheehy, rock cutting and general help 780
1 These salaries were originally fixed by act of legislature.
Mr. Smock was appointed assistant in charge by the following resolution of Jan
uary 7, 1885:
Kesolt-ed, That in order to relieve Director Hall from the details of labor in connection
with the State museum and enable him to devote his time to the preparation of the
volumes of paleontology yet to be published, the position of assistant in charge be hereby
Instituted, and that the person appointed thereto be charged with the duty, under the
control and supervision of the director, of managing the affairs of the museum and of
preparing for and conducting the removal of the museum to the old State hall.
Resolved, That Prof. John C. Smock be appointed assistant in charge of the State
museum at a salary of $2.000 per annum, to commence from the first day of April. 1885,
and that he be requested to perform such portion of his duties in advance of that date as
his present engagement will permit, at such compensation as the museum cornmiftoe
may fix.
The duties of this office are not defined and results not recorded.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 25
DENISON OLMSTED
GEOLOGIST OF NORTH CAROLINA, 1824 25.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 363
NORTH CAROLINA. 1
As early as 1819 a board of internal improvements was organized
by an act of the general assembly for the purpose of taking charge
of recently inaugurated public works, relating mainly to the im-
provement of internal navigation. During the period from 1821-
1843 surveys were made of all rivers east of the Blue Ridge, and
during that time and subsequently numerous surveys at public ex-
pense were made for railroads, turnpikes, and canals. The field
notes, drawings, and plans of these surveys have not been preserved,
and as they were necessarily crude they are referred to here as of only
historical interest. Incidentally, however, the board was directed
to make surveys of the numerous swamp areas of the eastern portion,
owned by the State, for the purpose of determining their area, prac-
ticability, and cost of drainage, as well as their possible value for
agricultural purposes. Some 800,000 acres are said* to have been
surveyed, but the results have proved to be of slight practical value.
The first attempt at a survey coming properly within the scope of
the present history was that inaugurated by Prof. Denison Olmsted
in 1824. and continued by him and Prof. Elisha Mitchell until 1828.
This was followed in 1852-1864 by a survey by Ebenezer Emmons,
and this again by one by W. C. Kerr, the latter, however, being in
fact a renewal of the Emmons survey after the death of Emmons
and the close of the Civil War.
THE OLMSTED-MITCHELL GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 1824-1828.
In a letter laid before the board of public improvements in North
Carolina, August 1, 1821, Denison Olmsted, of Connecticut, at that
time professor of chemistry, geology, and mineralogy in the Univer-
sity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, proposed to devote his vaca-
tions to the making of a geological and mineralogical survey of the
State, and asked for merely such an appropriation as might be neces-
sary to defray the expenses of the undertaking, naming the sum of
$100 a year as sufficient for the purpose. The following is the full
text of his letter as given in the minutes of the Board of Internal
Improvements of North Carolina, August 1, 1821 :
To the Hon. Board of Internal Improvements:
Among the objects which solicit the attention of the board for developing
and extending the internal resources of the State, I beg leave to present to
their notice the advantages that would result from investigating its geology.
By this, as connected with the subject of internal improvements, I mean such
an investgation as would furnish to the board and the public an account of the
various useful productions of the mineral kingdom, which either have been
1 Compiled in part from manuscript by J. A. Holmes.
* Report on Swamp Lands of North Carolina, by W. C. Kerr.
364 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
discovered already, or which may, from certain well-known indications, be
reasonably expected to be found hereafter. Such are the following:
1. Different kinds of stone made use of in buildings, as freestone, slate, lime-
stone, and soapstoue; marble, serpentine, etc.
2. Beds of gypsum, salt, coal, marl, potters clay, and other fossils used in agri-
culture or domestic economy.
3. Beds of ocher, bole, reddle, plumbago, and similar substances used i*
painting.
4. Metallic ores, as iron, lead, antimony, zinc, etc.
5. Mineral springs.
It is superfluous for me to say, that these substances are of great importance
to the public both for domestic uses, and, under favorable circumstances, an
articles of commerce.
That they are also very intimately connected with the improvement of In-
ternal navigation will be obvious, if we reflect, that, by a free navigation,
their value as articles of exports is, like that of the productions of agriculture,
greatly enhanced ; that were we in possession of marbles equal to those of Greece
and Italy, their commercial value would be lost by the difficulty of transporta-
tion; while with a free navigation, many things of which we are now in the
actual possession, might be turned to much more profitable account. As, there-
fore, the treasures of the mineral kingdom (in which there is reason to think
this State is as opulent as any in the Union) are exhibited to the view of the
public, the necessity and advantages of internal navigation will be most strik-
ingly manifest.
But all these things are so obvious that it is only necessary for me to show,
that an actual examination of the country, conducted with the requisite knowl-
edge of the geological principles, will have a tendency to multiply the dis-
coveries, an.1 extend the uses of these valuable substances.
1. Many valuable minerals now lie neglected, because their nature and
uses are not generally known.
2. Geology furnishes rules for discovering useful minerals by certain known
indications, derived from other minerals in the neighborhood, from the general
structure of the country, and so on. It materially aids the progress of discovery
by showing whether a given mineral, as gypsum, for instance, is to be looked
for in a particular section of country, or not. It thus limits the field of exami-
nation and prevents fruitless researches.
3. So fully have the advantages resulting from such investigations been ex-
perienced in Great Britain that landed proprietors frequently cause them to
be made on their own estates.
4. In the State of New York where public enterprise is directed to the object*
as those which this honorable board have in view, the geological examination
of the country, through which their operations are carried on, has been at-
tended with highly important and beneficial results, as will be seen by refer-
ence to the late speeches of his excellency the governor of New York, to the
legislature of that State.
Should the honorable board be of opinion that the objects specified in this
communication are worthy of their attention and patronage, I hereby offer
them my services during such seasons of leisure as can be spared from the
exercise of my official duties at the university, and ask merely such an ap-
propriation as shall defray the expenses of the undertaking.
These would be chiefly such as would accrue from the hire of a horse and
servant and the charge of traveling, consequently they could not be great- I
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 365
would beg leave respectfully to name $100, to be afterwards renewed or not
at the pleasure of the board.
The time occupied in these researches, would generally coincide with the
college vacations.
The acquisition of knowledge, by which I might be better able to fulfill the
duties of my profession and the opportunity of furnishing a geological descrip-
tion of this hitherto undescribed country to the American Geological Society,
of which I have the honor to be a member, would afford all the recompense 1
require; and the collection of specimens to illustrate my lectures, as well as
an increased ability to impart information to my pupils respecting their native
State, would be the means of securing some advantages to the university.
My objects, then, are twofold; so far as respects the board, they would be
wholly practical; as it respects myself personally, the promotion of science, by
which the natural history of the State may be better known and appreciated,
both at home and abroad, is a great object though not at all at variance with
the other.
In accordance with these views in reporting to the board the results of my
labors I should expect to notice such topics as the following, together with such
other topics as they should particularly prescribe:
Stones for building. Example, freestone; qualities by which it may be known;
what kinds are suitable for building; what kinds unsuitable; other uses to which
the stone is or may be applied. Wherever the best mode of quarrying or work-
ing did not appear to be understood, that mode might be particularly described.
A similar plan might be pursued with respect to ornamental stones, as marbles,
Jasper, porphyry, or as to metallic ores. Other things of practical importance
that had fallen under observation might be particularly specified; the limit of
rock formations pointed out; the places designated which lie in the range of
known quarries, where it is probable they may be found to appear again.
The relative value of such substances as might become articles of commerce
might be ascertained; the nature of mineral springs already celebrated might
be investigated and others which appear to be valuable made known, and all
similar information might be communicated which could be collected on such
excursions.
The board did not consider itself authorized to make the contract
with Mr. Olmsted, but referred the matter to the general assembly,
recommending that his proposition be accepted.
The legislature took no action in the matter at that time. The
proposition was, however, renewed by Professor Olmsted in 1823,
the result of which was the passage of an act authorizing the board
of agriculture to have such a survey made, and appropriating for
the purpose the sum of $250 a year for four successive years. At the
end of that time (session of 1827-28) the legislature passed an act
continuing the appropriation for another year.
The following is a transcript of this act :
An act directing a geological and mineralogicnl survey to be made of the State of North
Carolina.
I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina,
and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That it is hereby made
366 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
the duty of the board of agriculture of North Carolina to employ some person
of competent skill and science, to commence and carry on a geological and
mineralogical survey of the various regions of this State; and that the person
or persons so employed shall, at stated periods, furnish to the board true and
correct accounts of the results of said surveys and invest'gations, which shall
annually be published by the board aforesaid, for the benefit of the public, as
provided by the sixth section of the act of the last general assembly, entitled
"An act to promote agriculture and family domestic manufactures within this
State."
II. And be it further enacted, That for the purpose of carrying the intention
of the foregoing section into effect, a sum not exceeding $250 be, and the same
is hereby, annually appropriated for four successive years, out of the unex-
pended balance of the agricultural fund, as created and set apart by the above
recited act ; and that the treasurer of the State is hereby directed to pay the
same to the order of the board of agriculture of Norh Carolina.
The above law stood without change throughout the whole period
of the existence of the survey.
Connection with other institutions. The survey, if such it can be
called, had no immediate connection with any other institution than
the board of agriculture, though both Olmsted and Mitchell held
professorships in the State university, and the collections made be-
came the property of the university.
Administration. Professor Olmsted was appointed by the board
to conduct the survey and prosecuted the work during portions of
the years 1824 and 1825. At the end of that time he resigned, both
his position on the survey and his professorship in the university,
and Prof. Elisha Mitchell, then professor of mathematics in the
university, was appointed to fill the positions thus left vacant. Pro-
fessor Mitchell appears to have continued the work during his college
vacations of the years 1826, 1827, and 1828, at the end of which time
the work was permanently discontinued.
The personnel of the survey was as follows : 1824 and 1825, Denison
Olmsted, geologist ; Charles E. Eothe, assistant geologist ; 1825-1828,
Elisha Mitchell, 1 geologist.
During a part of the year 1825 Professor Olmsted employed, with
the approbation of the president of the board of agriculture, Charles
E. Eothe (a miner and mineralogist recently from Saxony) to visit
the counties of Person, Mecklenburg, and Anson in this State and
examine the slate formations on the lines of Virginia and South
Carolina. 2
1 In a communicntion published in the American Journal of Science (vol. 16, No. 1,
1820) Professor Mitchell writes that for three years, beginning with the latter part of
1825. Prof. E. A. Andrews (at that time professor of languages in the University of
North Carolina, and afterwards well known as a grammarian and lexicographer) was
associated along with himself in an examination into the geology of the State; but no
mention has been found of Professor Andrews having been directly connected with the
work of the survey. He may. however, have assisted Professor Mitchell in that work.
'Olmsted, Report on the Geology of North Carolina, part 2, 1825, pp. 105 and 106.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 367
As to the methods adopted in the prosecution of the survey little
information has been left on record. They were unquestionably of
the simplest character. Olmsted, during 1824, seems to have devoted
himself mainly to the middle section of the State, searching particu-
larly for minerals of economic value, but with little regard for the
geological structure as a whole. The same may be said of Mitchell.
Though working for a longer period, he succeeded in gathering up a
larger and more systematic series of data, from which he was later
enabled to compile a geological map of the State.
Museum or cabinet. There was nothing in connection with the
survey which could be called a museum. Professor Mitchell men-
tions in his report 1 " the cabinet " of the university, where a rather
complete series of specimens illustrative of the geology of the counties
visited had been assembled. At the present day, however, no rem-
nant of this collection is to be found.
There was no library belonging to the survey and no " exchanges "
to be disposed of.
Salaries and expenses. Obviously, neither Olmsted nor Mitchell
could have received any salary for their work, the amount appro-
priated being only for expenses, nor has there been found any record
of any payment to Mr. Rothe, No record of the detailed expendi-
tures of the survey has been found. The report of the State auditor
and treasurer (1824-1828) reads as follows: "Paid D. Olmsted by
State treasurer for geological survey * * * , etc." ; and in case of
Professor Mitchell. " To Professor Mitchell for his services and ex-
penses in making a geological survey of the State, agreeable to the
direction of the general assembly, on warrant from the president of
the board of agriculture, * * * $250."
The total expenditures for the five years (excluding cost of pub-
lications) amounted to $1,250. The expenditures for printing were
paid out of the general fund of the State treasury.
Publications. The publications of the survey consisted of small
annual reports; these, four in number, were each printed as a part
of a volume of reports and essays published annually under the
direction of the board of agriculture. They are as follows:
Report on the Geology of North Carolina, part 1. By Denison
Olmsted. (Raleigh) 1824. 12mo. 44 pp.
Report on the Geology of North Carolina, part 2. By Denison
Olmsted. (Raleigh) 1825. 12mo. 60 pp.
Report on the Geology of North Carolina, part 3. By Elisha
Mitchell. (To which is added a paper on the Gold Mines of North
Carolina, by C. E. Rothe, reprinted from Silliman's Journal of 1828.)
(Raleigh) 1827. 12mo. 42 pp.
1 Geology of North Carolina, part 3, pp. 5-17.
136075-20 25
368 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Geological Report of Professor Mitchell. (Raleigh) 1829. 12mo.
8pp.
Of the reports for 1824, 1825. and 1827, 1,500 copies each were
printed. As to the report for 1829, the record fails to indicate the
number of copies. The reports were distributed free, ' by means of
agricultural societies, to the people of the State," and there is no
record of any publications having been sold.
Benefits. As to the material benefits resulting to the people of the
State, it is probable that mining enterprises and investments were
in a small measure stimulated and directed, and an interest in better
methods of agriculture awakened and strengthened.
The attention of the people of the eastern section of the State was
called to the occurrence and use of marls in their section, but there
is no available evidence of any benefits resulting therefrom. From
an educational standpoint the survey was a benefit, in that the people
were informed through the reports of the survey as to the general
geology and mineral resources of the State.
After the discontinuance of the survey (1828), Professor Mitchell
for several years made geological explorations to different portions
of the State at his own expense. The general results of these he
published in a small textbook. Elements of Geology, with an outline
of the geology of North Carolina, 1842 (12mo. 141 pp.), with a
geological map of the State. This was the first map of the State
published, though the area was included in Miiclure's maps of 1809
and 1817. It was probably an outgrowth of one begun by Pro-
fessor Olmsted in 1824, which received corrections and additions by
Professor Mitchell during the succeeding years to the time of its
publication. No official geological map of the State was published
from that date (1842) until the appearance of the one accompanying
Kerr's Report in 1875 (Geology of North Carolina, vol. 1).
SECOND SURVEY TTSTDER EBENEZER EMMONS, 1852-1864.
No work in the direction of a scientific survey of the State was
undertaken from the discontinuance of the Olmsted-Mitchell survey
in 1828 until 1852, when the Emmons survey was begun. The need
of a survey in connection with the mining and mineral interests of
the middle and western section of the State, and the agriculture and
geology of the entire area had, however, been felt for many years
prior to this date, and its institution advocated by leading public
men. The advantages of the work had been pointed out in the.
executive messages of Governor Dudley in 1838, Governor Morehead
in 1844, Governor Graham in 1846 and 1848, and Governor Manly
in 1850-51.
GEOLOGICAL AIs T D NATUKAL HISTOBY SURVEYS. 369
At its session of 1848-49 the general assembly had authorized a
corporation under the name of the " Cape Fear & Deep River Navi-
gation Co." to make said river navigable above Fayetteville, to and
above the coal fields in Chatham County, it being believed at that
time that there were extensive deposits of coal and iron in that
region, and there was naturally a strong desire on the part of the
corporation and the people owning lands in the region for a system-
atic survey of the area. For several years, too, considerable excite-
ment had prevailed in the western section of the State in connection
with mining interests, especially those relating to copper.
At its session of 1850-51 the general assembly of the State, acting
presumably under the recommendation of Governor Manly, passed
an act authorizing a geological, mineralogical, botanical, and agri-
cultural survey to be made. The following is a transcript of this
act:
An act to provide for a geological and agricultural survey of the State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted T>y the General Assembly of the State of North Caro-
lina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the governor
shall, as soon as practical, select and appoint some suitable person to conduct,
under the general supervision of himself and the literary board, a geological,
mineralogical, botanical, and agricultural survey of the State.
. SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the person so selected
and appointed to examine and survey each and every county of the State; to
ascertain the different geological formations of each county and section of the
State; the nature, character, and value of its minerals; the nature and character
of its soils and the best method of improving the same; the nature and kind of
its productions and their position and relative value ; its facilities for manufac-
tories ; the extent and value of its water power ; the character and value of its
botanical productions; the character and value of its timber; and all other facts
connected with the subjects of geology, mineralogy, botany, and agriculture
which may tend to a full development of the resources of our State ; and that the
said person so selected and appointed to conduct said survey shall be authorized
to employ such agents and assistants, to be approved of by the governor, as may
be necessary to enable him speedily and successfuly to accomplish the objects
committed to his charge; and he shall, from time to time, communicate to the
governor, to be by him communicated to the legislature, a report or reports, in
writing, setting forth fully the results of his survey, which reports shall be pub-
lished under the supervision of the governor and literary board.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the expenditures incurred by said survey
shall not exceed $5,000 per annum, to be paid by the public treasurer upon the
warrant of the governor, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the person making
such survey to deliver lectures upon the subjects committed to his charge in
the villages through which he shall pass : Provided, That he shall not thereby
delay his other duties.
Ratified January 24, 1851.
370 BUfJJflTO 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
No modifications of this law or other legal measures affecting the
survey are found on record between 1851 and its discontinuance in
1864.
Connection with other institutions. The Emmons survey was not
officially nor directly connected with any other institution from the
time of its organization in 1852 to its suspension (1864).
Personnel. Ebenezer Emmons was State geologist from 1852-
1863, with the following assistants : E. Emmons, jr., assistant geolo-
gist, 1852-1864; Spence McClenahan, assistant geologist, 1852-1854;
J. F. Tompkins, 1 assistant geologist, 1853-1854; M. B. Conklin, as-
sistant geologist, 1857-1860; C. D. Smith, assistant geologist, 1858-
1860; M. A. Curtis, naturalist, 1859-1863; and R. H. Northrup, as-
sistant geologist, 1863-1864.
Manner of appointment. In accordance with section 1 of the act
of 1851 authorizing the survey, the chief geologist was appointed by
the governor of the State. In accordance with section 2 of the same
act the assistants were appointed by the geologist, subject to the
approval of the governor. So far as the record shows no system of
promotion was adopted in connection with the appointment of as-
sistants to positions on the survey.
Salaries. The salary of the geologist, as fixed by agreement be-
tween himself and the governor, was $2.500 a year. The salaries of
the assistants were as follows: E. Emmons, jr. (1852-1864), $1,500 a
year; Spence McClenahaii (1852-1854), $1,200 a year; J. F. Tomp-
kins (1853 or 1854), $100 a month; M. B. Conklin (1857-1860), $600
a year; C. D. Smith (1858-60). $50 a month; M. A. Curtis (1859-
1863), $500 a year.
Administration. Under the law of 1851 Prof. Ebenezer Emmons,
professor of geology in Williams College, Massachusetts, was ap-
pointed State geologist. He entered upon his duties in January,
1852, and gave the work his chief attention, though nominally re-
taining his position at Williams College, and for several years
delivering a course of lectures at that institution.
As to the methods of operation adopted by the survey under
Emmons. the available information is not sufficient to warrant the
attempt at writing even a brief sketch. Under the circumstances
only a few general statements can be made. The greater part of
the work of the survey in the field, office, and laboratory was done
by Professor Emmons and his son, E. Emmons, jr., who was the only
permanent assistant, other assistants having been usually employed
to do field work in regions of the State with which they were familiar
or for some specific work. The general plan of operations was an
outgrowth of this fact, together with the nature of the work to be
1 Exact date of his connection with the survey uncertain.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 371
done. Doctor Emmons was a man of wide training, and brought all
his varied knowledge into use. He was geologist, mineralogist,
chemist, agriculturist, and, to a certain extent, paleontologist. His
assistants, with the exception of the botanist, were not specialists
along any lines, but simply worked under his immediate direction.
Naturally, with such varied duties, the general work of the survey
suffered.
No topographical work was attempted except that in making one
or more geological sections of proportional heights, a series of baro-
metric observations were made along the line of the proposed sec-
tions, as was done along a line across the mountain region of the State,
from the valley of the Yadkin to the Tennessee line on the route of
the French Broad River. No work in botany or zoology was carried
on by the survey except that done by Doctor Curtis. This con-
sisted mainly in writing up the results of observations previously
made. The work done by the survey in both the field and office was
chiefly in connection with the general geology, and the mining and
agricultural interests of the State. In the field work each of these
three departments was kept in view according to its importance in
the region visited. In the eastern region of the State, where there
are no mines, the observations related mainly to the agriculture
and paleontology; in the middle region, to the agriculture, mines,
paleontology (of the coal fields) and general geology; and in the
extreme western region, the same excepting the paleontology.
The work in agriculture included the making of observations as to
the nature and fertility of the soil and the crops produced, collect-
ing specimens of soils for analysis, etc. These specimens were sent to
the laboratory of the survey at Raleigh. In some cases, in addition
to the sample of soil, specimens of the plants growing thereon were
collected and both subjected to chemical analyses.
The examination of fossils, identification of known species and de-
scription of new species was all done by Professor Emmons. Draw-
ings of fossils, maps, and geological sections were made by E. Em-
mons, jr. The chemical work was done mainly by Professor Emmons
in person, as already noted, in a private laboratory connected with his
residence in Raleigh.
During the latter years of the survey (1861-1864) the attention of
the geologist and his assistants was turned to the manufacture of
munitions of war, especially fulminate of mercury, for the use of
the State military forces. This fact and the ill health of Doctor
Emmons caused the proper work of the survey to be practically
given up during this time.
372 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Museum or cabinet. The collections made during the prosecution
of the field work of the survey were carried to Raleigh, the head-
quarters of the survey, and deposited in a room set apart for that
purpose in the capitol building. In addition to these, many other
specimens were sent by persons living in different parts of the State,
so that toward the close of the survey a large amount of material
had been collected. The cabinet thus formed was considered at
the time (1858-1860) one of considerable value. It remained in
the capitol building until the close of the Civil War, when the
remnant was by act of the general assembly transferred to the
State university at Chapel Hill. During his connection with the
survey Doctor Emmons also made a large private collection of min-
erals and fossils, which was sold to Williams College. Massachusetts.
There was no library belonging to the survey.
Expenses. The funds at the disposal of the survey were expended
mainly in the payment of the salaries of the geologist and his
assistants and the publication of reports. It included also the
preparation and repairs of the room to contain the cabinet of min-
erals, and a few other items of less importance.
The salaries of the geologist and his assistants were fixed by agree-
ment between the governor and Professor Emmons. (See p. 370.)
Out of these they were required to bear the expenses of the field work,
the analyses of soils, and the outlay for chemicals. 1
The expenditures during the existence of the survey were as fol-
lows: For fiscal years ending October 31, from 1852 to 1856, and
September 30, 1857 to 1864, inclusive: 1852, $2,875; 1852-53. $5,125;
1853-54, $4.763.57; 1854-55. $4,203.27; 1855-56. $5,749.42: 1856-57,
$4,000; 1857-58, $6,361.40 : 1858-59, $5,458.30 : 1859-60, $5,838.59;
1860-61. $4,546.67; 1861-62, $4,500; 1862-63, $4,138.88; 1863-64,
$1,051.50.
The total expenditures of the survey during its existence (1852-
1864) amounted to $58,611.60. This includes the cost of engraving
and printing.
As noted, the survey was sustained by an annual appropriation of
$5,000 from the general treasury of the State, which was continued
until otherwise ordered.
Pv'bUcations. The following list shows the size of the editions
and cost of publication of the various reports, so far as obtainable.
As has been frequently found to be the case, the cost is charged up
with the State printing fund and no separate account rendered :
1852. Report of the Survey; 181 pp.; edition, 5.000 copies: cost,
Report of Geological Survey of North Carolina, Leg. Doc., Sess. 1854-55. p.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 373
1856. Report on Geology of Midland Counties; edition of 1,000
copies; cost, $1,801.82.
1858. Report on Geology of Eastern Counties; 314 pp.; edition of
2,000 copies; cost, $1,322.12.
1867. Report of Geological and Natural History Survey; part 3;
158 pp.; edition of 1,000 copies; cost, $402.90.
At the beginning of the Civil War and during several years previ-
ous to that date (1861) Professor Emmons and his assistants appear
to have been engaged mainly in the prosecution of the chemical and
other office work and preparation for publication of a series of final
reports, with accompanying maps, embodying the results of the sur-
vey. Doctor Curtis, the assistant in natural history, had in prepara-
tion from 1860 to 1863 a series of reports on the botany and zoology
of the State.
Of the reports in preparation, three were published in 1860. The
publication of the others was interrupted by the excitement attend-
ing the breaking out of war.
As to the nature and extent of these unpublished reports prepared
by himself, Doctor Emmons says: 1
It was estimated that sufficient matter had accumulated to make about 1,200
or 1,300 octavo pages, embracing subjects relating to the agriculture of the mid-
land, western, and mountain counties; the mining resources of the mountain
counties and additional facts relative to the mineral resources of Deep River
and the midland counties, together with a report on the grape, which is peculiar
to a section which we may properly call the wine district of North Carolina.
The manuscript for the reports mentioned in the above extract-
appears to have been lost or destroyed at about the beginning of or
during the war. It is stated that Professor Emmons presented a
manuscript report for publication to Governor Ellis in 1861, and that
soon after the report had been deposited in the executive office for
publication it was in some unexplained way lost or destroyed.
To accompany the above-mentioned reports of Professor Emmons,
there was in preparation by Mr. E. Emmons, jr., a geological map of
the State, and also one of the coal fields. The latter was colored, and
ready for publication in 1861, but the geological portion was in
preparation but far from complete. The map used as a base for
the geological map was one by W. D. Cooke, published in 1857 (by
Colton & Co.) ; scale, 8 miles to the inch. These maps were all left
in Raleigh and are supposed to have been lost or destroyed during
the Civil War.
In addition to the above, the following unpublished reports were
prepared under the auspices of the survey :
"Report to Governor Ellis, Leg. Doc. 1860-61, p. 5.
374 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Report of a geological reconnoissance of that portion of North
Carolina west of the Blue Ridge, south of and including Buncombe
County. By C. D. Smith. 1860.
Reports of Dr. M. A. Curtis, including a Catalogue of Plants of
North Carolina ; ' a Description of the Quadrupeds ; a Description of
the Reptiles; and (in preparation) a Description of the Birds of
North Carolina.
Mr. Smith's report was made and presented to Professor Emmons
in 1860 and incorporated with the report of the latter presented
to Governor Ellis in 1861, and was lost or destroyed along with
that report.
Benefits. It is impossible to estimate the material benefits that
have resulted to the people of the State from the prosecution of this
survey. At the time the results should have fairly begun to be
realized the war came on, and public enterprises looking to the de-
velopment of the natural resources of the State were stopped, the
influx of people or capital for several years thereafter was out of the
question, and the geological survey as such was suspended.
Professor Emmons himself claimed 2 that the beneficial results were
considerable in that (1) it "discouraged undertakings which would
have resulted in failure," and thus saved large sums of money which
would have been lost, and it stopped those works where money was
being wasted upon hopeless prospects; and (2) by making careful
examinations of mineral properties as to the value of which there
were favorable indications, and publishing the results of such exami-
nations, enterprises likely to prove successful were encouraged.
Proper direction was given to the investment of capital at home, and
capital from abroad was brought into the State.
Concerning the additions to science made by this survey, it may be
said that the character and the outlines of the geological formations
of the State were described more fully than had been done before.
The investigations of the fossil flora of the Mesozoic coal deposits
resulted in the discovery, according to recent determination, of 39
species, nine of which appear to be peculiar to North Carolina. 8 The
investigations in connection with the animal remains of the Tertiary
and Mesozoic deposits resulted in adding to science, directly or in-
directly, according to the list given by Cope, 4 four species of fossil
fish, one batrachian. eight reptiles, and four mammals.
1 Published In 1867.
3 Report of Progress, 1855, pp. 7-13. Geology of Midland Counties of North Cant-
Una. 1856, p. xix, and Report of Progress, 1860. p. 2.
Fontaine, Older Mesozoic of Virginia, pp. 122 and 123. See also Emmons's Geology
of Midland Counties of North Carolina, 1826 ; and American Geology, pt. 4.
Kerr's Geology of North Carolina, 1875. Appendix B.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 26
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 375
Among the discoveries in paleontology the most interesting was the
insectivorous mammal, 'DTomatherium sylvestref found in the Trias-
sic (older Mesozoic) coal measures of Chatham County.
THIRD SURVEY UNDER W. C. KERR, 1804-1882.
The survey under W. C. Kerr was in reality a continuation of that
begun under Emmoiis in 1852. Doctor Emmons died in October,
1863. The assistant geologist, E. Emmons, jr.. resigned April 1, 1864,
at which date the appropriations for the expenses of the survey were
discontinued.
Organisation. Kerr was appointed State geologist in 1861 (exact
date not known), but no appropriation was made for the expenses
and no geological work was undertaken. His time was fully occu-
pied in advising and directing in connection with the manufacture
of salt, saltpeter, copperas, sulphur, sulphuric acid, medicinal ex-
tracts from plants, and various other substances needed for purposes
of home consumption or for purposes of war. After tli : close of the
war (April, 1865) even this nominal connection appears to have
been given up, and the survey discontinued for a year.
On April 1, 1866, Kerr was reappointed State geologist by Gov-
ernor Worth, and the survey was reorganized under the same law
as formerly. From this date the work continued without any serious
interruption until August, 1882, when Kerr resigned the director-
ship to accept a position as geologist on the United States Geological
Survey. From the latter date to September, 1883, the active work
of the survey was suspended, though Mr. \Vliliam B. Phillips acted
as State geologist in the performance of office duties. In September,
1883, Kerr, owing to ill health, resigned his connection with the
national survey, and from this date to the time of his death in
August, 1885, he held a semiofficial position under the direction of
the board of agriculture of North Carolina, and devoted such time
as his declining health would permit to collecting the materials for
the completion of his final report (vol. 2, Geology of North Caro-
lina). From the date of Kerr's death until 1891 the geological sur-
vey had not even a nominal existence. 2
Organized under the same law, the Kerr survey had in view the
same general functions and purposes as that of Emmons, which
had preceded it, namely, investigations into the general geology and
natural history and the natural resources of the State.
1 See American Geology, pt. 6, p. 93.
1 The law permitting the appointment of a geologist and the prosecution of geological
work under the direction of and at the expense of the board of agriculture was not
abolished until 1887, but nothing was undertaken by the hoard except in connection
with the preparation of the geological report (vol. 2).
376 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
It was the first endeavor of Professor Kerr to determine what of
the objects of the survey had been most fully accomplished during
the administration of Doctor Emmons. It was found that his un-
published notes had been lost or destroyed, and hence that it would
be necessary to reexamine in large part the field covered by him, as
well as to survey the large western area, thus far almost unexplored.
However, before the work in connection with the general geology
could be completed, or indeed prosecuted to any great advantage, a
topographic map was necessary. Concerning the middle and eastern
divisions of the State it was found that data for this could be col-
lected from previous geographical surveys of one kind or another,
but in the western division much original topographical work would
have to be done.
In the department of paleontology much more work remained to
be done. Concerning this, in his report of progress for 1866, paga
20, Kerr says:
Neither the Tertiary fossils of the eastern counties nor the Mesozoic of the
Deep River and Dan River coal beds, nor yet the supposed Azoic (so-called
Taconic) organisms of the middle section have been fully and satisfactorily
studied and illustrated.
It was a part of the plan of organization to form a museum of
specimens illustrative of the fossils, rocks, minerals and mining
products, soils and marls, animals, and plants of the State; also, in
connection with the agriculture, to make additional analyses of soils
and marls and undertake any other investigation which the interest
of the people might demand in this direction.
It was also a part of the plan to organize meteorological stations
in many counties for the purpose of determining as far as possible
the general climatology of the State, and to investigate the water
power and manufacturing advantages.
No modifications of the law of 1851 were enacted from the date
of its passage in 1851 to the year 1877. There was, however, an act
passed by the general assembly of 1871-72, ratified February 12,
1872. which in slight measure affected the duties of the State geolo-
gist as follows:
An act to prevent fraud in the sale of commercial manures.
SEC. 4. That any person or persons instituting suit against any such manu-
facturer for such damages may on the payment of $15 to the State geologist
cause a full and accurate analysis to be made by him, a certificate of which
shall be presumptive evidence of the chemical elements and ingredients con-
tained in the sample of fertilizer so analyzed and of the package or parcel from
which the sample was taken.
The above was amended by an act of the general assembly of 1873-
74, ratified January 29. 1874, as follows: 1
1 Laws of North Carolina, 1S73-74. ch. Ixlx, sec. 6, p. 96.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 377
SEC. 6. That the State geologist, at the request of any person who shall pay
him the sura of $15, shall sample any lot of fertilizer held or offered for sale in
this State, and analyze or cause the same to be analyzed; and if he shall find
therein evidence of a failure to comply with the provisions of this act he shall
cause the same to be published in some agricultural or other public papers in
the cities of Kaleigh and Baltimore.
In the year 1877 an act was passed by the general assembly where-
by the geological survey was made a cooperative department with
the department of agriculture, organized at that time. So much of
that act as relates to the geological survey is as follows :
An act to establish a department of agriculture, Immigration, and statistics, and for the
encouragement of sheep husbandry.
SEC. 13. The geological survey is hereby made and constituted a cooperative
department with the department of agriculture, and the geological museum and
the collections therein shall, at all times, be accessible to the said department.
The geologist shall, as far as practicable, prepare illustrations of the agricul-
tural industries, products, and resources of the State and arrange "and care for
such collections as the said department may make for this purpose. He shall
also prepare abstracts of the survey from time to time as may be required for
the use of the department in their handbook, and circulars for publication, in
illustrations of the advantages of this State and in promotion of the general
purposes of immigration.
In return for such service the State geologist may have all his samples of
marls, soils, minerals, and other products analyzed by the chemist at the lab-
oratory of the experiment station, free of charge.
SEC. 14. It is hereby made the duty of the State geologist, upon the recom-
mendation of the board of trustees of the university to devote two months in
each year at the seat of the university in the performance of such duties in
instruction as the faculty may direct, and while employed in this capacity he
shall constitute a member of the faculty.
At this time an act was passed by the general assembly repealing
section 1 of the act of 1851 for the appointment of the geologist, and
section 3 providing for the expenditures of and authorizing the re-
organization of the survey. This act was ratified February 20, 1879,
went into effect immediately and continued in force until 1887. Pro-
fessor Kerr was reappointed State geologist under the new law. and
was continued in office until his resignation in 1882.
In 1883 all then existing laws relating to the survey were codified.
The following is a copy of the same taken from volume 2 of the code :
Law governing the operation of the survey, 1883-1887.
SEC. 2198. The geological survey is hereby made and constituted a coopera-
tive department with the department of agriculture, and the geological museum
and the collections therein shall at all times be accessible to the said depart-
ment. The geologist shall, as far as practicable, prepare illustrations of the
agricultural industries, products, and resources of the State, and arrange and
<-are for such collections ns the said department may make for this purpose.
378 BULLETIN 10, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
He shall also prepare abstracts of the survey from time to time us may be re-
quired for the use of the department in their handbook, and circulars for pub
lication in illustration of the advantages of this State, and in promotion of the
general purposes of immigration. In return for such service the State geologist
may have all his marls, soils, minerals, and other products analyzed by the chem-
ist at the laboratory of the departemnt station, free of charge, and the board of
agriculture is hereby authorized to pay the necessary expenses of the geological
museum; and they may authorize and supervise the publication by the public
printer of the second volume of the geology of North Carolina, as soon as ready,
and may furnish the necessary maps and other engravings for its proper illus-
tration ; and in like manner they may authorize the printing by the public-
printer, hi pamphlet form, for free distribution, such parts of volumes 1 and 2
as they may deem advisable ; and they may furnish copies of volume 2 to State,
college, and other public libraries, to geologists and other scientific men, and to
every newspaper in the State; and shall furnish the secretary of the state a
copy for each county, to be forwarded with other public documents to the clerk
of the superior court and to other persons at the cost of paper and printing.
The State geologist, at the request of the trustees of the university, shall, when-
ever the board of agriculture shall deem it not interfering with the regular
duties of his office, deliver at the university n course of free lectures on th''
geology and mineralogy of this State.
SEC. 2209. The governor shall appoint, by and with the consent of the senate,
a suitable person to conduct, under the supervision of the department of agricul-
ture, immigration, and statistics, a geological, mineralogical, botanical, and agri-
cultural survey of the State ; such officer shall hold office for two years : Pro-
vided, That the person so appointed shall be liable to removal at any time by
the governor, by and with the consent of the board of agriculture, immigration,
and statistics.
SEC. 2210. The compensation of the person so appointed shall be fixed by the
said department of agriculture, immigration, and statistics, but shall never
exceed a greater rate than $2,000 per annum.
SEC. 2211. The expenditures incurred in making said surveys and reports
shall be defrayed from the funds provided for the support and maintenance
of the said department of agriculture, immigration, and statistics: Provided,
That the sum hereby authorized to be used, including the salary or compensa-
tion of the person appointed to make said surveys, shall not exceed the sum
of $5,000 per annum.
SEC. 2212. The person appointed shall examine and survey each and every
county of the State and ascertain the different geological formations of eacli
county and section of the State; the nature, character, and value of its min-
erals ; the nature and character of its soils, and the best mode of improving the
same; the nature and kind of its productions, and their position and relative
value; its facilities for manufactories; the extent and value of its water
power; the character and value of its botanical productions; the character
and value of its timber; and all other facts connected with the subjects of
geology, mineralogy, botany, and agriculture which may tend to a full develop-
ment of the resources of the State; and such person is authorized to employ
as many proper agents and assistants, to be approved by the governor, as may
be necessary to enable him speedily and successfully to accomplish the objects
committed to his charge; and he shall, from time to time, communicate to the
governor, to be by him communicated to the general assembly, a report, In
writing, setting forth fully the results of his survey; which reports shall bf
published under the supervision of the governor and board of education.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 379
SEC. 2213. The person making such survey shall deliver lectures upon the sub
jects committed to his charge in the villages through which he shall pass : Pro-
vided, That he shall not thereby delay his other duties.
The act of the General Assembly of North Carolina abolishing the
survey in 1887 is as follows :
SEC. 10. That so much of sections 219S, 2209, 2210, 2211, 2212, and 2213 per-
taining to the State geologist as requires the department of agriculture to fix
the compensation, regulate the expenditures, or pay out of their funds the
salary and expenses of the State geologist shall be, and the same is hereby,
repealed.
From its reorganization under Kerr in 1866 to the year 1877 the
survey was in no sense connected with other institutions, and the
State geologist held no other official or professional position. At
the latter date a department of agriculture was established, the
geological survey made a cooperative department thereof, and the
State geologist was made a member of, and an officer under the
board of agriculture. And by section 14 of the same act it was
made the duty of the State geologist, upon the recommendation of
the board of trustees, to devote two months of each year to giving
instructions to classes at the State university, and while employed
in this capacity he was considered a member of the faculty of the
university.
The above-mentioned act of 1877 continued in force for two years.
In 1879 it was so amended that the State geologist was no longer a
member of the board of agriculture, and though he was still required
under certain conditions to deliver a course of lectures at the State
university, he was not at such times to be considered a member of
the faculty. By that act, however, the geological survey was con-
tinued a cooperative department of the department of agriculture.
The survey was sustained by an annual appropriation. From the
time of organization (1866) to 1877 this appropriation was paid out
of the general funds of the treasury as authorized by act of the gen-
eral assembly of 1850-51. From 1877 to 1887 the funds for the ex-
penses of the survey were appropriated out of money raised for the
support of the department of agriculture by. special tax on the manu-
facture and sale of commercial fertilizers within the State.
Administration. Upon the reorganization of the survey in 1866
so great was the variety of the work to be undertaken that, with a
small appropriation at its disposal, it was necessary that the geolo-
gist should undertake in person investigations of a widely different
character. This was especially notable in connection with the topo-
graphical work. There was no accurate geographical nor topograph-
ical map of the State, as already noted, upon which to lay down the
ecological data.
380 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The appropriation for the maintenance of the survey was too
small to admit of a separate survey being made. During almost the
entire period of the existence of the survey, Professor Kerr, in mak-
ing his excursions over the State, was, therefore, obliged to combine
topographical and geological work, and this greatly retarded the
geological work.
Again, the correspondence of the survey made a continuous de-
mand upon the time of the geologist a demand of more importance
than can be realized by those unfamiliar with the facts in the case.
This correspondence was undertaken by the geologist in person and
often retarded in no small degree the progress of his work in other-
directions.
During the years 1873, 1876, and 1881, a considerable portion of
the work of the survey was given to the making of collective ex-
hibits, illustrative of the State's resources, at the Vienna, Centennial,
and Atlanta expositions, respectively. Indeed, so great was the
variety of work expected and demanded of the survey in connection
with the economic resources of the State, that the amount of purely
scientific work accomplished was thereby greatly limited.
Personnel. The personnel of the survey for each fiscal year ending
September 30 is given below. This list is believed to include the name
of every individual who has been engaged upon the work. There
were no regular or permanent assistants connected with the survey.
Assistants were engaged from time to time by the geologist for spe-
cial professional work or general office work as they were needed or
could be secured. Some of these had only a nominal connection,
others were connected with it at intervals during several years.
1866, W. C. Kerr, geologist; C. J. Curtis, assistant in topography;
N. A. Pratt, assistant in chemistry. 1866-67, W. C. Kerr. geologist :
William Cain, assistant in topography; N. A. Pratt, assistant in
chemistry. 1867-68, W. C. Kerr, geologist; C. J. Curtis, assistant
in topography. 1868-69, W. C. Kerr, geologist; E. D. Cope, assist-
ant in invertebrate paleontology; G. B. Hanna, assistant in chem-
istry. 1869-70, W. C. Kerr, geologist; G. B. Hanna. assistant in
chemistry; T. A. Conrad, assistant in invertebrate paleontology;
G. C. Jordan, assistant in labeling cabinets. 1870-71. W. C. Kerr,
geologist; William Cain, assistant in topography: T. A. Conrad, as-
sistant in invertebrate paleontology: E. H. Bogardus, assistant in
chemistry; G. B. Hanna, assistant in chemistry; C. F. Chandler,
special assistant in chemistry; F. A. Genth, assistant in mineralogy.
1871-72, W. C. Kerr, geologist; William Cain, assistant in topog-
raphy; G. B. Hanna, assistant in chemistry; E. H. Bogardus. assist-
ant in chemistry; F. A. Genth. assistant in mineralogy: Mrs. C. P.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 381
Spencer, assistant in office work; William D. Cooke, assistant in
office work. 1872-73, W. C. Kerr, geologist ; G. B. Hanna, assistant
in chemistry; C. D. Smith, assistant in geology; William D. Cooke,
assistant in office work. 1873-74, W. C. Kerr, geologist; C. D. Smith,
assistant in geology; G. B. Hanna, assistant in chemistry; E. H.
Bogardus, assistant in chemistry; William Cain, assistant in topog-
raphy; William D. Cooke, assistant in office work. 1874-75, W. C.
Kerr, geologist; A. A. Julien, assistant in lithology; G. B. Hanna,
assistant in chemistry; William D. Cooke, assistant in office work.
1875-76, W. C. Kerr, geologist ; A. A. Julien, assistant in lithology ;
J. B. Hanna, assistant in chemistry. 1876-77, W. C. Kerr, geologist ;
A. A. Julien, assistant in lithology ; G. B. Hanna, assistant in chem-
istry and mining; A. B. Ledoux, chemist ex officio. 1877-78, W. C.
Kerr, geologist; A. A. Julien, assistant in geology; A. E. Ledoux,
chemist ex officw; William Cain, assistant in topography; T. C.
Harris, curator of museum and assistant in engraving and general
office work. 1878-79, W. C. Kerr, geologist; A. A. Julien, assistant
in lithology; A. B. Ledoux, chemist ex officio; A. G. Williamson,
assistant in topography; T. C. Harris, curator of museum and as-
sistant in engraving and general office work. 1879-80, W. C. Kerr,
geologist; A. A. Julien, assistant in lithology; F. A. Genth, assist-
ant in mineralogy; A. E. Ledoux, chemist ex officio; William Cain,
assistant in topography ; A. G. Williamson, assistant in topography ;
T. C. Harris, curator of museum and assistant in engraving and gen-
eral office work; B. G. Thomas, assistant in office work. 1880-81,
W. C. Kerr, geologist; A. A. Julien, assistant in lithology; C. W.
Dabney, chemist ex officio; T. C. Harris, curator of museum and as-
sistant in engraving and general office work. 1881-82, W. C. Kerr,
geologist ; A. A. Julien, assistant in lithology ; W. B. Phillips, assist-
ant in geology; C. W. Dabney, jr., chemist ex officio; T. C. Harris,
curator, etc.; W. H. Kerr, special assistant in geology. 1882-83,
W. B. Phillips, acting geologist; A. A. Julien, assistant in lithology;
C. W. Dabney, chemist ex officw; T. C. Harris, curator, etc.
The geologist of the survey was appointed by the governor, in
accordance with the act of January, 1851, and subsequently in ac-
cordance with the act of 1879. The assistants employed by the sur-
vey were appointed by the geologist, subject to the approval of the
governor, and no principles of promotion were laid down so far as
the record shows.
Salaries. The salary of the geologist was fixed at the time of his
appointment in 1866 by agreement between the governor of the State
and himself at $2,500 a year. By act of the general assembly, ratified
February 20, 1879, it was enacted that after that date the compensa-
tion of the geologist should be fixed by the department of agricul-
382 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
ture, and that it should not exceed $2,000 a year. As a rule the
assistants on the survey were not paid regular salaries, but received
such compensation for their work as was agreed upon between them-
selves and the geologist. No official record of the sum thus ex-
pended has been preserved.
In a few instances assistance was given without remuneration, as
in the cases of Professors Conrad and Cope in working up the re-
mains of fossil invertebrates and vertebrates collected by the survey.
So far as can be learned, the geologist in charge of the survey was
not paid a salary by any other institution during his connection with
the survey.
With a few unimportant exceptions the assistants employed by
the survey were connected with other institutions and gave only a
portion of their time to the work. In such cases, so far as can be
learned, they were paid salaries by the other institutions with which
they were connected.
Methods in geological work. In general geology, including here
lithology and stratigraphy, concerning the methods adopted for the
western region of the State the following extract is given from Pro-
fessor Kerr's Report of Progress, 1866, pages 19 and 20 :
Since the general geological survey must necessarily serve as the basis and
groundwork of the whole this comes first in order. It was necessary, therefore,
in the beginning to take a bird's-eye view of the whole field of operations, to
make a geological reconnoissance, in order to catch the outlines and leading
features of the geological structure of the region to be studied, and thus to
construct a skeleton or framework in which all the future details of the work
would easily and intelligibly arrange themselves as they should be developed.
This was necessary also in order to ascertain the character and amount of the
work to be done, and to what points special effort and attention should be
directed. This could be accomplished most speedily and satisfactorily by
making a series of transverse sections across the upturned edges of the strata.
In this State the direction of these edges, the strike, is almost universally from
Northeast to Southwest, and this direction, being also that of the dominant
mountain chain, the rivers in seeking the line of quickest descent, necessarily
take a direction at right angles to the strike ; and having worn for themselves
deep channels through the strata, furnish extensive exposures of the rocks and
so give the readiest means of obtaining the desired sections, although one is
often obliged to use for this purpose the artificial and accidental exposures
along the tracks of railroads, turnpikes, and even common roads.
The Ocvee, Hiwassee, Cheowah, Nantehaleh. Tennessee. Tnckasege, Pigeon,
and French Broad, with the Oconaluftee and Toxaway Rivers, furnished me
as many sections, some of them partial, some of them completely across the
breadth of the State. These sections enabled me to locate beyond the possi-
bility of a doubt all the prominent geological features of the region and furnish
data also for the construction of a geological map of that hitherto unknown
country.
In all parts of the State where such advantages existed the geolo-
gist availed himself of the exposures along watercourses and rail-
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 383
roads, and where these did not exist he traveled along country roads,
usually in such directions as (in the middle and western regions of
the State) to cross the upturned edges of the strata.
The mode of travel varied with circumstances. Along the line
of railroads the geologist frequently made use of a handcar. In
other cases he traveled by private conveyance along or near the line
of railroad, making frequent excursions on foot for the purpose of
examining the exposures of rock in the cuts. In hilly and mountain-
ous regions, he traveled on horseback ; along river courses, especially
in the eastern section, he made use of boats when practicable, and
was thus enabled the better to examine the exposures along the banks
of the streams.
Of the lithological collections made, one set of specimens was
deposited in the State museum, and a duplicate set (in part) was
placed in the hands of the lithologist to the survey, Dr. A. A. Julien,
of New York City, for further examination, with instructions that
the specimens be carefully examined microscopically and chemically,
if this latter also should prove to be necessary in determining their
mineral composition and character. In addition, Doctor Julien
himself, under the direction of the survey, examined in the field the
crystalline rocks of the middle and western portions of the State, in
order that he might the more intelligently prosecute his investiga-
tions in the laboratory.
With his own extensive examinations in the field of the character
and stratigraphic relations of the crystalline rocks, and with the
aid of Doctor Julien's investigations in the microscopic and chem-
ical characters of these rocks, Professor Kerr hoped to solve, or at
least to throw light upon, the problem as to the age of the crystalline
rocks.
In connection with the topographic work, Professor Kerr brought
together the records of the original surveys and triangulations of the
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, of Prof. Arnold Guyot,
of the State geologist (himself), and of the United States Engi-
neers; the surveys made by the State from 1820 to 1882 of swamp
lands, railroads, rivers, canals, and turnpikes; the surveys of rail-
road, plank road, and other corporations to date; and numerous
county and land surveys. The larger part of these were reduced to
a common scale, the results redrawn and incorporated in the " Map
of North Carolina."
Museum. The collections of the survey deposited in the State
museum consisted in 1887 of the following:
A collection of minerals and ores of between 6,000 and 7,000 speci-
mens, in general so arranged as to illustrate the mineral wealth of
the several counties of the State.
13607520 26
384 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
A collection of something more than 3,000 lithological specimen*.
A collection of building stones, consisting of 100 specimens, vary-
ing in size from cubes 1 foot in diameter to smaller, taken from the
quarries and other exposures of granite, gneiss, sandstone, marble,
etc., in different parts of the State.
Soils and marls, upward of 200 specimens, from different portions
of the State, collected primarily for analysis.
Woods, upward of 200 specimens, consisting of boards 2 feet long,
1 to 2 inches thick, and of varying widths, polished, illustrative of
the native woods of the State.
Fossil shells, a collection of several thousand specimens, including
a large number of species, mainly from the Cretaceous and Tertiary
deposits of the eastern portion of the State.
Shells of forms now living of marine, a small collection; of
fresh -water and land shells, a small collection of each.
A few zoological specimens, including the skeleton of a whale
(Balaena mysticetus), 65 feet long, porpoise, and a few smaller
animals.
A small collection of agricultural products and of Indian
antiquities.
Library. The library of the survey contained in 1887 about 300
volumes, which include general and special treatises on general and
applied geology, mineralogy, metallurgy, chemistry, agriculture, and
general natural history, and the reports of the geological and natural
history surveys of other States.
Expenses. No records of the specific expenditures of the survey
have been published or preserved in any way, so far as discovered.
It may be stated, however, that the expenditure of the funds at the
disposal of the survey ($5,000 a year) included the payment of
salaries of officers and assistants, all the running expenses, and. at
least, in part, the cost of engraving of maps accompanying the
geological reports.
The annual expenditures of the survey from its organization in 1866
to October, 1882, the fiscal years ending September 30, is as follows :
1866 $3,000.00 1875-76 $6.000.00
1866-67 4,000.00 1876-77 5,000.00
1867-68 7,000.00 1877-78 4,000.00
1868-69 5.004.69 1878-79 . 1 3, 246. 62
1869-70 5,000.00 1879-80 4,786.00
1870-71 3, 750. 00 i 1880-81 3,671.27
1871-72 5, 750. 00 I 1881-82 4. 314. 84
1872-73 6, 750. 00 j 1882-83 546.61
1873-74 4, 000. 00
1874-75 5, 000. 00 : $80,820.03
1 Taken from report of department of agriculture, the auditor's report shows an ex-
penditure of $1,870.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 385
The geologist, as stated above, received no salary from other in-
stitutions than the survey. The chemist after 1877 was the chemist
and director of the North Carolina experiment station and ex officio
chemist to the geological survey. He was paid no salary by the
survey, but as chemist and director of the station received an annual
salary of $2,000 until 1885, when it was increased to $2.500.
The cost of engraving and printing connected with the reports of
the survey was paid in part out of the funds of the survey, in part
(prior to 1877) out of the public fund of the State, and in part
(subsequent to 1877, when the department of agriculture, etc., was
established) out of the funds of the department of agriculture.
Benefits. As covering that period of the survey's existence from
1866 to 1875, the following is quoted from Professor Kerr: 1
The benefits of a geological survey have come to be recognized in all civilized
communities. They are twofold, positive and negative. In this State they are
Been in the discovery and development of mineral wealth coal, iron, copper,
etc.; in preventing or diminishing wasteful and ill-advised and ruinous enter-
prises. Several single mines of copper, of iron, and of coal, whose development
is due to the operations of the survey, have brought into the State an amount
of capital many times greater than the whole cost of the work. More than a
million dollars, for example, has been invested in four or five such mines within
the last three or four years, and only a beginning has been made. And I
make no doubt that in the repression and prevention of mistaken adventures
the pecuniary value of the work has been still more important. And many who
live in the eastern section of the State will readily understand that the most
important function of the survey is found in the direction of agriculture. The
saving to the farmers of that section in one year in the matter of commercial
fertilizers alone is counted by hundreds of thousands, without mentioning the
direct benefits from the analysis of marls, peats, etc., and the extension and
direction of their use.
Examined in the light of subsequent years the above statement
concerning the benefits of the survey may be considered a fair one;
and this notwithstanding the fact that a few of the mining invest-
ments in the State alluded to were unsuccessful. And in many ways
the survey continued for nearly another decade to exert its beneficial
effects.
In connection with the mining interests it has encouraged the in-
troduction of capital into the State, and a more judicious investment
of home capital. In a negative but important way it has been instru-
mental in preventing numerous investments where the undertaking
would have proved a failure and the money invested lost.
In connection with the agricultural interests the beneficial results
of the survey can not easily be estimated, but doubtless these have
been considerable to the people in all sections of the State, and espe-
cially to those of the eastern and middle sections. Agriculture, dur-
ing the entire existence of the survey, was regarded as an important
Geology of North Carolina, 1875, p. rv.
386 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
field of work. Numerous analyses of marls, peats, and commercial
fertilizers were made, and directions looking to the extension and
use of these were widely disseminated. Many analyses of soils were
made, and the people of the State were informed as to the methods
of soil improvement.
From 1872 to 1877 the survey doubtless saved to the people of the
eastern and middle regions of the State many thousands of dollars
through its inspection of the commercial fertilizers sold and used in
these regions; and in 1877 the State geologist was largely instru-
mental in the establishment and organization of the " department of
agriculture, immigration, etc.," and the agricultural experiment sta-
tion, which since that time has been of great value to the people of
the State in regulating the manufacture and sale of commercial fer-
tilizers, and in other ways.
Again, the survey has been of benefit to the people by advertising
the natural resources of the State in this and in other countries.
This has been done by making exhibits of specimens of minerals,
eres, woods, etc., illustrative of the resources of the State, and
through the published reports of the survey and official correspond-
ence of the geologist with persons in our own and other countries.
Such exhibits as referred to were made by the survey at the Vienna
exhibition (1874), Philadelphia (1876), and Atlanta (1881).
The survey inaugurated the movement of a few years later looking
to the increase in supply of food fishes in the streams of the State;
and (as mentioned already) established and kept in existence for a
time a series of meteorological stations in different portions of the
State. It revived the silk-raising movement in North Carolina a
result of the visit of the geologist to the Vienna exposition. It-
measured the water power of all the important rivers of the State.
It has left the public a fairly good knowledge of the physical fea-
tures and climatology of North Carolina.
The educational feature should be kept in mind even when con-
sidering the material benefits resulting from the work of the survey.
Through occasional public lectures by the State geologist at places
in different portions of the State, through published reports, arti-
cles in newspapers, and private correspondence, the people of the
different sections were informed, as far as was practicable under the
circumstances, concerning the natural resources of their respective
regions. Such information is of material benefit in that, on the one
hand, it encourages investments in cases where there is reasonable
ground for expecting success; and, on the other hand, where there
is no such ground, the attention of persons interested is turned to
some other undertaking, and loss of both time and capital is pre-
vented.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 387
Unfinished ivork of the survey. Excepting the report on the min-
erals and mineral localities (ch. 1 of vol. 2 of Geology of North Caro-
lina) brought out in 1881, the State map in 1882, and the report on
the Ores of North Carolina (ch. 2 of vol. 2), published in 1887, none
of the results of the work of this survey have been published since
1875.
After the death, in 1885, of Kerr, nothing more was done until
1891, when J. A. Holmes, of the State university, was appointed
State geologist and continued to hold the office until 1904. No
systematic work was carried on by this organization, which was oc-
cupied, as opportunity offered, in other consideration of special prob-
lems relating not only to geology, but timber resources and road
construction as well. In 1905 a new act was passed establishing the
present surveys. 1
OHIO. 2
The geological explorations of Ohio were begun in the interest of
salt manufacture. The difficulty of securing this article, and the
high price which it bore in the Ohio Valley all through the early
years of the present century, seemed to the pioneers of this region
the most serious obstacle to their success. All the salt that they used
was brought across the Alleghanies on the backs of pack horses or
up the Mississippi in flatboats. The price ranged from 8 to 16 cents
a pound.
The early settlers, noting that certain springs of water slightly
charged with salt were much frequented by animals, made in 1798
their first attempt at the home manufacture of salt at the " Old
Scioto salt works." To prevent monopoly Congress, in 1808, re-
served 6 miles square at this place for the use of the State and 1
square mile at each of the other two localities where salt springs
were known to exist. These were the only places in the State at
which this substance was found.
The first attempt at drilling for salt was made a few miles below
Zanesville in 1817. Such was its success that many borings were
made with varied results until, in 1826, the salt reservations were
no longer considered necessary and the land was sold. Through
ignorance of the formations much money was wasted by boring for
salt where none could exist. The invariable presence of gas in salt
wells was taken as a guide in new drillings. Boring was often be-
gun where the presence of gas was noted, but all other indications
of salt were absent.
*e Bull. 405, U. S. Geol. Survey.
Mainly from manuscript notes compiled by Miss D. M. Scott under the direction of
Prof. Edward Orton.
388 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
It happened in the year 1819 that a certain physician interested
in geology stopped at the house of a Mr. Chandler, the owner of a
salt well in the Muskingum Valley. During the course of the evening
the doctor asked about the character of the rock bored through.
Mr. Chandler enumerated the rock formations, mentioning in par-
ticular one that was very hard, from which the pump brought up
nodules of a very malleable metallic substance. The two searched
about the well the next morning and found several pieces the size
of wheat grains. Before the blowpipe they yielded silver of the
purity of a Mexican dollar. A company was at once formed and
incorporated by the Ohio legislature under the name of "The Mus-
kingum Mining Co." For the privilege of working in a reserved
section belonging to the State the company agreed to pay to the
State treasury 15 per cent of all profits. Drilling was begun near
the well where the metal had been found and was prosecuted with
great difficulty owing to a constant influx of water. Silver, there was
none, but the workmen drilled through a 7-foot seam of coal. As
coal was not the object of search, its presence did not excite much
notice at the time. At a depth of 140 feet they began to work later-
ally, extending the work to the salt well, which they carefully
plugged. Their next attempt was to work up 15 feet to the horizon
of the silver in the salt well. By some blow or concussion the plug
was knocked out and the miners barely escaped. The company lost
$11,000, expenses and damages for the ruin of the salt well. The
work was abandoned and the shaft filled with rubbish.
Salt and iron industries were not all that attracted the attention
of the people. In 1818 Caleb Atwater, of Circleville. provoked a
discussion by an article on the Origin of the Prairies and Barrens
of the West. From the depth of soil he inferred that the whole
region was once under water, and that the outlet of the Great Lakes
was through the Ohio. This brought forth various opinions as to
the probable origin of prairies and barrens.
The American Journal of Science and Arts was the chosen medium
for communication of facts and opinions of those interested in the
resources of the State. Articles concerning the formations in dif-
ferent parts of the State, the useful products, and the industries are
numerous. The finding of fossil bones, even those of human beings,
is recorded; also that of vegetable impressions connected with the
coal formations, and of fossil trees in the sandstone formations.
The presence of the drift is noted and its southern boundary ap-
proximated. All the contributors of that day agree in ascribing
its presence to water as the transporting agent.
In 1830 Judge Tappan contributed the discovery of caimel coal
1 miles west of Cambridge. Guernsey County, near Grummon'a
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 389
Tavern. It is described as a coal of very fine quality, especially
noticeable for its high specific gravity (1.6), that being higher than
the specific gravity of the English cannels or the Americali anthra-
cites ; exhibiting a conchoidal fracture and resinous luster, and burn-
ing with bright flame and less residuum than our common coals.
During the year 1831 the legislature chartered the Historical and
Philosophical Society of Ohio. In an address delivered before this
body by the Hon. Benjamin Tappan on December 22, 1832, he says:
I am aware that a society like this, without funds and without many scientific
associations of wealth and leisure, can not promise itself to obtain a geological
survey of a whole or even of any very considerable part of the State in many
years; but this society may commence the work, and when we shall have
proved that we have at hand the necessary science to complete it we need not
doubt but that Ohio will follow the example of Massachusetts and Tennessee
and take under her munificent patronage the completion of the work.
By far the most valuable contributions to the American Journal
of Science and Arts were from the pen of Dr. S. P. Hildreth, of
Marietta. He was specially interested in geology, and was one of
the best paleontologists in the State. From time to time he sent in
communications with regard to the topography and geology of his
own county and that of the valley of the Muskingum, giving de-
tailed descriptions of the rock formations with sections. His con-
tribution of 1836 excited widespread interest. An abstract of it is
to be found in the London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine.
The paper is the result of his observations on the bituminous coal
deposits of the Ohio Valley and the accompanying strata. These
observations extended over the southeastern part of the State of
Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania, and all of the valley of the
Kanawha, covering a territory measured approximately by 5 longi-
tude and 5 latitude. The topography of the county is minutely de-
tailed; the geology given at length with illustrating sections; also
the character, quality, and value of the limestones, sandstones, and
clays ; the location of coal beds and the quality of coal with the thick-
ness of the seams ; the character, quality, and mode of occurrence of
iron ore; the depth of the rock salt, the general location of the wells,
the density of the salt water, its analysis, and yield of salt ; descrip-
tions of the various fossils found, with accompanying plates; and
notices ot relics of ancient life, animal and vegetable.
Private interest was thus generally excited before the State, as
such, evinced any concern. After the expenditure of a considerable
sum of money, without return, in digging for coal at Cincinnati,
silver in the Muskingum Valley and salt where none could be found,
public interest was first manifested in the annual message of Gov.
Robert Lucas, on December 8, 1835. The following is an extract:
390 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
I am impressed with the importance of calling the attention of the general
assembly to the subject of the geological survey of the State. For want of a
correct knowledge of the geology of the State large sums have been at various
periods expended in useless searches after coal, iron. salt, gypsum, marble, and
various other minerals. It is known that our country abounds in all the
minerals above mentioned, with many others of great value. I would therefore
respectfully submit to your consideration and solicit your inquiry into the
Importance of authorizing a general scientific geological survey of the State.
Such a survey could not fail to furnish the State with a mass of information
of the highest importance. Surveys of this character have been made under
the State authorities in some of the Eastern States. Massachusetts has caused
such a survey to be made, and obtained and published under her authority a
scientific report of the geology, mineralogy, botany, and zoology of that entire
State. * * *
I therefore respectfully solicit your inquiry into the expediency and utility
of authorizing a general geological survey of the State, by a scientific, practical
geologist to be employed by the State for that purpose, whose duty it should
be to make an accurate and detailed report to the general assembly of his
geological and mineralogical observations.
The house committee to which this portion of the governor's mes-
sage was referred made through its chairman Mr. Creed the fol-
lowing report concurring in the opinion of the governor :
The subject is deserving of legislative action in that the survey will show
the extent of deposits of useful products, it will reveal new localities and per-
haps new minerals, thus causing great advancement in the industries of the
State ; it will reveal the probability of the existence of other valuable deposits
beneath the surface of the earth in certain places; it will prevent useless waste
of capital; it is of great importance to the agricultural industries of the State
fn revealing the nature and durability of the soils and their best fertilizers;
it will diffuse correct information among all citizens, preventing the errors pre-
vailing where no such examination has been made ; it will acquaint every man
not only with the agricultural value of his own soil but also with its hidden
mineral wealth.
This survey will be greatly facilitated by the original survey of the territory
by the General Government into small rectangular tracts which will enable
the geologist without further horizontal admeasurements to make a map accu-
rately designating the extent and limit of the various rock formations and the
precise locality of every valuable mineral deposit. The extensive vertical ad-
measurements made by the canal engineers have shown the general elevation
of the State above the sea and lake and the relative height of different parts.
The committee append as evidence of the confidence which may be placed in the
order of strata a report from England by Featherstonhaugh ; also an essay on
geology by Lapham, noting in particular the stratified appearance and regular
order to be observed in rocks, and an extract from the address of the Hon.
Judge Tappan before the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio relative
to the importance of a correct knowledge of the composition of soils, durability
of building stone, and to the importance of geological maps of every county
correctly delineating the extent and quality of every rock formation, the loca-
tion of mineral deposits and coal beds, and the number and thickness of sucb
beds. The committee advise the appointment nf one or two practical geologists
by the general assembly to make a preliminary report to the next legislature.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 391
A sniull appropriation will be necessary to meet their contingent expenses, or
they may be paid from the governor's contingent fund.
A senate committe also considered this portion of the governor's
message and reported a resolution through their chairman, Mr.
Price, early in the following year (Mar. 14, 1836), appointing Sam-
uel P. Hildreth, of Marietta; John Locke and John S. Eiddell, of
Cincinnati; and I. A. Lapham, of Columbus, to report to the next
legislature the best method of obtaining a complete geological sur-
vey of the State, and an estimate of the probable cost of the same,"
which was agreed to, ordered to the house for concurrence, and
passed by both branches the same day.
The following is the text of this resolution :
Appointing a committee to make certain geological observations aud estimates of thl*
State.
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That Samuel P. Hil-
dreth, of Marietta; John Locke and John L. Riddell, of Cincinnati; and I. A.
Lapham, of Columbus, be, and they are hereby, appointed a committee to report
to the next legislature the best method of obtaining a complete geological
survey of the State, and an estimate of the probable cost of the same.
March 14, 1836.
The committee as above constituted made a lengthy report to Gov-
ernor Lucas, who transmitted it to the house with his annual mes-
sage. In communicating the report he expressed his entire concur-
rence in the views of the committee, earnestly recommended the
adoption of the measures proposed, and gave it as his conviction
that by constituting a geological board for the general survey of the
State greater benefit would be conferred upon the State and the
people than could be derived from an equal expenditure of money
in any other enterprise.
"As to the best method of conducting the survey the committee
advise that a geological board of three members be appointed, whose
duty it shall be to direct the manner of procedure, employ suitable
geologists, etc., with power to draw upon the treasurer for the an-
nual appropriations for the purpose. Otherwise the board of public
works may have charge of the survey.
"As to cost, $12,000 for four years would secure a regular scientific
survey, requiring the service of one principal geologist, five assist-
ants, one draftsman, and one naturalist. Their salaries, traveling
and incidental expenses would amount to that sum. The survey, to
be complete, ought to include not only geology but topography,
botany, and zoology, and a regular survey and description of all
ancient works by drawings and descriptions of all such as can be
distinctly traced. The surveyors ought to make collections of all
ancient relics to be placed in a cabinet in State library hall with
392 BULLETIN 10!), UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
specimens of all rocks, minerals, fossils, etc.. in regular geological
series not only for the State but a suite for each of the colleges.
These will be of immense value to students of geology and mineral-
ogy, to the miner and to the future historian of the State.
" Much more might be said, hut this is sufficient to make the survey
an object of deep importance to the welfare of the citizens. The
increased value of real estate or the additional revenues from canals
and railroads would in one year more than pay the cost of the sur-
vey. Several of the Eastern States are making such surveys with
great profit to themselves. Let Ohio also engage in the work."
The expenses of the committee ($400) were met from the gover-
nor's contingent fund. Accompanying the message there was also a
joint resolution on the subject of a geological survey of the State of
Indiana, authorizing the governor of that State to correspond with
the governors of Ohio and Kentucky relative to the survey of the
territory of the three States, and to ascertain whether and upon what
terms Ohio and Kentucky would join Indiana in that object.
So far as could be learned no action was ever taken upon this
communication.
The general assembly ordered that 5,000 copies of the governor's
message and accompanying documents be printed, also 5,000 extra
copies of the report of the geological board. Three thousand copies
of the message and accompanying documents were ordered printed
in German. Within a few days it was ordered that 3.000 additional
copies of that portion of the documents accompanying the governor's
message that constitutes the report of the geological board be printed,
300 of which should be placed at the disposal of said board ; 50 to be
deposited in the State library; and the remainder to be distributed
among the seminaries of the States with the accompanying maps and
plates.
That portion of the report contributed by J. S. Riddell was not
sent to the governor until March 9. 1837. This paper is relative to
the limestone region of the State. The different limestones are de-
scribed, the blue limestone and cliff limestone being especially em-
phasized. The report was read before the general assembly and 1,000
copies were ordered printed for their use.
Meanwhile the general assembly had entered earnestly upon the
work, and after bills from both houses, resolutions, amendments, and
counter amendments, finally passed on March 27, 1837. an act of
which the following is a transcript :
An act providing for a geological survey of the State of Ohio, and other purposes.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That
the governor of this State is hereby requested, as speedily as may be, to cause
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 393
a complete and detailed geological survey of the entire territory of this State
to be made and executed, and a careful and accurate chemical examination
and analysis of the various soils which may be found in different parts thereof,
as also of the principal ores, marls, salines, and other mineral waters within
the said State.
SEC. 2. That for the purpose of making such survey and analysis it shall be
lawful for the said governor to employ a competent and skillful geologist, with
two or more assistant geologists, if need be, provided said assistants do not
exceed four in number; and may, if requisite, also engage the services of or
employ a topographical surveyor, whose duty it shall be to make such observa-
tions and admeasurements as may be found necessary in the preparation and
construction of the geological map of the State, hereinafter provided for, and
to perform such other labors connected with the general purposes hereby in-
tended as the geologist may from time (to time) prescribe and direct. In
addition to the duties before mentioned to be performed the geologist who may
be employed by virtue of this act shall also ascertain by accurate barometrical
observations the height of the principal mountains in this State, and in the
progress and examinations hereby directed shall collect and preserve all such
specimens of rock, fossils, ores, mineral compounds, and organic remains as
shall tend to exemplify the general geological structure of the State or be in
anywise useful or interesting; the specimens, so far as practicable, may be
collected in sufficient number to authorize the distribution of a suite thereof
to the principal institutions of learning of this State, if it shall hereafter be
found expedient to make such a distribution.
SEC. o. That the said geologist shall annually and on or before the 1st day of
February in each year (during the survey) make a full report to the governor
of this State of his progress in the work hereby authorized and required,
accompanying said reports with such profiles and maps, together with such a
glossary of scientific or technical terms, as may be useful in illustrating the
same, which reports, profiles, and maps it shall be the duty of the governor to
lay before the general assembly.
SEC. 4. That for the purpose of defraying the expenses which may be incurred
under this act a sum not exceeding $12,000 be, and Is hereby, appropriated, to
be employed in such manner as the governor shall deem advisable, to be paid
on his certificate, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, upon the warrant of the auditor of State.
SEC. 5. That when the entire work hereby contemplated and provided for
shall have been fully completed it shall be the duty of the geologist in charge
thereof to make a general and final report thereon, embracing in the said
required report the result of all the surveys, examinations, and discoveries
which shall have been made, whether geological, chemical, topographical, or
otherwise, together with all other matters connected therewith which may be
considered by him as likely to be in any manner useful to the public or
interesting to science. He shall also construct and prepare for engraving a
complete geological map of this State, showing not only the general geological
structure thereof, but plainly and accurately delineating the stratification of
its principal rocks and position and boundary of all the mineral deposits which
may be now known or be hereafter ascertained by the investigations which
shall have been made, accompanying the said map with such a series of sections
er profiles as may be necessary to a proper exhibition of the geology of the
region to which they may relate. The final report, together with the map and
the accompanying sections and profiles, shall be communicated by the governor
394 BULLETIN 100, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
to the general assembly as soon us may be, to be printed, engraved, published,
and disposed of in such manner as to the said general assembly shall seem
proper.
SEC. 6. That the mineral materials and other specimens which may be col-
lected during the operations of the geologist and others who may be engaged
with him shall be carefully preserved in some convenient apartment under
the care of the librarian until otherwise provided for. A complete catalogue
of such specimens and materials shall be made out by said geologist and pre-
served in the same apartment, showing the name, locality, general properties,
and value of each as ascertained by the analysis to which it may have been
subjected, and referring to the corresponding number which shall be affixed to
the specimen itself.
March 27, 1837.
Subsequently the following resolutions were passed bearing upon
publications and the disposition of survey property :
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, Thnt Samuel Medary
be authorized to procure the engraving and printing of such diagrams, maps,
and profiles as may be necessary to illustrate the reports on the geological
survey of the State, and the copperplate shall, after use, be deposited in the
geological survey office.
January 10, 1838.
Resolved by the general assembly, That all books, papers, instruments, appa-
ratus, and collections of any kind and description whatever now In the pos-
session of the members of the late geological corps of the State and belonging
to the State be deposited for safe-keeping with the Ohio Historical Society, and
that the same shall remain In the possession of said society until called for by
the State.
March 18, 1839.
FIRST SURVEY UNDER WILLIAM W. MATHER. 1837-1830.
Administration. In his annual message on December 5, 1837, Gov-
ernor Vance reported that, in compliance with the foregoing act, he
had appointed W. W. Mather, of New York, as principal geologist,
and Doctors Hildreth, Kirtland, and Locke, of Ohio, and Professor
Briggs, of New York, as assistants, and Charles Whittlesey, of Ohio,
topographical surveyor and draftsman. In the absence of Doctor
Locke his place had been supplied by Mr. Foster, who had been in ac-
tive duty with Professor Briggs in making examinations of the south-
ern portions of the State. Owing to previous engagements the chief
had been unable to give his entire attention to the survey, but had
directed the assistants and purchased such apparatus, etc., as would
enable the corps to prosecute the work during the next season with
vigor and effect. The governor wished Doctors Hildreth and Kirt-
land to take charge of the survey, but they declined the honor, and
it was upon their advice that he had appointed Doctor Mather.
Both gentlemen, however, continued in the service of the State until
December 30, when Doctor Hildreth retired because of ill health.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 395
The delay in organizing the first geological corps was great, and
its members did not begin field work until the summer of 1837 was
half over. What was accomplished during the year was mainly in
the way of reconnoissance and in preparation for more efficient work
during the coming season.
January 17, 1838, Governor Vance received the first annual report
of the geological corps and transmitted the same to the general as-
sembly. By resolution it was agreed that 5,000 copies should be
printed for the use of the general assembly, and that 1,000 be put
into the hands of the geologists for distribution to scientific societies
and gentlemen in various parts of the country; and that 1,000 copies
extra of the geological queries, which have for their object to elicit
the local knowledge of individuals, be published for distribution to
the people by the geologists when engaged in field duty.
The report is a small octavo volume of 134 pages, with map and
sections. It embraces reports of Doctors Mather, Hildreth, and
Kirtland, Professor Briggs, and Colonel Whittlesey; geological
queries addressed to those interested; a glossary of terms used; and
a table of contents. The report reflects great credit upon the corps,
shadowing forth as a beginning the greater results to come.
The work of the year was limited to the eastern and southeastern
parts of the State, and extended but little beyond the coal measures
at any point. To accomplish the work rapidly and efficiently, dis-
tinct departments were created. Doctor Hildreth had charge of the
paleontological department; Doctor Kirtland, of the Ohio Medical
College at Cincinnati, of botany and zoology ; Professor Briggs and
Mr. Foster of the field work between the Scioto and Hockhocking
Rivers; Colonel Whittlesey of the topographical department.
To facilitate the progress of the survey certain querries were pro-
pounded to the people of the State, with the hope that every one
interested would contribute such aid as lay within his power, inas-
much as the local knowledge of individuals may expedite the work of
the board.
In the early part of the year 1838 a resolution was passed requir-
ing the geological board to report to the house whether any member
of the corps had purchased land in consequence of information de-
rived from examinations made under State authority; also whether
others had located such lands upon their advice, with the amount and
location of these lands in each case. Doctor Mather replied that
700 acres in the aggregate had been purchased. He himself had be-
come owner of 500 acres in Jackson County, as a residence, but its
mineral resources had not been developed by the survey so far as
known. Furthermore, when anything of value was found upon land,
396 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
it had been the policy of the board to communicate the fact to the
owners.
Expenses. The expenses of the survey during the year 1837
amounted to $2,089.57. The financial panic of that year induced the
State legislators to advocate retrenchment. Such an enterprise as the
survey was certain to be one of the first objects to which an appro-
priation would be denied, and the appropriation for the work of the
year 1838 failed. In consequence there existed a rumor that the sur-
vey would not be continued. Work was resumed, however, on the
unexpended balance of the first appropriation, although it was in-
sufficient to keep the entire working force in the field. The expenses
for the year 1838 aggregated $9,648.80. The corps worked well, but
was much restricted in efficiency for want of means.
On December 4, 1838, Governor Vance reported that the appro-
priation for the support of the geological corps before the last as
sembly had failed; that a portion of the force had been kept at work
by the unexpended balance of the former appropriation; and urged
the importance of continuing the work in accordance with the or-
iginal design.
The chairman of the committee to whom this portion of the gover-
nor's message was referred strongly advised that the work be con-
tinued, inasmuch as the action of the legislature in authorizing the
survey had met with the approbation of the citizens generally and
results had been obtained which would justify its completion. The
expenses were necessarily greater for the first years of the survey
than they would be when the work was well underway. The work
scarcely begun would, if carried on develop additional treasures and
greatly improve the agricultural interests of the State. All would
tend to expedite the sale of the public domain and extend the list
of taxable lands. The report closed with a resolution to the effect
that the survey be continued and that an appropriation of $12,000
be made for that purpose. The matter was tabled.
Shortly after, Governor Shannon transmitted to the general as-
sembly the Second Annual Report of the Geological Survey. This
was uniform with the first report and contains 274 pages. The board
consisted of W. W. Mather, principal geologist, and Charles Whit-
tlesey, Col. J. W. Foster, C. Briggs. jr., J. P. Kirtland, and John
Locke, his assistants.
As complaints had been preferred that the former year's work of
the survey benefited only the coal and iron region, the work was
extended beyond that portion of the State, revealing useful materials
for the arts and for building, but from lack of easy and inexpensive
transportation it was doubtful whether these would ever become
of more than local value.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 397
The average expense of the survey of each county had thus far
been about $1,000, while the benefit resulting to a single one of these,
arising from the increased valuation of real estate incident to the
developments of mineral wealth, was estimated to be at least $100,000,
and by some as $500,000. So it was with other counties as their
resources were made known and were appreciated.
Although the matter of continuing the survey was of such grave
importance to the best interests of the State, a change of political
control was allowed to interrupt the work, and as time passed the
chance of resuming it seemed to grow more and more distant.
The legislature ordered that 5,000 copies of the report of the
geological board be printed. For payment of arrearages for services
of the corps and for procuring engravings a sum not exceeding $4,000
was appropriated by law March 18, 1839.
The legislature directed that all books, papers, instruments, ap-
paratus, and collections of any kind in possession of the members of
the late corps be deposited with the Ohio Historical Society for safe-
keeping, there to remain until called for by the State.
By act of the legislature in March, 1841, there was appropriated
for paying the expenses of labeling and arranging specimens col-
lected by the geological board, and distributing such portions as were
intended by law for the literary institutions of this State, a sum
not exceeding $300, to be expended under the direction of the
governor.
Governor Corwin, in his message of December 7, 1841, reported
that the collections resulting from the survey had remained until a
late day without classication ; that in view of the small appropriation
made during the last session for labeling and arranging specimens
for preservation here, and for distribution to the literary institutions
of the State, he had procured the services of W. W. Mather, whose
work would be completed by January 1, 1842 ; and he earnestly recom-
mends a continuance of the survey on a limited and economical scale
especially in reference to the agricultural interest.
If by the labors of a geologist so appointed 1 bushel of wheat to the acre
extra should be raised it would pay the salary of such an officer twice told for
many years to come.
Collections. Early in 1842 Doctor Mather reported to Governor
Corwin that the specimens, nine suites in all, were labeled. Two
suites were reserved for the State ; the rest were boxed and ready for
distribution. One suite belonging to the State was arranged by coun-
ties, and, being duly catalogued, was on exhibition in glazed cases.
The other suite was still in boxes from lack of cases. A different ar-
rangement was contemplated. To arrange them in a manner uniform
398 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
with the other specimens would require an expenditure of from $120
to $150 for cases, and three or four weeks' labor. After reporting
that many specimens had been brought in for analysis, he added that
a geological office might be kept open, analyses made, and the survey
be continued on a moderate scale at a cost of $3,000 a year, including
all expenses.
In 1844 an attempt was made by Governor Bartley to revive the
interest of the legislature in the survey, recommending that the work
be allowed to progress on a limited scale. Nothing was done in the
premises. For a decade all that was accomplished was in the nature
of private enterprise.
A resolution of 1845 authorized Colonel Mather to take charge of
the chemical apparatus belonging to the State until the next meeting
of the general assembly, on condition that he give assurances to the
governor for the safe return of the same at the time specified.
The resolution (March 18, 1839) giving the historical society con-
trol of the effects of the former geological corps was rescinded in
1852. All was then placed under control of the Ohio State Board of
Agriculture subject to the order of the legislature.
After this several attempts were made by the legislature to have the
survey resume work. Some little attention was given to the subject
in 1851, and in 1854 a great effort was made by the house to pass a
bill for its continuance. The committee to which the house bill was
referred made a lengthy report through Chairman J. H. L. Scott,
urging the importance of a thorough and efficient geological sur-
vey as a means of insuring the advancement of the pecuniary inter-
ests of the State, the advancement and perfecting of science, agri-
culture, and the full and proper development of its rich mineral re-
sources. The example of other States was cited, and the advantages
reaped from the former survey, incomplete as it was, were demon-
strated. The relation of the sciences to agriculture was pointed out,
and the agricultural importance of the survey particularly dwelt
upon. The bill, besides providing liberally for the geological survey,
provided for the establishment of an agricultural college. The house
thought best to postpone the matter until 1856. At that time the sub-
ject was revived in another bill from Dr. M. Jewett. which had the
misfortune to be postponed until the following year.
Meantime a committee was appointed to report as to the condi-
tion of the papers, documents, etc., belonging to the first survey, and
the probable cost of compiling and procuring the publication of facts
then ascertained, together with an estimate of the expense of complet-
ing the work. The committee reported the progress made during
the survey, that valuable articles of Dr. S. P. Hildreth were to be
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 399
found in Silliman's Journal, and that in the possession of private
individuals and corporations were many valuable articles, the prod-
uct of private explorations and observations, which would be of
great value if properly brought before the public, but would not do
justice to many portions of the State. Taking into consideration
the desirability of continuing the survey and the probability that
such a publication would only postpone it, the committee reported
against it and recommended the early continuation of the survey.
In the same year the senate committee to which the matter had been
referred, reported the bill of Mr. Canfield, which, after a great deal
of discussion, was ordered to lie on the table.
Gov. S. P. Chase, in his annual message of 1857, in view of the
valuable results of the former survey, respectfully submitted to the
consideration of the general assembly the questions, " whether the
time has not arrived for the resumption of that work, and whether
there should not be combined with it such an agricultural examina-
tion as will fully ascertain and disclose the productive capacity of
the different soils which compose the surface of the State, and the
physical laws and influences by which that productive capacity is
determined." In accordance with this recommendation a bill was
introduced in the house by Mr. M. Jewett and reported upon by
committee. The bill was lost upon its final passage.
In 1860 Governor Chase asked in connection with furthering the
agricultural interest, " May I not add that the resumption and com-
pletion of the geological survey of the State, with special reference
to agriculture and mining, could not fail to benefit all interests con-
nected with *hesoil?"
Governor Dennison, in his inaugural of the same year, said :
Every other State in the Union except Florida has completed or has in
progress a geological survey of her territory, and I would recommend to your
early consideration the completion of the geological survey of this State, which
has been too long suspended. I doubt not its importance to the agricultural
and mining interests of the State and to the advancement of science will fully
justify an appropriation for its vigorous prosecution.
Although the survey was so persistently advocated by the governors,
notwithstanding the fact that the legislature had been for years re-
ceiving petitions from citizens in various parts of the State praying
that the survey be continued, and although the receipt of 15 such peti-
tions is recorded in the journals of 1860 alone, yet the legislature did
nothing conclusive during that year. A bill to provide for the con-
ciliation of the survey was introduced in the senate by James A. Gar-
field, only to be postponed until the following year. The senate
committee on the geological survey was requested "to ascertain, if
13607520 27
400 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
possible, the entire cost of the geological surveys of New York, in-
cluding all printing and all other incidental expense connected there-
with, also the cost which has been hitherto incurred by Ohio in such
surveys, including printing and other incidental expenses, and report
the same as early as practicable to the senate."
It is not recorded that the committee ever made a full report as re-
quested.
The committee to which had been referred that portion of the gov-
ernor's message of 1860 relating to the survey made an elaborate report
through Chairman Garfield. The events leading to the establishment
of the geological corps were detailed and a brief sketch of the work
done was embodied. Keference was made to the benefits of the survey
through that most powerful medium statistics. For the eight coun-
ties most thoroughly explored by the corps the value of taxable lands
was given for the years 1835 and 1841 ; that is. before and after the
survey :
1835
1841
!
,-- -
1835
1S41
861 391
8196 795
Scioto
| 3658,212
$811 620
Meigs
135,558
373,358
1 Coshocton
730,071
3. 733, 784
Muskinsum
1,921,474
2,96,111
Athens
j 282,948
'867; 322
1 614 023
2 197 618
Total
1 $5 506 361
$11 373 281
Thus, in so short a time the increase was greater than 100 per cent,
while the entire outlay upon the survey amounted to about $25,000.
So great an increase of wealth from such a small outlay, was cer-
tainly a most powerful argument for the continuation of the survey.
The report was esteemed of sufficient value to justify the printing of
1,000 extra copies for the use of the general assembly.
SECOND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER NEWBERRY AND ORTON, 1869-1886.
The whole matter of a geological survey of Ohio was dropped until
the year 1865, the attention of the legislature being given to matters
more pressing in their nature. The subject was then resumed by the
senate in a bill to provide for the appointment of a State geologist.
The committee reported the bill back with one amendment. The
amendment annulled the bill and provided for the resumption of
the survey. This was, in turn, amended in such a way as to annul
it, and provision was made for the establishment of a geological
bureau in connection with the State board of agriculture, the secre-
tary of the board to be State geologist ex officio; for the appoint-
ment by the county commissioners of one practical geologist in each
county to make a surve} r of that county, expenses to be paid from
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 27
JOHN STRONG NEWBERRY
STATE GEOLOGIST OF OHIO,
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 401
the county treasury. As an alternative, several counties might join
hands in the work, all to make annual reports to the State geologist.
The bill as amended passed the senate, but the attempt to make the
geological survey of the State of Ohio other than a State matter was
deservedly frustrated by the refusal of the house to accede to this
bill "to provide for the appointment of a State and county geolo-
gist."
From financial considerations no attempt was made to renew the
effort to have the survey recommenced until 1868. Then Gov. J. D.
Cox, in his annual message, advised the completion of the survey of
the State in detail, " showing not simply the large general features
which are already pretty well known, but the minutest facts of its
geological and natural history," feeling sure that the citizens would
be amply repaid by resources developed and by the attraction of de-
sirable newcomers. Added to that, a horticultural society had called
attention to the necessity of a full investigation into the nature and
habits of certain injurious insects, representing reasonably enough that
such investigation could not be undertaken by individuals, but that
public advantages required that it be done at public cost.
As part of the complete survey of the geology and natural history of the
State the topic is worthy of your attention, and I am persuaded that such a
work carefully performed would be a most profitable investment of the cost by
encouragement and assistance which would be thereby rendered to the great
producing interests of the State.
This portion of the governor's message was by resolution referred
to a select committee of the house. The committee reported by bill
which, after its second readings, was referred to the committee on
finance. That committee reported by a joint resolution authorizing
the governor to inquire into the practicability of securing the serv-
ices of a competent and skillful geologist for the purpose of making
a geological survey of Ohio. The bill, report of committee, and reso-
lution were referred to the committee on judiciary and there engulfed.
During the 30 years that had now elapsed since the suspension of
the first survey the resources of the State had been slowly developing.
Investigations into the geology and economic value of certain districts
of the State were entirely the work of private parties, and as such
lacked the unity essential to rapid progress. Without doubt more
money was expended during this interval upon surveys of mining
properties, analyses of coal, iron, etc., made at private cost, than
would have sufficed to complete the first survey. Information gained
from private experience was monopolized by those who paid for it.
Instead of being used to inform the landowner as to the mineral
wealth underlying his possessions, such knowledge was made sub-
servient to the speculator and enabled him to buy up such land at a
402 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
nominal price based upon its agricultural value. Experience proved
that no farmer would have the mineral wealth of his property inves-
tigated at his own cost. Capitalists invested their wealth in other
States whose resources were better known.
For 20 years the legislature had thoroughly appreciated and con-
stantly kept in view the advantages which would certainly accrue
from the work, and had had many admonitions of the necessity of
completing it from the different governors; but every bill had been
defeated for one reason or another, usually a financial one. The
poorest economy that could be practiced was that which strangled
the best interests of the State while trying with rare shortsighted-
ness to further them.
It was thought that no better method could be found to fill the
State treasury depleted by the war expenses than by developing the
long-neglected resources of the State. Accordingly Gov. E. B. Hayes
in his annual message of November 23, 1868. wrote :
I submit to your consideration the importance of providing for a thorough
and comprehensive geological survey of the State. Many years ago a partial
survey was prosecuted umler many difficulties and embarrassments, which was
fruitful of valuable results. It is beyond doubt such that a work as it is now
practicable to carry out will by making known the mining, manufacturing, and
agricultural resources of the State lead to their development to an extent
which will within a few years amply reimburse the State for its cost.
A resolution was offered by Capt. Alfred E. Lee, member from
Delaware County, to refer this portion of the message to a committee
of five.
A short glance at the political situation will reveal what chance
there was for enacting any measure to promote the survey. The
governor was Republican, the legislature Democratic. The com-
mittee had to face these considerations, and to work against 20
years of constant failure, although the cause had been championed
by such men as Doctor Jewett and General Garfield. Chairman Lee
corresponded with many influential people throughout the State, but
received no encouragement. Col. Charles Whittlesey, E. B. Andrews,
J. H. Klippart, and others all agreed as to the importance of the
survey and to the impossibility of successfully introducing any
measure to complete it. Nevertheless. Captain Lee drafted a bill
which he presented with the report of the committee.
The report set forth the advantages reaped from the former sur-
vey, meager as it was, the benefits derived by other States from their
surveys in attracting capital and a good class of immigrants, and the
fact that in addition to losing a share of such benefits, the best citi-
zens were constantly emigrating to the fertile lands of the West.
As the various geological reports have been extensively used by our Govern-
ment agents and railroad men in negotiating foreign loans, and are carefully
GEOLOGICAL A2s T D NATUUAL HISTORY sL'KVEYS. 403
consulted abroad by those wlio wish to invest their capital or fix their homes
in America ; and, furthermore, as these reports are considered the only authentic
and thoroughly reliable exposition of the agricultural and mineral resources of
a particular section, it is easy to see how important it is that Ohio, one of the
first States of the Union, should no longer delay in giving to the world adequate
scientific information of the vast elements of wealth that lie treasured in her
bosom.
There is, furthermore, a scientific necessity for this in the fact that the
elaborate surveys of New York and Pennsylvania in the East and Kentucky,
Michigan, Illinois, and other Western States make Ohio a needed keystone in
the geological arch, an invaluable member, without which the symmetry and
connection of the whole can never be obtained.
The practical advantages to agriculture and mining, the interests
which " underlie all others and constitute the groundwork of our pros-
perity," were thoroughly emphasized.
Ohio's rapid growth iii population and its sequence the increasing reduction
in her agricultural export create an additional necessity from year to year
for the development of her mining and manufacturing interests. By this means
a better home market will be provided for the products of her soil, while at
the same time there will come with new sources of wealth new demands for
labor which would give employment for any surplus population. The agri-
cultural resources of Ohio, great as they are, scarcely equal those which lie
beneath her surface and which promise an exhaustive field to her genius, labor,
and capital.
To a new and complete survey of Ohio the old partial one would serve a
valuable purpose as a preliminary reconnoissance, while at the same time the
labors of the geological corps would be greatly facilitated by the elaborate
surveys of adjacent States. These considerations should be taken into account
in estimating the cost of a new survey.
The cost of one or two other State surveys was given, together with
some estimates of the survey of Ohio. In conclusion :
From the best information they can gather your committee believe that a
good survey of Ohio can be completed on the plan presented within three years
at an expense, including that of publishing reports, of not exceeding $50,000.
The importance of the report procured the printing of 500 addi-
tional copies for the use of the members.
Accompanying the report was a bill providing for the survey. In-
asmuch as it supplied the missing keystone, it is given in full :
An act providing for a geological survey of Ohio.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That
the governor is hereby required to appoint, by and with the advice and consent
of the senate, a chief geologist, who shall be a person of known integrity and
competent, practical, and scientific knowledge of the sciences of geology and
mineralogy; and upon consultation with said chief geologist, and the like
concurrence of the senate, the governor shall appoint one or more suitable
assistants, not exceeding three in number, one of whom shall be a skillful ana-
lytical and agricultural chemist; the said chief geologist and assistants to
constitute a geological corps, whose duty it shall be to make a complete and
404 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
thorough geological, agricultural, and miueralogical survey of each and every
county in the State.
SEC. 2. The said survey shall have for its objects:
1. An examination of the geological structure of the State, including the
dip, magnitude, number, order, and relative position of the several strata, their
richness in coals, clays, ores, mineral waters and manures, building stone, and
other useful materials, the value of such materials for economical purposes,
and their accessibility for mining or manufacture.
2. An accurate chemical analysis and classification of the various soils of the
State, with the view of discovering the best means of preserving and improving
their fertility, and of pointing out the most beneficial and profitable modes of
cultivation. Also a careful analysis of the different ores, rocks, peats, marls,
days, salines, and all mineral waters within the State.
3. To ascertain by meteorological observations the local causes which produce
variations of climate in the different sections of the State. Also to determine
by strict barometrical observations the relative elevation and depression of the
different parts of the State.
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the said chief geologist, in the progress of the
examination hereby directed, to collect such specimens of rocks, ores, soilSi
fossils, organic remains, and mineral compounds as will exemplify the geology,
mineralogy, and agronomy of the State, and shall deposit said specimens, accu-
rately labeled and classified, in a room provided by the State board of agricul-
ture, to be carefully preserved under the supervision of s;ud board.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the chief geologist on or before the first Mon-
day in January of each year during the time occupied in said survey to make a
report to the governor of the results and progress of the survey, accompanied
by such maps, profiles, and drawings as may be necessary to exemplify the
same, which reports the governor shall lay before the general assembly.
SEC. 5. When the said survey shall be fully completed the chief geologist
shall make to the governor a final report, including the results of the entire
survey, accompanied by such drawings and topographical maps as may be
necessary to illustrate the same, and by a single geological map showing by
colors and other appropriate means the stratification of the rocks, the character
of the soil, the localities of the beds of mineral deposits, and the character
and extent of the different geological formations.
SEC. 6. The annual appropriations which may be made by the general assem-
bly for carrying out the provisions of this act shall be expended, under the
direction of the governor, upon the certificate of the chief geologist, approved
by the governor, and the warrant of the auditor of State, as follows: For
salary of chief geologist, $3,000; for salaries of assistants, not more than
$1,800 each; for chemicals, $500; for contingent expenses of the survey, in-
cluding actual traveling expenses of geological corps and hire of local assistants,
$500.
SEC. 7. No money shall be paid for the purposes of said survey until the
chief geologist and his assistants shall have entered upon the discharge of
their duties as prescribed by this act
SEC. 8. The survey shall be commenced by the 1st of June next, or as soon
thereafter as practicable, and shall be completed within three years from and
after the time of its commencement.
SEC. 9. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage-
The bill as read was ably supported by Messrs. Le and Lewton
of the committee and by Mr. Leete, the Democratic member from
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 405
Ironton. So forcibly was its passage urged, so great was the in-
terest created in its favor, that party lines were ignored. The bill
passed the house by a handsome majority, was referred to the senate,
was passed by that body without amendment, and became a law on
April 3, 1869!
The matter of publication and distribution of the reports was
provided for by the following:
Joint resolution relative to printing the Annual Report of the Geological Corps of Ohio
for the year 1869.
Whereas the engraving of the plates, which accompany the geological report,
will delay the publication of that report for several months, and there are
some portions of the report that should be given to the public at as early a
date as possible: Therefore
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That so much of
Professor Newberry's report as will serve to form a report of progress of the
geological survey of Ohio for I860 ; Professor Andrews's report on the geology
of southeastern Ohio; Professor Orton's report on the geology of Montgomery
County, with such maps and sections as are prepared to illustrate each of
these reports, be printed at once in pamphlet form as the annual report of
the geological corps of Ohio for the year 1869, to the number of 2,500 copies;
500 copies for the geological corps and 2,000 copies for the general assembly, to
be divided equally among the members, and sent by the secretary of state as
provided for the distribution of the agricultural report to the auditor of each
county of each member as soon as printed; and that the publication of the
remainder of the manuscripts submitted by the geological corps be deferred
until the plates shall be engraved.
Adopted April 14, 1870.
Three years later the bill of 1869 was supplemented by the fol-
lowing :
An act to complete the geological survey of the State of Ohio.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That
the governor, State school commissioner, and the treasurer of State are hereby
constituted a geological board, whose duty it shall be to exercise supervision
and control of the geological survey of the State.
SBC. 2. It shall be the duty of the said geological board to ascertain the
nature and extent of the work already performed under the present law pro-
viding for a geological survey of the State, which expires May 31, 1872, and to
determine the best methods of securing a thorough and scientific completion of
the survey.
SEC. 3. The geological board shall have power to assign all unfinished work
of the survey to a geological corps consisting of a chief geologist and two
assistant geologists, men of capacity and geological knowledge, to which num-
ber shall be added a chemist of approved skill, which persons shall be appointed
by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the seur.te, their ap-
pointments to take effect on the 1st day of June, 1872.
SEC. 4. The geological board shall have power to make such a division of the
territory of the State between the several geologists as shall secure the most
thorough and harmonious investigation of the geology of the whole State, in-
cluding its minerals, soils, and fossils.
406 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of the geological board to direct, iu regard to all
expenditures of money which may be appropriated by the legislature for carry
ing on said survey, and to secure an equitable apportionment of such money to
the several districts of the State; also to determine the number of assistants
to be employed by the geologist and the chemist and the amount of their
compensation.
SEC. 6. The geological board, after an immediate investigation of the work of
the present geological corps, already reported on and published by the State,
shall direct in regard to the preparation of all other and future reports, and
recommend to the legislature for publication the reports thus prepared.
SEC. 7. The geological board shall see that the minerals, soils, and fossils of
tie State collected during the survey be properly classified and labeled by the
geologist or such paleontologists as may be employed, and give to the Agricul-
tural and Mechanical College of Ohio, and duplicates, as far as practicable, to
each other college in the State authorized by its charter to confer degrees and
possessing a geological department and employing a professor of geology.
SEC. 8. The geological board shall require that all maps, drawings, sections,
notebooks, reports or partial reports, records and data, and materials of what
over kind not yet incorporated in reports already published which have ac-
cumulated in the hands of the present geological corps and their local as-
sistants; also all minerals and fossils of every kind which have been gathered
by the corps and assistants, be delivered to the said geological board by the
members of said corps on or before the 31st day of May, 1872.
SEC. 9. The annual appropriations which may be made by the legislature for
carrying out the provisions of this act shall be drawn from the treasury upon
the certificates of the several geologists and chemists, approved by the governor
and the warrant of the auditor, as follows: For the salary of the chief geolo-
gist, $2,500; of the assistant geologist, $2,000; for the salary of the chemist.
$1,500 ; and for the contingent, including the traveling expenses of the geological
corps and assistants, the pay of the assistants: and the cost of the needed
chemicals and apparatus, $5,000.
SEC. 10. This act shall take effect from and after its passage and continue
in force until the 1st day of June, 1873.
Passed April 29, 1872.
Administration. In accordance with the act of 1869 the governor
appointed John S. Newberry chief geologist and E. B. Andrews, Ed-
ward Orton, and John H. Klippart assistant geologists. These nomi-
nations were afterward confirmed by the senate. In addition the
following-named persons were employed as local assistants : Rev. H.
Hertzer, M. C. Read, Frederick Prime, jr., TV. P. Ballantine, G. K.
Gilbert. Andrew Sherwood. R. D. Irving, TV. A. Hooker, TV. B. Pot-
ter, Henry Newton, and H. A. Whiting. Rev. H. Hertzer was paid
from the chief's salary as compensation for the reason that his time
was but partially devoted to the work. Messrs. Read, Prime, and Bal-
lantine received small salaries during the working season, while the
rest of the gentlemen served for their expenses. The corps organized
and was ready for work by June 1. Mr. Klippart, for many years
secretary of the State board of agriculture, had charge of the agricul-
tural department, and Prof. T. G. Wormley, one of the ablest analyti-
cal chemists in the country, of the purely chemical work.
GKOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 407
To gain a general knowledge of the geological system of the State
the field was divided into four districts, cornering at Columbus. Pro-
fessor Newberry had immediate supervision of the work in the north-
eastern quarter, Professor Andrews the southeastern, Professor Orton
the southwestern, and Messrs. Hertzer and Gilbert the northwestern.
It was the aim of the corps to perform the work so thoroughly that it
would never be necessary to go over the ground a second time. To
this end explicit directions were given each member for making
observations and collections.
Expenses for 1869. The disbursements to the account of the geo-
logical survey for the year 1869 amounted to $8,066.01.
Publication of First Annual Report. Early in the year 1870 the
senate received a message from Governor Hays transmitting the first
annual report (second series) on the geology of Ohio, with accom-
panying letter of J. S. Newberry ; also a message transmitting a letter
from Prof. E. B. Andrews in relation to the coal fields extending from
the vicinity of Nelsonville, Athens County, to the northeast through
the southern part of Perry County.
The committee on public printing, to whom was referred the Re-
port of the Geological Corps for 1869, recommended the adoption of
the following joint resolution :
Whereas the engraving of plates which accompany the geological report will
delay the publication of that report several months, and there are some por-
tions of the report that should bo given to the public at as early a day as
possible, be it
Resolved by the general assembly, That so much of Professor Newberry's
report as will serve to form a report of progress of the geological survey of
Ohio for 1889 : Professor Anclrews's report of the geology of southeastern Ohio :
Professor Orton's report of the geology of Montgomery County, with such maps
and sections as are prepared to illustrate each of these reports, be printed at
once, in pamphlet form as the annual report of the geological corps of Ohio
for the year 1869 to the number of 2,500 copies; 500 copies for the geological
corps aud 2,000 copies for the general assembly, to be divided equally among
the members and sent to the auditor for the county of each member as soon
as printed; and that the publication of the remainder of the manuscripts be
deferred until the plates be engraved.
This was adopted and became a law April 14, 1870. In compliance
with the resolution the portions of the report mentioned were em-
bodied for immediate publication.
A resolution was shortly proposed by a member of the house di-
recting the supervisor of public printing to procure the printing of
the report of 1869, in the best style, in pica type, in large octavo
form, on heavy white or tinted paper, and bound in muslin. This
resolution did not come up for final passage. The supervisor, acting
upon the supposition that it had, proceeded with the work as it
408 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
directed. It was therefore found necessary to push the resolution
through early in the next session, with the saving clause, however,
that nothing in the resolution should be construed to direct "anj
other or further printing than the edition of said report hitherto
caused by said supervisor to be printed and bound in muslin under
the supposition that this resolution had been passed at the first session
of the general assembly."
Within three weeks from the settlement of this question by law
another joint resolution was adopted to procure the printing, bind-
ing, and distribution of 10,000 copies additional of the report of
1869, and 2,000 copies in German, with the same illustrations as the
English edition ; 50 copies for the governor, 50 for the Ohio State
library, and the remainder for the use of the general assembly. It
was afterwards voted that 300 copies be placed at the disposal of the
cor p s 100 to the chief and 50 each to the four next in rank.
In 1870 the house adopted a resolution instructing the committee
on retrenchment to inquire into the expenditures of the survey and
to investigate everything connected with it, empowering that com-
mittee to send for persons and papers, and requiring a report at as
early a day as possible. The committee was not heard from until
the following year, when both majority and minority reports were
sent in. The majority report criticized the appointment of T. G.
Wormley as chemist, when the law specified that one of the assistants
should be a "skillful agricultural and analytical chemist."
After giving the sum total of all expenses of the corps, the com-
mittee recommended that the State be divided into three districts,
each one to be in charge of those best fitted for the work, implying
undivided personal attention, and that a competent chemist be
centrally located; each of the four appointees to receive $2,000 a
year. Then followed the replies of Colonel Whittlesey, E. B. An-
drews, and Leo Lesquereux, as to the purpose of the survey, the
best method of conducting it, whether the existing appropriations
were adequate, etc., from which it is possible to gather much interest-
ing information. The minority report recommended that the work
be continued under the corps as organized in accordance with the
plan pursued to date.
Museum. A law of 1870 imposed upon the chief geologist the
duty of collecting a full set of specimens for the benefit of the Ohio
Agricultural and Mechanical College, then in its infancy.
Expense during 1870. During the same year an appropriation of
$17,250 was made for continuing the survey, itemized as follows:
Salaries of chief and three assistants, not exceeding $5.950; con-
tingent expenses, $11,300, of which $1,500 was specially appropriated
for chemicals and apparatus. For the year 1870 the disbursements
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 409
amounted to $19,815.80 for salaries, chemicals, traveling, and other
expenses.
Governor Hayes, in his annual message of 1871, called attention to
the fact that the future wealth and population of the State would
depend largely upon the mining and manufacturing interests. While
not questioning the benefits to accrue to agriculture from the survey,
he emphasized the truth that the tendency was to encourage the
employment of labor and capital in mining and manufacturing
enterprises, and recommended that the work be continued and sus-
tained by ample appropriations. In response an appropriation of
$20.900 was made later in the session.
Publication of Second Annual Report. The annual report of 1870
was transmitted to the general assembly March, 1871. The governor
reported that he had been advised that the first volume of the final
report was nearly ready for publication and would be sent to the
legislature during that session. He suggested that measures be
immediately taken for printing it.
By joint resolution it was decided that the report for 1870, by J.S.
Newberry, chief, including reports of E. B. Andrews, Edward Orton,
and J. H. Klippart, assistants: T. G. Wormley, chemist; and G. K.
Gilbert, M. C. Read, Henry Newton, and W. B. Potter, local assist-
ants, be printed at once as the annual report for 1870, in the same
form and style as the annual report of 1869, to the number of 2,500
copies ; and provision was made for their distribution.
The character of the work, replete with statistics as it was, did
not gain for it the wide popularity the report of 1869 had enjoyed.
For the same reason its greater intrinsic worth can not be questioned.
Two thousand copies of this report were ordered printed in German.
No pains was spared to secure the proper distribution of the re-
port. The supervisor of public printing was directed to deliver to
the governor 150 copies for distribution to the American, English,
French, and German magazines and papers devoted to mining and
science; to the principal libraries of the United States, England,
France, and Germany ; and to the libraries of each State and Terri-
tory. Further, the librarian of the Ohio State library was required
to accommodate inquiries for the work from literary institutions,
historical societies, colleges, and similar organizations from 200
copies granted for the purpose. One thousand copies of the report
were lost in some manner, and measures were taken to prevent the
recurrence of such loss.
Work of 1871. Throughout the year 1871 the work of the corps
progressed rapidly and satisfactorily. Quite a number of additions
was made to the local working force, several of these being unpaid
volunteers. Four parties were constantly in the field engaged mainly
410 BI:LLKTIN w\ L^XITLD STATLIS NATIONAL MCSKUJI.
on county surveys. By the close of the season about three-fourths
of the area of the State had been examined in detail.
A sketch of the progress of the survey during the year was made
to the legislature of 1872. This is a pamphlet of eight pages consist-
ing of a business report of progress and prospects of the survey.
It was made brief that its publication might be immediate and that
it might become the basis for legislative action. The preceding an-
nual reports had failed to meet the demand of the legislature for
fresh information through the necessary delay caused by printing,
etc. The publication of such voluminous annual reports greatly de-
layed the final report and it was decided not to continue the practice.
Expenses during 1871. The disbursements for salaries and con-
tingent expenses for the year amounted to $21,843. 19.
Renewal act of 1871. The time originally specified for the com-
pletion of the survey having expired, leaving the work far from com-
plete, there was passed, April 29, 1872. the act to complete the survey,
a transcript of which is given on pages 405-6. By this act the gover-
nor, school commissioner, and treasurer were constituted a geological
board to exercise supervision and control. Their duties were to as-
certain the nature and extent of the work already performed under
the present law ; to determine the best method for securing a thorough
and scientific completion of the survey; to make a division of terri-
tory and assign work to be done by the corps; to direct the expendi-
ture of money for geological purposes ; to determine the number of
assistants to each geologist and the chemist, and the compensation of
the same; to investigate the work of the present corps already re-
ported and published; to give directions for the preparation of fu
ture reports for publication; and to provide for the preservation and
distribution of all specimens collected: all maps and drawings to
be delivered to the board before the first of June following; corps
to consist of a chief, two assistants, and a chemist; the governor to
appoint members of the corps, with advice and consent of the senate;
appointment to take effect June 1, 1872. Salaries: Chief, $2,500;
assistants, $2,000 : chemist, $1,500 ; other expenses, $5,000. The man-
ner of drawing appropriations was also specified by law.
The act was to continue in force for one year. The same day pro-
vision was made for publishing 20.000 copies of "the first volume of
the final report, with illustrating maps, plates, and sections, for print-
ing it in best style, on good paper, royal octavo, for binding in muslin,
and for distributing the work when finished. Two thousand copias
were ordered printed in German. The chief geologist believed that
an edition of 5,000 copies would be adequate to meet all demands, but
inasmuch as the reports of 1869 and 1870 had been so eagerly taken up
the legislature made provision for a larger edition.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 4.1.1
This work had previously been transmitted to the senate by Gov-
ernor Noyes. together with letters from Professor Henry, of the
Smithsonian Institution, and F. B. Meek, paleontologist with the
United States Survey of the Western Territories ; also a communica-
tion from Hon. James A. Garfield, recommending the necessary meas-
ures to be adopted for the printing of volume 1.
Administration. In obedience to the provisions of the act of April
29 the governor, recognizing the expediency of continuing the survey
under the existing corps so far as practicable, appointed J. S. New-
berry, chief: E. B. Andrews and Edward Orton, assistants, and T. G.
Wormley. chemist.
In the annual message of January 2, 1873, Gov. Edward F. Noyes
made the following report and recommendations regarding the survey :
The geological survey of the State has progressed satisfactorily during the
past year. The first volume of the final report is now in the hands of the
printer and will be ready for distribution at the present session of the general
assembly. Material for another volume is now nearly ready, and it is hoped
provision will be made for its early publication. To perfect the work of the
survey according to the original design and in harmony with what has already
been completed will require one year more, and it is recommended that the
time of the geological corps be extended accordingly, and that such appro-
priation be made therefor as may be necessary.
Five maps upon a somewhat extended scale have been prepared by Professor
Andrews, representing the coal region in the district assigned to him. The
funds heretofore appropriated for engraving and printing were not sufficient
to warrant the board of control in ordering as many copies of these maps as
there \vill be volumes in the edition to be published. If it should be considered
desirable that an oqual number should be printed an additional appropriation
will be required.
The geological survey is a very important work in an economic point of
view, to say nothing of its scientific interest. It has already added largely to
the value of real property in the State, while its developments and disclosures
are Inviting labor and capital from abroad. To make a satisfactory and
creditable survey necessarily consumes considerable time and costs large sums
of money. It is, however, believed that our work is being well and faithfully
done, and at the same time more expeditiously and cheaper than similar work
has ever been performed in other States.
You are requested to provide for the necessities of the survey by such appro-
priations as careful estimates shall call for and your judgment shall approve.
Provision was made for paying for the flyleaves of volume 1 and
the paper used in printing the second part of the volume from the
appropriation for stationery and blank books. It had been the in-
tention to print the final report upon finer and larger paper than
was used for other State printing. Such provision was indeed made,
but it was found that no one had been authorized to make the pur-
chase. Before the legislature convened again part 1 had been com-
pleted. As soon as that body met it thus authorized the purchase of
412 BULLKT1S 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the finer paper in time for the printing of part 2. It has always
been a matter of regret to all that the books are not uniform in size
and quality of workmanship.
Appropriations for 1872-1874- In accordance with the recom-
mendation of the governor the time when the act of 1872 should con-
tinue in force was extended until February 15, 1874, by which time
the survey was to be completed. An appropriation of $20,214.17 was
made for continuing the work.
Publication of volume 1 of final report. During the year the long-
expected volume 1 of the final report made its appearance. This is
in two parts, known as parts 1 and 2, or as volume 1, Geology, and
volume 2, Paleontology.
Volume 1, Geology, consists of 680 pages. Section 1 treats of the
general geological relations and structure of Ohio. Section 2 deals
with local geology. Section 1 embraces a brief history of the sur-
vey up to the date of the final report, the physical geography of the
State, the geological relations of the Ohio series, the structure in
detail, including mention of the more important fossils of each great
formation. The section on local geology includes reports of the
geology of 23 counties described by townships, with geological maps
of 13 of the number, besides a paper on the surface geology of the
Maumee Valley with map, a report of the geology of the West Sister
Island, and an important report of the geology of the Cincinnati
group, by Edward Orton. with map and tables of fossils of the group.
Appendix A contains 10 tables of temperature and rainfall at various
points. Appendix B gives the profiles of all of the most important
railroad and canal lines. There is only a partial list of the railroad
profiles given.
Volume 1, Paleontology, or part 2 of the final report, is the first
illustrated memoir ever published on the fossils of the State. It is
printed on larger and heavier paper than part 1 and contains 399
pages and 48 fine lithographic plates as illustrations. The Ohio series
is of such great range that there are few finer fields for paleontolog-
ical work in the world. To produce such a creditable work as part 2
it was necessary to employ specialists. By the work of the paleon-
tologist many of the vexed questions in regard to the Ohio series
were settled. The knowledge gathered from the fossils was of in-
estimable service in the acquisition of the information conveyed in
the geological reports. Section 1 of the volume, the work of F. B.
Meek, is a description of the invertebrate fossils of the Silurian and
Devonian systems. The descriptions of fossil fishes and of the fossil
plants of the coal measures contained in sections 2 and 3 are the work
of J. S. Newberry.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTOEY SURVEYS. 413
The field work of the corps continued throughout the season of
1873.
Publication of Third Annual Report and volume % of the -final
report. The annual message of 1874 announced that the field work
of the survey had been completed, and a large amount of material
collected for future volumes. With the utmost industry it was found
impossible to finish the text for publication. Material for two vol-
umes would be ready by the expiration of the time for which the
geological corps was appointed. Inasmuch as the original plan con-
templated two additional volumes one on economic geology and the
other devoted to zoology, botany, and agriculture, and as a general
geological map should accompany the printed volumes, two years
more time at an expense of $10,000 a year would be required to com-
plete the whole in a commendable manner. The governor therefore
recommended that an appropriation be made for the immediate pub-
lication of two volumes, and that $10,000 be added for the continu-
ation of the work another year, and urged that in view of its im-
portance and the widespread commendation it had elicited, it would
be an unwarrantable waste of time and money if the material already
prepared should not be utilized.
The general assembly responded by appropriating $60,000 for the
publication of volume 2 of the Final Report and $1,000 for deficiencies
in the salaries. That body further gave control of all maps, plates,
and charts used in any report of the survey to the secretary of state.
At the same time the fossils and minerals in charge of the State libra-
rian were handed over to the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical
College.
Provision was made for the publication of 20,000 copies of volume
2, with all accompanying maps, plates, and sections, and for the dis-
tribution of the work. The number of copies to be printed in German
was left to be decided by those concerned in the distribution of the
volumes. Care was taken that the mistakes of the first volume should
not be repeated. The secretary of state was empowered to purchase
good paper, but when it was delivered it was found to be far inferior
to the samples and was rejected. The authorities had to choose be-
tween a delay of several months and the use of the inferior paper for
part 1 on geology. They chose the latter course. The result is that
part 1 of volume 2 is uniform in size and style with part 1 of volume
1, while part 2 of both volumes correspond in style and in size.
Expenses. The expenses of the survey during 1874 were $16,976.14.
Publication of volume 3 of final report. In the year 1875 an ap-
propriation of $7,000 was made for preparing volume 3, Geology, for
publication under the direction of the former chief geologist, J. S.
Newberry; and for printing, binding, and publishing 20,000 copies
414 BULLETIN 1(K>, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
of the same, an additional appropriation of $15,000 was made.
Provision was also made for distribution, but as some time elapsed
before the volume was given to the printer, the law was rescinded.
The disbursements for 1875 were $37,276.75, the whole amount being
paid for preparating and printing volume 2. In 1876 an additional
appropriation of $2,784.49 was found necessary for paying the ex-
penses of volume 2. The entire cost of the survey during the year
was $23.201.22.
Progress during 1877 -In January. 1877, Governor Hayes reported
that the first part of volume 3 was going through the press, the second
part nearly complete, and the material for the other two volumes
contemplated in the original plan were almost ready. It had been
thought advisable to add to the general geological map of the
State, detailed maps of the most important mining districts on so
large a scale as to admit of the clear representation of all mines,
mining properties, furnaces, and rolling mills. As no provision had
been made for the work beyond volume 3. Geology, be recommended
another appropriation.
The great delay in publishing this volume was due to work of re-
vision, the preparation of a review of the geological structure of the
State, and the work on the geological map and six maps of the mining
districts.
Expenditures during 1877. The appropriation of the year was
$2,500. The expenditures, mainly for volume 3, were $8,199.52.
The general assembly finally provided for "the printing, bind-
ing, and distribution of 20.000 copies of the book in 1878, in order
that the present assembly might enjoy that honor."
Volume 3 is uniform in size with both the other volumes on
geology, and contains 958 pages. This volume completed the series
on geology. No provision was made for the publication of part 2
of the volume, and the paleontological series was thus left incomplete.
Appropriation* for 1878. For the year 1878 the sum of $22.400
was appropriated for the survey; $11,750 for the publication of map
to accompany volume 3 of the survey: $2,000 to complete volume 3,
part 2, Paleontology; $650 to prepare reports for publication; and
$8,000 for publishing 20,000 copies of volume 4, Zoology and Botany.
Proceedings during 1879. The beginning of the year 1879 is
marked by a call from Governor Bishop for legislative investigation
into the cause for the delay in finishing the work originally con-
templated by the survey, alleging that additional appropriations were
continually called for while the expense already far exceeded the origi-
nal estimate. The matter was referred to the committee on the geo-
logical survey. Both majority and minority reports were forth-
coming on the last day of the session. The majority regarded the
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 415
course pursued with high disfavor, and complained that too great
prominence had been given to paleontology. The minority held a
contrary opinion.
Governor Bishop's next annual message condemned the practice
of the legislature in voting large editions, maintaining that the
money could have been much better expended on field work, and
urged the resumption of field work with a view to the development
of the economic features of the State.
Expenditures in 1879. The appropriation for 1879 was but $2,800,
while the expenses were $12,463.34.
Publication of atlas. In 1880 provision was made for the distri-
bution of the edition of 5,000 copies of the geological atlas printed.
For work on the survey no appropriation was made that year, though
a bill was introduced providing for a more complete survey.
Expenditures during 1880. The expenses amounted to $7.448.39.
The next year Governor Foster invited the attention of the legisla-
tors to the unfinished publications of the survey. The copy for the
second part of volume 3 was by that time ready for the printer. The
time and mode of publication were in the hands of the legislature.
The plates for illustration, necessarily expensive, and the large edi-
tion needed to match the part already published, would require a large
appropriation. The volume on natural history, volume 4, of the series
required by law was reported in the hands of the printer, while" volume
5, economic geology, justly viewed as the most important member of
the series, was still forthcoming. As the bill for a more complete sur-
vey of the State, with special reference to economic features, which
was before the legislature the last session, did not reach a vote, the
sentiment regarding it was not yet formally expressed :
In view of the probability that this measure will be further urged during
the present session, I bespeak your careful consideration of the subject in-
volved. It is beyond dispute that the last survey has done a great deal for
the development of the mineral wealth of the State. Its publications have
been eagerly sought for at home and abroad, and its official and uncolored
testimony has encouraged the investment of large amounts of capital from
within and from without the State in our coals and ores. But, on the other
hand, it is equally beyond dispute that the reports as they now stand are
incomplete and inadequate for almost every district of the State. They have
been rendered so in part by the very development which they have fostered.
The 10 years that have passed since many of these mineral belts were explored
have been marked by -much activity and enterprise. The knowledge of the
field has been greatly increased, so much so that the statements of the reports
are no longer valuable as guides to exploration in many cases. There is also
a widespread conviction that a greater degree of certainty in regard to the
continuity and character of our mineral deposits is attainable than we now
ss.
13607520 28
416 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
If, in view of such considerations, you snail decide to continue in some
form the work of the survey, it will be possible for you to avail yourselves of a
large amount of experience, both in this and neighboring States, as to dangers
to be avoided and advantages to be gained.
Publication of -volume 4 of final report. Tho delay in the publi-
cation of volume 4 became a subject for legislative investigation.
From the report made by its editor, Dr. J. M. Wheaton, it was found
that the delay resulted from press of other State printing, lack of
paper, etc., and that if the work was uninterrupted, it might be fin-
ished in six months. An appropriation (lapsed) amounting to
$2,894.96 was consequently restored; $1,143.53 was expended upon
the volume during the year.
The following year provision was made for the speedy binding and
distribution of the long-delayed addition to the series. The work as
it stands is uniform with the volumes on geology and numbers 1,020
pages. It is wholly devoted to zoolog} 7 , and includes a report on the
Mammals of Ohio, by Prof. A. M. Brayton; Birds, by Dr. J. M.
Wheaton; Reptiles and Amphibians, by Dr. W. H. Smith: and
Fishes, by Dr. David S. Jordan. The report is full and complete
and abundantly compensates for its delay. The report on Mol-
lusks by Dr. R. M. Byrnes, and the catalogue of the plants of the
State would have increased the volume to undesirable dimensions,
so they were left to form, with such additions as might be made to
the material already prepared, a second part to the volume. It was
hoped that by the preparations on economic botany and economic
entomology which ought to be included, a second part of great prac-
tical value might be added in a short time.
Professor Newberry in his preface writes :
Some impatience has been expressed at the slow progress of the preparation
of the volume on zoology and botany, and the late appearance of the part now
issued. But it should be remembered that all time and thought which have been
expend'ed on these thorough and voluminous reports destined to be so creditable
and useful to the State have been gratuitously bestowed. Not a dollar has
been paid to the authors for the years they have spent in this work, and jus-
tice as well as courtesy demands that the invaluable gifts now made to the
people of Ohio by the eminent naturalists who have prepared these reports
should be gratefully acknowledged. Probably nowhere in the history of
scientific publication can be found more honorable examples of the gratuitous
consecration of time and learning by men of science to the higher interests of
the public.
The value and importance of the volume are rendered greater
since, with the exception of isolated newspaper and magazine articles,
nothing had been published in regard to the zoology of the State
since the catalogue prepared by Dr. J. P. Kirtland and issued with
the second annual report (first series) in 1838. No compensation
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 417
was ever voted to the authors of volume 4; that still remains one of
the great unrecorded State debts.
In view of the delay of the volume on economic geology, which
ought to have been expected as no appropriation had ever been made
for its publication, although it had been repeatedly requested, a
bill was introduced early in the session of 1882 to provide for the
completion of volume 5, Geology of Ohio. The act became a law
April 17, 1882. The following is the wording of this act and a sup-
plementary act of April 19, 1883 :
To provide for the completion of volume 5, Geology of Ohio.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That
the governor is hereby required to appoint, by and with the advice and consent
of the senate, a competent geologist, whose duty it shall be to revise and
prepare for publication the materials already accumulated for a volume on
the economic geology of Ohio by the chief of the recent State geological survey
and designated in the schedule of reports of said survey as " Geology of Ohio,"
volume 5. It shall further be the duty of said geologist to supplement and
extend the investigations already made as to the order of arrangement, extent,
composition, and useful applications of the leading mineral products of the
State, and especially of the economic products of the coal measures, so that said
volume shall contain at the date of its issue an accurate statement of the gen-
eral facts as to those subjects so far as known.
SEC. 2. The said geologist shall have power to employ assistants, who shall
work under his direction in the investigation of the several subjects to be
reported upon.
SEC. 3. The said geologist shall receive while in the actual discharge of his
duties a monthly salary of $200, to be paid upon vouchers signed by the
governor, and the assistants shall receive monthly salaries, in no case to exceed
$120, to be paid upon vouchers signed by the governor and the geologist in
charge.
SEC. 4. All necessary traveling and incidental expenses incurred by the geolo-
gist and his assistants in the prosecution of their work shall be paid from the
treasury of the State upon vouchers signed by the governor and the geologist
in charge.
SEC. 5. The said geologist shall enter upon his work as soon after his appoint-
ment as practicable, and shall complete the revision and preparation of the
volume by or before the first Monday of March, 1SS3.
SEC. 6. There is hereby appropriated from the general revenue fund a sum of
$5,000 that may be used for the purpose named above, but no money shall be
drawn from the treasury until the work shall have been entered upon.
This act shall be in force from and after its passage.
Passed April 17, 1SS2.
An act Bupplemenlary to "An act to provide for the completion of volume 5, Geology of
Ohio," passed April 17, 3882.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That
the time for the completion, revision, and preparation of volume 5, Geology of
Ohio, provided for in the act to which this is supplementary, be extended to
September 16, 1883, and it shall be the duty of the chief geologist, after the
418 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
completion of suid volume, to superintend the printing and proof reading of the
same.
SEC. 2. There shall be printed of said volume 5, under the contract for said
printing, 10,000 copies, including maps and illustrations, as shall be directed by
the chief geologist, and these copies shall be bound in the same style as the
volumes of the series already published.
SEC. 3. Of tho copies of volume 5 that ;<re published tlie following distribution
shall be made, viz: To the State library, 500 copies; to the chief geologist and
his assistants, 200 copies ; to each State officer and to each State institution, 5
copy; to be deposited with the secretary of state, to be sold at the cost of
publication, under such regulations as he may establish, 1,000 copies; the
remainder to be equally divided among the members of the sixty-fifth general
assembly.
SF.C. 4. For the completion of the field and chemical work of the survey, for
the revision and preparation of the manuscript for said volume 5, for the
engraving and printing of suitable maps and illustrations, and for superintend-
ing the publication and proof reading of said volume there is hereby appro-
priated from the general revenue fund the sum of $9,500; for paper, the sum
of $2,000; for printing, the sum of $1,200; and for binding, the sum of $2,000.
SEC. 5. Upon the publication of said volume 5 the geological survey of Ohio
is hereby declared to be completed.
SEC. 6. This act shall take effect on its passage.
Passed April 19, 1SS3.
This act was supplemented in 1884 by the following:
Supplementary to an act passed April 19, 1883, entitled "An net supplementary to 'An
act to provide for the completion of volume 5, Geology of Ohio,' passed April 17, 1882 "
(0. L., vol. 80, pp. 199 and 200).
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That
the appropriation made " for the completion of the field and chemical work of
the survey, for the revision and preparation of the manuscript of said volume 5,
for the engraving and printing of suitable maps and illustrations, and for
superintending the publication and proof reading of said volume," shall also be
available for the purchase of paper and in payment for printing, in addition
to what has already been appropriated for these several purposes, specifying
as the needs of said volume may require.
SEC. 2. The State geologist is hereby instructed to use, as far as practicable,
any and all balances remaining from the several appropriations above named
In the publication of such descriptions and figures of fossils as have been
already prepared for publication at the expense of the State, and to include
said descriptions and figures in said volume 5.
SEC. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Passed March 18, 1884.
This act was in turn amended, as follows :
To amend an act entitled "An act supplementary to 'An act to provide for the comple-
tion of volume 5, Geolojry of Ohio,' passed April 17, 1882," passed April 19. 1883 (O. T,..
vol. 80, pp. 199 and 200),
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That
section 3 of the above-recited act be amended so as to read as follows:
SECTION 3. Of the copies of volume 5 that are published the following dis-
tribution shall be made, viz: To the State library. 500 copies, to be used In
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 28
EDWARD ORTON
STATE GEOLOGIST OF OHIO 1882-
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 419
exchange with public libraries of other States, and to be furnished to public
libraries of this State; a sufficient number to be retained for the use of the
State library, and the remainder, if any, to be sold at the cost of publication,
under the direction of the commissioners of the library ; to the chief geologist
and his assistants, 200 copies ; to each State officer and to each State institution,
1 copy ; to be deposited with the secretary of state, to be sold at cost of publica-
tion, under such regulations as he may establish, 1,000 copies; the remainder to
be equally divided among the members of the sixty-sixth general assembly.
SEC. 2. That said original section 3 of the act supplementary be, and the same
is hereby, repealed.
SEC. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Passed March 15, 1884.
Administration. In compliance with the provisions of the act of
1882 Gov. Charles Foster appointed Edward Orton State geolo-
gist. The work was at once entered upon and vigorously pushed,
but it proved to be a task of such magnitude that it was found
necessary to ask for an extension of time. The $5,000 appropriation
was thought sufficient for the year's work. The expenses on the two
volumes, 4 and 5, aggregated $5,171.92.
The act of April 19, 1883, extended the time for completing volume
5 to the 1st of September and required the State geologist to superin-
tend its printing and proof reading. The number of copies was fixed
at 10,000 and uniform with the rest of the series, and provision was
made for their distribution. A new feature in the proviso was the
item, " 1,000 copies to be deposited with the secretary of state and sold
at cost of publication.'' An appropriation of $15,300 was made for
completing the field and chemical work, revising and preparing the
manuscript, engraving and printing suitable maps and illustrations,
superintending the publication, and proof reading, and for paper,
printing, and binding volume 5. On publication of this volume the
survey was declared complete.
The legislature provided for the smaller edition and for the sale of
a small portion of it upon the advice of the State geologist. The work
was completed and prepared for the printer with all possible speed,
so that the volume was issued during the year 1884. The expenses for
1883 were $8,377.95.
Provision had been made for distribution to the members of the
sixty-fifth general assembly. The sixty-sixth assembly proved itself
unwilling to see the experiment of selling a portion of the books at
cost ($1.02 a volume) thoroughly tried. Early in the year 1885 ti
joint resolution was passed giving the 800 copies remaining unsold to
the members, thus disappointing those who would have been glad to
avail themselves of the opportunity to make their series complete.
From lack of time to prepare, much valuable matter was omitted in
regard to the coals, only those of the lower measures having been noted,
420 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
and in regard to lime production, cement manufacture, the production
of gypsum, salt, bromine, petroleum, and inflammable gas.
No appropriation was made for the work during the year 1884.
The expenses were $8,754.16. By a law previously enacted the sum
of $10,000 was placed to the credit of the survey.
On the issue of this volume it was at once seen that the continu-
ance of the work in this field was an object to be desired. Accord-
ingly, Governor Hoadley reported that much material still remained
hi possession of the State geologist, consisting in the discussion of
the upper coal measures, cements, limestones, salt, petroleum, and gas
wells of the State. It was thought that with six months' further field
work sufficient material for another volume would be at hand, since
the accidental discovery of gas wells in Wood County and elsewhere
indicated that " the knowledge of our resources was still far from
complete."
As a result there was enacted a law which required the governor
to appoint a geologist whose duty it should be to extend and complete
the account of economic geology begun in volume 5, treating in par-
ticular those portions of the Ohio coal fields not yet reported upon,
also salt and bromine, the composition, structure, strength, and
durability of the building stones of the State, the production of
lime, natural cements, marls, and land plaster, and all other sub-
stances produced in the State that come under the head of economic
geology; empowered the geologist to employ assistants; fixed the
salaries and provided for contingents; required the geologist to enter
upon his duties as soon as practicable and fixed one year as the limit
for the whole work; appropriated $4,500 for all purposes; and pro-
vided that the chapter on inflammable gas should be prepared for
publication in advance of the rest of the volume, and that the copy
be delivered to the supervisor of public printing by October 1, 1885.
The following is the full text of this act, and its supplement, passed
a month later :
An act to provide for the extension of the geological survey of Ohio.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That
the governor is hereby required to appoint, by and with the advice and consent
of the senate, a competent geologist, whose duty it shall be to extend and
complete the account of the economic geology of the State that is begun in
volume 5, Geology of Ohio. He shall treat, in particular, of those portions of
the Ohio coal fields that have not yet been reported upon; of the production
of petroleum and inflammable gas in the State, and also of salt and bromine;
the composition, structure, strength, and durability of the various building
stones of the State: of the production of lime, natural cements, marls, and land
plaster; and of all other substances produced in the State that come under
the head of economic geology.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 421
SEC. 2. The said geologist shall have power to employ assistants, who shall
work under his direction in the investigation of the several subjects to be
reported upon.
SEC. 3. The said geologist shall receive, while in the actual discharge of his
duties, a monthy salary of $200, to be paid upon vouchers signed by the
governor, and the assistants shall receive monthly salaries, in no case to exceed
$125, to be paid upon vouchers signed by the governor and the chief geologist.
SEC. 4. All necessary traveling and incidental expenses incurred by the geolo-
gist and his assistants in the prosecution of this work shall be paid from the
State treasury upon vouchers signed by the governor and the chief geologist.
SEC. 5. The said geologist shall enter upon his work as soon after his appoint-
ment as practicable.
SEC. 6. The chapter on petroleum and inflammable gas shall be prepared for
publication in advance of the volume to which it belongs, and copy for the
same shall be delivered by the State geologist to the supervisor of public print-
ing on or before the 1st day of October, 1885; then shall be printed 2,500
copies of this chapter under the contract for State printing, but the paper,
maps, and illustrations shall be provided by the State geologist from the ap-
propriation hereinafter named; the distribution of the copies published shall
be made upon the same basis as that by which volume 5, Geology of Ohio,
was distributed, except that 500 copies shall be left with the secretary of state
to be sold at cost of publication.
SEC. 7. The said geologist shall enter upon his work as soon after his appoint-
ment as practicable, but said work shall be completed within a year.
SEC. 8. There is hereby appropriated from the general revenue fund the
sum of .$4,500, that may be used for the several purposes named above, but no
money shall be drawn from the treasury until the work of the survey shall
have been entered upon.
SEC. 9. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Passed May 1, 1885.
An act supplementary to an act entitled "An act to provide for the extension of tlie geo-
logical survey of Ohio," passed May 1, 1885.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio,
That the time for the preparation and completion of the second volume of the
economic geology of Ohio is hereby extended to February 1, 1887, at which
date the State geologist shall furnish to the governor for the Igislature, the
manuscript, maps, and illustrations for said volume in proper form for publi-
cation, and sufficient to make a volume of the same size and general character
as the other volumes of the geological survey report, and when published shall
be termed " Economic Geology No. 6." The volume shall treat in particular
of those portions of the Ohio coal field that were not reported on in volume 5;
of the production of petroleum and inflammable gas in the State; of salt and
bromine: of the composition, structure, strength, and durability of the various
building stones of the State; of the production of lime, natural cements, and
land plaster; and of other substances produced in the State that come under
the head of economic geology.
SEC. 2. In place of the chapter on petroleum and natural gas, which was to
be presented for publication October 1, 1885, the State geologist shall furnish
to the supervisor of public printing, on or before June 15, 1886, an abstract of
the results of his investigations on these subjects during the last year, of
which abstract there shall be printed under the contract for State printing
2,500 copies, but the paper, maps, and illustrations for said abstract shall be
422 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
provided by the State geologist from the appropriation made on May 1, 1885.
A statement of the results of the chemical work of the survey for the last
year may also be appended to this abstract. Of the 2,500 copies of said
abstract printed there shall be made the following distribution : To the State
library. 50 copies; to the State geologist, 150 copies; the remainder to be
equally divided among the members of the sixty-seventh general assembly.
SEC. 3. The further work of the survey shall be prosecuted under the system
and by the regulations established in the act to which this is supplementary.
SEC* 4. There is hereby appropriated from the general revenue fund $3,000
for the purposes named above.
SEC. 5. This act shall take effect and be In force on and after
May 17, 1886.
Under these acts Professor Orton was again appointed State geolo-
gist, and work promptly begun on volume 6 of the reports.
Governor Hoadley in the message of 1886, advised the continuance
of the survey as part of the duties of the professor of geology in the
State university in order that great profit might accrue from small
expenditure. He reported the material for volume 6 as nearly ready
but that the geologist advised that it be issued in parts, and that the
publication of the volume complete be deferred until the year fol-
lowing.
The time was therefore extended until February 1, 1887, by act of
the general assembly; already given (p. 421). In place of the chap-
ter on petroleum and natural gas, which was to have been furnished
October 1, 1885, the geologist was required to furnish by June 15,
1886, an abstract of the results of his investigations on these subjects
during the year ; provision was made for the printing and distribu-
tion of 2,500 copies of the abstract; the law established that the sur-
vey be prosecuted under the provisions of the law of May 1, 1885 ;
and appropriated $3,000 for all expenses.
" Since the passage of this law (May 17, 1886) the work has been
progressing steadily and satisfactorily. Professor Orton has been
successfully prosecuting his investigations on the subject of natural
gas for the past year. In view of the great number of wells in con-
struction throughout this section of the State, it is believed that the
results of these investigations will have more than a passing interest
and value."
The expenses of the survey up to July 13 amounted to $2,599.98.
" Looking at the great development of the mining and manufactur-
ing interests since 1869, all of which is distinctly traceable to the
work of the geological survey, it becomes evident that the work is
not done yet ; that there still remains a practically limitless field of
work. Volume 6. it is hoped, will not terminate the series of valu-
able books which embody the researches of the faithful and efficient
corps. At present, events seem to bp shaping themselves for a small
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS.
423
annual addition to this great treasure house. Such has been the
successful policy of some of the States whose experience has been
longer than ours; such will probably be our policy in the future.
" It is a matter of great regret that the work of the legislature upon
the survey has to be reported as incomplete. The manuscript of
volume 3, paleontology, in still in possession of the secretary of
state, awaiting the decree for printing. It ought not to be allowed
to remain there much longer. The reports on paleontology are in-
dispensable to a trustworthy knowledge of geology. Ohio should
follow the example of New York and give reports on paleontology
to the world embodying the results of the explorations in this great
field. Volume 4 also stands on the shelf companionless, deceiving
the uninitiated with its illusory back. The early completion of this
volume is to be earnestly desired, for the plants of Ohio certainly
deserve some recognition."
The whole series, incomplete though it be, stands a living monument to the
scientific acquirements, the fidelity and efficiency of the geological corps of
Ohio, whose work will hold them in lasting remembrance. The State has
reason for pride and self-gratulation upon the possession of such a valuable
set of books.
Expenses. The following tables, compiled under Professor Orton's
direction, show the expenses of the various surveys from 1836 to
1886, inclusive :
Expenses of Ohio State Survey, 1836-1886.
Year
i'urposes.
Appropria-
tions.
Total.
Disburse-
ment.
Tota!
1836
$400 00
1837
$12 000 00
2 089 57
1838
do
9 648 SO
1839
do
4 000 00
4 261 63
1841
300 00
300 CO
Total expense of first survey
S 16, 300 00
$16,700.00
1869
Salary of chief
13 ooo 00
Salaries of three assistants ($1,800)
5, 400. 00
Chemicals .. ....
500.00
5 000 00
1870
Salaries, chief and three assistants . . .
5. 950. 00
$8 675 00
Chemicals
1,500 00
1 506 33
1871
Contingent expenses and local assistants
Salaries
9,800.00
8 40C> 00
17,250.00
9,574.47
19,815.80
Chemicals
'soo oo
'500 oo
12 000 00
13 168 19
91 OlS 1Q
1872
Contingent expenses
2 950.00
2 9' 9 88
' W
Salaries
2 450.00
4 775 00
Chemicals
100 00
100 00
34 000 00
Continuing the survey
15 000.00
10'948 64
173
Salarias . .
9 604 17
12 437 00
Contingent expenses
1,810.00
i'635 70
Zoological and botanical catalogues
1 000 00
500 00
Paleoatolo'ical work . . .
1 500 00
384 05
6 001} 00
6 000 00
Chemicals
300 00
Plates for volume 1....
25.019 .47
424 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Expenses of Ohio State Survey, 1836-1886-- Continued.
Year
Purposes.
\ppropna
lions.
$1,000.00
60,000.00
Total.
Disburse-
ment.
Total.
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1881
1883
1884
1885
1880
Salaries
$61 000 00
$2,218.23
12, 616. 71
204.72
400.00
420.53
1,115.95
$18,970.14
37,276.75
23,201.29
8,199.59
8,172.5*
12,463.S4
7,448.39
1,143.53
S,171.M
8.377.W
8,754.16
2,490.79
2,599.98
Poleonto'o^ical work '
22,000.00
2,784.49
14,250.00
10,650.00
2,800.00
2,894.96
5,000.00
15,690.02
4,500.00
37,276.75
15,000.00
7,000.00
Preparing for publication under J. S. New-
berry
2,784.49
12,885.29
4,987.24
5,328.69
Preparin< and printing volumes
Publication under J S Newberry
4,028.21
4,171.31
Preparing report under J. S. Newberry
2,500 00
11,750.00
Preparing geological atlas
650 00
2.000 00
8,000.00
6-iO.OO
1, 537. 79
""oTa&i'ss"
Completing volume 3 PaIeontolo <T v
Publishing volume 4, Zoology and Botany
Geological atlas
7,914.23
3,094.69
1,454.42
Preparing and printing volume 3
2,800.00
Publishing volume 4
Geological atlas
3, 777. 77
3,670.62
1,143.53
Zoology and botany
Zoology and botany (restored). ..;
*
2,894.96
Zoolosrv and botany
1,495 80
3,676.12
Completion of volume 5
5,000.00
ZooloTv and Botanv. . .
255.63
7,732 30
390.02
Completion of volume. 5
13.300 00
390.02
Printing volume 4 in German
Completion of volume 5
8,754.16
Completion of volume 5
111.50
2,379.29
Preparation of volume 6
4,500.00
Preparation of volume 6 (to July 13) . .
3,000.00
2,599.98
Second survey:
From appropriation for State printing...
K71,333.64
265,580.77
21,723.34
8,512.00
295,816.11
i6,;oo oo
$312,516.11
From appropriation for stationery and
envelopes
First survey; total cost of survey
>Thea
Field a
Public
Add a {
nd^nSwwk 1 * SeC nd Sumy tO 1879 W6re given by Dr " J ' S " NewV >erry as follows:
$98,914.1!
206.7R8.7S
>propriations since made. . .
305,702.9ft
2s.ieo.oa
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 425
Received under section 181, O. L. 77-241 $10,000.00
Transferred or lapsed appropriations:
1875, zoological and botanical catalogue 100. 00
1S77, preparing and printing volume 2 5. 74
1880, geological altas 58. 00
18SO, completing volume 3 167. 52
1880, zoology and botany 2,874.96
1885, completing volume 5 135. 92
$3, 342. 14
Salaries and contingent expenses:
1869 8, 066. 01
1870 19, 815. 80
1871 21, 843. 19
1872 18, 743. 52
1873 14, 372. 70
1874__. 2, 422. 95
$85, 264. 17
1873, paleontology i__. 384. 05
1874, paleontology 1,115.95
$86, 764. 17
Paid for survey from appropriation for State printing :
1870, printing and engraving 391. 13
1871, printing, engraving, maps, German printing 5,006.03
1872, printing, engraving, maps, translating, etc 10, 475. 26
1873, printing English and German 3, 741. 77
1874, printing German 1, 048. 75
1876, geological report in German 1, 060. 40
$21, 723. 34
Paid from appropriations for stationery and envelopes 8, 512. 00
Number of copies printed (first series) :
1837, Hildreth's preliminary report 16,000
1837, Riddell's preliminary report 1, 000
1838, first annual report 5,000
1838, queries from first annual 1, 000
1839, second annual report 5,000
Eight thousand copies of Hildreth's Report were printed in con-
nection with the governor's message, and 8,000 were printed sepa-
rately.
There is no means of finding the cost of printing or paper of any
of these documents. An estimate of the total cost of the first survey
($25,000) would place the cost of printing, etc., at $8,300.
LETIK M : , TNiTKU ST
v?fter </d co*< of copies printer} (s
[From supervisor's report.]
Year.
Documents.
Number
of copies.
Cost of
printing.
Cost of
paper.
Total cost.
1870
Report of 1869
2,500
$204. 10
$246.74
$450.84
1, 102. 25
1 102 25
Report of 1869 (2d edition)
10,000
1,950.56
1,406.45
3, 357. 01
Report of 1869, German
2,000
619.20
294.74
913.94
Report of 1869 (totals)
14,500
33,876.11
$1,947.93
$5,824.04
12,500
1, 252. 89
5, 845. 94
7,098.83
87,500
6. 732. 50
6 732.50
Wnnri pnpravinp'for rpnnrt
250.00
250 00
12,500
538.66
538.66
1872
300
38-40
6. 69
45.09
1872
Report of 1870, German
2,000
1,214.47
782.04
1,996.51
Report of 1870 (totals)
14,500
$10,026.92
$6,634.67
$16,661.59
1872
Report of progress of 1871
300
8.06
4.99
13.05
1873
18 000
4 390.54
7 683.97
12 074.51
Volume 1, final report, German
2' ooo
845.55
853.77
1,699.33
Volume 1. part 2, paleontology
18,000
3,312.77
8, 012. 00
11, 824. 77
362.27
362. 27
Report of 1871 (totals)
38,000
88,911.13
$17,049.74
$25,960.87
The binding was done from the appropriation for State binding.
The records do not show what amount was paid for any volume, so
that the cost of binding these reports can only be estimated. All the
expenses for the remaining volumes were provided for in the appro-
priation for the geological survey. According to Newberry, the cost
was as follows:
Final report : volume 1, $69,381.94, or $3.47 a copy ; volume 2, $62,-
778.75, or $3.14 a copy ; volume 3, $27,782.48, or $1.39 a copy ; geo-
logical atlas (5,000 copies), $11,692, or $2.34 a copy; volume 4. $8,
410.02, or $0.42 a copy ; volume 5, $10,237.79, or $1.02 a copy.
In 1889 appropriations for the renewal of the survey were made, in
accordance with the following :
An act to provide for the extension of the geological survey of the State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Stnte of Ohio, That
the governor is hereby authorized to appoint a State geologist, whose duty it
shall be to continue and extend the investigations already n:ade into the geologi-
cal structure and resources of the State. Said State geologist shall be appointed
for a term of three years, but he may be removed for cause at any time, and a
successor appointed in his stead ; and the governor is authorized to fill any va-
cancy which may occur from any cause, at any time. The compensation of said
State geologist shall be at the rate of $200 per mouth, for the time actually em-
ployed ; and said geologist shall have power to employ such assistants as he
may need ; but in no event shall the salary of the geologist, pay of assistants,
and expense of the department exceed the amount of the expenditure authorized
by the general assembly.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 427
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of said geologist to study, and determine as nearly
as possible, the number and extent of the various formations of the State;
to represent the same, from time to time, upon properly constructed maps and
diagrams ; to study the modes of occurrence and the distribution of the useful
minerals and products of these formations; to determine the chemical com-
position and structure of the same; to investigate the soils and water supply
of the State; and to give attention to the discoveries of coal, building stone,
natural cement, petroleum, gas, and other natural substances of use and value
to the State. He may also collect and describe the fossils of the various
geological formations of the State; but no expenditure shall be incurred
under this head that is not expressly ordered and provided for by the general
assembly.
SEC. 3. The said geologist shall make, on or before the first day in February
of each year, a report to the governor, covering the work of the preceding year,
and the report shall be transmitted to the general assembly, to be printed in
the same manner as other public documents, or as shall be otherwise ordered.
SEC. 4. The salaries of the State geologist and the assistants employed by
him, together with the traveling and incidental expenses, shall be paid monthly,
on presentation of properly itemized vouchers, signed by the 'governor, out of
the State treasury, from the appropriation made for such purpose.
SEC. 5. There is hereby appropriated from the general revenue fund the sum
of $1,000, annually, for the purpose above named.
SEC. 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Passed April 12, 1889.
Under this law, which may be considered as establishing the third
organization for the purpose of making a geological survey of the
State, Doctor Orton was again appointed State geologist, and con-
tinued to hold the office until the time of his death, which took place
in October, 1899. From 1893 until this latter elate, however, all
work was practically suspended. Doctor Orton still held the position
but no appropriations were made and the little work done was volun-
tary on his part. 1
Under the organization above authorized, Prof. N. W. Lord, of the
State university, served as chemist, and Prof. S. W. Robinson, also
of the State university, as special assistant in the measurement of
gas wells and pipe lines.
The first annual report under this organization 'bears the date of
1890, and is given up mainly to a consideration of the subjects of
oil and gas.
After Doctor Orton's death the subject of the survey was taken
up once more, and in 1900 a bill was passed appropriating $2,500
for the current year and $3,500 for the year 1901. Edward Orton, jr.,
became State geologist. The work of this survey, however, passes
beyond the limit set for the present history.
1 See Bulletin No. 1, series 4, Geological Survey of Ohio, 1903.
428 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
PENNSYLVANIA. 1
FIRST GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER HENRY D. ROGERS, 1836-1842.
Organization. In 1834 there was organized a geological society
of Pennsylvania, the objects of which were declared to be :
To ascertain as far as possible the nature and structure of the rock forma-
tions of the State; their connection or comparison with the other formations
in the United States and of the rest of the world ; the fossils they contain and
their nature and positions and associations, and particularly the uses to which
they can be applied in the arts, and their subserviency to the comforts and con-
veniences of men.
This society continued in existence but four years and left a single
volume of transactions as tangible evidence of its career. It was,
however, doubtless largely through the interest aroused by this
society that there was established in 1836 a State geological survey.
The following is the text of the original and supplementary acts :
An act to provide for n geological and mineralogical survey of the State.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in general assembly met, and it is hereby
enacted by the authority of the same, That the governor is hereby authorized
and required, within 30 days after the passage of this act, to appoint a State
geologist of talents, integrity, and suitable, scientific, and practical knowledge
of his profession, who shall appoint as his assistants two geologists, also of
integrity and competent skill, one of whom shall also be a scientific and prac-
tical mineralogist, and the said State geologist shall also appoint a competent,
practical, analytical chemist to assist him in his duties.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the State geologist and his assistants imme-
diately to commence and to carry on with as much expedition and dispatch as
may be consistent with minuteness and accuracy, and in accordance with a
plan previously submitted to the secretary of the Commonwealth, a geological
and mineralogical survey of the State, with a view to determine the order, sue-
cession, arrangement, relative position, and the clip or inclination, and also the
comparative magnitude of the several strata or geological formations within
the State, and to discover and examine all beds and deposits of ores, coals,
clays, marls, and such other mineral substances as mayjbe deemed useful or
valuable, together with such other duties as may be necessary to make a full
and complete geological and mineralogical survey of the State.
SEC. 3. It shall further be the duty of the said State geologist, on or before
the 1st day of January in each and every year, during the time necessarily
occupied by said survey, to make an annual report of the progress of said
survey, accompanied with such maps, drawings, and specimens as may be
necessary and proper to exemplify and elucidate the same to the secretary of
the Commonwealth, who shall immediately lay such report before the legis-
lature.
SEC. 4. The said State geologist is further required to en use to be represented
on the map of this Commonwealth, by colors and other appropriate means, the
various areas occupied by the different geological formations in the State,
1 Compiled in part from manuscript notes by J. P. Lesley In 1886.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 103 PL. 23
HENRY DARWIN ROGERS
STATE GEOLOGIST OF NEW JERSEY, 1835-40, AND OF
PENNSYLVANIA, 1846 52,
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 429
and to mark thereon the localities of the respective beds or deposits of the
various mineral substances discovered, and on the completion of the survey to
compile a memoir of the geology and mineralogy of the State, comprising a
complete account of the leading subjects and discoveries which have been
embraced in the survey.
SEC. 5. The said State geologist shall also send to the secretary of the Com-
monwealth such specimens of the rocks, ores, coals, soils, fossils, and mineral
products discovered, as he may deem necessary and proper, in order to form a
complete cabinet collection of specimens of the geology and mineralogy of the
State, and the said secretary of the Commonwealth shall cause them to be de-
posited in proper order, in some convenient room in the State capitol, there to
be preserved for public inspection. The said geologist is further required to
furnish similar specimens of geology and mineralogy of each county in the
State to the commissioners of said county, who shall cause the same to be
properly deposited and arranged for public inspection in a room in the county
courthouse, or some other convenient place in the county.
SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the chemist appointed as aforesaid to make
full and complete examinations, assays and analyses of all such rocks, ores,
soils, mineral substances, and mineral waters as may be submitted to him by
the State geologist, and to furnish him with a detailed and complete account of
the results so obtained.
SEC. 7. For the purpose of carrying on and completing the said geological
and mineralogiacl survey, the sum of $6,400 is hereby annually appropriated
for five year;?, to be expended as follows: For the annual salary of the State
geologist, $2,000; for that of each of the assistant geologists, $1,200; and for
the annual compensation of the chemist, in full for all services performed and
expenses incurred by him, $1,000; the remaining $1,000, if necessary, to be
appropriated to the incidental expenses of the geologists, incurred in the prose-
cution of the survey, and the duties enjoined on them by this act: Provided,
That the said salaries shall not commence until the said geologists and chemist
shall have entered upon the execution of their duties, and that on the com-
pletion of said survey and the duties connected with it they shall wholly
cease and determine.
Approved March 29, 1836.
A supplement to the act entitled "An act to provide for a jreolo.sical and mineraloglcal
survey of the State," passed March 29, 1836.
SECTON 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and is liereby en-
acted by the authority of the same, That the State geologist be, and he is here-
by, authorized to appoint two additional assistant geologists, who shall possess
the same qualifications, and receive the same salary as those appointed under
the act to which this is a supplement, and that the annual report of the said
State geologist shall be made to the legislature on or before the 1st day of
February in each year.
SEC. 2. For the payment of the said additional assistant geologists, and such
expenses as may be incurred in the formation of the State and county cabinet
collections of mineral specimens, with other incidental expenses, incurred in
the prosecution of the survey, the sum of $3,000 is hereby added to the future
annual appropriation mentioned in the seventh section of the act to which
this is a supplement.
SEC. 3. So much of the act to which this is a supplement, as is hereby altered
nr supplied, shall be. and the same is hereby, repealed.
430 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
SEC. 4. The governor of this Commonwealth is hereby authorized to draw
his warrant upon the State treasurer, on the 1st day of April next, in favor
of the treasurer of the " Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania, for
the promotion of the mechanic arts," for the sum of $2,000; and for the further
sum of $1,000, on the 1st day of April for each of the two years next ensu-
ing, for the purpose of promoting the improvement of meteorological science,
and the furnishing of each county of this Commonwealth with the necessary
instruments for the observation of such atmospheric changes and phenomena
ns may be useful for the promotion of knowledge in the science of meteorology
Approved March 21, 1837.
An act of 1838 provided :
SEC. 12. That in order to complete the geological and mifeera logical simey of
the State more rapidly, and to secure to the people the benefits thereof, as nearly
as practicable at the same time, the sum of $6,000 is hereby added to the future
annual appropriations mentioned in the seventh section of the act passed March
26, 1836, entitled "An act to provide for a geological and mineralogical survey
of the State," to be expended by the State geologist, with the approbation of
the governor, in the employment of such additional subassistant geologists and
a draftsman, as may be deemed necessary for the rapid completion of the
survey: Provided, That the salaries of the said assistant geologists shall not
exceed $<SOO per annum each, and the salary of the draftsman shall be $1,200
per annum: and it shall be the duty of the State geologist, in addition to the
duties now imposed upon him by law, to make such inquiries and examinations
into the present methods of mining coal and manufacturing iron as the gover-
nor shall deem expedient and proper, to increase the products of the mineral
resources of the State, and when the said inquiries and examinations are
completed, the said State geologist shall compile a complete and detailed report
thereof, and present the same to the legislature as soon as practicable.
Approved April 13, 1838.
Again, in 1840 it was provided :
That the sum of $10,200 shall be, and the 8;:me is hereby, appropriated for
the completion of the geological and nriueralogical survey, to be applied as
follows: Two thousand dollars for the payment of one year's salary to the
State geologist; $6,000 to the payment of one year's salary of six assistants,
including the chemist, at the rate of $1,000 each; and the remaining sum of
$2,200 to be paid to and applied by the said geologist to the payment of the
incidental expenses of said survey, including the preparation of three com-
plete collections or cabinets of geological and mineralogical specimens, for the
use of the State, and for the compiling and preparing for publication the final
report in relation to said survey, together with the maps and drawings to ac-
company the same, which said sum shall be deemed and taken as full com
pensation therefor.
Section 17 of the act of 1844 provided :
For the completion of geological survey, $2,200 to be applied to the payment
of the incidental expenses of the geological survey, including the preparation
of the general cabinet collections of geological and mineralogical specimens
nnd the maps and drawings assigned to accompany and elucidate the final
report of the State geologist; and the governor is hereby further authorized
to take such other measures ns in his opinion the public interest may re-
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 431
quire in relation to the reception and protection of said final reports, maps,
drawings, and cabinet collections; which sum shall be deemed and taken
as full and final compensation for completing the same as per act of May,
^41. For continuing the meteorological observations in the several coun-
lies of this Commonwealth, according to the provisions of the fourth sec-
tion of the act of March 21, 1837, $300: Provided, That the State geologist
shall give bond with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the governor, con-
ditioned for the completion of the work according to existing laws.
Administration. Under the act approved March 29, 1836, Prof.
Henry D. Rogers was appointed State geologist, retaining the office
until the final abolition of the survey and the publication of the re-
port in 1858. He was assisted from time to time as follows : In 1836,
by John F. Frazer and James C. Booth; in 1837, Messrs. S. S.
Haldeman, A. McKinley, C. B. Trego, and J. D. Whelpley. with Dr.
R. E. Rogers as chemist In 1838. Messrs. H. D. Holl, J.' T. Hodge,
R. M. Jackson, J. C. McKinney, P. W. Schaeffer, T. Ward, and M. H.
Boye were added to the force. In 1839 J. Peter Lesley and Doctor
Henderson were added in place of Messrs. Whelpley and McKinney,
who resigned. In 1840 the personnel was essentially the same. In
1841 it was reduced to Messrs. McKinley, Holl, Jackson, Lesley, Boye.
and Doctor Rogers. In 1851 the geological assistants were Prof. E.
Desor and W. B. Rogers, jr.. Peter Lesley and A. A. Dalson serving
as topographers.
The salaries of these assistants, as noted, were fixed by law. That
of the State geologist, by the act of 1836, was fixed at $2,000 a year,
and those of the assistant geologists and chemist at $1,200 and $1,000,
respectively. By the act of 1838 the salaries of a draftsman and
subassistant geologists were fixed at $1.200 and $800, respectively.
Under the act of 1840 the salaries of the six assistants, including the
chemist, were made $1,000 each.
During the first year of the survey (according to J. P. Lesley) the
general order and character of the 13 Paleozoic formations were
obtained and the foundation laid for Paleozoic geology in America,
requiring no essential change from that time to the present, at least
along the Appalachian belt. After the first year the State was di-
'vicled into general geological districts, to the particular study of
which the several assistant geologists were from year to year as-
signed. Their reports were embodied in the first five of the annual
reports of the State geologist to the legislature.
The work of the first six years was of the nature of a geological
reconnoissance of a very thorough character, covering the ^ntire
area of the State, amply sufficient at that time for the information of
its citizens, largely contributing to the creation of the science of
geology, establishing new principles of structure, and mediating
13607520 29
432 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
sufficiently between the paleontological differentiations of the New
York and Canadian outcrops to the north and the geological surveys
of Booth in Delaware, Ducatel in Maryland, William B. Rogers in
Virginia, Emmons in North Carolina, Tuomey in South Carolina,
Troost and Safford in Tennessee, D. D. Owen in Kentucky, and other
geologists in the Western States and Territories.
As a reconnoissance it was a brilliant success. The accuracy of
its determinations on a large scale have never been impugned. None
of its important data have been falsified by subsequent examinations.
The mistakes it made were without exception errors of detail, mainly
due to the then wild and unsettled condition of large districts of the
State and the slight development of its mineral beds, but largely
also to the slender fund placed at the disposal of the State geologist
annually, which prevented him from undertaking the necessary in-
strumental work for the accurate measurement of sections and loca-
tion of lines of outcrop on the map. The geodetic determination of
geographical data was impossible.
This lack of precision, while it did not affect practically the value
of the geological knowledge obtained and published provisionally in
the annual reports, was destined to be severely felt when the final
report came to be written and a geological State map prepared. It
gave, as it was sure to give, to the whole final report a general tone
of uncertainty respecting the actual thickness of formations and in
many cases to the identification of beds and groups of beds at places
distant from each other, especially in the coal regions. Had money
been at command for instrumental work, many of the great prob-
lems in the anthracite region, which have since been settled, would
have been settled then, and large sums of money would have been
saved to the anthracite industry. The same was true respecting the
iron industry. But 50 years ago [i. e. about 1836] the practical im-
portance of accurate scientific geological surveys was not appreciated,
and the people of Pennsylvania permitted the geological survey of
the State to pursue its course under the most onerous disabilities and
to stop at precisely the point where its utility was becoming real. At
this point the work was resumed in 1874, after an interval of 33
years, since which the State survey has simply been a practical con-
summation of the earlier preparatory work.
The lack of precise instrumental work was most severely felt in
the preparation of the geological map, for which there was no sound
basis whatever and in which every geographical error on Melish's
old State map and on the few county maps which existed was neces-
sarily either reproduced or modified into some equally objectionable
form. So great was the confusion of errors on the maps at the
command of the geological survey that an aggregate error in longi-
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 433
tude of more than 3 miles was concentrated from east and west along
the line of the Susquehanna River, and was then redistributed east-
ward and westward toward the New Jersey and Ohio State lines.
Had it not been for the small scale on which the State map was
drawn (5 miles to the inch) the distortion of the geological out-
crops, colored to represent the formations, would have been flagrant.
Museums. Section 5 of the act of 1836 directed the State geologist
to make collections of rocks, ores, coals, soils, fossils, and mineral
products in order to form a complete cabinet of specimens, which the
secretary of the Commonwealth should cause to be deposited in proper
order in some convenient room in the State capitol. He was further
directed to furnish similar specimens of the geology and mineralogy
of each county in the State to the commissioners of said county, who
should cause the same to be properly deposited in a room of the
county courthouse or some convenient place for public inspection.
The act of 1840 authorized the preparation of three complete col-
lections " for the use of the State." An act of 1848 provided :
That on application to that effect the secretary of the Commonwealth be
directed to deposit with the Western Pennsylvania University of the city of
Pittsburgh, the fourth collection of geological and mineralogical specimens now
in Philadelphia, which said fourth collection as made by Professor Rogers
from the principal collections originally deposited in Harrisburg and Philadel-
phia shall in no manner be disturbed or impaired by such deposit at Pitts-
burgh.
Resolved, That the collection of geological and mineralogical specimens col-
lected by Professor Rogers to be deposited in Philadephpia, and which is now
stored in that city be, and the same is hereby, presented to the corporation of
the city of Philadelphia, on condition that the said corporation shall, within
one year, deposit the same in some public building or public institution in
Philadelphia, where it shall be duly arranged in scientific order, and marked
as the collection made by the State, and be kept open at all proper times for
public inspection, free of charge.
Expenses. The total appropriations for the survey, including those
of the supplementary acts for its completion, amounted to $66,000,
exclusive of the cost of preparation of manuscript and the publication
of the final report.
Publications. During the period of its existence the survey issued
six annual reports, the first bearing date of 1836 and the last 1842.
These were small octavo volumes, destitute of illustration, with the
exception of a few outline sections, and of 100 to 250 pages each.
The survey, as noted, came to an untimely end in 1842. Rogers,
however, being unwilling to relinquish the work in its unfinished con-
dition, continued at his own expense until he was able, in 1847, to
make his final report to the office of the secretary of the Common-
wealth. Here the manuscript was allowed to lie until, in the spring
of 1851, appropriations, which were continued until 1855, were made
434 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
for revising it and bringing it up to elate. The total cost of publica-
tion of this final report, two large quarto volumes of 1631 pages, 2S
full-page plates, 18 folded sheets of sections, and 778 figures in text,
was $16,000, and the edition limited to 1,000 copies. The following
is the text of the law under which this final report was ultimately
published :
An act supplementary to an act entitled "An act to Incorporate the Byberry & Poqueseu
Turnpike Road Co., and relative to the publication of the final report on the geological
survey of the State," approved April 14, 1851.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby
enacted by the authority of the same, That, in addition to the persons here-
tofore provided for hi said act, the members and the principal and assistant
clerks of each house of the general assembly, for the year 1855, shall be en-
titled to receive one copy of the State geological survey, and one copy shall
also be sent to each State government, to the Congressional Library, and to
each public library of this Commonwealth: Provided, That no individual
member, clerk, or library shall be entitled to receive more than one copy of
said work.
SEC. 2. Tliat the secretary of the Commonwealth be, arid he is hereby, directed
to contract with Prof. Henry D. Rogers for the publication of the final
geological report of the survey made by him on behalf of the State, with the
accompanying maps, plates, cuts, and engravings, and the furnishing to the
State of 1,000 copies thereof, according to the proposals, specifications, and
contract adopted and entered into between the Commonwealth and liogan &
Thompson in the year 1851: Provided, That the said contract shall stipulate
for the complete publication and delivery of said work, within three years
from the 1st day of April, 1855; and the said Henry D. Rogers shall enter into
a bond, with sufficient security, for the faithful performance thereof.
SEC. 3. That the secretary of the Commonwealth is further authorized to
stipulate in said contract for the publication of the large State map, accom-
panying said report, upon twice its present scale: Provided, That the addi-
tional cost of said enlargement shall not exceed the sum of .$2,000.
SKC. 4. That the sum of $19,000 is hereby appropriated for the purposes afore-
said, to be paid on the warrants of the governor, as follows, to wit: Three
thousand dollars on the 1st day of October next; $3,000 on the 1st day of April,
1856; $7,000 on the 1st day of April, 1857; and the last installment as soon as
1,000 copies of said work are delivered, according to the said contract: but
before the payment of either of these installments the secretary of the Com-
monwealth shall be satisfied of the due progress of said work; ami all former
appropriations to said objects be, and the same are hereby, repealed.
Approved May 3, 1855.
SECOND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNDER J. P. LESLEY. 1874-1888. T
In 1851, 10 years after the close of field work in 1841, the legis-
lature voted an appropriation for publishing a final report of the
first survey. The State geologist then revisited portions of the State,
especially the anthracite region, with the help of Messrs. P. W. and
1 Compiled almost wholly from a manuscript by J. P. Lesley, written in 1886.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 30
J. PETER LESLEY
STATE GEOLOGIST OF PENNSYLVANIA, 1874-1903.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 4-','.")
John Sheaf er, E. Desor, Leo Lesquereux, J. P. Lesley, A. A. Dalson,
W. B. Rogers, jr., and Mr. Poole, and published the Geology of
Pennsylvania in 1858, as already noted.
In the interval of 13 years between 1841, when the first survey
stopped, and 1854, when all official field work practically ceased, a
great development of the coal and iron industries of the State took
place. Hundreds of mines had been opened ; many new mineral dis-
tricts had been prospected and more or less occupied; railroad cut-
tings had exposed a multitude of measurable outcrops; the state-
ments of the first survey had been criticized and verified, and a large
body of fresh data added.
Tn the next interval of 20 years, between 1854 and 1874, a far
greater change took place. The discovery of rock oil in 1859 con-
verted in a few years the silent forests of northwestern Pennsylvania
into an open region, crowded with villages, towns, and cities, ani-
mated with a geological fury for investigation, and penetrated to a
depth of 2,000 feet by many thousand bore holes ; so that no part of
the earth's crust ever was or is ever likely to be again so completely
and minutely explored; nor was ever so vast an accumulation of
stratigraphical data thrown together in a heap at the feet of the
science.
Then came the war of secession and an unprecedented demand for
iron, and for coal to smelt iron. One-half the annual product of
both iron and coal in the United States has always come from Penn-
sylvania. Abandoned mines were reworked, new ones opened, fur-
naces enlarged, collieries deepened and extended. Every outcrop of
iron ore, good and bad alike, was traced and tried ; every outcrop of
black slate exposed to eager inquisition. A multitude of private
surveys took place in all parts of the State, and a world of fresh
data, of a specially precise kind, was accumulated, which appealed to
a largely increased geological intelligence in the public mind.
The invention of Bessemer iron when introduced into Pennsylva-
nia in 1867 not only intensified the critical search for ore, but multi-
plied the number and improved the quality of metallurgical experts,
and thus exercised an important influence upon the sentiment of the
Commonwealth toward geology as an applied science. There was a
continually louder call for geological facts. But there was no State
bureau of geology nor any officer of the Commonwealth from whom
such could be obtained. All surveys were private; all reports confi-
dential. Business refused to give away its valuable secrets. The
publications of the first State survey were out of print and out of
date; would not answer questions if they could, and could not if they
would ; for the lifetime of a generation had elapsed and a new survey
of the State was needed, under better auspices and with vastly greater
436 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
advantages ; a survey not so much for the discovery of the unknow*
as for making known to the public discoveries which in a multitude of
private hands awaited publication ; a survey not so much for the mere
publication of this vast concealed store of facts as for the critical ex-
amination and discussion of them, putting them into true relationship
to each other, getting from such discussion intelligent comprehension
of what was known and what still remained unknown, and clear indi-
cations of how the investigation of the geology of the State should be
pursued.
Such, then, was the animus which inspired a limited number of the
most intelligent citizens of the State to obtain, in 1873, an act of the
legislature for the geological survey of Pennsylvania.
The immediate motive for the survey was probably the clamor of
the oil men in 1873 for a survey of the oil regions, for in that year
the annual production of petroleum suddenly advanced from
6,000,000 to 10,000,000 barrels, while the price of a barrel sank from
$4 to $2, throwing western Pennsylvania into a state of the highest
excitement, reflected by the stock exchanges in every city, and rivet-
ing the attention of merchants at European ports. Every one was
asking: How long will the flow of oil last? What is its original
source? Where are the limits of its reservoirs? Who can give us
a rule to locate a well ? How many oil sands are there ? Can geology
teach us anything? Why does the State legislature not provide for
a scientific examination of the phenomenon ?
The three other great mineral industries of the State iron, anthra-
cite, and coking coal thought that they knew their geologies suffi-
ciently well, and one of them at least, the anthracite, had special
business reasons for not pressing its claims to a resurvey; for the
railroad companies were acquiring and consolidating the collieries,
and desired no interference ; the bituminous coal measures were well
understood in the local districts which produced most ; and the iron-
works had their own geological advisers.
But when the demand for a State survey was made by the oil
interest it was supported by intelligent men from all parts of the
State, each district hoping for discoveries valuable to itself, and the
poorer counties believing that their mineral poverty was merely a
mistake or oversight chargeable to the inadequacy of the old survey.
The legislative act instituting the survey was couched in the fol-
lowing terms :
SECTION 1. Be it enacted, etc., That the governor, with the advice and consent
of the senate shall, as soon as practicable after the passage of this act, ap-
point 10 suitable commissioners from different sections of the State, who,
with the governor as chairman ex offlcio, shall constitute a board to prosecute
the work contemplated in this act; the persons so appointed shall hold office
during the continuance of the work, and any vacancies in their number caused
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 437
by death or resignation shall be filled by the governor with the consent of the
senate.
SEC. 2. The commissioners before entering on their duties, shall respectively
take and subscribe the path required of other State officers, which shall be
filed in the office of the secretary of the Commonwealth, who is hereby author-
ized and directed to administer said oath.
SEC. 3. The said board is hereby authorized to rent rooms in Harrisburg at a
moderate and usual rent, to use for the purposes of the survey created by this
act, and shall therein also hold its regular meetings; such meetings shall be
held at least once in every three months and as much oftener as required by
the exigencies of its affairs, and the due furtherance of the survey; the time
for the regular meetings shall be fixed at the time of its organization.
SEC. 4. The commissioners shall receive no compensation for services but
their actual traveling and other necessary expenses, which shall be paid by
the State treasurer on the certificate of the auditor general; and no commis-
sioner or officer under this act shall derive pecuniary profit from the appro-
priation made by this act, other than is specified.
SEC. 5. The board shall be convened by the governor as soon as practicable,
and it shall have power to make such regulations for the management of its
business as it may deem expedient, and may, if necessary, employ a clerk.
SEC. 6. The board created by this act shall, on its organization, take charge
of and conduct as it may deem to the best interests of the State, the business
of organizing a thorough and extended geological survey of the State. The
purpose of the said survey shall be to make such investigations as may be
required to thoroughly elucidate the geology of the State and put the result
of this and previous work of individuals or surveys into a convenient form
for reference; and further, to make such full chemical examination of ores,
coals, oils, clays, soils, fertilizing, and other useful minerals and waters as
shall be required to afford the agricultural, mining, metallurgical, and other
Interests of the State a clear insight into the character of its resources. The
said board shall also cause to be collected such specimens as may be neces-
sary to form a complete cabinet collection of specimens of the geology and
mineral resources of the State.
SEC. 7. To carry out the purposes of this act the board is hereby authorized
and required to appoint a State geologist of ability and experience, who shall
control the execution of the details of the survey ; and the said geologist shall
appoint such competent assistants as may be required to carry out the pur-
poses of the survey, none of whom shall be members of the board. All
salaries shall be fixed by the board, which is hereby required to make yearly
agreements with the geologist and his assistants as to their salaries. It shall
also fix the rates at which the geologist may employ such temporary assistants
as he may require. The work of the survey shall be done on such plan as
shall be approved by the board. On the adoption of the plan, the geologist
shall immediately and thereafter as often as may be required, make out esti-
mates for all necessary implements and materials for the work, and for all
necessary expenses, and these estimates shall be submitted to and be subject
to the approval of the board. The said State geologist, with his assistants,
shall be under the control of the board, but after the approval of the plan
submitted by the geologists his assistants shall be responsible to him for the
proper execution of their work. The State geologist shall be present at the
meeting* of the board and take part in its discussions.
SEC. 8. The said board shall collect copies of the surveys of this and other
States ttnii counties', and shall digest the information therein contained to the
438 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
end that the survey created by this act may be made as thorough, practical,
and convenient as is possible. All works so collected shall be the property of the
State. It shall further be the duty of the members of the board, in addition
to those already specified, to furnish, from time to time, to the State geologist,
any and all information which will contribute to the development of the facts
relating to the mining, agricultural, and other pursuits of the State.
SEC. 9. It shall be lawful for all persons employed by the geological survey
created by this act to enter, without molestation, into and upon all lands and
localities in this State which it may be necessary to examine for the purposes
of this survey. The board shall avail itself, as fully as possible, of the informa-
tion, maps and surveys possessed by citizens and corporations in this State relat-
ing to the geology and topography of the State. All the facts, of whatever nature.
obtained by the survey shall be considered public property, and any conceal-
ment or speculative use of the same is strictly prohibited. All publications of
the board shall be copyrighted by it in the name of the State.
SEC. 10. And it shall be the duty of the State geoolgist annually, before the
15th day of February in each year, to prepare a detailed report of the oper-
ations of the year, and the facts obtained by the survey; he shall submit the
same to the board, which is hereby authorized to print and publish the said
reports in a suitable and convenient form, adapted to modern requirements.
Copies of the reports, with all maps and supplements, shall be donated to all
public libraries, universities, and colleges in the State, and shall be furnished
at cost of publication to all other applicants for them.
SEC. 11. To carry out the purposes of this act, the sum of $35,000 is hereby
annually appropriated for three years. All expenditures made in carrying
out this work shall be, after the approval of the board, certified by the same,
upon proper vouchers, to the auditor general, who shall draw his warrant upon
the State treasurer for the amount : Provided, That no salaries or other ex-
penditures under this act shall commence until the officers herein named have
entered upon the execution of their respctive duties.
Approved May 14, 1874.
Acts granting appropriations and supplementing or modifying the
original act, from time to time, were as follows:
Act of May 13, 1876.
Be it enacted, That for the purpose of continuing the geological survey of
the State the sum of $15,000 be appropriated for the year 1876, and the sum of
$50,000 for the year 1877 ; and said sum shall be expended in conformity with
the act approved May 14, 1874, entitled "An act to provide for a geological sur-
vey of the State."
Act of April 18. 1877.
Be it enacted, That the sum of $10,000 is hereby appropriated, to be expended
according to the provisions of an act, entitled "An act to provide for a geo-
logical survey of the State," approved May 14, 1874, $50,000 for the work of
the year 1878, and $50.000 for the work of the year 1879.
Act of June 11, JS7!>.
lie it enacted, That the sum of $50,000 is hereby appropriated, to be expended
according to the provisions of an act, entitled " An act to provide for a geological
survey of the State," approved May 14. 1874, for the work of the vear 1880.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATUltAL HLSTO1IV .SURVEYS. 439
Act of May 26, 1881.
lie it enacted, That the sum of $125,000 be, mid the same is hereby, ap-
propriated, to be expended according to the provisions of an act, entitled "An
act to provide for a geological survey of the State," approved May 14, 1874:
Provided, That not more than $50,000 shall be expended in any one year:
And provided further, That the said survey shall be completed, so far as the
field work is concerned, by the end of the calendar year 1S8P.
Act of June 28, 188H.
He it enacted, That the sum of $50,000 is hereby specially appropriated for
the continuance of the geological survey of the anthracite coal region of the
State, to be expended accordiug to the provisions of an act entitled "An act
to provide for a geological survey of the State," approved May 14, 1874: Pro-
vided, That any expenditure for said anthracite survey which shall have been
paid out of the appropriation for the general survey of the State, after the first
day of January, 1883, and prior to the passage of this act, may be reimbursed
10 s.-nM general appropriation out of the special appropriation hereby made.
Act of July :;, 1885.
Ue /.' enacted, That the sum of $50.000 be, and the same is hereby, appropri-
ated to be expended, according to the provisions of an act, entitled "An act to pro-
vide for a geological survey of State," approved May 14, 1874 : Provided, That
not more than $19,000 be expended annually to continue the anthracite survey,
and not more than $2,000 be expended annually to extend the oil and gas
region survey; and not more than $4,000 shall be expended annually to extend
the survey in the bituminous regions of the Monongahela Valley and Pittsburgh
coal regions, and continue unfinished surveys in the iron-ore regions.
Acts respecting the publications of the survey, etc. :
Joint resolution of March 18, 1875.
Resolved, That 5,000 copies be printed of the report on the mineralogy of
Pennsylvania, by F. A. Geuth, and the special report on petroleum, by Henry
K. Wrigley, with accompanying maps and charts, reported by the board of
commissioners of the geological survey of Pennsylvania, 1.000 copies for the
use of the senate and 4,000 copies for the use of the house of representatives.
Act of April 18, 1877.
SECTION 1. He it enacted, That the board of commissioners of the second
geological survey of the State be, and they are hereby, authorized to donate a
copy of each report and map published by them to every member of the geo-
logical corps, and to each author of a report 20 copies of such report, and to
distribute gratuitously 50 copies of each report; and to sell copies of the re-
ports to booksellers at a reasonable discount on their value.
SEC. 2. That the commissioners of the second geological survey shall furnish
to the senate and house of representatives, for distribution among the people
of the State, 10,000 copies of the reports now on hand in their department,
as they may select; 3,000 for the use of the senate and 7,000 for the house;
and they shall also furnish in the same ratio 1,500 copies of each of the forth-
coming reports designated, respectively, O and HH: Provided, That nothing
in this act shall be construed to authorize the reprinting of any of the reports
aforesaid.
440 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
SEC. 3. That 1,000 copies of each of the reports in the hands of said com-
missioners be placed at the disposal of the executive department of the Stat
for distribution to other States and counties and public institutions.
Act of March 15, 1878.
Be it enacted, That the commissioners of the geological survey shall furnish
the senate and house of representatives, for distribution to the people, 1,000
bound copies of each of the volumes marked, respectively, HUH and II, and
also a like number of bound copies of each of the forthcoming reports of the
survey, 350 of each for the use of the senate and 650 for the use of the house.
They shall also furnish to the executive department 100 bound copies of each
of the reports as above for distribution to other States and public institutions.
Joint resolution of May 3, 1878.
Resolved, That there be printed for the present year for the use of the
senate and house of representatives 3,500 copies of each volume of the geological
survey reports heretofore issued, and a like number of each volume of the
reports of said survey which are now in process of publication; 1,000 copied
of each volume for the use of the senate and 2,500 for the use of the house of
representatives.
Joint resolution of March 28, 1879.
Whereas with one or two unimportant exceptions, all the known accessible
anthracite coal in the world is found within the limits of the State of Pennsyl-
vania; and
Whereas by various enactments of former legislatures of this Common-
wealth, the care and management of these precious deposits of fuel, which
are very limited in extent, have been committed to bodies corporate with almost
unlimited powers and with consequent responsibilities; and
Whereas the anthracite coal fields, the seat of the most important mineral
interest in the State, is rapidly becoming exhausted under the present wasteful
and unprofitable system of mining and selling the same, which is returning no
just recompense to the land owner, the operator, the miner : Therefore
Be it resolved, That the board of commissioners of the geological survey of
the State be requested to cause a survey and examination of the anthracite
coal region to be made, paying special attention to the question of the rapid
exhaustion of this most valuable deposit, more economy in the methods of min-
ing, and the avoidance of the great waste and overproduction now threatening
ruin to all interested in the trade, and to make a special report with reference
to these subjects, and suggesting if possible a remedy for the evils a!*>re recited.
Act of June 12, 1879.
Whereas the commissioners of the second geological survey of Pennsylvania
have had printed, and now hold in reserve, 2,500 copies of the larger maps and
other illustrations accompanying the several reports of said survey, and as said
reports are required by the citizens of this Commonwealth: Therefore
Be it enacted, That there be printed for the present year 2,500 copies of each
volume of the geological survey reports heretofore and hereafter to be issued;
600 copies of each volume for the use of the senate, and 1,900 of each volume
for the use of the house of reperesentatives : and the commissioners of the
geological survey are hereby directed to deliver to the superintendent of public
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 441
printing and binding the maps and illustrations already printed and in their
possession, in order that they may be bound in the volumes directed to be fur-
nished by this net : Provided, That the maps and illustrations already printed,
and the stereotype plates used In printing the edition now called for shall not
be charged a second time by the State printer.
Act of April 4, 1883.
Whereas the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, a society founded
m 1812, and lawfully incorporated in 1817, for the encouragement and cul-
tivation of the sciences, and devoted entirely to the advancement of useful learn-
ing, has signified its willingness to assume the custody of the collections of
specimens made by the second geological survey of Pennsylvania, and to freely
exhibit the same, without rental or other charge to the State : Therefore
Be it enacted, That the commissioners in charge of the second geological
survey of Pennsylvania be, and are hereby, authorized and directed to deliver
free of expense to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia the speci-
mens collected during the survey, which specimens are to remain in the custody
of the Academy until otherwise provided by law, as the property of the State, to
be exhibited without fee to those persons who may desire to view or study the
same at such times and under such rules as may be prescribed by said academy
from time to time.
Act of July 3, 1885.
Whereas by section 10 of an act approved May 14, 1874, entitled "An act to
provide for a geological survey of the State," it is provided as follows:
" Copies of the reports with all maps and supplements shall be donated to all
public libraries, universities, and colleges in the State, and shall be furnished
at cost of publication to all other applicants for them " ; and
Whereas the sale of these reports has almost ceased by reason of the
gratuitous distribution thereof under subsequent acts of assembly, authorizing
the printing of copies of the said reports for the use of members of the legisla-
ture: and
Whereas there remain in the custody of the board of commissioners of
the geological survey large numbers of these reports, which, for the reason
above mentioned, can not be sold, and which, under existing laws, can not be
otherwise distributed : Therefore,
SECTION 1. Be it enacted, That the board of commissioners of the geological
survey are hereby authorized to retain 100 copies of each report heretofore pub-
lished, and the said board are directed to distribute the remaining copies of
said reports as follows: Fifty copies of each report to the State librarian for
distribution and exchange with other States and Territories, and of the balance
an equal number of volumes to each member of the present senate and house
of representatives, making the sets complete as far as practicable.
SEC. 2. That of each report hereafter published, 3,500 copies shall be printed,
which shall be distributed by the board of commissioners as follows : Five hun-
dred copies to the senate, 2,000 copies to the house of representatives, 150
copies to the State geologist, out of which he shall donate copies to authors
and to members of survey corps as heretofore granted, 600 copies to the
board of commissioners for distribution to public libraries, universities, and
colleges in the State, to parties rendering material assistance to the survey,
and for exchange with foreign societies and geologists; and 50 copies thereof
to the members of the board ; 100 copies to the secretary of internal affairs for
distribution by him; 100 copies to the governor for distribution by him; and
442 BULLETIN 10!', UNITED STATUS NATIONAL Ml'SKUM".
TK) copies to the State librarian for distribution and exchange with other States
and Territories.
SEC. 3. That so much of the act of May 14, 1874, recited In the preamble, as
requires the reports to be sold, and all other acts and parts of acts inconsistent
herewith, be, and the same are hereby, repealed.
Administration. In accordance with the act of assembly Gov.
John F. Hartranft appointed 10 citizens of the State to act as a board
of commissioners to execute the survey : Ario Pardee, of Hazleton ;
William A. Inghara. of Philadelphia ; Henry S. Eckert, of Reading;
Henry McCormick, of Harrisburg ; James Macf arlane, of Towanda :
John B. Pearse, of Philadelphia ; Robert V. Wilson, M. D., of Clear-
field ; Hon. D. J. Morrell, of Johnstown ; Henry W. Oliver, of Pitts-
burgh; and Samuel Q. Brown, of Pleasant ville, as representing all
parts and important interests of the State. Governor Hartranft wa-
himself chairman and Mr. Pearse secretary of the board. In 1878
Doctor Wilson died, and Charles A. Miner, of Wilkes-Bai re, was ap-
pointed in his place. In 1879 Mr. Pearse removed to Boston and
Joseph Miner, of Luzerne County, was appointed. In 1879 Mr. Oli-
ver, then candidate for United States Senator, resigned, and Lewis
W. Hall, of Harrisburg, was appointed. In 1885 Senator Morrell
died, and Charles H. Noyes, of Warren, was appointed. In 1885 Mr.
Macfarlane died, and Jacob Turner, of Greensburg, was appointed.
In June, 1874, the board met, organized, and appointed J. P. Les-
ley, professor of geology in the University of Pennsylvania. State
geologist. The State geologist, in obedience to the terms of the law.
submitted to the board a plan of survey, which was accepted and put
at once into execution July 1, 1874. He appointed five assistant ge-
ologists, to commence work in as many districts of the State, each with
one or more aids for instrumental work; one topographer at head-
quarters, who acted also as clerk and accountant; one chemist, with
a laboratory at Harrisburg, and a mineralogist.
At the end of the year, when the collections had come in, a museum
was established and a paleontological curator appointed.
In 1875 two more assistant geologists were appointed to commence
work in two other districts, making seven in all. and also a paleo-
botanist. This completed the plan of the survey, which remained
practically unchanged for five years, being modified only by the pro-
motion of aids to take the place of assistants who resigned, by the
detail of the curator of the museum to a special geological district,
by the appointment of new aids as they were wanted, and by the ap-
pointment of young volunteers, who served for their expenses and the
knowledge they acquired.
At each quarterly meeting of the board the State geologist reported
the progress of the survey, his plans for the ensuing three months.
GEOLOGICAL ASD ZS ATl'llAL HISTOUY SUliVEY^.
an}' new appointments he might have made, any advance of salary
to any aid or assistant, and his estimate of expenses for the quarter
in advance ; all of which was discussed and acted upon by the board
at their pleasure. The regular quarterly meetings were held at
Harrisburg; special meetings, on occasion, either there or in Phila-
delphia. No business could be transacted unless five commissioners
were present. Usually eight or nine and sometimes the whole board
assembled. On emergencies copies of needful acts were sent by
mail to each commissioner's home in advance of a meeting, and to
absentees after the meeting, to secure unanimity of action ; the policy
of the board being, to postpone consideration of all plans not unani-
mously approved, which accounts for the success of the survey.
Both assistant geologists and aids were expected to devote them-
selves exclusively to the survey, and to have no private professional
business within the limits of the State. Eleven months of their time
each year were due to the survey for field and office work; the re-
maining month was their own, as a vacation, salary paid as usual,
but no expenses. This they might and sometimes did employ, out-
side the State, in some professionally profitable way. No charge was
ever made to any citizen of the State for any geological, miner -
alogical, or chemical information which the survey could communi-
cate; nor was anj* verbal information withheld from any citizen
until publication; but all written information capable of being used
for trade purposes was forbidden. No fee was ever accepted from
any capitalist or company for taking up one line of survey in pref-
erence to another or out of its proper order.
The survey had no connection, officially or unofficially, directly or
indirectly, with other institutions in the State, except in the one
particular that the State geologist was also the official geologist of
the State board of agriculture.
In two cases the assistant geologist was a college professor, and
only served the survey during the field season, preparing his report
in the winter. Another assistant geologist was elected in 1876 pro-
fessor in another college, and accepted the chair on condition that
he should have the freedom of the field season. The mineralogist of
the survey was a professor of chemistry in the University of Penn-
sylvania, and performed his duties to the survey in the laboratories
of the university, and was allowed (after 1875) an aid in said work.
The State geologist was himself professor of geology in the univer-
sity until 1878. when he resigned his chair to devote himself exclu-
-ively to the survey. A number of the aids were graduates of his
department, and three of them became assistant geologists on the
survey. To this fact is partly ascribnble its always excellent esprit
du corps.
444 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Salaries. The scale of salaries proposed by the State geologist
and adopted by the board ranged from $3,000 for the State geologist,
$2,500 for the chemist, $2,000 and $1,600 for assistant geologists,
down to $1,200, $900, $720, $600, and $480 for the aids, a year; in all
cases exclusive of traveling and other necessary expenses. Instru-
ments and stationery, expressage, and postage were provided by the
survey. All salaries and bills of expense were settled, to the last
day of each month, by drafts of the State geologist on the treasurer
of the board, audited by a committee of the board at each quarterly
meeting. Duplicate vouchers were filed in the office of the auditor
general of the State.
Appropriations. The survey was sustained by specific appropria-
tions made by the legislature at its biennial session, as follows : By
the act approved May 14, 1874, $105,000; May 13, 1876, $65,000;
April 18, 1877, $100,000; June 11, 1879, $50,000; May 26, 1881,
$125,000 ; June 28, 1883, $50,000; July 3, 1885, $50,000; 1887, $88,000;
1891, $10.000; total, $643,000. Of this amount $495,000 was ex-
pended between May, 1874, and July, 1885 ; or an average of $45,000
a year for 11 years.
The amounts proposed to be disbursed by the State geologist were
submitted in estimate at the quarterly meetings of the board of
commissioners, and approved or modified. The amounts actually
disbursed were reported to the board, the vouchers audited by a
committee and deposited in duplicate with the auditor general of the
State.
Personnel. The personnel of the survey from 1836 to 1854 has
been described and published in report A, first part, 197 pages, octavo.
1876, entitled "Historical Sketch, etc."
From 1874 to 1886 the personnel of the survey was as follows,
the X under the several dates showing the years or parts of years
during which the persons named (in alphabetical order) were em-
ployed on the survey in various capacities and districts :
1874
1875
1876
1877 1 1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1888
Adachi Jinzoo....
x
x
x
Aquirre, A. A >...
x
"x"
Albrieht.C. E.
* |
Albricht, H F
Allen, Charles*....
x
x
x
X X
*
x
Ames, C. W
Ashburner, Charles
A.*
x
x
Beecher, C. E.s
Berlin, A. P
x
x
ttillin.C. E
Branner, J. C.
x
x
carii.j.fr* ;;
Chance, H. M.*
X
X
X
X
x
X
X X
X X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Special draftsman for parts of two years. * Special draftsman for part of a year (fossils).
* Authors of reports.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTOKY SURVEYS.
445
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
Clark, Ellis, jr
X
x
X
Claypole, E. W.*
x
x
x
X
X
Carralier, M
x
x
x
x
V
x
x
x
x
Christian, G. H
X
X
Dagor, J. H
X
Dewees, J. H.*
A'Inviiliera E V*
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
x
x
......
Eakins, L. G
V
"
Edwards, J. W
X
X
X
....
Fa^en, H. J
x
x
A
....
Fellows, W A
x
x
Flick, W.J....
x
Ford, S. A
x
Forman, F. W
Frazer, Persilor*
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
::::::
Genth, F. A.*
Griffith, William
x
x
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
'
Halberstadt, B
Haldeman, B F . . .
X
X
X
X
X
X
Hale, A
x
x
x
x
x
Hall,C. E .*....
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Harden, E. B.*
Harden O B
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
X
x
X
x
x
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
x
x
x
x
Hartshorne, J
x
x
x
Hill, F. A.*...
X
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
Hunt, T. S.*2
X
Lehman, A. E
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
X
x
X
x
x
x
x
x
....
x
Lesley, J. P.*
x
X
x
x
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
Lewis H C*
x
x
Lyman.B. S. 4
X
Mansfield, I. F.
McCreath AS*
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
McCrcath D
x
x
Merkle J'F
Miner Charles
x
Morris, G
x
X
Moyer, H.I
Nettleton E S
x
X
x
X
x
Parrish H E
x
x
X '
Platt Franklin *
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Platt W G *
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Prime, F , jr *
x
x
x
x
x
V
x
Randall F A '
x
Sadtler S P *
x
x
x
Sanders R H *
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Scott C B
x
x
x
x
Sheafer AW*
x
x
V
x
Sherwood, A.*
X
X
X
X
Sims H N
x
x
x
x
Smeaiey J H '
x
x
x
x
x
x
Stinson J M
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Stockton, k. A
X
Wall, J. S.*
Wells Bard
x
x
x
X
x
x
White 1C*..
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Williams T J
x
x
Winslow A
x
x
x
Wright G F *"
x
Wrigley HE"
x
x
X
1 Special report on fossils of Center County.
Special report E.
* Special assistance in indexing.
< Special survey along the Connodogwinit Creek.
> Special collection of coal plants.
8 Snocial oil-well records.
' Special report on Warren section and fossils.
8 Special draftsman (fossils).
Special notes on serpentine localities.
Special survey of parts of the Glacial Moraine.
11 Special report J.
* Authors of reports.
446 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Progress. In 1874 the survey was begun in Venango and Butler,
in Clearfield and Jefferson, in Mitflin and Huntingdon, in York and
Adams, and in Lehigh Counties
In 1875 it was continued in those counties and was begun in Greene,
Washington, and Allegheny, in Cambria and Blair, and in Tioga and
Bradford. A special survey of parts of Clinton was also made.
In 1876 the survey of the oil region was made to include parts of
Warren and Crawford, Clarion and Armstrong. The rest of Alle-
gheny was surveyed, half of Westmoreland and Fayette, all Beaver,
half of Butler, all Somerset, Potter, and part of Snyder, and the sur-
vey of McKean was begun. The Lehigh work was extended into
Northampton and Berks, the York and Adams work into Franklin
and Cumberland.
In 1877 the survey of the oil region and that of McKean were con-
tinued; Westmoreland, Fayette, and Butler were finished; Lawrence,
Indiana. Lycoming, and Sullivan surveyed; the Blair County topo-
graphical survey extended ; the South Mountain topographical survey
continued; the Northampton mountain and valley topographical sur-
vey extended into Berks; the survey of Juniata begun; the topo-
graphical survey of the Seven Mountains in Snyder begun; the sur-
vey of Elk, Cameron, and Lancaster counties begun ; and the outcrops
of southern Bucks and Montgomery mapped and specimens collected.
In 1878 the survey of the oil region was continued ; Mercer, Clarion,
and Armstrong surveyed ; McKean completed ; Potter revised ; Juniata
revised and Perry surveyed; mapping in Blair finished; mapping of
the Seven Mountains continued; mapping of the South Mountains
continued ; mapping of the Reading mountains continued ; Lancaster
completed; southern Bucks and Montgomery mapped; and the mu-
seum arranged and catalogued.
In 1879 the survey of the oil regions was continued; Crawford,
Erie, Jefferson, and Clinton were surveyed; the Elk and Cameron
survey was extended into Forest, and the work in all three counties
completed; the Franklin County valley was surveyed; the South
Mountain topography continued; the Reading Mountain survey ex-
tended westward; the survey of the Philadelphia belt extended into
Delaware County ; and Chester County surveyed.
In 1880 the survey of the oil region was continued ; the Coal Flora
(collected, studied, described, and figured by Mr. Lesquereux since
1874) was published; the descriptions of the coal plants of Greene
County were published; the subject of waste in anthracite coal was
studied ; Susquehanna and Wayne Counties were surveyed ; the South
Mountain topography was continued ; the Cumberland County valley
was surveyed ; and the study of anthracite geology and mining meth-
ods begun.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 447
In 1881 the survey of the oil region was continued; Warren was
surveyed; Pike, and Monroe, and part of Carbon were surveyed; a
special paleontological survey of Perry and Juniata was begun ; and
a systematic mine and surface survey of all the anthracite coal fields
was organized.
In 1882 the anthracite survey was carried forward; Center,
Dauphin, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Columbia, Montour, and
Northumberland counties were surveyed; the Perry County paleon-
tology continued ; the third and last volume of the Coal Flora pub-
lished; the Report on Methods of Coal Mining completed; and the
first sheets of the Anthracite Survey published. A special survey
along the Lehigh River was begun.
In 1883 a special survey of the Monongahela River collieries was
made; the Clearfield Count}' coal fields were resurveyed; Hunting-
don County was finished; the roofing-slate belt in Northampton,
Lehigh, and Berks was surveyed; the glacial moraine was traced
across the State; the survey of the anthracite fields was continued,
additional sheets published, and a special topographical survey of the
Wyoming coal field commenced. The hand atlas of counties was
prepared for publication.
In 1884 the anthracite surveys were continued, and some unfinished
work in other parts of the State undertaken.
In 1885 there remained still unaccomplished a necessary revision
of parts of Forest. Tioga, Bradford. Union, and Snyder, and of the
whole of Juniata: a survey of the Pinegrove-Orwigsburg Valley;
some special local surveys in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, and
Bucks; a systematic survey of the Mesozoic country in Berks, Mont-
gomery, and Bucks, and some important local surveys in Chester
and Delaware, before the final preparation of the remaining volumes
of county reports could be published.
As the appropriation of 1885 was reduced to about one-half, and
as a new survey of the oil, gas, and bituminous coal region of the
western counties was called for by the act, the things above mentioned
had to be postponed and a new disposition of the force of the survey
made. The operations of the anthracite work had to be restricted
within narrower limits and several of the assistants resigned.
In 1886 the anthracite survey was continued; the gas wells were
studied ; a more detailed survey of the anticlinal and synclinal struc-
ture of the Pittsburgh coal fields made ; special features of the Cum-
berland Valley studied; the maps of the water department of Phila-
delphia used for differentiating the Trias across the interval between
the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers; collections made from the Silu
rian limestone beds on the Schuylkill for microscopic examination ;
13607520 30
448 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
a section along the Lehigh River finished ; and a study made of the
collection of invertebrate fossils.
Several large maps of the eastern and western counties Avere pub-
lished this year, and a considerable number of new mine sheets, cross
section, and columnar sheets of the anthracite field.
Publications, The publications of the survey have been as follows.
all in octavo :
1875, six volumes, B, D, H, I, J, M; 1876, four volumes, A, C,
K, L, and a pamphlet B 1 : 1877, five volumes, C, IT, H 1 , I', K';
1878, nine volumes, D 2 , E, F, G, H 4 , K s , N, O, Q; 1879, three volumes,
M 1 , Q*, V; 1880, 12 volumes, C', G', G 1 , G 4 , H 5 , I 3 , O 2 , Pi, ii, P 1 , Q ! ,
R, V; 1881, six volumes, A 1 , G', H*. M', Q 4 , T; 1882, three volumes,
C*, G', T, and atlas (AA)1; 1883, seven volumes, A A, AC, C 4 , D'
(1), D 1 (2i), G 7 , r, and atlas D 5 ; 1884, six volumes, H T , K 4 , Piii, F,
T 4 , Z, and atlas (AA)2; 1885, six volumes, AA'i, C 5 , F*, R 1 , T, X,
and atlases (AA)3 (AA)4. In 11 years the survey has published
67 volumes, octavo and one pamphlet, 4 anthracite atlases, and nine
other atlases to volumes AC, C 1 , D s , D", I', P. R, R s , and T.
It has published colored geological maps of 57 out of the 67
counties: colored maps of Cambria, Somerset, Juniata, Minim,
Snyder, Union, Schuylkill, Berks, Montgomery, and Bucks being
still unpublished; but uncolored geological maps of Cambria and
Somerset are included in their volumes; and colored maps of the
eastern half of Berks and of the southern parts of Montgomery
and Bucks have been published in advance. All the county maps
are on the scale of two miles to the inch except McKean County and
Philadelphia, which are on a scale of one and one-half miles to the
inch. Colored geological maps of all the counties, on a scale of six
miles to the inch, prepared by the State 'geologist at various stages
of the survey, will bo found in the hand atlas (X) published in
1885.
All the volumes of reports, with three or four exceptions, are
illustrated with diagrams, sections (columnar and horizontal),
sketches made hi the field, local maps, and photographic views of
such important outcrops as could not otherwise be described with
requisite accuracy, amounting in all to several thousand.
There was published in 1886 one volume octavo and an atlas; the
annual report for 1885; the first of its kind, including all the re-
ports of assistants presented for that year. A similar annual report
for 1886, went to press in time for distribution early in 1C 87.
The distributions of the publications of the survey by the board
of commissioners was regulated for 10 years that is, from 1875
to 1885 by section 10 of the act of May 14, 1874, which ordered that
copies should be donated to all public libraries, universities, and
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 449
colleges in the State, and should be furnished at cost of publication
to other applicants; the money received therefor being covered back
into the State treasury.
It was supposed that, by this proviso of the act, every citizen of the
State who really valued a report would be easily able to obtain a
copy, while no copies would be wasted, as by a free distribution.
But, in point of fact, there was little or no sale, because citizens of
the State were accustomed to obtain from their representatives and
senators, without cost, all other State documents.
Consequently, when, in 1875, Report B, on the Mineralogy of the
State, and Report J, on Petroleum, appeared, and a popular demand
for copies of them was made on the members of the legislature, who
could not furnish to their constituents what they had to purchase for
themselves, an act was passed providing for a special edition of
5,000 copies of each one of these reports, for the use of the senate
and house of representatives. Similar acts were subsequently passed
by the legislatures of 1877. 1878, and 1879, respecting all the reports.
Under these acts, 425,931 copies of geological reports were printed
for members of the legislature and distributed by them among their
constituency. In addition to this, and under the organic law of the
survey, the board published 110,569 copies, part of which were dis-
tributed to public libraries, universities, and colleges in the State, and
the remainder held at sale at cost. But the sale of reports was almost
wholly stopped by the free distribution of the special legislative
editions; so that in 1885 there still remained unsold 43,118 copies.
In view of this fact an act was passed and approved by the gov-
ernor, July 3, 1885, the first section of which enacted:
That the board of commissioners of the geological survey are hereby author-
ized and directed to distribute the remaining copies of said reports as follows :
Fifty copies of each report to the State librarian for distribution and exchange
with other States and Territories, and of the balance an equal number of vol-
umes to each member of the present senate and house of representatives,
making the sets complete, as far as practicable.
The board, before acting under this law. submitted the same to
the attorney general of the State, and in accordance with the in-
terpretation of the act received from the department, the stock of
reports was distributed as follows:
Copies retained for distribution to public libraries, universities, and
colleges in the State, under the act of May 14, 1874 6, 132
Copies (50 sets) delivered to the State librarian 3,600
Copies delivered to the senate librarian for distribution to the senate___ 7, 040
Copies delivered to the resident clerk of the honse of representatives,
for distribution to the members of the house 26,162
Copies mislaid and discovered after distribution had been made 61
Copies damaged 123
450 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The publication of the later reports was regulated by section 2
of the act of July 3, 1885, which reads as follows :
That of each report hereafter published, 3,500 copies shall be printed, which
shall be distributed by the board of commissioners as follows: Five hundred
copies to the senate ; 2,000 copies to the house of representatives ; 150 copies to
the State geologist, out of which he shall donate copies to authors and to mem-
bers of survey corps as heretofore granted; 600 copies to the board of com-
missioners for distribution to public libraries, universities, and colleges in the
State, to parties rendering material assistance to the survey, and for exchange
with foreign societies and geologists; and 50 copies thereof to the members of
the board; 100 copies to the secretary of internal affairs, for distribution by
him ; 100 copies to the governor, for distribution by him : and 50 copies to the
State librarian, for distribution and exchange with other States and Territories.
The edition of the hand atlas was limited to 1,000 copies.
Benefits and results. A special character has been impressed
upon the Pennsylvania survey by several facts of dominant im-
portance :
1. The Paleozoic formations reach their maximum thickness in
this State: and consequently admit of a .greater differentiation
than elsewhere into special groups of beds.
2. The middle region of the State is magnificiently plicated and
eroded, exposing innumerable outcrops, connected in zigzags, and
of immense length.
3. No unconformable later deposits cover and conceal these out-
crops, so that there is an unexampled opportunity for the study of
variable thicknesses and changes of type.
4. The topographical features are so dependent upon the lithology
and structure that any geological survey of the region must be vir-
tually a topographical survey.
5. The geological areas are of great size and so clearly defined
and so distinct in character that they naturally claimed and received
each one a survey of its own. These areas are: 1, the bituminous
coal field of the west and north; 2, the anthracite coal fields in the
east; 3, the middle belt of Devonian and Silurian formations; 4,
the Mesozoic belt of the south and east: 5, the South Mountain azoic;
6, the Philadelphia belt of azoic rock: and 7. the region of glacial
drift.
6. The natural section of the bituminous coal measures, down the
Mdnongahela and up the Allegheny Rivers, relieved the study of
that part of the Paleozoic system of all ambiguity.
7. The great amount of mining done in the anthracite fields made
that part of the survey peculiarly exact and correct.
8. The great size and number of the brown hematite mines fur-
nished unusual opportunities for the study of that kind of mineral.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 451
9. The great size and number of limestone quarries, exploited for
the manufacture of iron, and for fertilizing farms, opened to view
every part of the great Siluro-Cambrian formation, the whole of
the Lower Helderburg, all the Devonian and most of the Carbonif-
erous limestone beds.
10. On the other hand, Pennsylvania is singularly destitute of
workable veins of the precious metals. Its poverty in gold, silver,
copper, and lead is extreme. It has but one important zinc deposit
and but one nickel mine. In fact, its azoic regions as a whole are
barren country, containing but a few small magnetic iron ore beds,
in strong contrast to the adjoining azoic region of northern New
Jersey. What little white marble it possesses makes a narrow out-
crop for a few miles along a single line. Some serpentine rock, a
little chrome iron, one large soapstone quarry, and some kaolin de-
posits, conclude the list of its azoic minerals.
Practically viewed, the geology of Pennsylvania is wholly Paleo-
zoic, on the most magnificent scale, with an unexampled wealth of
anthracite and bituminous coal, brown hematite iron ore, limestone,
rock oil and rock gas; and to the study and description of these its
geological survey has from first to last been devoted.
Little attention has been paid to the lithological study of the
building stones of the State, or to their economic description. The
entire State is a rock quarry. Every known building stone from the
granites, gneisses, quartzites, and traps, to hearthstones, flagstones,
brownstone, and limestone can be got with ease, and in infinite
abundance on lines of transportation. All the principal outcrops
of these building stone formations have been located and their places
in the Paleozoic series defined in the reports, with sufficiently pre-
cise descriptions of their qualities and uses; but beyond this the
survey could not go.
The paleontology of Pennsylvania was almost entirely neglected
by the survey of 1835-1841, and that of 1851-1854. A considerable
collection of fossils was made during the first term, but they were
not studied: with the exception of the coal plants, resulting in
the important report of Leo Lesquereux, embodied in Prof. H. D.
Rogers's final report of 1858. The text of this report 1 was illus-
trated by 23 quarto plates of figures.
The absolutely practical spirit of the Pennsylvania survey is
manifested by the fact that the study of these vegetable forms was
prompted by the hope of making them useful as characteristic
features of the separate coal beds, enabling the coal men to identify
their favorite beds at different collieries and in different basins.
This hope proved fallacious; but when the survey was resumed in
1 Geology of Pennsylvania, vol. 2, pp. 835 to 884.
452 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
1874 Leo. Lesquereux was commissioned to repeat and extend this
investigation from year to year. In 1880 the first and second parts,
and in 1884 the third and last part of his Coal Flora were published,
in 980 pages, octavo, of text and 111 double-page plates of figures.
In the final report of 1858, Professor Rogers gave 20 quarto
pages (vol. 2, pp. 815 to 834) to a chapter on organic remains of the
Paleozoic strata of Pennsylvania, with 90 good woodcut figures of
algae and mollusks, characteristic of the 13 formations; an average
of seven species to each formation. The contrast between this and
the numerous volumes of text and plates published by the New York
Geological Survey was sufficiently striking, and produced a general
impression upon the minds of paleontologists that while the thin
northern outcrops of Silurian and Devonian rocks in New York and
Canada were extraordinarily rich in organic forms, their vastly
thicker southern outcrops in middle Pennsylvania were extraordi-
narily barren of remains. But in fact all the energies of the Penn-
sylvania survey were insufficient to cope with its structural and eco-
nomical problems; and it was with the sincerest satisfaction and
without a trace of jealousy that the Pennsylvania geologists saw
themselves in good measure exonerated from the additional task of
paleontological field work, feeling how completely it was being
done for them by the able geologists and the great paleontologist of
the State of New York, whose volumes were as available as if they
had been based on collections made in Pennsylvania.
In a purely scientific sense this tacit mutual arrangement is now
seen to have been a little unfortunate, as it fixed on American
paleontology certain dogmatic determinations of time-order, which
a thorough scrutiny of the southern outcrop belt carried on pari
pof.su with that of the northern outcrops, would have modified. But,
after all, no real harm was done; and at all events no other course
was left open to the earlier surveys of Pennsylvania. Even when
the survey was reorganized in 1874, and for some years afterwards
the same arrangement had to be renewed; although an attempt
was made to handle the collections as they came in to headquarters,
and a paleontological assistant was commissioned as curator of the
museum. But his attention was soon diverted to the urgent study
of the mysterious azoic belt in the southeastern corner of the State :
while the whole force of the survey had to be expended upon a re-
vision of the structure and economics of the counties. The survey,
if not practical, would not have been continued by successive legis-
latures. Paleontology was again sacrificed to structural and chemi-
cal geology, to mapping and sectioning, and outcrop tracing.
The only paleontological work done from 1875 to 1880 was that of
Prof. J. J. Stevenson and Prof. I. C. White along the West Virginia,
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL, HISTORY SURVEYS. 453
Ohio, and New York borders. But in 1881, 1882, and 1883, Professor
White paid especial attention to the fossils of the middle belt of
counties on the Delaware, on the Susquehanna, and on the upper
Juniata Rivers, his results being embodied (without figures) in his
reports; Professor Stevenson did the same on the Maryland border;
and Professor Claypole was commissioned in the same three years
to prepare a special report of all the forms discoverable in the rich
district of the lower Juniata. A slight sketch of his results is given
in the preface and sufficiently full descriptions of the fossil horizons
in the text of his report F-2 on Perry County. Generic and specific
descriptions and figures have not been published. Enough has been
done, however, to make the published paleontology of New York
available in Pennsylvania.
The great want of the survey is a proper habitation, where its
large collections, now stored in the cellar of the Academy of Natural
Sciences, can be handled, discussed, and placed on exhibition for the
instruction of the public, and especially of the teachers of public
schools and academies during their summer vacations. In such a
building the models of surface relief and of underground structure
made by the survey, as well as the contoured and colored topo-
graphical and geological maps would be on permanent exhibition;
while many others might be added to the collection.
Several of these models deserve mention, or are unique of their
kind. One exhibits the plicated structure of the southern anthra-
cite coal basin from the Little Schuylkill at Tamaqua to the Lehigh
River at Mauch Chunk. Another like it exposed to view the under-
ground structure of the mammoth coal bed of the western middle
anthracite field, east and west of Mahanoy City.
These models are not mere rough illustrations of the way in which
the coal measures of eastern Pennsylvania are folded, faulted, and
overturned, and of the kind of difficulties characterizing colliery
practice. They are accurate exhibitions of the precise height, length,
breadth, and shape of the anticlinals and synclinal crimples which
together make up the coal basins studied by the survey. They were
constructed from parallel cross-sections through all the collieries,
on the same scale vertical and horizontal to avoid distortion; and
they carry the purveyed structure from colliery to colliery, through
intervals of unworked ground sufficiently small to make important
errors practically impossible. Consequently the structure ahead of
the workings can be predicted with a fair approach to nicety; and
such measurements may be made to changes of dip, overturns, faults
and other troubles, as may advantageously modify the plans of
superintendents in advance. If the survey is continued every basin
of the anthracite region will be not only mapped but modeled in this
454 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
manner for the use of miners. The floor of the principal bed worked
in each district is taken for the surface of the model.
The purely scientific value of these models and of the underground
contour-line maps which accompany them is considerable; for until
they were made very crude and incorrect views of the complicated
structure of each basin were entertained even by those best ac-
quainted with it: and a large step has been thus made in the theory
of plication.
To carry the theory one stage further a large model (2 feet by
4 feet) has been made of the uncovered surface of the Medina forma-
tion, No. 4, over an area of about 40,000 square miles ; that is, from
the Maryland and West Virginia State line to southern New York
and northern New Jersey; in other words, from the Blue Ridge-
South Mountain range, across the plicated middle belt of the State,
into the slightly waved country north and west of the Allegheny
Mountain. The scale adopted, vertical and horizontal the same, is
3,000 feet to 1 inch. The surface of the Medina Sandstone where
erosion has spared it is laid bare; and where erosion has gone
deeper into the lower Silurian formations, the Cambrian and Arch-
ean rocks, a restoration of all up to the top of the Medina has been
made, based upon the graphic projection of the curves over the
grand anticlinals. This model was made in 1884, but has not been
published, because its southeastern border was not satisfactory ; but
the light which it has thrown on Appalachian structure at large is
extraordinary; especially as to the kind, direction, and degree of
the sidethrust northwestward, and the relationship of the anthracite
region to the South Mountain masses.
Recently a local and more accurate model has been made of the
district of the Seven Mountains near the center of the State, to show
the hunching of one of the great synclinals at one stage of its course
across the State. The scale of this model (vertical and horizontal)
is 3,200 feet to 1 inch.
Similar models of the bituminous coal basins of the Pittsburgh
district and of the oil-sand group of the western counties, will show
by the uncovered surfaces of the Pittsburgh bed and the first oil
sand, the general slope to the southwest, and their rise and fall over
the anticlinals.
The topographical maps of the survey are large and elaborate,
and embody the results of years of instrumental work. The field
work was plotted on a scale of 400 feet to 1 inch, and reduced for
publication to 1,600 feet and 3,200 feet. The first accomplished was
a map of the limonite-bearing lower Silurian region of Blair and
Huntingdon Counties, extended to the coal measures at the crest
of the Allegheny Mountain. The second finished and published
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 455
map embraces the South Mountains of Berks, Lehigh, and North-
ampton counties from the Schuylkill to the Delaware, and includes
the border of the Trias on the south, and the limestone region of the
great valley on the north, with all its iron ore mines. The third,
partly published and nearly finished, covers the South Mountain
region from Harrisburg to the Maryland line; but its geology is
still to be worked out.
Numerous local maps of the same character, instrumentally sur-
veyed, in various parts of the State, will contribute their quota to
a future complete relief map of the State. An important and
largo addition of these data has been made by the water depart-
ment of Philadelphia, under Colonel Ludlow. It is an extension
of the survey map of the South Mountains, southward over the
Trias region of Bucks and Montgomery, toward Philadelphia. With
this map in hand the survej 7 can now work out the geology of the
New Red Belt between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, in
a tolerably satisfactory manner. But the whole belt must be thus
mapped before some of the paradoxical exhibitions of this inter-
esting formation can be thoroughly well understood.
As for the azoic belt of the southeastern corner of the State, from
Trenton, past Philadelphia and West Chester into Maryland, espe-
cially that part of it west of the Schuylkill, it seems hopeless to un-
ravel its structure before a complete and accurate relief of the sur-
vey, in the minutest detail, has been obtained. No general survey
of it avails. Several years of hard work has been expended upon it,
but the geology remains as obscure as ever. Two local relief maps
only have been made, which reveal important facts, and show what
may be expected from this kind of work wherever it shall be faith -
fully done. But the Philadelphia azoic belt will continue Ho be the
pons asinorum of Pennsylvania geology for years to come. Ap-
palachian geology is child's play compared with it.
All field work of the second survey closed with June 1, 1890, after
which date work was continued for the completion of its publica-
tions, chiefly the last sheets of the anthracite survey, the maps and
sections of the survey of the new red belt of Bucks and Montgomery
counties, the completion of the bituminous colliery, map of western
Pennsylvania, a new geological State map, 1 and the three volumes
of the final report. Of the latter, volumes 1 and 2 were prepared in
person by Lesley, and some 200 pages of part 1 of volume 3. Fail-
ing health compelled him to relinquish the work at this point, and it
was completed by E. V. d'Invilliers and A. D. W. Smith. Volumes
1 and 2 appeared in 1892 and volume 3 in 1895. They comprise
2,638 octavo pages of text and 611 plates.
'Vol. t of Final Reports, Geological Survey of Pennsylvania, 1892, p. 3.
456 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
In 1889 the matter of a State survey was again revived through
:in act of the legislature entitled "An act to authorize the topo-
graphic and geologic survey of the State in cooperation with the
United States geological survey." This act is still in force. (See
Bulletin 465, U. S. Geological Survey, p. 124.)
RHODE ISLAND.
At a meeting of the " standing committee of the Rhode Island So-
ciety for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry, holden on the
26th day of December, A. D. 1838," the following resolution was
adopted :
Resolved, That Messrs. John Pitman, Joseph Mauran, Christopher Rhodes,
and Owen Mason be a committee to memorialize the general assembly, and to
confer with such committee as the general assembly may appoint, to inquire
into the expediency of authorizing a geological and agricultural survey of this
State, and to adopt such other measures as they may deem expedient to carry
the same into effect ; and that the sum of $500 be appropriated by this society
in aid of this object : Provided, The State shall, at the ensuing January session,
appropriate the residue of the sum necessary for the purpose, and take measures
to carry the same into effect, under the immediate supervision of the State or
of this society.
It was presumably in accordance with the memorial presented by
this committee that the appended resolution was passed by the as-
sembly the following year :
Resolved, That the sum of $2,000 be appropriated and paid from the general
treasury to defray the expenses of a geological and agricultural survey of the
State.
Resolved, That the same be expended under the direction of Messrs. King.
Simmons, Potter, of South Kingstown, Rhodes, and Luther, with such as the
honorable senate may add, who are hereby appointed a committee for that pur-
pose, to serve without compensation, which committee are authorized to draw
upon the treasury for such sum or sums as may be necessary, not exceeding in
the whole the aforesaid sum of $2,000.
Resolved, That said committee be authorized to act in conjunction with any
committee that may be appointed for the same purpose by the Rhode Island
Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry.
In accordance with this enactment a contract was entered into
with Dr. C. T. Jackson, in April, 1839. In May, 1840, the manuscript
of his report was submitted for publication. It does not appear that
he was assisted in any way other than by volunteers.
From an examination of the report it appears that Jackson made long ex-
cursions out of Providence, visiting the principal towns and traversing the
important rock groups so as to attain general cross sections of the area. 1
'.I. W. Wooclworth, American Geologist, August, 1897.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 457
His report, an octavo volume of 312 pages, with a colored geologi-
cal map of the State, appeared in 1840. The printing and distribu-
tion of the same was provided for by the following resolution :
In general assembly, May session, A. D. 1840.
The committee appointed to procure a geological aud agricultural survey of
the State, having accomplished the same, and having received from Dr. Charles
T. Jackson, the geological and agricultural surveyor, a satisfactory report:
Resolved, That the said committee be, and they are hereby, authorized to
cause 1,000 copies of the report of said survey to be printed and bound; and
that the said copies when finished be distributed in the following manner, viz :
One copy to his excellency the governor ; one to his honor the lieutenant governor ;
one to each of the present members of this general assembly; one to the su-
preme executive of each of the United States; one to the town clerk of each
town in this State; one to each school district in this State, excepting the dis-
tricts in Newport and Providence; 20 copies to the town of Newport, and 30
copies to the city of Providence, which said copies shall be distributed in said
Newport and Providence by the school committees therein; one copy to each
public library in the State ; one to the Rhode Island Historical Society ; one to
Brown University; five copies to the Library of Congress; and the residue to
be deposited in the secretary's office.
No further steps toward a survey of the State appear to have been
taken until 1875, when the following resolutions were passed:
Hesolutlons authorizing the governor to appoint commissioners to prepare a plan for a
thorough geological and scientific survey of the State.
Resolved, That the governor be authorized to appoint five competent persons,
two of whom may be nominated by the Providence Franklin Society, a commia-
sion to prepare a plan for a thorough geological and scientific survey of the
State, to make an estimate of the expense thereof, and to report thereon to the
next general assembly, if possible, at its May session.
Resolved, That the members of the commission thus appointed shall serve
without compensation, but their traveling and other expenses incurred in the
performance of their duty as such commissioners shall be paid from the treas-
ury of the State.
Resolved, That the sum of $500 is hereby appropriated for the use of said
commissioners, and the governor is authorized to draw his order on the general
treasurer for the same, upon requisition of the chairman of the commission. 1
In accordance with these resolutions a committee was appointed,
consisting of Zachariah Allen, William F. Channing, George I.
Chace. John R. Leslie, and George F. Wilson. Sundry meetings
were held by this committee and a report comprising some 13 octavo
printed pages submitted to the assembly in January, 1876. A sur-
vey was recommended and the following plan for its consumma-
tion presented :
1. A board shall be appointed having permanent charge of the
scientific survey of the State.
1 Report of the Rhode Island Commission to prepare a plan for a thorough geological
and scientific survey of the State. January, 1876, p. 3.
458 BULLETIN 10!>, UXITKD STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
2. The sum of $20,000 shall be appropriated for the geographical
survey of the State, in four equal annual installments of $5,000 each,
to be expended under the direction of the board of survey, provided
that the board shall contract with a capable and responsible person to
complete the topographical plane-table survey of the State on the
coast survey standard and scale of field work, as described, for a
sum not to exceed $20,000, and also provided that the United States
Coast Survey will furnish the requisite triangulation.
3. A map of the State, on a scale of ^m, slla11 be published
by the board on the completion of the geographical survey.
4. A geological survey of the State shall be made after the geo-
graphical survey, under the direction of an able geologist, appointed
by the board. The details of the plan of the geological survey shall
be decided hereafter by the board.
5. A compilation of the natural history of the State shall be the
subject of recommendation to the general assembly by the board
on the completion of the geological survey.
6. The board shall report annually to the general assembly.
Nothing seems to have come from this, and no survey under Stat^
auspices has since been made, although Governor Brown, in his mes-
sage of 1885 to the general assembly, commended a plan for a topo-
graphic survey in connection with the United States Geological Sur-
vey, with an expenditure of $3,000 a year for two years. In 1887
Governor Wetmore called attention to the value and importance of
a geological survey, but nothing was done beyond the publication by
the Franklin Society of Providence of a pamphlet of 130 pages,
containing a bibliography of publications relative to the geology
and mineralogy of the State and a list of its minerals, rocks, and
In 1895, in response to the popular demand for improved roads,
there was passed by the assembly the following resolution :
Resolved, That Messrs. Walter A. Read, of Gloucester, and John Carter
Brown Woods, of Providence, on the part of the senate, and Messrs. William H.
Oovell, of Providence, and Ellery H. Wilson, of East Providence, on the part
of the house, are hereby constituted a commission to forthwith cause a geo-
logical survey to be made of those portions of the State containing rocks adapted
to road making, and the sum of $1,000, or so much thereof as may be neces-
sary, is hereby appropriated to defray the expense of the said commission ; and
the State auditor is hereby directed to draw his orders on the general treasurer
from time to time for the payment of the same upon vouchers approved by thf
governor.
Passed May 25, 1895.
Under this resolution Mr. Frederick P. Gorham, a graduate
student in Brown University, was authorized to prepare an areal
geological map and collect specimens in triplicate. I am informed
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 31
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by Prof. C. W. Brown a considerable collection of rocks was made
and one or two copies of an areal map prepared, but that nothing
was published.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
In the acts of the general assembly of South Carolina, passed in
December, 1824, there occurs the following under the clause making
appropriations for the current year (1824) :
For the salary of the professor of geology and mineralogy, $1,000, and $500
for making a geological and mineralogical tour during the recess of college and
furnishing specimens of the same.
Presumably this enactment was in accordance with some previous
resolution which does not appear in the printed reports. Lardner
Vanuxem, of Pennsylvania, was at this date professor of chemistry
and geology in South Carolina College, but whether the appropria-
tion was for past or prospective work is not apparent, nor is the
writer able to find any record of the " catalogue of mineral speci-
mens" referred to in the act of 1825. unless it be that of 1826, men-
tioned below.
On December 15 of the following year (1825) the legislative com-
mittee, to whom was referred that portion of the governor's message
relating to the College of South Carolina, reported as " having con-
sidered the same " * * and in connection with their recom-
mendations referred to " the catalogue of mineral specimens col-
lected by a distinguished member of the faculty under the direction
of this legislature " as furnishing " the strongest assurance of his
industry and science and the richness of the country he has been
directed to explore." They then continued:
Your committee are under the most sanguine expectations that the day is not
far distant when the bowels of the earth will be found to contain the means
of increasing the fertility of its surface; and they recommend most earnestly
i\ continuance of these examinations, not only for the benefit of those who are
to be instructed in academic pursuits, but also for the promotion of agricul-
tnral prosperity.
This recommendation was agreed to by the senate and referred
to the house, which concurred, under date of December 19.
Upon Prof. Lardner Vanuxem fell the burden of a continuance of
the work which, however, so far as can be learned at this late date
and from existing literature, amounted to little more than an an-
nouncement of the number of species and a list of the rocks and min-
erals found within the State 10 species of rocks. 30 of minerals.
His report (made in 1826) appears to have been originally printed in
460 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
the newspapers, a reprint of unknown comprehensiveness appearing
in Mill's Statistics of South Carolina, 1826 (pages 25-30), and later
in Lieber's final report. Vanuxem severed his connection with the
college in 1826 to undertake private mining ventures in Mexico, and
nothing further appears to have been clone until 1842, when the
assembly committee on agriculture, after an amusingly verbose and
grandiloquent preamble
Resolved, That the interests and pursuits of South Carolina are essentially
agricultural and should be promoted by all practicable means within our power.
Resolved. That a geological and agricultural survey of the State, for the
examination of our soil, discovery and application of marl lime, and develop-
ing all other resources and facilities of improvement will prove among the most
efficient means of giving value to her soil, increasing her products, multiplying
her population, and diffusing national and individual prosperity.
Resolved, That as a means of testing this salutary measure an annual ap-
propriation of $2,000 be granted for two years for an agricultural survey of
the State, to be prosecuted during that period; and that the governor be spe-
cially charged with procuring a competent individual to effect such survey, who
shall report all geological information which may be incidentally collected on
such survey.
Resolved, That the result of each year's survey be reported to this house,
and copies dlstributd to every agricultural society throughout the State.
Resolved, That the house do agree to the report. Ordered, that it be sent to
the senate for concurrence.
In the senate December 17. 1842 :
Resolved, That the senate do concur in the report. Ordered, that It be re-
turned to the house of representatives.
Acting under these resolutions, Gov. John H. Hammond appointed
Edmund Euffin, agricultural surveyor of the State. After a year
of " arduous labor " Mr. Ruffin resigned, to be succeeded on a broader
platform by Michael Tuomey. Ruffin had for some years been prom-
inent in agricultural matters, and in 1840 had " for the purpose of
presenting the fullest proof in facts and opinions derived from the
experience of practical men of the operations and effects of marl,"
published " sundry circular queries and also directed copies specially
to many known individuals." The report rendered by him in Novem-
ber, 1843, contained the results of these queries, so far as results had
been obtained, and also a dissertation on the subject of the general
character, extent, and distribution of the calcareous formations of
the lower portion of the State. A few pages were also devoted to the
soils of the granitic region above the lower fall line and to rice
culture in the Georgetown district. The report closed with a series
of appendices composed of short papers connected with the report.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 461
FIRST GEOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SURVEY UNDER MICHAEL TUOMEY,
1843-1846.
As previously noted, Ruffin, as agricultural surveyor, was succeeded
in 1843 by Michael Tuomey. It does not appear from the printed
records that his appointment was accompanied by any modification
of the fundamental law establishing the survey, although the ap-
propriations for 1843 were for an agricultural survey, while those of
1844, 1845, and 1846 were for a geological survey; while Tuomey's
first report, dated November 25, 1844. was entitled, " Report on the
Geological and Agricultural Survey." The survey under Tuomey's
administration continued for three years and was supported by
the annual appropriations noted.
Administration. Mr. Tuomey was unassisted, except temporarily
by volunteers. His first report (1844) contains brief papers by F. S.
Holmes and Mr. Ruffin, both relating to agricultural matters. His
final report (1848) likewise contained appendices by L. R. Gibbes,
Robert Lebbey, T. W. Glover, and C. U. Shepard, with a reprint of
Vanuxem's report from Mill's Statistics. Tuomey's salary for 1844
and 1845 was, to judge from the appropriations, $2.000, though it is
apparent that this was made to cover the entire expenses of the work,
exclusive of publications, which were otherwise provided for.
Expenses. The total expenses of the surveys under Ruffin and
Tuomey would appear to have been as follows :
1842, for survey $2,000.00
1843, for survey 2, 000. 00
1843, for publication of report * 600. 00
1844, for survey 2,000.00
1844, for publication * 365. 78
1845, for survey 2,000.00
1845, for publication * 1,000. 00
1846, for survey 667.00
1846, for publication 1,000.00
Total $11, 632. 78
Publications. These consisted of Ruffin's report of 1843, Tuomey's
of 1844, and his final report of 1848. I have no means of ascertaining
the size of the edition.
SECOND GEOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SURVEY UNDER OSCAR M. LIEBER,
1855-1860.
In 1855 the matter of a gelogical survey of the State was again
brought up through the following preamble and resolutions:
The committee on agriculture and internal improvements, to whom was re-
ferred the memorial of sundry citizens of St. Helena Parish on the subject of
1 " If so much Is necessary."
462 BULLETIN 10!>, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
an agricultural and geological survey of the State, and also a resolution of the
senate on the propriety of selecting a suitable person to procure and effect a
raineralogical .survey, respectfully report that they have considered the same
and now submit the following report, with accompanying resolutions. 1
Resolved, That this general assembly authorize the appointment of a geo
logical, miuera logical, and agricultural surveyor, whose services shall be engaged
for four years, and whose duty it shall be to explore the several districts and
make a geological map, analyze minerals, ores, and manures, free of charge, and
snbmit an annual report to the legislature for general circulation.
Resolved, That this officer shall receive a salary of $3,000; be appointed by
Joint resolution of the two houses; and that it shall be the duty of the joint
committee of agriculture and internal improvements of the senate and of in-
reinal improvements of the house to nominate a suitable person to fill this office,
On the adoption of these resolutions Oscar M. Lieber, professor of
geology in South Carolina College, was appointed State geologist,
in which capacity he served until 1860. Excepting that Lieber was
himself connected with the college, the survey would appear to
have been an independent organization under the immediate direc-
tion of the committee on agriculture and internal improvements. It
was supported by annual appropriations of $3.000 each.
Personnel. Lieber served without scientific assistants. As noted
in the resolutions he was appointed by the governor after nomination
by the joint committee on agriculture and internal improvements.
His salary throughout the term of service was $3,000 a year, which
sum apparently covered the entire expense of the survey outside of
publications. There is nothing in the wording of the act estab-
lishing the survey, or in the report to indicate that the establishment
of either a museum or library was contemplated or carried out.
Expenses. The total expense of the survey to the State would
appear to be as follows :
For salary:
1856 $3, 000. 00
1857 3, 000. 00
1858 . 3,000.00
Total for salaries $9,000.00
For publishing maps and plates:
1856 1, 094. 50
1857 1, 400. 00
1858 700.00
Total for publication 3,194.50
Total for survey $12,194.50
The actual cost of printing and binding does not seem to have
been provided for by special appropriation, the items mentioned
>The report, like that of the previous committee, was unnecessarily verbose and con-
taining nothing essential to the history of the survey, and Is here omitted.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 463
above including only the cost of maps and plates. In addition to
the amounts mentioned the assembly appropriated the sum of $2,000
a year for a period of four years to aid in the publication of Messrs.
Tuomey and Holmes's Fossils of South Carolina, the work of prepa-
ration of which seems to have been largely, if not wholly, personal.
The survey reports of which there were four were distributed in
accordance with the following resolutions:
Report of committee on agriculture, to whom was referred so much of the governor's
message as related to the geological survey :
Resolved, That 1,000 copies of the report of Mr. Lieber, with the accompany-
ing plates, be printed for distribution, and that the same be so printed that
they may hereafter form a portion of one or more octavo volumes.
Resolved, That Mr. Lieber be entitled to receive 50 copies for distribution
h.v himself as soon as the same shall have been printed.
From resolutions for 1857:
Rexolved, That the copies of the report of the State geologist for the year
1856, which were ordered to be printed at the last session of the legislature for
distribution, and now in the treasurer's office at Columbia, be disposed of as
follows: That each member of the senate and house of representatives be
allowed one copy, and that the remaining copies be placed in the hands of tho
governor, and he be requested to have deposited 12 copies in the legislative
library, two copies in each college and public library in the State, and the
remaining copies in the hands of the booksellers in Charleston and Columbia,
and in one store at each courthouse in the State, to be sold at cost, the same
commissions to be allowed them as on the statutes at large.
Be it further resolved, That in order to place the above report within the
reach of everyone feeling an interest in the geological, mineralogical, and agri-
cultural survey now progressing, that 1,000 additional copies of the above re-
port be published in the same form and style, and be deposited with the gov-
ornor, to be placed by him in the same hands for sale on the same terms.
Resolved, That 2,000 copies of the report of the State geologist for the year
1857, with the accompanying plates, be printed in the same form and style as
the report for 1856. and distributed in the same manner as directed for said
report.
From resolutions of 1858 :
Resolved, That 2,000 copies of the report be printed; that each member of
the senate and of the house of representatives be allowed one copy; and the
remaining copies be placed in the hands of the governor, and that he be re-
quested to have 12 copies deposited in the legislative library, two copies in each
college and public library in the State, and the remaining copies in the hands
of the booksellers of Columbia and Charleston, and in one store at each court-
house in the State, to be sold at 50 cents a copy, the same commissions to be
allowed them as on the statutes at large; and they would further recommend
that the copies now on hand shall be sold at a like price.
Nothing further, under State auspices seems to have been under-
taken within the period covered by this history. (See further on pp.
141. 142, of Bulletin 405 of tho T T . S. Geological Survey.)
13607520 31
464 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
TENNESSEE.
FIRST SURVEY UNDER GERARD TROOST, 1831-1850. *
In 1831 the legislature of Tennessee took the first step toward a
geological survey of the State by passing the following act :
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee.
That Dr. Gerard Troost, professor of mineralogy, geology, and chemistry in
the University of Nashville, bo, and he is hereby, appointed geologist and min-
eralogist for this State.
SEC. 2. Be it enacted, That the said Gerard Troost shall proceed to make H
geological survey of the State of Tennessee, with a view, as far as practicable,
to develop the iiiineralogical resources thereof, in doing of which he shall, as far
as he can, examine into those mineral and metallic regions believed to exist in
the different formations found in the several sections of the State, making the
proper analysis of such substances as he may believe to be of value, and also to
examine and be prepared to report upon the soil of different parts of the State,
the rocks of those parts, with such other remarks as may lead the citizens to
an estimate of comparative value and use, as well as to enable them to judge
understandingly of its metals and minerals.
SBC. 3. Be it enacted, That the said Troost be, and he is hereby, appointed
assayer of this State.
SEC. 4. Be it enacted, That the said Gerard Troost be allowed the sum of $ 500.
to be paid by the treasurer of middle Tennessee, on a warrant or warrants to
be drawn by the governor for the time being, in quarterly payments, when he
shall be informed that the work contemplated by this act is in progress.
SEC. 5. Be it enacted, That said Troost shall report to the next general as-
sembly what he may have done under the appointment as geologist as aforesaid.
December 21, 1831.
Subsequently the following resolutions relative to the survey were
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That Dr. G.
Troost be, and he is hereby, continued as geologist of the State of Tennessee
for the next two years, with the salary already fixed by the law originally
creating the office of geologist for the State.
November 15, 1833.
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That Dr. G.
Troost be continued as geologist of the State of Tennessee for the next two
years, with the salary fixed by the law originally creating the office of geologist
for the State.
Adopted January 28, 1836.
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That Dr. Gerard
Troost, geologist of the State, be requested to make a mineralogical survey and
examination of that portion of the State lying within the bounds lately ceded
by the Cherokee Nation of Indians to the United States, and that he report the
result of his labors to the next general assembly.
Adopted October 24, 1836.
Administration. Doctor Troost accepted the office thus tendered
him, still remaining an active professor in the University of Nash-
1 Compiled mainly from manuscript notes by James M. Safford, State geologist.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
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GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 465
ville. He was continued in office under biennial appointments until
1848 when the survey was discontinued. While in office he made
nine reports, the first two of which do not appear to have been
published. It is possible that he considered a discourse delivered in
1831, prior to the passage of the act creating the office, as his first
report. The second report appears to have been made, judging from
certain references to it in the legislative proceedings, on the coal
measures of the State. The remaining seven reports, octavo pam-
phlets, have long been out of print and are rarely met with.
The third report, published in 1835 (32 pages), treats of the coal
and coal formation with a fair map of the coal area of the State,
the greensand of west Tennessee, followed by dissertations on marl,
humus, and soils, and closes with remarks on iron ores and a list of
furnaces then existing in middle Tennessee.
The fourth report, 1837 (37 pages), has 20 of its pages devoted
to a general exposition of geology as then understood by the author.
The latter part is an account of an excursion made by him through
what was then known as the Ocoee district of Tennessee a part
of the State lying south of the Hiwassee River and east of the
Tennessee. Accompanying is a geographical map of the Ocoee dis-
trict, on which is a rude section of the rocks traversed. In the latter
the Carboniferous formations are made unconformable with all else
in east Tennessee. Closing the report is a list of fossils observed by
the author in the State.
The fifth report, 1839 (75 pages), is the largest of all. It contains
first a general view of the geology of the State, with a map and sec-
tion, in which, by the way, not only the Carboniferous rocks, but the
formations of middle Tennessee, are treated as if unconformable with
the inclined strata of east Tennessee. Then follow descriptions of
Cocke County, its formations, iron ores, and of a meteorite found
within the limits of the county. To this succeed brief notices of
other iron ores, of furnaces, a supposed silver ore, and certain
mineral waters. The last 30 pages are an annotated catalogue of the
fossils found in the State.
The sixth report, 1841 (48 pages), begins with a review of former
descriptions of the formations of the State, in which also the ap-
plication of the names Cambrian and Silurian to Tennessee forma-
tions is discussed. Then follow lists of fossils, with notes upon
certain species, a notice of Sevier County, roofing slates, alum, epsom
salts, nitre, iron ore, and certain mineral waters.
The seventh report, 1843 (45 pages), gives first a description of
the formations of Nashville and Davidson County, with a list of
minerals found at Nashville and notes on certain fossils, followed
by remarks upon the formations of middle Tennessee in general, also
466 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
upon iron ores, meteoric masses, and greensand. The report ends
with a list of reptiles and fresh-water mollusks.
The eighth report, 1845, is short and discusses proposed routes
for the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, especially with refer-
ence to the mineral resources of the country traversed.
The ninth report, 1848 (39 pages), describes Jefferson County, the
zinc ores of the State, reduction of zinc ores, furnaces, and the
manufacture of brass, concluding with analyses of zinc ores, iron
ores, coal, and limestone.
A tenth report, according to Prof. L. C. Glenn, 1 was presented to
the house on January 12, 1850, and 75 copies ordered printed. No
regular edition was ever published, nor can the original manuscript
or any of the printed copies now be found.
In addition to the above, Doctor Troost prepared a work on the
crinoids of the State. He took great interest in the study of these
fossils, secured a valuable and interesting collection of them, and
added much to our knowledge of the group. He described many
species. His manuscript, witli the species old and new described
and illustrated in it, was in 1851 put in the hands of Prof. James
Hall for revision and publication. For some reason it was never
put to press until after the death of Hall, when it was revised and
published by the United States National Museum.
Expenses. There are no data available regarding expenses nor
publications other than those given above. Nine years at $500 would
place the total cost at $4,500.
SECOND SURVEY UNDER JAMES M. SAFFORD, 1854-1900.
In 1848 Prof. James M. Safford, then fresh from his studies at
Yale University, entered upon his duties as professor of chemistry
and geology in Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee. He
soon discovered that the formations and structural geology of mid-
dle Tennessee had not been satisfactorily made out and that all
maps relating thereto were very general and of little use. As a
teacher impressed with the necessity of having some proper knowl-
edge of the geology of the area around him, he employed his spare
time in exploring the country, tracing out the formations, and col-
lecting fossils and minerals. Vacations were given up to the work,
excursions of from 100 to 500 miles being accomplished, often on
foot. For this work no compensation was received from the State.
A part of the fruit of this labor was the publication in the Ameri-
can Journal of Science (vol. 12. 1851), of a map of the unique
Silurian Basin of Middle Tennessee, with 10 pages of text, describ-
American Geologist, vol. 35, 1905, p. 88.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 467
ing briefly the formations and giving a list of the common fossils.
From the beginning thus made explorations were extended into
other parts of the State.
In February, 1854, the legislature passed the following act creat-
ing the offices of geologist and mineralogist and assayer :
Whereas it is the opinion of this general assembly that a complete, thorough,
aud speedy geological and niineralogical examination and survey of this State
ought to be made, and that such examination and survey ought to be made
under the authority and at the expense of the State, inasmuch as it would prob-
ably result in the discovery of much wealth now hidden from the world, and
thereby induce immigration to this State, enhance the price of laud, and in-
crease the public revenue: Therefore
SECTION 1. Be it ctiacted &?/ the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee,
That the office of geologist and mineralogist of the State is hereby created:
said office to be filled by the joint vote of both houses of the general assembly,
and the incumbent is to continue in office for the term of two years and until
his successor is elected. In case of a vacancy during the recess of the legisla-
ture the governor is to appoint a suitable person to fill said office, and his ap-
pointee is to continue in office during the unexpired term for which his prede-
cessor was elected or appointed.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of said geologist and
mineralogist to commence and carry on a geological and miueralogical survey
of the State, with as much expedition and dispatch as may be consistent with
minuteness and accuracy, with a view to discover the order, relative position,
and comparative magnitude of the several strata or geological formations
within the State, and to discover, analyze, and assay all beds or deposits of
ores, coals, alloys, marls, and such other mineral substances as may be deemed
useful or valuable, together with such other duties as may be necessary to
make a full and complete geological and niineralogical survey of the State:
and to make a report to the legislature, which shall meet next after his elec-
tion or appointment, of the progress of such survey, accompanied with such
maps, drawings, and specimens as may be necessary and proper to exemplify
and elucidate the same.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That this act shall take effect from its passage,
and the geologist and mineralogist first to be elected under this act shall be
elected by the present general assembly.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That the said geologist and mineralogist shall
devote his time exclusively to the duties of his profession, dividing his time as
equally as practicable in the different grand divisions of the State, for which
he shall receive an annual salary of $1,500, payable quarterly, out of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That the office of assayer for the State is hereby
created ; that the said assayer shall be appointed by the governor for the term
of two year?, and should the said assayer die, resign, or remove from the State
during the time for which he was appointed, the governor shall appoint a suc-
cessor for the unexpired term.
SEC. 6. Be it further enacted. That said assayer shall receive no salary from
the State, but shall be entitled to the perquisites of the office, by charging and
receiving for each assay a fee not exceeding $F>, to be paid by the person for
whom the assay is made.
468 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
SEC. 7. Be it further enacted, That said State assayer shall, upon his ap-
pointment, take an oath of office to make a faithful and honest assay or analy-
sis of all ores or minerals, and before he shall be entitled to the fees or per-
quisites allowed in this act; which oath may be taken and subscribed before
any judge of a court of record or acting justice of the peace of the State of
Tennessee, and filed with the secretary of state.
This act remained in force until 1860, when the survey was abol-
ished, to be revived again under the same directorship in 1871. The
following are transcripts of the acts bearing upon these changes:
Be it enacted by tlic General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That the
office of geologist and mineralogist of the State be, and the same is hei'eby.
abolished, and sections 253 and 259 of the code are repealed.
Passed February 1, 1860.
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That 2,500 copie*
of the final geological report of the State geologist, with the necessary illustra-
tions and maps, be printed, under the supervision of the State geologist and
librarian, in a style similar and equal to the Kentucky geolog>al report now in
the State library.
Resolved, That 500 copies of it be placed in the hands of the State libra-
rian, to be disposed of as follows : One hundred to be used for the purposes
of exchanging with other States; 50 copies to the present State geologist,
Professor Safford : 50 copies to be deposited in the State library : and the re-
mainder of the 500 copies to be sold by the State librarian, or his agents, at
not less than $1 per copy.
Resolved further, That of the number of copies ordered above, 500 shall be
for the use of the senate and 1.500 for the use of the house of representatives:
nnd the secretary of state is hereby instructed to distribute said copies as soon
as published, sending to each member of the general assembly 20 copies; and
the expense of carrying out this resolution shall be paid out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Adopted February 7, 1860.
Act of 1871 :
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee,
That the office of geologist and mineralogist of the State is hereby created ; said
office shall be filled by appointment of the governor, with the concurrence of
the senate, the term of office to be two years, and until a successor is appointed.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of said geologist and
mineralogist to prosecute a topographical, geological, and mineralogical survey
of the State, with a view to the full development of all ores, coals, clays, marls,
and such other mineral substances as may be deemed useful or valuable, to-
gether with such other duties as may be necessary to make a full and complete
geological survey of the State, and to this end that he apply for the benefits
of the United States Coast Survey in the triangulation of the area of the State,
and that he make a report to the first session of each legislature, showing the
progress of such surveys, accompanied with such maps, drawings, and speci-
mens as may be necessary and proper to exemplify and elucidate the same,
which reports shall not be published unless expressly ordered by the legislature.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That said geologist and mineralogist shall de-
vote at least three months of each and every year exclusively to the duties of
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 469
said office until the State shall be in a condition to employ a greater part of
his time, and for the three months of each and every year thus devoted to the
duties of said office the incumbent shall receive from the treasurer of the State
the sum of $300.
SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That this act take effect from and after its
passage, the public welfare requiring it.
Administration. Under the act of 1854 Dr. James M. Safford was
elected State geologist for a term of two years, and was reelected in
1856 and again in 1858. He entered upon his work at once, having
made arrangements with the authorities of the university for the
temporary filling of his chair. In the prosecution of the work the
lack of assistants and the limited means supplied embarrassed him
greatly. Furthermore, the geographical and topographical maps of
the State, as above noted, were very defective. For many sections
he was compelled to construct his own maps.
In 1856 Safford presented a preliminary report, which was pub-
lished under the title of A Geological Reconnoissance of the State of
Tennessee. This was a small volume of 164 pages, octavo, which was
accompanied by a geological map of the State.
In 1858 he presented a short statement to the legislature as to the
future of the survey, but made no regular report.
In 1860, under authority of a resolution of the State legislature,
Safford undertook as full a report on the geology of the State as
was practicable, provisions being made for maps and illustrations.
Unfortunately, the breaking out of the Civil War put a stop to
this work. A number of plates of fossils and other illustrations
had been printed, but these, with other materials, were scattered
and lost. In the meantime the office of State geologist was abolished
and all work suspended.
By a resolution of March, 1868, Safford was authorized to pro-
ceed, under the order of February. 1860, to make out a report and
present it to the State printer, for which labor he was to receive
$1,500. The copies of the report when printed were to be disposed of
and distributed according to the requirements of the resolution of
1860 ordering its publication. Twenty-five hundred copies were
thus to be printed, with the necessary illustrations and maps, in a
style similar and equal to those of the Kentucky reports. Of these,
500 copies were to be placed in the hands of the State librarian, to
be disposed of as follows : One hundred to be used for the purpose
of exchange with other States. 50 to be presented to the State geol-
ogist, 50 to be deposited in the library, and the remainder to be sold
at not less than $1 a copy. Five hundred copies were to be dis-
tributed among the members of the senate and 1.500 among the
members of the house of representative?.
470 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
This report was; finally printed under the title of Geology of
Tennessee, and was ready for distribution in 1869. It was in form
of an octavo volume of 550 pages, containing a geological map of the
State, seven plates of fossils, and a number of sections and other
illustrations.
Under the act of 1871 Professor Safford was again appointed
State geologist and mineralogist, and remained in office down to
1900, being reappointed by each succeeding governor. During this
period his summer vacations were employed in the work of the sur-
vey, though during a part of the time he was much crippled by
failure on the part of the legislature to provide for his salary, and
but for his connection with Vanderbilt University at Nashville, he
could not have afforded to retain the office.
During the interval between 1871 and 1900 reports of progre.s-
from time to time were prepared, but were not published, the idea
being to accumulate and retain materials for a large report or for a
second revised and enlarged edition of his Geology of Tennessee.
In the meantime articles and chapters including more or less of the
results obtained were contributed to the publications of the Tennes-
see agricultural bureau and the reports of the commissioner of
agriculture, statistics, and mines, and the American Journal of
After the enactment of the law of 1871 application was made to
the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey for a beginning of
geodetic work in Tennessee, to which they were entitled. This work
was ordered, and Prof. A. H. Buchanan, of Lebanon. Tennessee,
was commissioned to carry it on. As State geologist, Professor
Safford directed that he should, first of all, proceed to connect Xash-
ville and Knoxville by triangulation. This was successfully accom-
plished, and subsequently he was directed to select his points west of
Xashville and connect that city with the Mississippi River, the pur-
pose being to secure at least a surveyed belt lengthwise through the
State which might, until the whole of the State could be triangulated,
serve as a basis for the utilization of the railroad, county, and other
maps, and for the location of points. This work was begun, when
Professor Buchanan was ordered back to Washington on account of
the failure of Congress to appropriate the necessary means.
Expense. The expense of the survey for the six years ending with
1859 would seem to have been covered, exclusive of publications, by
the appropriations $9,000. The $1,500 appropriated in March.
1868, for the compilation of the volume. Geology of Tennessee,
gives a total of $10,500. Under the law of 1871 the geologist was
to receive $300 a year, but though reappointed to the office by each
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 33
O
3
o
111
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111
h
co co
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 471
succeeding governor, the legislature, " during a part of the time,'"
neglected to provide for his salary. Hence, no figures that may be
considered exact can be given.
TEXAS.
FIRST SURVEY UNDER B. F. SHUMARD AND F. MOORE, JR.. 1838-1861.
The first systematic attempt at a geological survey of Texas under
State authority was made under an act approved February. 10, 1858.
The immediate motive, as given in this act, was to have made as
speedily as possible a thorough and complete geological survey of the
State so as to determine accurately the quality and characteristics of
the soil and its adaptation to agricultural purposes, its mineral re-
sources, its water power, and generally everything relating to the
geological and agricultural character of the State. The survey was
entirely independent of any other institution and was to be sustained
by annual appropriations. The following is the text of the law:
An act to provide for a geological and agricultural survey of the State.
SIXTIOX 1. Be it cnt:(i.:<l hti the Legislature of the State of Tesas, That the
governor is hereby authorized to appoint, as soon as possible, some suitable
and competent person as State geologist, who shall hold his office for two
years, and until his successor shall be appointed and qualified, unless removed
by the governor for neglect to perform the duties of his office, or for malfeas-
ance in office, and who shall perform the duties herein prescribed, and during
the period of his service shall hold no other office. And before entering upou
the discharge of the duties of his office he shall enter into bond, with security,
to be approved by the governor, in the sum of $20,000, conditioned for the
faithful discharge of the duties of his office.
SEC. 2. That said State geologist shall, as speedily as possible, make a
thorough and complete geological survey of the State, so as to determine ac-
curately the quality and characteristics of the soil, and its adaptation to agri-
cultural purposes; the species of produce to which the soil, in different sections,
is best adapted; its mineral resources, their location, and the best means for
their development; its water powers, their localities and capacities; and gen-
erally everything relating to the geological and agricultural character of the
State. And for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act said
geologist shall have power to appoint assistants, with the approbation of the
governor : Provided, That not more than two assistants shall be appointed.
SEC. 3. That said State geologist shall keep his office at the city of Austin,
but shall not be required to remain in said office except as his duties allow; and
shall keep in said office such specimens as he shall deem necessary to convey to
such office. He shall also forward, to the governor, from time to time, during the
progress of the survey, specimens of rocks, ores, coals, soils, fossils, and other
mineral substances as may be necessary and proper to form a complete cabinet of
sj>ecimons of the geology and mineralogy of the State; and the governor shall
cause the same to be deposited, in proper order, in some convenient room at the
capitol of the State, there to be preserved for public inspection. And said geolo-
gist shall make a report to the legislature, at its regular sessions, of liis surveys.
472 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
explorations, and examinations into the mineral and other natural resources
of the State, its climate and agricultural adaptability, accompanied by illustra-
tive maps, charts, and drawings, with reference to the same, which report shall
be the exclusive property of the State: Provided, however, That the said
geologist shall not be prohibited from publishing any such facts, maps, charts,
and drawings, which it is made his duty to report; and that in making any
survey upon the frontier the governor or said State geologist is authorized
to request the cooperation of any scientific corps of the United States Army or
X:ivy and an escort of United States troops.
SEC. 4. That the said State geologist, for the performance of said service,
shall receive an annual salary of $3,000, to be paid to him quarterly, after he
enters upon the duties of his office : and that the sum of $20,000 be, and the same
is hereby, appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise ap-
propriated, to be expended under the direction of the governor, for the purposes
of carrying into effect this act, by employing assistants and in defraying the
incidental expenses of his office; and upon presentation by the State geologist
of the proper vouchers, approved by the governor, the comptroller is hereby
authorized to draw his warrant on the treasury for the cost of any chemical
apparatus or other outfit deemed necessary by the governor, as well as all other
expenses of said survey : Provided, The amount expended shall not exceed the
amount herein specified and appropriated : And provided further, That the
salary of each assistant State geologist shall not exceed $1,500 j>er ai.nuiu
for the time he may be engaged.
SEC. 5. That said Stale geologist and his assistants, before entering upon the
duties of their respective offices, shall make oath, before some competent officer,
that they will not purchase any lands in this State, with a vie>T to specula-
tion, during the time they hold their said offices, and that they will not con-
ceal or suppress any information relative to any valuable discovery wbvh they
may make, pertaining to the objects of said survey, either from the State or
from individuals upon whose lands said discovery may be made, and will so
conduct the survey as to give as much publicity as possible to the important
results of said survey.
SEC. 6. That the chief geologist and his assistants, upon their removal or
resignation, or at the expiration of his office, shall turn over to his or their
successors or to the governor all the minerals, shells, maps, plats, and diagrams
which they may collect or make during their term of office, and shall com-
municate all important geological information to their successors acquired dur-
ing such geological survey.
SEC. 7. That this act shall take effect from its passage.
Approved February 10, 1858.
Administration. Under this act. B. F. Shumard, of St. Louis,
Missouri, was appointed by Gov. H. R. Runnels, on August 28, 1858,
State geologist. Assistants were appointed as follows: Assistant
geologist, Dr. George G. Shumard; 1 chemist and assistant, Prof.
1 According to Hill, Bulletin 45, U. S. Geological Survey, p. 30, there Is a tradition
tbat Governor Runnels intended to appoint Dr. G. G. Shumard to the office of State
geologist, but by a clerical error the name of bis brother, Dr. B. F. Shumard, was In-
serted in the original commission. This is presumably a mistake, since, in a letter dated
May 25, 1858, which is among the archives of the Smithsonian Institution, B. P. Shum-
ard, writing to F. B. Meek, says : " I have been urged by some of my scientific friends
to apply for the appointment of chief geologist of Texas and have determined to do BO."
Subsequent letters dated at Austin make no mention of any such probable error as that
indicated in Mr. Hill's note.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL, HISTORY SURVEYS. 473
W. P. Riddell; topographer, A. R. Roessler; meteorologists, Prof.
Caleb G. Forshey, at Rutersville, and Swante Palm, at Austin.
These, according to section 2 of the law, were appointed by the
geologist, with the approbation of the governor.
Salaries. Salaries, as provided by section 4 of the law. were:
For the State geologist, $3,000; assistant geologist, $1,500. Other
salaries not given.
Methods. Realizing that the climatological and meteorological
conditions existing in Texas were of primary importance, one of the
first acts of Shumard was to purchase a set of chemical and physical
apparatus for the equipment of analytical laboratories and of meteor-
ological stations at the two points mentioned above.
The geological corps proper was divided into field parties, and in
January, 1859, entered upon their duties. One, under George G.
Shumard, constructed a section of the country between Austin and
the Red River, in Grayson County. Shumard also made surveys
of Grayson, Fannin, and Cass counties, and partial surveys of
Bowie, Red River, and Lamar counties. In addition, he made
explorations of the Red River from Coke County to the Louisiana
boundary. Professor Riddell was engaged in making surveys of the
counties of Caldwell, Guadaloupe, McLennan, and Bosque. B. F.
Shumard, himself, made detailed surveys of Burnet and Rusk
counties and partial surveys of Travis, Bastrop, Washington, Fay-
ette, and Young counties. His methods, as given in his first annual
report, were as follows:
In making these preliminary surveys careful sections of the strata have been
made at all points of outcrop within reasonable distances of the route traveled,
and the thickness, stratigraphical order, dip, and mineral and fossil characters
of the various beds have been determined with as much precision as possible.
1 * * In some counties sections of the strata have been measured at more
than 150 localities. * * * We made frequent barometrical observations to
ascertain the elevation of the country above tidewater, and much attention has
been directed to obtaining a correct knowledge of the topographical features.
We have also determined, with as much accuracy as possible, the amount and
quality of timber in each county, proportion of timber and prairie, elevation of
hills, depth and width of valleys, and the amount of available water power fur-
nished by the streams.
A large share of attention has also been devoted to the agricultural capabili-
ties of these counties. The different varieties of soils and subsoils have been
carefully examined, numerous specimens have been collected for future study
and analysis, and we have spared no pains to ascertain the most advantageous
methods of cultivating and improving them.
Particular search has been made for minerals of economical importance and
all mines, whether of prospective or known value, have been examined with
special care and the probable amount, richness, and quality of the ores deter-
mined. Samples of ores and their accompanying minerals, coals, limestones,
marbles, clays, mineral waters, etc., have been collected, and are now deposited
474 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
in the laboratory tit Austin for chemical analysis and final preservation in the
State cabinet.
After a brief winter's work in Austin the survey resumed the field
in 1860. Records of this year's work are very meager, for reasons
noted later. The personnel of the survey remained the same, with
the addition of S. B. Buckley, who was employed by Shumard as a
collector of plants.
Museum. Section 3 of the law required the geologist to forward
to the governor, from time to time during the progress of the survey,
specimens of rocks, ores, coals, soils, and fossils and other mineral
substances, such as might be necessary and proper to form a com-
plete cabinet of specimens of the geology and mineralogy of the
State, the same to be deposited in some convenient room at tho State
capitol to be preserved for public inspection.
Change of director. Owing to reasons which have never been
made fully public, but which, to judge from correspondence and
articles in the newspapers of that date, were largely of a political
nature, Doctor Shumard was removed from office in 1860, after an
administration of some 26 months, to be succeeded in November of
the same year by Francis Moore, jr., the last named having the
reputation of an honorable and cultured gentleman, of much execu-
tive ability, but not a geologist. For many years he had been the
editor of the Houston Daily Teh 1 graph, the then leading newspaper
of the State. Under Moore, S. B. Buckley was appointed first as-
sistant State geologist, Riddell being retained as assistant geologist
and chemist, and Roessler as draftsman.
Suspension of survey. During December of 1860 Messrs. Moore
and Buckle}' made a short reconnoissance through the southern
counties of the State, and in March a tour was begun through western
Texas. During this latter trip the survey was suspended by the
passage of the following resolution :
Be it resolved, (1) That the geological survey be suspended, with the ex-
ception of the State geologist and chemist, who shall continue in the survey
only so long as it may be necessary to make out the report hereinafter pro-
vided for.
(2) That B. F. Shumard, the State geologist, be requested to make a report
of his survey so far as the survey has been completed, and for that purpose
shall have control over the cabinet and rooms and his notes and the services
of the chemist, and he shall receive a like salary heretofore paid the State
geologist until the work be completed: Provided. Said report shall be made by
the 1st of July next; which compensation shall be paid out of the appropria-
tions heretofore made for the support of the geological bureau.
(3) That Dr. Francis Moore, present State geologist, be requested to make
out a report of the work executed up to the present time.
Approved April 8, 1881.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 475
In accordance with this resolution, Doctor Shumard was reinstated,
with instructions to prepare his final report. What was done toward
complying with these instructions can not be definitely ascertained.
No reports were published, and presumably the agitation incidental
to the Civil War prevented further work. Moore himself left for the
North in July, 1861. and Shumard returned to St. Louis with the
outbreak of the war.
During the war the State capital was occupied by troops and the
laboratories and museum of the survey were converted into a manu-
factory of percussion caps. The collections of the survey, together
with maps and other records, were thus lost and destroyed.
It is stated that, at the opening of the war. Buckley also left the
South, taking with him the notes of the survey. At the close of
the conflict lie returned to Austin, assumed charge of the collec-
tions, and secured the passage of a joint resolution repealing the act
of April 8, 1861, above given, by which the survey had been sus-
pended, and was himself appointed by Governor Throckmorton. in
November, 1866, to take charge of the survey, notwithstanding the
protests of Shumard. Roessler, and others.
Publications. The publications of the survey, as may readily be
imagined from what has gone before, were few and of comparatively
little importance. A report of progress in the form of a pamphlet
of 17 pages was issued in 1859, 1.700 copies being printed ; and in 1886
there was printed a partial report on the geology of western Texas,
compiled by Gen. H. P. Bee from unpublished manuscript left by the
Shumard brothers. 1 Buckley also issued a preliminary report on
the geology and agriculture of Texas, in 1866.
Expenses. The writer has not been able to ascertain the exact
cost of the Texas survey under the leadership of Moore and Buckley.
Mr. R. T. Hill estimates 8 that the cost under Moore's administration
could not have exceeded $4,000, and gives a like figure for the one
year of Buckley's administration. The total expense of the survey
to November 1. 1859. under the administration of Shumard is given
as follow.- :
Salaries of State geologist and assistants $5, 187. 50
Services of draftsman 560.00
Hire of subassistants, teamster, and cooks 1, 448. 21
Expenses of going to New York for instruments, etc 332. 62
Instruments, chemicals, and chemical apparatus 3,030.75
Fitting up geological rooms and laboratory 532. 72
Loomis and Christian's account for building stable 480.33
1 The papers published by General Bee were, as I am informed by Prof. E. F. Durable.
the record of Doctor Shuinard's trip for the United States Government in the forties
and not part of his State survey work, the two articles in the appendix of this publica-
tion being all that can be credited to the survey.
2 Bulletin 45, U. S. Geological Survey, 1887.
476 ni'LLKTJN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Horses and mules
Wagons, harness, and saddlery 1 091. 9f
Outfit, camp excuses, provisions, forage, and blacksmithing__.
Traveling expenses
Transportation of specimens, etc__.
Postage account 15 - 4S
/jo oo
Stationery b6.6X
Exchange 4 - ^
$15, 073. 00
SECOND SURVEY UNDER J. W. GLENN AND S. B. BUCKLEY, 1873-1875.
With the close of the Civil War and the gradual subsidence of
the political excitement incident to the reconstruction period, the
expediency of reorganizing the survey was again broached, and the
following law was passed and approved on August 13. 1870 :
An act providing for a geological survey of the State of IVxas.
SKCTIOW 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the
governor is hereby authorized and directed to appoint, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, some suitable and competent person as State geo-
logist, who shall hold his office until the completion of the geological survey of
the State by this act authorized, or until his successor is appointed and quali-
fied in case of his removal as hereinafter specified, and who shall perform the
duties herein prescribed, and during his occupancy of said office shall hold
no other office; and before entering upon his duties as State geologist, shall
enter into bond, with security to be approved by the governor, in the sum of
$5,000, for the faithful performance of the duties of said office.
SEC. 2. That said State geologist shall, as soon as possible after his ap-
pointment and qualification, appoint two principal assistants, one of whom shall
be an expert, practical, and scientific chemist and mineralogist, and the other
a competent geologist, and shall have full authority to appoint such sub-
assistants as may, from time to time, become necessary.
SEC. 3. That said State geologist shall, with the aid of assistants, make, as
rspid as may be consistent with accuracy, a thorough geological, mineralogical,
and agricultural survey of the State, embracing a scientific and descriptive
survey of the rocks, minerals, mineral waters, and fossils of the same, full
and complete assays of the ores and minerals, and analysis of the soils and
subsoils, with a classification of the same, stating their adaptation to particular
crops, and the best methods of preserving and increasing their fertility. They
shall also determine the relative ages, order of succession, thickness, dip, strike,
and composition of the various building stones, ores, minerals, fossils, ferti-
lizers, and mineral waters, with specimens of the useful native and introduced
plants, and all other substances and objects that may be necessary to illus-
trate the economic and scientific geology, and render the collection a complete
museum of practical geology.
SEC. 4. That the governor shall procure safe and suitable rooms, at the
capital of the State, for the permanent deposit and arrangement of the collec-
tions above mentioned; that said collections shall be arranged and classified
in the same by the said State geologist and his assistants, and that this museum
shall be the office and headquarters of the survey, and always kept open and
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 477
fieely accessible at seasonable hours to the public, excepting when the members
of the geological corps are all absent attending to field duties.
SEC. 5. That the duplicate specimens collected by the survey shall be classi-
fied and labeled, when called for, to be distributed to each of the colleges of the
State that have been duly authorized to grant diplomas: Provided, That each
distribution shall ouly be made after due application of said colleges has been
made to the governor.
SEC. 6. That the said State geologist shall present to the governor, at each
regular session of the legislature, a report of progress made up to that time,
including an account of the more important results accomplished, and that said
preliminary reports, if desirable or necessary to their proper understanding,
shall be accompanied with maps and other illustrations, and that these, as
well as all other reports of said survey that may be made and presented by said
State geologist and his assistants, shall be the exclusive property of the State:
Provided, That said State geologist shall not be prohibited from publishing any
such facts, with maps and illustrations, that it may be his duty to present
SEC. 7. That the salary of said State geologist shall be $3,000 per annum,
and that of the principal assistants each $1,800 per annum, together with all
traveling and incidental expenses of the said State geologist and his assistants
while engaged in the field explorations, to be paid quarterly after they enter
ujxm the duties of their office. All money hereafter appropriated to carry into
effect this act shall be expended in the payment of the salaries of the State
geologist and principal assistants, and of such subassistants and other aid
as it may be necessary to employ, in the purchase of the necessary chemical
apparatus, chemicals, and instruments, the transportation of specimens, and
the payment of incidental expenses; and upon the presentation by said State
geologist of proper vouchers, approved by the governor, the comptroller is hereby
authorized to draw his warrant upon the treasury for all bills for sums due or
expended as above specified : Provided, That the whole amount expended shall
not, during any one year, exceed the sum of $20,000.
SEC. 8. That the said State geologist and his assistants, before entering
upon the duties of office, shall make oath before some competent officer that
they will not purchase any lands or mining interest in the State, with the view
of speculation, during the time they hold office, and that they shall not con-
real or suppress any information relative to any discovery which they may
make pertaining to the objects of the survey, either from the State or from in-
dividuals upon whose lands said discovery may be made, and that they will
so conduct the survey as to give as much publicity as possible to the important
results of the same.
SEC. 9. That on the completion of said survey, or at proper intervals during
its progress, as facts may accumulate, said State geologist shall prepare and
present to the governor more complete reports, to be considered final as far
as they go if presented during the progress of the survey, or final and com-
plete if presented after the whole State shall have been surveyed, which reports
shall embody the results of the entire survey, or of that portion of it completed,
and shall be accompanied by all such maps, sections, diagrams, and other draw-
ins as may be necessary for a full and complete understanding of the same.
And the secretary of state is hereby directed to secure a copyright in the name
of the State for all reports presented by the State geologist and published at
the expense and by the authority of the State.
SEC. 10. That whenever any such reports are published, the governor may
cause them to be sold to the citizens of the State at a price not exceeding the
478 Bn/LKTFX 10'J, UNITED STATES IsATIOlsAL JML'SKUM.
cobt of the paper, printing, and binding, and to others on such terms as may IK>
advantageous to the interests of the State; and all moneys that may be received
from the sale of said reports shall be placed in the common school fund of
the State.
SEC. 11. That said State -eulogist shall be allowed 50 copies of all reports
of said geological survey for distribution to scientific men in this country and
in Europe; and that 20 copies of the same shall be in like manner allowed to
each of the principal assistants in said survey, in accordance with the usual
custom in such surveys.
SEC. 12. That the State geologist shall superintend the publication of his
reports provided for in this act, and shall present to the legislature an estimate
of the cost of the publication of the same, at the time such reports shall be
presented.
SEC. 13. That in case of the death or resignation of said State geologist
before the completion of said survey the governor may appoint his successor:
and the governor shall have power to remove said State geologist from office for
neglect of duty, incompetence, dishonesty, or any kind of malfeasance in office,
should he be found guilty of such charges brought against him : Provided,
due notice has been given to him that such charges have been made, and he shall
be allowed full opportunity to confront his accuser and make his defense; and
in case of such removal of the State geologist, he shall deliver over to the gov-
ernor, or to his successor in office, all specimens, instruments, apparatus, maps,
sections, diagrams, and other property belonging to the State and relating to
the survey.
SEC. 14. That all former laws of the State relating to a State geographical
survey are hereby repealed, and that this act take effect and be in force from
and after its passage.
Approved August 13, 1870.
Administration. The general plan of the survey was similar to
that of the first attempt, as will be noted. Under the act, early in
1873, Gov. E. J. Davis appointed John W. Glenn State geologist.
Charles E. Hall was made first assistant. The salary of the principal
geologist was placed at $3,000. and the principal assistants at $1,800
each, the traveling and incidental expenses to be paid by the State.
Active work was begun in November in Burnet, Llano, and San Saba
counties. Glenn resigned on March 6, 1874, and was succeeded by
S. B. Buckley.
No report was published under Glenn's administration. The fol-
lowing from R. T. Hill's report, already quoted, is given as out-
lining his methods and what he had hoped to accomplish:
My first work was to establish a base line which would include outcroppings
of the known formations. As established, this line began in Blanco County, in
the Cretaceous, thence northward until it encountered the Cretaceous, again
overlying the Carboniferous in the north part of the State. Between these two
ends of the base line, beginning at the south end, it passed through the follow-
ing formations in the order as stated, viz: Cretaceous, Carboniferous. Upper
Silurian, Azoic, Lower Silurian, Upper Silurian, Carboniferous, Cretaceous.
The result was one of the most interesting I ever accomplished. Every square
mile of the territory surveyed was carefully platted on the map and defined in
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 479
the field, and each one numbered and worked over with great care, and the col
lections taken from each bore its number and from what part each came. Prob-
ably the most valuable part of my work, from an economic stand, if the
report of it had only been promulgated in print, was my report on the wild
sumach of Texas (R. copallina), from detailed analyses extending through the
entire growth and determining the period of greatest economic value in tannlr
acid. 1
Doctor Buckley received his appointment from Gov. Richard Coke
in March, 1874. Under his administration, Richard Burleson was
made assistant geologist; Charles E. Hall, subordinate assistant;
James E. Home, bookkeeper and commissary; and Friench Simpson
and Jack Coke, volunteer assistants. Field work was begun on May
11. The entire work of the survey was, however, in the nature of
reconnoissance, and no stratigraphic or topographic work was done,
nor were any barometric or other observations made.
Expenses. The expenses, as given in Buckley's report for a period
from May 1, 1874. to November 1 of the same year, were as follows:
Outfit at Austin.
One pair mules, of Mr. Hart $366.00
One ambulance 137. 50
One pair mules and wagon 330.00
One pair of mules and hack bought by Professor Burleson at Waco 675. 00
$1, 508. 50
Expenses in the field.
May $73.00
June 159. 20
July 264.85
August 135. 45
September 115.20
October 122.80
' $870. 50
Wages paid.
James Home, $50 per month $300
Rbands, $25 per month 150
Carringtori, $25 per month 150
Cook, $25 per month 150
$750
R. T. Hill, in the publication above referred to, gives the fol-
lowing statement, as obtained from Mr. F. Simpson :
1 This report was published In part, at least, by the succeeding survey In Bulletin No.
1, Report and Analyses of Texas Sumach (RJius copalUrw) by George H. Kalteyer, Austia,
1892.
The printed report gives this total as $871.15.
13607520 32
480 BULLETIN 100, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Total amount of appropriation for 1874
Salary of geologist - * 3 '
Office and chemical supplies
Books and instruments
9 JO/)
Traveling expenses - "*
Total
Returned to the treasury
In 1875 the expenses are given by the authority mentioned, us
follows :
Salary of the geologist - ::; - ""
Office and chemicals
Traveling expenses
Postage - (H '
Fuel __ "'"
Total .<-,.7r(
At the end of this fiscal year Gov. Richard Coke became convinced
that the geological survey, as conducted, was of no value to the State
and vetoed the bill for the annual appropriation. Thus the second
attempt at a survey was brought to an end.
Publication*. Two reports, of 142 and t>fi page.s, wore issued by
Buckley under dates of 1874 and 1876, respectively. Concerning
their value, Mr. Dumble writes :
I want to call especial attention to the fact that while Buckley's publica-
tions were crude, a careful reading shows that some definite results of value
were secured, among these the general lines of Tertiary-Cretaceous and Cre-
taceous-Carboniferous boundaries and the presence of true Miocene, the oc-
currence and source of the artesian water of the Cretaceous area, and the exist-
ence and location of some valuable minerals.
THIRD SURVEY UNDER E. T. DUMBLE, 1 8 88-1 89 2. x
In 1888 still a third attempt was made for a geological survey
under State auspices, and the following is the text of the law under
which the work was to be carried out :
An act to authorize the commissioner of agriculture, insurance, statistics, and history to
have a geological and minoraloglcal survey made of the- State of Texas, nnd ri make
an appropriation therefor.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Lei/ixhititrc of 11ic State of Te.rns. That it
shall be the duty of the commissioner of agriculture, insurance, statistics, and
history to have a geological and rnineralogical survey made of the State of
Texas, and for that purpose he shall employ such a number of competent per-
sons skilled in the science of geology and mineralogy as shall be necessary to
properly and expeditiously execute said work. The persons so employed shall
1 Compiled mainly from manuscript furnished by E. T. Durable.
GEOLOGICAL AX1) NATURAL, HISTORY SURVEYS. 481
lie under tile supervision and control of the said commissioner, and shail recehe
such compensation as the commissioner may direct, not to exceed $2.000 per
year. The commissioner shall provide all necessary chemical apparatus, books,
maps, and stationery ro carry out the provision of this act, and may employ
such additional clerks as shall be requisite to a proper execution of this act,
which clerks shall receive such compensation as he may deen proper, not to
exceed $900 each per year.
SEC. 2. The commissioner shall cause to be made assays, analyses, or other
scientific examination of all beds or deposits of ores, coals, clays, marls, and
other mineral substances situated in this State as shall be requisite to a
correct knowledge of the extent and value thereof. He shall also in all proper
cases upon application require like examinations, assays, or analyses to be made
of deposits, mines, and lands situated in this State, and shall furnish proper
certificates of the result of such examination, assay, or analyses. He shall also
upon request of any person require assays <>r analyses to be made of any speci-
men of soil or mineral deposits in this State, and shall also furnish to the
party requesting it a certificate thereof: Provided, That in all cases when
assays or analyses are made upon request of any person the party making
the request shall be required by the commissioner to make affidavit that the
specimen offered was found upon the land of the party making the request, or
that sa'd request is made at the instance or with the full knowledge and consent
of the owner of the laud upon which said specimen was found.
SKC. o. The commissioner shall preserve a record of this department of his
office, and the information therein collected and preserved shall be reported
to the governor as in case of other matters relating to his office. He shall
also report to the governor before each session of succeeding legislatures, for
information of the governor and such legislatures, all money expended under
this act. and how and for what purpose such money was expended. He shall
also report the amounts of money received from persons, corporations, or syndi-
cates for services rendered, specifying the amount so received. He shall also
preserve specimens of minerals, coals, stones, and other natural substances
useful in agricultural, manufacturing, or the mechanical arts, and shall from
time to time as far as practicable add specimens of organic remains and other
objects of natural history peculiar to this State.
SEC. 4. The commissioner shall prescribe a schedule of reasonable fees to
be charged and collected from all persons having scientific examinations,
assays, or chemical analyses made, and for certificates furnished under this
act. which fees shall when collected be paid into the State treasury to the
credit of the general revenue fund.
s ];<. .". It shall be unlawful for the commissioner of agriculture, insurance,
statistics, and history, or any person employed by him or connected with his
office, to purchase all or any part of any mine or mineral lands, or be in any
manner interested in such purchase, during the term of his office or employ-
ment. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be punished
by fine not less than $1,000, and shall be removed from his office or employment,
as the case may be.
SEC. 6. That the sum of $15,000, or so much thereof as may b4 necessary, be.
and the same is hereby, appropriated, out of any moneys in the State treasury
not otherwise appropriated? for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of
this act: Provided, That no expense in excess of the amount hereby appropri-
ated shall be incurred under the provisions of this act.
482 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
SEC. 7. The great necessity for gathering and collecting useful and valuable
information concerning the mineral and other natural resources of the State,
and the present lack of means to ascertain the same, creates an imperative
public necessity, and an emergency exists requiring that the constitutional
rule which requires bills to be read on three several days in each house be sus-
pended, and said rule is so suspended, and it is enacted that this act take effect
and be hi force from and after its passage.
NOTE. The foregoing act originated in the house, and passed the same by a
vote of 45 yeas, 37 nays; and passed the senate by a vote of 24 yeas, 4 naya
Approved May 12, 1888.
Immediate control of the survey, as noted, was in the hands of
State commissioner of agriculture, insurance, statistics, and history,
and it had no connection with any other institution. It was to l>e
supported by annual appropriations.
Administration. Under this act, the commissioner, L. L. Foster,
on September 21, 1888, appointed E. T. Dumble State geologist,
giving him full control of the work of the survey, reserving only a
supervision of the finances. Mr. Dumble appointed the following
assistants: Geologists, W. H. von Streemwitz, W. F. Cummins, Dr.
R. A. F. Penrose, jr. ; chemist, J. H. Herndon.
The salary of the State geologist was placed at $2,000 and that
of geologists at $1,800 each, traveling and incidental expenses to be
paid by the State. The only change in these salaries was during
the years 1891 and 1892, when they were made by law $2,500 and
$2,300, respectively, being again lowered to the original amounts in
1893.
Arrangements were made by which the chemical laboratory of tho
University of Texas was utilized temporarily for the chemical work
of the survey, and circular No. 1 was issued October 1 to apprise
those wishing analyses of the conditions. The charges for analyz-
ing and assaying minerals and ores were only sufficient to cover cost
of materials and not of services. The fees received for this work,
however, were to be paid into the State treasury to the credit of the
general reserve fund. The only point which needs to be considered
was the fact that such analyses were to be made, as provided in sec
tion 2 of the law, only on presentation of an " affidavit that the
specimen offered was found upon the land of the party making the
request, or that said request was made at the instance or with the
full knowledge and consent of the owner of the land upon which
specimen was found."
The immediate motive of the survey, as outlined in circular No. 2.
issued October 11, was as follows :
1. A search for ores, minerals, oils, coals, clays, and other minerals
possessing a commercial value, and the determination of the ques-
tion, whenever possible, whether they exist in sufficient quantities
GEOLOGICAL AND .NATURAL IIISTOIIY SUlvVEYS. 483
and under suitable conditions and surroundings to make it reason-
ably certain that it will be profitable to work them.
2. An investigation of the geological formation and the topog-
raphy of the country with a view to determining the probability of
obtaining artesian water and the feasibility of irrigating from such
wells as well as from streams, shallow wells, or tanks, where neces-
sary.
3. The determination of the adaptability of soils to certain crops,
and how their fertility can be increased by the use of materials
nearest at hand.
4. The search for and development of useful articles as yet not
fully known.
Preliminary work. The short time intervening between the pre-
liminary organization of the survey and the meeting of the legis-
lature, for which a report had to be prepared, made it necessary to
spend the time in a very rapid reconnoissance in order to get together
as much general information as possible regarding the mineral de-
posits of the State for the information and use of the legislature.
Von Streeruwitz reported for duty on September 29, and was
sent out with instructions to make a careful investigation of the
mineral and agricultural resources of the trans-Pecos region. Cum-
mins reported on October 2 and took the field with instructions
to make a section of the central coal formation, determining the
number of coal seams which exist in it, together with their char-
acter and thickness. Penrose, owing to previous engagements, did
not report for duty until November 12, when he began work by
proceeding to Jefferson to investigate the iron, limestone, and as-
phaltum deposits of east Texas. Work in southern Texas was ap-
portioned to J. Owen, of Eagle Pass; J. L. Tait and G. Jermy, of
San Antonio, as temporary assistants.
The results of the three months' work in the form of reports from
the geologists and assistants, together with an introduction by the
State geologist, were published as the first report of progress, and
upon the snowing made the legislature made appropriation for the
continuance of the work for two years from March 1, 1889.
The work being provided for biennially, the State geologist de-
cided that the first year of each term would be devoted to the broader
features of areal and stratigraphic geology with special reference to
the occurrence of mineral deposits, while the work of the second year
would be principally the study of these deposits and a more detailed
investigation of the beds containing them, and thereafter planned
the work of each field party accordingly.
The geologists named were continued in the field. Additional
chemical work was provided for at the Agricultural and Mechanical
484 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
College of Texas and P. S. Tileon appointed chemist. T. B. Corn-
stock was engaged for special work in the Llano region during
the summer months and later was appointed geologist. The United
States Geological Survey cooperated by detailing Robert T. Hill to
carry on the study of the Cretaceous in connection with his work at
the university during the latter part of the year.
The importance of accurate topographic work was realized and
efforts were made to secure the cooperation of the United States Geo-
. logical Survey and United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, which
were partially successful. This was supplemented by the survey
through the work of J. C. Xngle in central Texas and TV. Wyschetzki
in the trans-Pecos.
Work of first year (1889}. Von Stree.ru witx completed his recon-
noissance of the trans-Pecos and in May began regular work there,
the first year being occupied principally in constructing a topo-
graphic map of the western portion of El Paso County.
Cummins made several sections across the northwestern portion of
the State from the escarpment of the Llano Kstacado to the Cre-
taceous border on the east, and began the instrumental sections, which
were completed later. He had the assistance of Messrs. McCulloch
and Drake. R. S. Tarr, appointed in November, was given the study
of the southern border of the central coal field.
Pen rose spent the early part of the year in detailed examination
of Cherokee County with its iron ores and lignites. After this, in
order to get the Tertiary sections more complete, he made a boat
trip down the Brazos, Colorado, and Rio Grande. Penrose left the
survey on July 1 to study the extension of the Tertiary deposits in
Arkansas under the geological survey of that State while the iron-
ore areas of Texas were being mapped. The Arkansas work proved
to be so extensive, however, that he finally resigned from the Texas
survey. G. E. Ladd was appointed to trace and map the iron-ore
deposits of east Texas, and worked in Wood, Upshur, Van Zandt,
Marion, and Anderson counties, and then resigned on account of
ill-health. A. G. Taff was appointed to continue this work, but died
before completing a single county.
To Comstock was assigned the special work of studying the geology
and resources of the Llano district. With his party, which included
Messrs. Nagle. Spence. and Huppertz, he covered a large portion of
the area during the season and made large collections of the rocks
and minerals of the district.
R. T. Hill, in connection with his work at the University of Texas,
was given the examination of the Cretaceous. His detail under the
United States Geological Survey for this work began in July. Ho
had as assistants Messrs. J. A. Taff. C. C. McCulloch. X. F. Drake,
GEOLOGICAL AXD XATUttAL HISTORY STRYKYS. 485
and J. S. Stone. A room was set apart for a museum and was fur-
nished with cases and a start made toward the, installation of speci-
mens sent in by the field parties, Mr. J. B. Walker being in charge.
The general results of the work of the first year are summarized
by Mr. Dumble in the first annual report, 1889, (pp. xxix-lxxiii),
in which a brief statement is made covering the various geological
horizons recognized during the field work and the principal mineral
resources of each, fuller details being given in the accompanying
papers, pages 1 to 410, which comprise :
A Preliminary Report (if Hie Geology of the Gulf Tertiary of Texas, by
R. A. F. Pen rose, jr.
A Brief Description of the Cretaceous Rocks of Texas and their Economic
Value, by Robert T. Hill.
The Southern Border of the Central Coal Field, by W. F. Cummins.
The Permian of Texas and Its Underlying Beds, by W. F. Cummins.
Preliminary Report on the Coal Fields of Colorado River, by Ralph S. Tarr.
Geology of Trans-Pecos Texas Preliminary Statement, by W. H. von
Streeruwitz.
Preliminary Report on the Geology <,f the Central Mineral Region of Texas,
by Theo. B. Comstock.
Ill addition to the first annual report the survey published during
the year:
Bulletin X<>. 4. A Preliminary Annotated Clvvk List ..f rhe Cretaceous In-
vertebrate Fossils of Texas, by R. T. Hill.
Bulletin Xo. 2. A Preliminary Report on the Soils and Waters of the Upper
Itio Grande and Pecos Valleys in Texas, by H. H. Harrington.
These papers, after recounting as fully as possible the work of
earlier investigators, give, as far as the facts at hand seem to war-
rant, the results of the authors' own geological observations. Taken
in connection with the summary by Mr. Dumble, they furnish the
first comprehensive description of the geology of Texas and are the
basis of the subsequent work of the survey.
][>>// of second year (1890}. Dr. R. S. Wood ward, in connec-
tion with his work of establishing the one hundred and fifth meridian,
remeasured the Texas base line and the principal triangulation points
of Von Streermvitz's previous year's work, verifying its correct-
ness: and in November Captain Forney, of the United States Coast
and Geodetic Survey, reached El Paso for the work of primary
trianarulation of the Rio Grande border. Von Streeruwitz, in ad-
dition to continuing the work of mapping the area, made such
examination a^> the conditions would permit of the mineral deposits
of the region. J. A. Taff was attached to Von Streeruwitz's party
for the examination of the Cretaceous deposits of the area.
Comstock completed the work begun in the central mineral region,
securing an accurate topographic map of the area and mapping
486 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the general geology and locating the principal deposits of useful
minerals, so far as known. He had as assistants Messrs. J. C. Nagle,
C. A. Huppertz, R. A. Thompson, and H. B. Jones. In September-
Mr. Nagle left the survey to accept an appointment as assistant
professor of engineering at the agricultural and mechanical college.
Tarr made a reconnoissance of the Guadalupe Mountains, and then
resigned to accept work at Cornell University. Cummins took up
the detailed study of the coal measures of the central coal field,
making careful instrumental sections across them and locating the
outcrop of the two workable seams across the territory. R. T. Hill
was appointed geologist in charge of the Cretaceous area, and as such
studied the geology of the Red River region from Texarkana to
Denison, having as assistants Messrs. J. S. Stone. J. A. Taff, L. T.
Dashiel, G. H. Ragsdale. and W. T. Davidson. He resigned from
the survey on September 30.
The work in east Texas was under the personal supervision of Mr.
Dumble. Mr. W. Kennedy mapped the iron ores of Cass, Harrison,
and other counties and made reconnoissance of Gregg and Marion.
Mr. Herndon mapped the iron ores of Smith County and Mr. Walker
those of Rusk, Panola, Shelby, and Nacogdoches.
A part of Penrose's collections of Tertiary fossils were studied by
Prof. A. Heilprin; parts of the Cretaceous collections were sent to
Dr. F. Roemer at Breslau ; and Prof. Alpheus Hyatt determined and
described a number of nautiloid forms from Cummins's collections.
The chemical laboratory was moved to the basement of the capitol
late in 1889 and Mr. L. E. Magnenat appointed assistant, and on the
resignation of Mr. Tilson to accept the position of assistant professor
of chemistry at the agricultural and mechanical college, all the
chemical work was concentrated at the survey laboratory.
But little progress was made in museum work, but the library was
enlarged by purchase as much as the funds would permit.
To supply a demand from the public high schools a number of
small collections of minerals were made up and 40 of them were
distributed during the year.
Results. Under the heading Mineral Resources of Texas in
the second annual report, 1890, Mr. Dumble gives a summary of the
mineral deposits found to exist in the State, and also describes the
various artesian water belts found within it. The bulk of this vol-
ume, containing 800 pages, is made up of the detailed reports of the
various geologists and assistants. The papers are as follows :
Report on the Iron Ore District of East Texas : General statement and re-
ports on Anderson and Houston Counties, E. T. Dumble: Charcoal manufacture
in Texas, John Birkinbine: Lignites and their utilization, O. Lerch; Reports
OB Cass, Marion, Harrison, Gregg, Morris, Upshur, Van Zaudt, and Henderson
GEOLOGICAL A^D NATURAL iilSTOKY SU11VEYB. 487
Counties, W. Kennedy ; Smith County, J. S. Herndou ; Paiiola, Shelby, Rusk.
Nacogdoches, and Cherokee Counties, J. B. Walker.
Carboniferous cephalopods. A. Hyatt.
Report on the Geology of Northwest Texas, W. F. Cummins, including
Young, Montague, Jack, Wise, Parker, Palo Pinto, Stephens, Brown, Eastland,
and Coleinan Counties.
Report on the Geology and Mineral Resources oi ! Central Mineral Region of
Texas, T. B. Comstock.
Report on the Geology and Mineral Resources of Trans-Pecos Texas, W. H.
TOII Streeruwitz.
This volume gives the location and extent of the deposits of linio-
nite ores of east Texas, descriptions of the lignites, greensand marls,
clays, petroleum, and other valuable mineral deposits of the same
district, map and descriptions of the workable coal beds of the State,
and of the varied mineral resources of the Llano district and of a
portion of trans-Pecos Texas. Tarr's report on the Guadalupe
Mountains was published at Bulletin No. 3. A. C. Gray was put in
charge of the general office work and edited the second annual and
subsequent reports of the survey.
In his message to the twenty-first legislature, Gov. L. S. Ross thus
referred to the work of the survey :
In this connection is presented the report of Professor Dumble, the State
geologist, on the agricultural and economic geology of the State. The public
long felt the need of more reliable and practical information relative to the soils
of our State and the formations underlying them and their adaptation to crops.
Nothing, in my opinion, has contributed more effectively in bringing into notice
the resources of our State than the work of Professor Dumble and his assistants,
and adequate appropriations should be made to meet the necessary expenses in
continuing this work on a more extended scale.
At this time a very determined fight was begun against Mr. Dum-
ble as State geologist by certain members and exmembers of 'the sur-
vey, and charges of incompetency and plagiarism were submitted to
Governor Hogg after his inauguration in 1891. They were investi-
gated publicly by Mr. John E. Rollings worth, commissioner of agri-
culture, insurance, statistics, and history, and the charges were dis-
missed.
The legislature of 1891 not only made provision for continuing
the survey, but added a special appropriation of $3,000 for an inves-
tigation of lignite.
Work of the third year (1891). In the second report of progress
Mr. Dumble gives a condensed statement of the work of the year.
The parties left for the field in May and June. To extend the
knowledge of the Gulf Tertiaries three general sections were planned,
using levels of the railroad lines as base for obtaining elevations,
supplemented by transit and level lines where needed. Mr. Kennedy
488 BULLETIN 100, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
made the section from Terrell by way of Minneola. Tyler. Jackson-
ville. Trinity. Corrigan. and Colraesniel to the Gulf at Sabine Pass.
Mr. Walker's section was west of the Colorado River from Cameron
to Galveston.
Mr. Taff began at Corpus Christi and made his section by way of
Laredo. Cotulla. and Carrizo Springs to Uvalde. This done. Mr.
Kennedy made a detailed study of Houston County : Mr. Walker
worked in Washington County: and Mr. Taff traced some of the
Cretaceous partings from Uvalde to Austin, after which he took up
the study of the Cretaceous deposits and made a careful section
across Lampasas and Williamson counties. Cummins followed and
mapped the Cretaceous escarpment west from San Angelo to the
Staked Plains; followed the foot of the plains northward to the
Fort Worth and Denver Railroad: crossed over into New Mexico
and followed the valley of the Pecos River to Pecos City, practically
circling the Llano Estacado.
Comstock similarly crossed the Cretaceous southwestwardly from
Siin Angelo. making a close instrumental section through Sleicher,
Sutton. Val Verde, Kinney, and Maverick counties to the Rio
Grande: thence northward through Uvalde. Edwards. Bandera.
Kerr, and Gillespie, connecting with his work of the previous year.
Von Streeruwitz returned to trans-Pecos, Texas, and as the United
States Geological Survey had undertaken the further topographic
work of that region, he took up work farther east in the Diabolo and
Carrizo Mountains. Mr. Singley was detailed to watch the progress
of the deep well at Galveston. Mr. Dumble. with the assistance of
Mr. J. Owen, made a section of the Cretaceous along the Rio Grande
between Eagle Pass and Del Rio, and then took up the. lignite in-
vestigation, visiting the various lignite fields of Germany and Aus-
tria, as well as numerous Texas localities.
Mr. Herndon was relieved from duty May fi and Mr. Magnenat
appointed to succeed him, with the assistance of G. H. Wooten.
Comstock resigned to accept the directorship of the Arizona School
of Mines, and did not submit report of his work.
Such paleontologic work as was done was by specialists. Professor
Cummins's nautiloid forms were again sent to Prof. A. Hyatt, while
the fossil plants collected from the Carboniferous and Permian were
sent to I. C. White and the vertebrate fossils to E. D. Cope. The
Cretaceous echinoderms were sent to W. B. Clark of Johns Hopkins
University.
The collections in the museum were greatly enlarged and better
classified, and 20 collections of minerals distributed to high schools.
The detailed results of the work were contained in the reports of
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 489
the geologists and assistants, appearing in the second report of
progress and in the third annual report, 1891. These comprise :
import of the State geologist, E. T. Dumble.
Report on Houston County and Section from Terrell to Sabine Pass, W.
Kennedy.
Llano Estacado or Staked Plains, W. F. Cummins.
Notes on the Geology of the Country West of the Plains, W. F. Cummins.
Stratigraphy of the Trinssic Formation iu Northwest Texas. N. F. Drake.
Report on Paleontology of the Vertebrata, E. D. Cope.
Shells Collected in a Dry Salt Lake near Eddy, New Mexico, V. Sterki.
Reports on the Cretaceous Area North of the Colorado River, ,7. A. Taff.
Trans-Pecos Texas. W. H. von Streeruwitz.
In this volume the general geological section of the first year's
work is expanded by the additional information secured, especially
in the western and northwestern portions of the State.
The results of the lignite investigation by Mr. Dumble were pub-
lished separately as a Report on the Brown Coal and Lignite of
Texas, a volume of 243 pages, giving descriptions of the various
methods of utilizing lignites in Germany and Austria, descriptions
of all known occurrences of lignite in Texas, with analyses, compari-
son of the lignites of Europe and Texas, and recommendations as to
their utilization.
Work of the fourth year (1892}. In the coastal area a preliminary
section was made by Messrs. Dumble, Cragin, Kennedy, Singley, and
Ragsdale, through Lee, Washington, and Waller counties, after
which Mr. Kenned} T took up the detailed examination of Grimes,
Brazos,, and Robertson counties. Mr. Singley remained at Gal-
veston until the completion of the well at 3,070 feet, securing a
large collection of material from it.
Mr. Taff, assisted by Mr. Leverett, extended the work of the pre-
vious year northward from Waco to Red River, with especial refer-
ence to the artesian water conditions of the area. Messrs. Drake and
Thompson made a detailed study of that part of the Carboniferous
area lying between the Colorado and the Brazos divides, carefully
mapping the coal seams and other beds of value.
E. D. Cope, with Cummins, made a trip along the Llano Estacado
for the purpose of collecting vertebrate fossils from the Triassic and
Tertiary beds, after which Cummins's work embraced the examina-
tion of special localities in the Permian or red beds area, including
the copper horizons.
Von Streeruwitz continued his work in west Texas. Dr. A. Osann
was appointed mineralogist and petrographer of the survey and
began work in December. Messrs. Magnenat and Wooten were in
charge of the laboratory until September 1, when they resigned. Dr.
4i)U BULJJiTl-V KM, I.-NITKD STATUS NATIONAL .MUSE CM.
\V. PI. Melville, of the United States Geological Survey, was then
appointed chemist, with Mr. L. E. Dickson as assistant. F. W.
Cragin was appointed to study the large collection of Cretaceous
fossils, and G. D. Harris to study the Tertiary invertebrates. Pro-
fessor Hyatt continued his work on the Carboniferous cephalapods
and E. D. Cope on the vertebrates. The museum collection was
greatly enlarged and improved during the year.
The fourth annual report, 1892, comprising the published results
of this work, was submitted for publication a usual, but the print-
ing board decided that only 1,100 copies could be printed and that
none could be bound. Permission was obtained, however, to print
the report in parts, of which 11 were issued, as follows:
Part 1. Report of State Geologist.
Part 2. Report on Grimes, Brazos, aud Robertson Counties, W. Kennedy.
Part 3. Preliminary Report on the Artesian Wells of the Gulf Coastal Slope.
J. A. Singley; Preliminary Report on the Organic Reins' ins Obtained from the
Deep Well at Galveston, G. D. Harris.
Part 4. Report on the Rocks of Trans- Pivos. Tex us. A. Osaun ; Trans- Per-os.
Texas, W. H. von Streeruwitz.
Part 5. Notes on the Geology of Northwest Texas, W. F. Cummins.
Part 6. Report on the Cretaceous Area North of the Colorado River, J. A.
Taff, S. Leverett, assistant.
Part 7. Report on the Colorado Coal Field of Texas, N. F. Drake ; Report on
Soils, Water Supply, and Irrigation of the Colorado Coal Field, R. A. Thompson.
Part 8. A Preliminary Report on the Vertebrate Paleontology of the Llano
Estacado, E. D. Cope.
Part 9. Contribution to the Invertebrate Paleontology of the Texas Cre-
taceous, F. W. Cragin.
Part 10. Contributions to the Natural History of Texas, J. A. Siugley.
Part 11. Carboniferous Cephalopods, second paper, Alphens Hyatt.
There was also published during the year Bulletin No. 1, con-
taining :
Artesian Water on the Llano Estacado, by Dr. George G. Shumard.
Report and Analyses of Texas Sumach (Rlius copallina), by George H.
Knlteyer.
With the issuance of the fourth annual report, the printed record
of the survey ceases. Its history after that time is supplied by Mr.
Durable from copies of manuscript in his possession and others in
the State archives.
'Work of the -fifth year- (1893}. The fight against the survey
which began at the former legislature was taken up again before the
twenty-third and its opponents succeeded in having the amount of
the appropriation reduced from $35,000 to $20,000 a year. The total
of the general appropriation bill, however, so far exceeded the
probable receipts that in order to prevent a deficiency serious to the
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 491
State's financial interest, Governor Hogg vetoed a great number of
items, among them that of the survey for the second year. In his
message he writes the cause thus :
For the reason that for the year ending February 28, 1894, a like appro-
priation of $20,000 is made, and that by the time it is exhausted such work
will have progressed far in advance of the demands of the times. The State
can not engage in the mining business, but must give way to private enterprise
jmd capital. Up to date, through the efficient corps of the scientific gentlemen
connected with and in charge of the geological department, she has pointed
the way to mines and minerals of great value on public and private lands,
and has laid out work enough to engage industry and capital of immense pro-
portions for many years to come. It is deemed advisable now not to destroy
but to preserve intact the rich mineral specimens gathered and the valuable
surveys made by this department until such time in the future, after the
expiration of the current year, as public interest may dictate that the survey
shall be renewed and continued.
This reduced appropriation necessitated a rearrangement of the
forces, and efforts were directed chiefly toward the completion of the
work in hand and filling in the gaps. To bring expenditures within
appropriation, nearly all the force was discontinued on September 1,
others being continued until their reports were completed.
Mr. Kennedy spent two months without result watching the sink-
ing of a well by the Gladys City Oil Company, south of Beaumont,
where later Capt. A. F. Lucas brought in his phenomenal gusher and
opened up the Spindle Top field. He then returned to Austin and
completed his paper on the clays of Texas.
Mr. Dumble made two instrumental sections across southwest Texas.
The first, beginning at La Costa on the Galveston, Harrisburg and San
Antonio Railroad, followed Atascosa Creek and the Nueces River
to the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad at Wade, passing
through Lytle, Pleasanton, Oakville, Dinero, and Lagarto. The
second began at San Diego and was run northward by Gray's and
Gueydan's ranches to Tilden, and thence to Pearsall on the Inter-
national & Great Northern Railroad. He had as assistants Messrs.
Singley, Mathias, Leverett, and Posey. Later, Mr. Dumble made the
section between San Antonio and Laredo along the International &
Great Northern Railroad, and eastward along the Mexican National
Railroad to Los Ojuelos, Ochoa, and Pena. Messrs. Taff and
Leverett, continuing the work of the previous year, mapped the Cre-
taceous area west of the Colorado River. Sections were made along
its northern boundary between Austin and Fredericksburg and across
it from Lange's Mill, Gillespie County, by way of Kerrville and
Boerne to the Balcones fault, three miles southeast of Leon Springs,
Bexar County.
492 IH'LLETIN 10!', UNITED STATIC NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Professor Cummins, with the assistance of Mr. Drake, traced out
the stratigraphic relations of the beds formerly known as Albany
or Colorado with those of the Wichita, and found the former to be
simply the direct southward continuation of the latter. Later, Cum-
mins and Dumble made a study of the line of Cretaceous capped
buttes west of Stonewall in a search for possible Jurassic deposits.
This section wa> continued to the Staked Plains in Garza County,
when they turned south to Big Springs. A careful study and large
collections were also made of the interesting section at Kent, El Paso
County. In the trans-Pecos the work was confined to a trip by
Osann and von Streeruwitz for the investigation of the more im-
portant eruptives and igneous rocks, of which Osann had found
specimens in the collections.
Professor Cragin's work on the Cretaceous collections was con-
tinued until June, when he resigned. The study of the Tertiary
invertebrates was continued through the year by Professor Harris,
who not only determined the forms collected by the survey, but made
large collections himself, not only in Texas, but also at type localities
in Alabama and Mississippi, and after comparison with the collec-
tions in Philadelphia, Washington, and that of Mr. Aldrich, installed
the entire collection in the museum, leaving it in the best possible
shape for use. He also prepared a monograph on the Texas Tertiary
invertebrates, with descriptions and figures of all forms which had
been found in Texas.
Professor Hyatt continued his assistance and had a number of
forms from the Double Mountain division or Upper Permian horizon
for determination, and Prof. E. D. Cope made a number of determi-
nations of vertebrate forms collected during the year. Mr. Charles
S. Simpson, of the United States National Museum, studied and
described the Triassic Unionidae collected by Cummins in Garza
County.
Doctor Melville died in February, and Mr. Dickson continued his
work until his resignation in August, when the laboratory was
closed.
In addition to the installation of the suite of Tertiary inverte-
brates, collections of the land and fresh-water shells and of the birds
were also placed in the museum.
The fifth annual report was prepared and submitted for publi-
cation. The printing board deferred action from time to time and
finally declined to order the report printed, on account of the de-
pleted condition of the State treasury. They also refused permission
for printing at private expense. The report comprised the follow-
ing:
GEOLOGICAL AXD NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 493
Aunual Report of the Stale Geologist, E. T. Durnble.
Report on the Geology and Water Conditions of Southwest Texas, E. T.
Durable.
Report on the Clays of Texas, W. Kennedy.
Report on the Cretaceous Area West of the Colorado River, J. A. Tuft'.
Report on the Permian of Texas, W. E. Cummins.
Monograph of the Tertiary Invertebrates of Texas, G. D. Harris.
Triassic Unionidae, Chas. T. Simpson.
A Geological Map of the State of Texas, compiled by E. T. Dumble.
Mr. Dumble, in 1902, published a paper in the Transactions of the
American Institute of Mining Engineers, entitled Geology of South-
west Texas, containing a portion of the matter in the report sub-
mitted with the fifth annual report. Mr. Simpson printed his con-
tribution in the papers of the United States National Museum, and
Mr. G. D. Harris published that portion of his work representing
new species in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy.
Work of thi' sixth year (1894}. The corps at the beginning of
this year consisted of the State geologist, one geologist (Cummins),
and a small office force. With the expiration of the appropriation,
February 28, the office force was discontinued.
The last field work under the appropriation included a careful
examination of the water conditions along the Texas and Pacific Rail-
way, between San Martin and Kent, on the north face of the Davis
Mountains, and the investigation of the San Carlos coal field in El
Paso County. The lack of an appropriation, however, did not en-
tirely stop the work, for during the year the following investigations
were made by Mr. Dumble as State geologist :
That of the water conditions of a large part of Hall County, in-
cluding the town of Memphis; a similar investigation of the valley
of the Pecjernales from Fredericksburg westward; examination of
the water conditions of the town of Mexia, in which Professor Cum-
mins assisted; a study of the artesian conditions along the Interna-
tional and Great Northern Railroad from Houston to Groveton; a
brief investigation of the asphaltum deposits of Burnett County, in
company with Doctor Penrose; a study of the Diabolo Mountain
section in the vicinity of the Hazel mine. Professor Cummins as-
sisted in this last and spent the remainder of the season on work
in the vicinity of the Eagle Mountains and westward.
The chemical laboratory was reopened, and Mr. Dumble did con-
siderable chemical work during the latter portion of the year in
answer to numerous inquiries therefor. In the museum considerable
progress was made in the rearrangement and classification of the
collections.
The publications based on these examinations were as follows:
494 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Cretaceous of West Texas and Coabuila, E. T. Dnmble, Bulletin Geologic!,!
Society of America, volume 6.
Notes on the Texas Tertiaries, E. T. Duuible, Texas Academy of Science, 1894
Soils of Texas, E. T. Duiuble, Texas Academy of Science, 1895.
Red Sandstone of the Diabolo Mountains, E. T. Durable, Texas Academy of
Science, 1901.
On the inauguration of C. A. Culberson as governor in 1895, A. J.
Hose was appointed commissioner of agriculture, insurance, statis-
tics, and history. After an examination of the amount of correspond-
ence and demands for information on matters pertaining to the geo-
logical branch, he reappointed Mr. Dumble State geologist, with the
understanding that in event of lack of appropriation for salary Mr.
Dumble could collect and retain the regular fees for work in return
for carrying on the affairs of the department. This arrangement
continued during his term of office as commissioner.
The twenty-fourth legislature passed an appropriation for con-
tinuing the survey for two years from March 1, 1895, but this was
vetoed by Governor Culberson.
During 1895 and 1896 Mr. Dumble investigated and reported on
the water supply of the cities of Galveston, Houston, Palestine,
Denison, and Taylor, made numerous examinations of mineral de-
posits in various portions of the State, attended to the very con-
siderable correspondence of the office and completed the arrange-
ment of the collections in the museum. The fees collected for the
two years amounted to a little over $3,600.
Tn March, 1897, Mr. Dumble was appointed consulting geologist
for the Southern Pacific Company, after which, until the close of his
connection with the department in February, 1899, the work done for
the survey was confined entirely to the correspondence.
The legislature which met in 1899 provided for the transfer of the
laboratory, library, and collections of the geological survey to the
University of Texas, and this was done.
Expenses. The expenditures of the survey up to December 15,
1888, amounted to $3.983.71 :
Salaries of State and assistant geologist $1, 348. 87
Salary of State chemist 164.88
Salary of clerks 664. 00
Equipment 997. 13
Field expenses 785. 85
Other expenses 22. 9t
$3, 983. 71
From December 15, 1888, to December 31, 1889, the appropriations
and expenditures were as follows:
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 495
Balance of first appropriation $11,016.29
Appropriation Mar. 1, 1889, to Feb. 28, 1890 35,000.00
Expended :
Salaries $21, 796. 28
Field equipment 731. 71
Field expenses 6,234.48
Instruments and apparatus 3, 479. 28
Furniture and fittings 3,376.93
Books and maps 403.38
Laboratory supplies 1, 309. 86
Printing 363. 50
Office supplies 161. 87
Incidentals 570. 28
Balance 7, 588. 72
$46, 016. 29
From January 1, 1890, to December 31, 1890, the appropriations
and expenditures were as follows:
Bnlance on hand Dec. 31, 1889 $7,588.72
Appropriation Mar. 1, 1890, to Feb. 28, 1891 35, 000. 00
Expended :
Salaries $23, 851. 49
Field equipment 766. 02
Field expenses ,. 6, 104. 00
Instruments and apparatus 318. 55
Furniture and fittings 490. 18
Books and maps 981.78
Laboratory supplies 927. 09
Printing 371. 65
Office supplies 37.65
Incidentals 399. 63
Balance 8,340.68
$42, 588. 72
From January 1, 1891, to December 31, 1891, the appropriations
and expenditures of the geological survey were as follows :
Balance unexpended, Dec. 31, 1890 $8, 340. 68
Appropriation Mar. 1, 1891, to Feb. 29, 1892 35, 000. 00
Expended :
Salaries $21, 045. 61
Field equipment 617.43
Field expenses 6, 329. 36
Instruments and apparatus 1, 346. 19
Furniture and fittings 700. 95
Books and maps . 802. 93
Laboratory supplies 635. 77
Printing and engraving 1, 998. 40
Office supplies 417.41
Incidentals 435. 70
Balance 9, 010. 93
- $43, 340. 68
136075-20 33
496 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Appropriation for traveling and other expenses of an investiga-
tion into. the utilization of lignite:
Amount of appropriation $3, 000. 00
Amount expended 3,553.75
Balance $1. 446. 25
Appropriation and expenditures from January 1, 1892, to Decem-
ber 31, 1892 :
Balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1891 - $9,010.93
Appropriation Mar. 1, 1892, to Feb. 28, 1893 35,000.00
Expended :
Salaries _.__: $23,619.05
Field equipment 501.73
Field expenses 6,671.61
Instruments and apparatus 267.10
Furniture and fittings 3, 251. 15
Books and maps 1, 176. 99
Laboratory supplied 785. 65
Printing and engraving 1, 129. 53
Office supplies 590.83
Incidentals 853. 52
Balance 5, 163. 77
$44, 010. 93
Appropriation for traveling and other expenses of an investiga-
tion into the utilization of lignite :
Balance $1, 446. 25
Amount expended 1,446. 25
Appropriation and expenditures from January 1, 1893, to Febru-
ary 29, 1894:
Balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1892 $5,163.77
Appropriation Mar. 1, 1893, to Feb. 29, 1894 20, 000. 00
Expended: Salaries, field expenses, etc $25,163.77
VERMONT.
FIRST SURVEY UNDER CHARLES B. ADAMS AND ZADOCK THOMPSON,
1844-1856.
The matter of a geological survey of Vermont was first brought to
the consideration of the general assembly during the administration
of Governor Jennison in 1836, and the following year (October ses-
sion, 1837) the subject was referred to the committee on education,
on whose behalf Governor Eaton submitted to the senate a report,
an extract of which forms Appendix 5 in the preliminary report on
the natural history of the State of Vermont, prepared by Judge
Augustus Young in 1856.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 497
This report contains little that is of interest to-day, with the ex-
ception of his remarks relative to the comparative value of topo-
graphic and geological \vork. In discussing which of these two sur-
veys should have precedence in view of the importance of carrying
both on together he remarks:
But as one is not essential to the accomplishment of the other, and as the
expense of an accurate topographical survey, carried on only to such an extent
as would doubtless be deemed advisable, if it were undertaken at all, would
be, according to the estimates before us, not less than $10,000 or $12,000, the
committee, in view of the considerations, * * * are of the opinion that
a geological survey should be the first undertaken, leaving the other enterprise
to some future period when its execution will be more imperiously demanded
by the wants and more clearly justified by the wealth of the State.
Although the subject of the survey was discussed at the succeeding
session of the general assembly, the first act relative thereto was not
passed until October, 1844, and a second in December, 1853, the one
making provision for such a survey and the other providing for its
completion. The text of these acts is as follows :
An act to provide for a geological survey of the State, 1844.
SECTION 1. The governor is hereby authorized and directed to appoint a State
geologist, who shall have a competent knowledge of scientific and practical
geology and mineralogy, and shall be subject to the orders of the governor for
the time being and removable at his pleasure.
SKC. 2. The State geologist, with the approbation of the governor, shall from
time to time appoint all proper and necessary assistants, fix their compensations,
direct them in their labors, and remove them and appoint others whenever it
shall be found necessary or expedient.
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the State geologist, as soon as practicable, to
commence and prosecute a thorough geological and mineralogical survey of the
State, embracing therein a full and scientific examination and description of its
rocks, soils, metals, and minerals; make careful and complete assays and
analyses of the same, and annually, on or before the first day of October, to re-
port to the governor the progress of the work, the most eflicient and economical
manner of conducting it, and an estimate of the expense for the ensuing year.
SEC. 4. For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act the
8um of $2,000 annually, for the term of three years, is hereby appropriated.
SEC. 5. All claims, under the provisions of this act, shall be presented to the
auditor of accounts for allowance, who shall draw orders on the treasurer of
the State for the amount he shall find due, equal to but not exceeding in any
year the annual appropriation.
Approved October 28, 1844.
An act to provide for completing the geological survey of the State, 1853.
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, as
follows:
SECTION 1. The governor is hereby directed and authorized to appoint Prof.
Zadock Thompson, State naturalist, who shall be subject to the orders of the
governor for the time being and removable at his discretion.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the State naturalist to enter, as soon as prac-
ticable, upon a thorough prosecution and completion of the geological survey of
498 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the State, embracing therein a full and scientific examination and description of
it* rocks, soils, metals, and minerals: make careful and complete assays and
analyses of the same, and prepare the results of his labors for publication
under the three following titles, to wit :
First. Physical Geography, Scientific Geology, and Mineralogy.
Second. Economical Geology, embracing Botany and Agriculture.
Third. General Zoology of the State.
SEC. 3. Whenever sufficient facts and materials shall have been collected upon
the first of the above-named subjects to form a volume of not less than 500
pages, octavo, the State naturalist shall make report thereof to the secretary of
state, with an estimate of the size and probable cost of publication, who shall
immediately issue a circular addressed to the several town clerks in the State,
specifying the nature, size, number of engravings, and estimated cost of the work,
and requesting them to post up such circular in their respective offices; also
to convey notices of such circular to the public by such other means as they may
adopt to receive subscriptions for the work, and within 40 days from the time
of their receiving such circular return such subscriptions to the said secretary ;
and said secretary shall also transmit like circulars to all the publishers of
newspapers printed within this State, with a request for gratuitous publication
of the same.
SEC. 4. Immediately upon the expiration of the above-named period and the
return of said subscriptions the secretary of state shall issue proposals for
printing said work, specifying the size and quantity of engravings, style of
binding, quality of paper, and number of volumes required, which shall not ex-
ceed more than one-fifth the whole number of subscriptions returned ; the period
within which said work shall be completed, and the time and place for opening
bids ; and at the said specified time and place the said secretary shall open and
examine the bids, and the lowest bid, having due regard to the ability and re-
sponsibility of the person making the same, shall be accepted. And the said
secretary shall take a bond from the person whose bid is accepted, conditioned
upon faithful performance of his said contract, in a sum not less than double
the cost of the work. And when the said work shall be completed and accepted
by said secretary he shall cause to be sent to the constable of each town such
number of volumes as have been subscribed for in such town, with a list of such
subscriptions, and each of said constables shall deliver the said volumes, collect
the actual cost thereof, and pay over the same into the treasury of the State.
SEC. 5. Whenever sufficient facts and materials shall have been collected and
arranged under the second and third titles specified in section 2 the same shall
be published in their order, agreeably to the provisions of sections 3 and 4 of
this act.
SEC. 6. The sum of $1,000 annually is hereby appropriated for the term of
three years, and until otherwise ordered by the legislature of this State, for the
purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act.
SEC. 7. All claims under this act shall be presented to the auditor of accounts
for allowance, who shall draw orders on the treasurer of the State for the
amount he shall find due, equal to but not exceeding in any year the annual
appropriation.
Approved December 6, 1853.
As will be noted, the survey as proposed had no connection with
any other institution and was to be sustained by annual appropri-
ations.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 499
Administration. Under the act of 1844 Prof. Charles B. Adams,
at that time professor of chemistry and natural history in Middle-
bury College, was appointed State geologist, entering upon his
duties on March 1, 1845. He was assisted by Zadock Thompson and
the Rev. S. E. Hall, who, according to the law, were appointed with
the approbation of the governor. He was also assisted from time to
time by Dr. Edward Hitchcock and others. In the'report for 1845-
46 it is mentioned that Denison Olmsted, jr., was engaged upon
chemical work for the survey, and that, upon his decease, which took
place August 15, 1846, T. S. Hunt, then in New Haven, was qualified
to fill the position.
The salary of the State geologist, as appears from the report of
expenses, was $600 a year for the first two years of the survey and
$700 for the third. The field assistants, Messrs. Thompson and
Hall, appear to have been paid only for the time of actual service,
the amount for both, so far as can be learned, being $455 for 1845,
$574 for 1846, and $280 for 1847.
The duties devolving upon the State geologist, in virtue of the act
of 1844, were to begin and prosecute a thorough geological survey of
the State, embracing therein a full and scientific examination and
description of the rocks, soils, metals, and minerals, and to make
careful and complete analyses and assays of the same, and also to
report annually, on or before the first day of October, on the progress
of the work.
Although not so stated in the law, it appears to have been under-
stood that a collection of rocks and minerals of the State was to be
formed, and in the report for 1846 mention is made of the fact that
not far from 7,000 specimens had been obtained " during the present
season alone"; also in the report for 1847 mention is made of the
preparation of eight suites, one of which was for the State collection
and the others for the University of Vermont, Middlebury College,
for the personal use of Professor Adams; for the medical college at
Woodstock ; for the medical college at Castleton ; for the Troy Con-
ference College at Poultney ; and for the university at Norwich.
The legislature made no provision for embodying the facts
gathered during the three years of the survey in a systematic report,
and with the cessation of the appropriations in 1847 Professor Adams
accepted a professorship in Amherst College, Massachusetts. In
1848, Prof. Zadock Thompson was commissioned by the governor to
take charge of the collections pending final action by the legislature
relative to the completion of the survey, by virtue of the following
resolution :
Resolved by the senate and house of representatives, That all collections
of minerals, field notes, and all preparations and materials amassed by the
500 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
State geologist for a final report upon the geological survey be brought together
by some suitable person, to be appointed by the governor, and be deposited in
the State house under the care of the State librarian, that nothing may be lost,
and that the State may have the benefit of these collections whenever the State
shall deem it expedient to prosecute the survey to Qpmpletion.
Unfortunately, before action was taken on the matter of prepara-
tion of the final, report mentioned, Professor Adams died. 1
In the December following the decease of Professor Adams was
passed the act given on pages 497-8, providing for the completion of
the survey. In this act, it will be noted, botany and general zoology
were added to the items to be considered : that is, the survey was to
be a general natural history survey. Under this act Professor
Thompson was appointed State naturalist.
It was Thompson's desire to carry out systematic investigations
and publish them to the world in the form of a physical geography
and natural history of the State, which should consist of three
volumes, the first devoted to geology, the second to botany, and the
third to zoology. It was found, however, that Adams's custom had
been to keep his notes in a very abbreviated form, quite incompre-
hensible to his successors, and Professor Thompson early announced
that more labor would be involved in deciphering them than in going
over the ground anew. Unfortunately, too. Professor Thompson
was himself cut off by death on January 19, 1856. and the second
attempt at a survey came to an end.
Up to 1856, then, the entire results of the survey, as made public,
amounted to four annual reports by Professor Adams, consisting of
92, 267, 32, and 8 pages, respectively, and the report of Judge Young
of 88 pages.
On February 27 following, Mr. Augustus Young was appointed
State naturalist to fill the vacancy until the next meeting of the
general assembly. Young, however, lived only to publish a report
of 88 pages, giving a history of the survey up to date, when he, too,
died, and the winter following " another heavy providential dis-
aster fell upon the work in the destruction by fire of the fine collec-
tions made by Professor Adams and others a ruin so complete that
probably not 50 specimens remain fit to take a place in the new
cabinet." (Hitchcock.)
Expenses. The expenses under the Adams survey can not be given
with absolute accuracy, since the actual expenditures as given cover
for but seven months of each year, those for the remaining five
months being given in the form of estimates.
Appropriations, 1845-1847. three years, at $2,000 a year $6,000. Of
1 Professor Adams died on the Island of St. Thomas, West Indies, January 18, 1853.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 501
Expenditures :
Traveling expenses of principal and assistants S321. 38
Salary of principal geologist 325. 00
Services of President Hitchcock 75.00
Salaries of two field assistants 400. 00
Services of occasional assistants 89. 43
Apparatus and expenses at depot of specimens, includ-
cluding shelves, rent, etc 78.68
Postage and transportation 46. 73
$1, 338. 22
The estimates for the remainder of the year, up to -Mar 1,
1846, are as follows:
Traveling expenses 25. 00
Salary of principal geologist 275.00
Services of occasional assistants 55.00
Barometer, case and packing 68. 00
Expenses of depot of specimens, including rent and
fuel 20. 00
Postage and transportation 20.00
Chemical analyses 200. 00
663.00
$1, 999. 23
The expenses of the geological survey, from Mar 1, 1846,
to Oct. 1, 1846, were the following:
Traveling expenses of principal and assistants 358.27
Salary of principal 350.00
Salaries of commissioned assistants 1 324.00
Services of occasional assistants 90.42
Services of President Hitchcock 54. 00
Apparatus, engravings, and expenses of the geological
depot, including rent, fuel, mineral trays, etc 222. 12
Transportation and postage 64.42
- $1, 463. 2Z
The estimates for the remainder of the year, up to Mar. 1,
1847, were the following:
Traveling expenses 20. 00
Salary of the principal 250.00
Services of occasional assistants 32.77
Expenses of the geological depot 20. 00
Transportation and postage 14.00
Chemical analyses 200.00
536.77
$2, 000. 00
The expenses from Feb. 26 to Sept. 26, 1847, were as follows :
Traveling expenses $363.36
Salary of principal 466.67
Salaries of commissioned assistants 155. 00
Services of occasional assistants 173. 78
Services of President Hitchcock 25.00
Apparatus, rent, fuel and light, packing materials, and
other expenses of depot 103. 67
Postage and transportation 35. 37
$1, 322. 86
502 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The estimates for the remainder of the year, up to Feb. 26,
1848, are the following :
Traveling expenses
Salary of principal 333. 33
Salaries of commissioned assistants 125. 00
Services of occasional assistants 53. 76
Apparatus, rent, fuel and light, stationery, and other ex-
penses of depot : 40- 00
Postage and transportation 50. 00
677.09
$1, 999. 94
SECOND SURVEY UNDER EDWARD HITCHCOCK, 1856-1860.
In October. 1856, the general assembly passed the following act
with a view of resuscitating the survey :
It is hereby enacted ly the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, at
follows:
SECTION 1. The governor is hereby authorized and directed to appoint some
suitable person State geologist, to complete the geological survey of the State.
who shall be removable at the discretion of the governor and another appointed
iahis stead.
SEC. 2. The State geologist shall, as soon as practicable after his appointment,
enter upon the duties of prosecuting the survey with a view to its speedy com-
pletion, and may, with the consent of the governor, appoint one or more assist-
ants, who shall be under the direction of the principal and removable at his
discretion.
SEC. 3. The State geologist shall make, or cause to be made, such explorations
in such portions of the State as have not been thoroughly examined and de
scribed in the field books of those heretofore engaged in the survey, and shall
make, or cause to be made, such judicious assays or analyses of mineral sub-
stances, in addition to those already made, as may be required to determine
their economic value. He shall also prepare for exhibition specimens of min-
erals and other substances designed for the State collection and place the same
In the one already commenced in the statehouse.
SEC. 4. It shall further be his duty annually, on or before the second Thursday
of October, to make a report to the governor of the progress of the survey, in
which he shall report the expenses of the survey for the current year, together
with hia estimate of the probable amount of funds necessary for its completion.
He shall also, as soon as practicable, prepare for publication a final report,
embracing therein the physical geography, the scientific and economical geol-
ogy, and the mineralogy of the State, which, when completed, shall be deliv-
ered to the governor, to be laid before the legislature for its action thereon.
SEC. 5. The sum of $1,000 annually is hereby appropriated, until otherwise
ordered by the legislature, for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions
of this act.
SEC. 6. All claims under this act shall be presented to the auditor of accounts
for allowance, who shall draw orders on the treasurer of the State for the
amount he shall find due, equal to, but not exceeding, in any year, the amount
appropriated.
SEC. 7. This act shall take effect from its passage.
Approved November 18, 1856.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 503
Administration. Under this act Prof. Edward Hitchcock was
placed in charge of the survey. He was assisted by Albert D. Hager,
and his sons, Edward Hitchcock and Charles H. Hitchcock, the same
being appointed with the approbation of the governor.
This survey, like its predecessor, had no connection with any other
institution and was dependent upon direct appropriations for its
sustenance. The entire expense during the four years of its existence
amounted to but $4,000, of which $2,542.65 was for salaries and
$1,457.35 for traveling expenses and freight. Doctor Hitchcock,
himself, received no salary except in 1859 and 1860, in which years
it would appear he received $300 and $266.67, respectively. The
others received sums varying from $131 to $333.95, as shown in the
statement on page 504.
Under Hitchcock's administration the work of exploration was
begun in the spring of 1857. The main objects which he announced
as to be accomplished were: First, to gain such a knowledge of
the solid rocks of the State as to be able to delineate them upon
maps and sections ; second, to study the loose deposits lying upon the
solid rocks and trace out the changes which the surface of the State
had undergone: third, to collect, arrange, and name specimens of
rocks, minerals, and fossils from every part of the State with a view
to forming a State cabinet ; fourth, to obtain a full collection for the
cabinet of specimens valuable in an economic point of view; and
fifth, to identify the metamorphosed rocks of the State with those
which have not been thus changed.
The work of measuring sections, collecting specimens, tracing out
the formations, and collecting statistics from mines and quarries
devolved mainly upon A. D. Hager and C. H. Hitchcock, Mr. Hager
giving special attention to the economic geology, while Mr. Hitch-
cock paid especial attention to the superficial deposits. The survey
was assisted in its paleontological work by James Hall, of Albany,
New York.
Publications and tJieir distribution. A final report of the survey
under Hitchcock appeared under date of 1859 and 1861 in the
form of two quarto volumes of 982 pages, with 36 full-page plates
and a colored geological map of the State. It comprised a report on
the scientific geology of the State, which was the joint work of Doctor
Hitchcock and his assistants: second, a report on the economic
geology, by A. D. Hager; third, a report on the chemistry of the
survey, by Charles H. Hitchcock : fourth, a catalogue of 2,800 speci-
mens of rocks and 370 minerals, besides several hundred specimens of
organic remains, which had been arranged, ticketed, named, and dis-
played in the State cabinet ; and, fifth, a report by Rev. S. K. Hall on
504 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the agricultural geology of the State. These were distributed in
accordance with the following :
It is hereby enacted, etc.
SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the trustees of the State library to distribute
the geological report, not to exceed 30 numbers in all, to such persons or their
representatives as have been officially connected with the survey, or as art
recognized in the report as having made scientific literary or artistic contri-
butions thereto.
Approved November 21, 1861.
Resolved &y the senate and house of representatives, That each academy
in the State shall be entitled to receive from the State a copy of the Vermont
Geological Report of 1861, on satisfactory proof being made to the State libra-
rian that such institution has not already received a copy from the State.
Results. Among the results accomplished he announced as, " first
and most important of all," the discovery that the agricultural capa-
bilities of the soils of Vermont were due to the presence " of lime in
such a state of natural processes to bring it out in just about the
quantity needed by vegetation"; second, that most of the valuable
rocks and minerals in Vermont run lengthwise of the State; third,
that these mineral treasures, such as granites, marbles, slates, soap-
stones, serpentines, etc., occur in inexhaustible quantities; and,
fourth, that they are of such kind as will be always in increasing
demand all over the country.
Expense. The total expenditures and appropriations of the sur-
vey under Doctor Hitchcock, as given in the final report, were as
below :
Appropriations, $1,000 a year for 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860 $4,000.00
Expenditures :
1857, traveling expenses and freight 332.10
1858, traveling expenses and freight 737.25
1859, traveling expenses and freight 188.00
1860, traveling expenses and freight 200.00
Total $1, 457. 35
Salaries :
1857, Mr. Hager $333.95
1858, Mr. Hager 131. 37
1859, Mr. Hager 256.00
1880, Mr. Hager 266.67
1857, Mr. C. H. Hitchcock 333.95
1858, Mr. C. H. Hitchcock 131.37
1859, Mr. C. H. Hitchcock 256.00
1860, Mr. C. H. Hitchcock 266.67
1859, Dr. Edward Hitchcock' 300.00
1860, Dr. Edward Hitchcock__. 266.67
Total for salaries $2, 542. 65
Total for traveling and freight 1,457.35
$4, 000. 00
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 505
In 1864 a futile attempt at resuscitating the State survey was
made by the passage of the following:
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
SECTION 1. The office of the State geologist is hereby continued, with a view
to encourage the further development of the mineral wealth of the State.
And it shall be the duty of the State geologist hereinafter named to give
counsel respecting the openings to be made in mines and quarries, when de-
sired by the owners thereof, and faithfully to advise and assist all such per-
sons as may employ him in an attempt to discover new mines and quarries, or
to encourage the workings of those already discovered.
SEC. 2. The assistant State geologist under the late survey, Albeit D. Hager,
of Cavendish, is hereby appointed and confirmed as State geologist of Ver-
mont, for the purpose contemplated by this act: Provided, however, That
in no case and under no circumstances shall such geologist charge or receive
from the State anything for expenses or services rendered, but in accepting
said office it is understood that he looks to his employers for any compensa-
tion that he may reasonably deserve to have for any professional services so
by him rendered.
SEC. 3. The geologist shall keep a record of such new facts relating to the
geology of the State as shall come to his knowledge, and transmit a copy of
the same to the governor, when requested by him, for the use of the State.
SEC. 4. This act shall take effect from its passage.
Approved November 22, 1864.
It could scarcely have been expected that any original work of
value would be accomplished under a law which, as a matter of fact,
simply threw the influence of the State in favor of private enterprise.
So far as publication is concerned nothing whatever came from the
appointment and one is not surprised to find among the laws of 1870
the following:
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
SECTION 1. The governor shall appoint a State geologist, who shall hold his
office until another is appointed in his stead under the act entitled "An act
for the appointment of State geologist," approved November 22, 1884, in the
place of Albert D. Hager, who has removed from this State; and so much of
section 2 of said act as relates to the appointment of said Hager to that office
is hereby repealed.
SEC. 2. This act shall take effect from and after Its passage.
Approved November 22, 1870.
Under this law the governor gave the appointment of State geolo-
gist to Hiram Cutting. Two years later the following acts were
An act providing for additions to the collections of the State cabinet.
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
SECTION 1. A sum not exceeding $200 per annum for the next two years Is
appropriated for the purpose of defraying the necessary expenses of the State
cabinet ; said sum to be expended by the curator in the collection of such
specimens as he may deem of public value and properly labeling the same.
SEC. 2. The auditor of accounts is hereby directed to draw his order on the
State treasurer, at such times and for such sums, not exceeding the sum men-
506 BULLETIN 10r>, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
tioiHKt iu .section 1 of this act, in favor of the curator of the State cabinet, as
shall appear to said auditor that said curator is entitled to receive under sec-
tion 1 of this act.
SEC. 3. This act shall take effect from its passage.
Approved November 26, 1872.
An act to appoint a State geologist.
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
SECTION 1. The governor is hereby authorized and directed to appoint a State
geologist who shall have a competent knowledge of scientific and practical geol-
ogy' and mineralogy, and shall hold his office during the pleasure of the gov-
ernor.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the State geologist to give counsel respecting
the openings to be made in mines and quarries when desired by the owners
thereof, or any person interested therein, and to faithfully advise and assist
all such persons as may employ him in any attempt to discover new mines and
quarries, or to encourage the working of those already discovered : Provided,
however, That in no case and under no circumstances shall said geologist charge
or receive from the State anything for said services or expenses except he is
directly employed by the governor of the State, but shall look to his employers
for any compensation that he may reasonably deserve to have for any profes-
sional services so by him rendered.
SEC. 3. The geologist shall keep a record of such new facts relating to the
geology of the State as shall come to his knowledge ;md transmit a copy of the
same to the governor, when required by him, for the use of the State.
SEC. 4. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this act
are hereby repealed.
SEC. 5. This act shall take effect from its passage.
Approved November 26, 1872.
From these acts it is evident that the State had no intention of
favoring to any extent work other than that of caring for and build-
ing up the State cabinet. Apparently the effort, so far as survey was
concerned, was nearly as barren of results as was the previous one.
Cutting, however, did publish brief reports, in pamphlet form in
1872, 1874. 1876, and 1878 as curator, and which included more
biological than geological material.
THIRD SURVEY UNDER G. W. PERRY AND GEORGE H. PERKINS, 1880-1900.
In 1886 the matter of a survey came once more before the. assembly
with the following result:
It is hereby enacted, etc.
SECTION 1. Section 164 of the Revised Laws is hereby amended so as to read
j;s follows:
SECTION 164. The governor shall biennially appoint, with the advice and
consent of the senate, a State geologist, who shall be curator of the State cab-
inet, and shall hold office until his successor is appointed. The person ap-
pointed shall have a competent knowledge of scientific and practical geology
and mineralogy.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL. 35
WILLIAM BARTON ROGERS
STATE GEOLOGIST OF VIRGINIA, 1835 42.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 507
SEC. 2. This act shall take effect from its passage.
Approved November 18, 1886.
Under this law the appointment of State geologist and curator
of the State cabinet was conferred upon Rev. G. W. Perry, who held
the office until obliged to resign, through ill health, in 1898. In
1 896 the law was modified as below :
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
SECTION 1. The State geologist shall during the next two years personally
inspect the mines and quarries now in operation within the State, also deposits
of minerals of economic value which have not been opened or developed.
SEC. 2. Ho shall incorporate in his next biennial report the results of such
inspection, showing us far as possible the quality and quantity of our marble,
granite, slate, soapstone, copper, and other mineral products; the extent of our
mines and quarries, and the methods of working the same. He shall also make
as full a statement as possible of the undeveloped mineral deposits of promising
value, incidentally reporting unused water powers in the vicinity of said de-
posits.
SEC. 8. For the prosecution of this work there shall be appropriated the sum
of $3,500 annually for the period of two years.
Approved November 24, 1896.
Under these enactments Mr. Perry, as stated by Dr. George H.
Perkins, collected a considerable amount of material for a report,
which, however, he was unable to complete on account of long-con-
tinued illness. He therefore resigned early in the summer of 1898
and was succeeded by the present active incumbent, Dr. George H.
Perkins, above mentioned. Up to and including that of 1900 two
reports had been issued by Doctor Perkins one on the marble,
slate, and granite of the State (1898) and the second on its mineral
resources (1900). As noted in the act, the present survey receives
an appropriation of $1,500 annually.
VIRGINIA.
The first direct move in favor of a geological survey of the .Vir-
ginias would seem to have been the result of a letter written by Peter
A. Brown, of Philadelphia, the corresponding secretary of the
Geological Society of Pennsylvania, to His Excellency, John Floyd,
governor of Virginia. This letter, dated September 30, 1833, en-
larged on the supposed importance of the mineral resources of the
State and the great scientific discoveries which might be made
through a systematic investigation under State auspices. The let-
ter was transmitted by Governor Floyd to the legislature, together
with his message of 1833-34, and the following recommendation:
Whilst engaged in the improvement of the State by constructing roads for the
safe and speedy transportation of the products of agriculture, we ought not to
be unmindful of the great wealth which lies buried in the earth, which only
508 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
requires the examination of men of science to bring before the country and
make known its value and usefulness to capitalists, who would be induced to
engage in fitting it for commerce, thereby creating new sources of wealth. It
is well known that Virginia affords, perhaps, the most extensive mines of iron
of any other country of the same extent, and fine specimens also of gold, lead,
copper, plaster of paris, gypsum, and inexhaustible mines of bituminous coal,
besides many valuable earths which constitute the finest manures, as will more
fully appear from the inspection of a communication herewith placed before
you, having been received from a gentleman of much scientific knowledge and
reputation.
No action appears to have been taken during this session, but dur-
ing that of 1834-35 memorials were received from Morgan, Freder-
ick, and Shen-andoah Counties praying for such a survey. These
were referred to a select committee, which made an exhaustive re-
port * and presented the bill, a transcript of which is given below :
A bill to authorize a geological reconnolssance of the State, with a view to the chemical
composition of Its soils, minerals, and mineral waters.
lie it enacted by the general assembly, That, as soon after the passage of
this act as it may be convenient, it shall be the duty of the board of public
works to appoint a suitable person to make a geological reconnoissance of the
State, with a view to the general geological features of our territory and to
the chemical composition of its soils, minerals, and mineral waters, and to
report to the next general assembly a plan for the prosecution of a geological
survey of the State, together with such facts as may have come to his knowledge
during the progress of said reconnoissauce, illustrative of any advantages likely
to accrue from a more complete examination.
Be it further enacted, That the said board of public works shall have author-
ity, provided they should deem it expedient, to employ a topographical engineer
to aid the geologist to be employed in the reconnoissance aforesaid.
Be it further enacted, That the said board of public works shall have author-
ity to allow to the geologist and topographical engineer who may be employed
under the provisions of this act such compensation as they may deem reasonable
for each to be paid out of any unexpended moneys in the treasury : Provided,
That such compensation shall not exceed in the aggregate the sum of $3,000.
This act shall commence and be in force from the passing thereof.
This bill, after some discussion and incidental modification, was
made a law March 6, 1835. The following is the text of the bill as
it finally passed:
1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That as soon after the passage of
this act as may be convenient it shall be the duty of the board of public works
to appoint a suitable person to make a geological reconnoissance of the State,
with a view to the general geological features of our territory, and to the
chemical composition of its soils, minerals, and mineral waters, and to report
to the next general assembly a plan for the prosecution of a geological survey
of the State, together with such facts as may have come to his knowledge
daring the progress of said reconnoissance, illustrative of any advantages likely
to accrue from a more complete examination.
1 Given In detail in The Virginias of November, 1882, p. 167.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 509
2. Be it further enacted, That the said board of public works shall have
authority to allow to the geologist who may be employed under the provisions
of this act such compensation as they may deem reasonable, to be paid out of
any unexpended moneys in the treasury : Provided, That such compensation
shall not exceed the sum of $1,500.
3. This act shall commence and \>e in force from the passing thereof.
Under this bill Prof. William B. Rogers, then teaching in William
and Mary College, was employed to make the reconnoissance pro-
vided for, and submitted his report to the house of delegates in Janu-
ary, 1836. This was favorably received and led to the passage of the
following law providing for a systematic geological survey:
An act to provide for a geological survey of the State, and for other purposes, passed
February 29, 1836.
1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That the president and directors
of the board of public works be, and they are hereby, required, as speedily as
may be, to cause a complete and detailed geographical survey of the entire ter-
ritory of this State to be made and executed, and a careful and accurate chemi-
cal examination and analysis of the various soils which may be found in dif-
ferent parts thereof, as also of the principal ores, marls, saline and mineral
waters within said territory.
2. Be it further enacted, That for the purpose of making such survey and
analysis it shall be lawful for the said president and directors to employ a
competent and skillful geologist, and an assistant geologist, if need be; and may
also engage the services of or employ a topographical surveyor, whose duty it
shall be to make such observations and admeasurements as may be found neces-
sary in the preparation and construction of the geological map of the State
hereinafter provided for, and to perform such other labors connected with the
general purposes hereby intended as the geologist may from time to time pre-
scribe an,d direct. In addition to the duties before mentioned to be performed,
the geologist who may be employed by virtue of this act shall also ascertain by
accurate barometrical observations the height of the principal mountains in the
State; and in the progress of the surveys and examinations hereby directed,
shall collect and preserve all such specimens of rocks, fossils, ores, mineral
compounds and organic remains, as shall tend to exemplify the general geo-
logical structure of the State, or be in any wise useful or interesting. The
specimens, so far as practicable, shall be collected in sufficient number to
authorize a distribution of a suite thereof to the principal institutions of learn-
ing in the State, if it shall hereafter be found expedient to. make such dis-
tribution.
3. Be it further enacted, That said geologist shall annually, and before the
10th day of January in each year, make report to the president and directors
of the board of public works of his progress in the work hereby authorized and
required, accompanying said reports with such profiles and maps, together with
a glossary of scientific or technical terms, as may be useful in illustrating the
same; which reports, profiles, and maps it shall be the duty of the said presi-
dent and directors to lay immediately before the general assembly.
4. Be it further enacted, That for the purpose of defraying the expenses which
may be incurred under this act a sum not exceeding $5,000 per annum be, and
the same is hereby, appropriated, to be apportioned among the several persons
510 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
hereby authorized to be employed, in such manner and in such amount as to
the president and directors of the board of public works shall seem best, to
be paid upon their certificate out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated, upon the warrant of the auditor of public accounts: Provided,
That the amount to be paid to the geologist and the assistant geologist shall not
exceed the sum of $3,000 per annum, to be apportioned and divided between
them in manner above directed, and the sum to be paid to the topographical
surveyor shall not exceed $1,000.
5. Be it further enacted, That when the entire work hereby contemplated and
provided for shall have been fully completed, it shall be the duty of the geolo-
gist in charge thereof to make a general and final report thereon, embracing
in such report, in detail, the result of all surveys, examinations, and discoveries
which shall have been made, geological, chemical, and topographical, and all
other matters connected therewith, which may be considered by him as likely
to be in any manner useful to the public or interesting to science. He shall
also construct and prepare for engraving a complete geological map of the State,
showing not only the general geological structure thereof, but plainly and accu-
rately delineating the stratification of its principal rocks, and the position and
boundary of all the mineral deposits which may now be known or be ascer-
tained by the investigations which shall have been made, accompanying said
map with such a series of sections or profiles as may be necessary to a proper
exhibition of the geology of the region to which they may relate. The final
report, together with the map and the accompanying sections and profiles, the
president and directors of the board of public works shall communicate to the
general assembly as soon as may be, to be printed, engraved, published and
disposed of iu such manner as to the said general assembly shall seem proper.
6. Be it further enacted, That the mineral materials and other specimens
which may be collected during the operations of the geologist and others who
may be engaged with him, shall be carefully preserved in some convenient apart-
ment of the library room, until otherwise provided for. A complete catalogue
of such specimens and materials shall be made out, and preserved in the same
apartment, showing the name, locality, and general properties and value of
each, as ascertained by the analysis to which it may have been subjected, and
referring to the corresponding number which shall be aflixed to the specimen
itself.
7. This act shall be in force from and after its passage thereof.
This act was in 1841 repealed, though subsequent appropriations
were made for completing the work already in hand, as below :
And be it further enacted, That the act entitled "An act to authorize a geo-
logical reconnoissance of the State, with a view to the chemical composition
of its soil and mineral waters," and all acts and parts of acts amendatory
thereof, shall be and the same are hereby repealed, from and after the 1st day
of January next
To the geological survey, to defray charges and expenses incurred, although
the acts authorizing the survey have been repealed, from and after the 1st diy
of January, 1842, $4,000.
To the geological survey to defray charges and expenses incurred, although
the acts authorizing the survey have been repealed from and after the 1st day
of January, 1842, being the balance of the appropriation for last year, to com-
plete the geological survey, and not drawn on the 1st of October last, and there-
fore chargeable on the current year, $1,083.33.
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 511
It will be noted from the wording of the law that, although Pro-
fessor Rogers was, at the time of the authorization of the recon-
noissance of the survey, connected with William and Mary College
in the capacity of professor of chemistry and natural philosophy
and later as professor of natural philosophy in the University of
Viriginia at Charlottesville, it was entirely independent of either
institution and was placed directly under the board of public works
and to be sustained by annual appropriations.
Administration. It would naturally follow from the preceding
that Professor Rogers should be appointed State geologist under the
act of 1836, and the appointment was promptly conferred upon him
by the board of public works. Considerable difficulty, seems to
have been experienced in the securing of proper assistants, as there
was naturally a great lack of trained observers at that date.
In 1836 Robert Empie Rogers, a brother of Professor Rogers, was
appointed ; and in 1837 a second brother. James B. Rogers, who was
at the time professor of chemistry in the Cincinnati Medical College.
In the report for this year mention is made also of Charles B. Hay-
den, an assistant in charge of work in the northern division, and
Prof. W. E. A. Aikin, in the southern division. In 1838 J. Slade
and George W. Boyd were employed in addition, Mr. Slade as an as-
sistant to J. B. Rogers, and Mr. Boyd to Professor Aikin. In 1839
the corps was the same, with the exception of C. Briggs, appointed
to the position made vacant by the resignation of W. E. A. Aikin,
but in 1840 James B. Rogers and Charles B. Hayden resigned,
their places being filled by the appointment of Samuel Lewis and
Dr. Thomas Ridgway. Doctor Boyd died before the close of the
season, and Mr. Lewis resigning, two vacancies were created in the
corps, one of which was filled by the reappointment of James B.
Rogers. M. Wells assisted Messrs. Briggs and Ridgway during a
part of the season of 1841.
Expenses. Concerning the salaries paid no information is avail-
able other than that given in the law, in which it is expressly pro-
\ 7 ided that the amount paid to the geologist and assistant geologist
shall not exceed the sum of $3,000 a year, and that the sum to be
paid to the topographical surveyor shall not exceed $1,000.
The entire expense of the survey, so far as can be determined from
the published reports, was some $40.000. It is apparent from
Rogers's statement * that $36.000 had been expended up to January,
1841. and a subsequent act of the legislature made an additional
appropriation of $4,000.
l Life and Letters of W. B. Rogers, p. 179.
13607520 34
512 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Museum Paragraph 6 of the law of 1835 provided for the col-
lection and preservation of specimens and materials to be preserved
in some apartment of the library room until otherwise provided for.
Publications. Antagonism to the survey manifested itself as early
as 1839, and in 1841 the law creating it was repealed, though the
unexpended balance of the appropriation was permitted to be
utilized in the finishing of reports. Six annual reports, beginning
with 1836 and ending with 1841, were issued. No final report had
been prepared, nor was provision made for the same, although Pro-
fessor Rogers and the friends of the survey made earnest efforts in
this direction. Even as late as 1854 it appears from the published
correspondence that Professor Rogers was in Richmond and ap-
peared before the legislature urging an appropriation of $2,400 for
the completion of the work, and although the bill passed the senate,
it failed in the house. A compilation of the original reports, com-
prising an octavo volume of upwards of 800 pages, with colored
sections and a geological map, was in 1884 issued by D. Appleton and
Company, of New York City, under the editorship of Jed. Hotchkiss,
a mining engineer of Staunton, Virginia.
WISCONSIN.
FIRST SURVEY UNDER EDWARD DANIELS AND J. C. PERCFVAL, 1853-1856.
The mineral resources of Wisconsin had been in part investigated
by the survey of David Dale Owen in 1839-40, under direction of
the General Land Office. The first survey under State auspices was
inaugurated in accordance with the following enactment :
The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in senate and general as-
sembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The governor of this State is hereby authorized, as soon as may
be after this act shall take effect, to appoint a State geologist, who shall be a
person of competent scientific and practical knowledge of the science of geology
and mineralogy; and the said State geologist shall, by and with the consent of
the governor, appoint one suitable person to assist him in the discharge of his
duties, who shall be a skillful analytical and experimental chemist.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the said State geologist and his assistant, as
soon as may be practical after their appointment, to commence and carry on
with such expedition and dispatch as may be consistent with minuteness and accu-
. racy, a thorough geological and mineralogical survey of this State, with a view
to determine the order, succession, arrangement, relative position, dip of in-
clination, and comparative magnitude of the several strata or geological forma-
tions within this State, and to discover and examine all beds or deposits of ore,
coal, clay, and such mineral and earthy substances as may be useful or valu-
able, and to perform such other duties as may be necessary to make a full and
complete geological and mineralogical survey of the State: Provided, That it
shall be the duty of said State geologist to complete his survey of that portion
of the State known as the " lead mines " before commencing the survey of the
remainder of the State.
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 109 PL.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 513
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the said assistant to make full and complete
examinations, assays, and analyses of all such rocks, ores, soils, or other sub-
stances as may be submitted to him by the State geologist for that purpose,
and to furnish him with a detailed and complete account of the results so
obtained.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the State geologist, on or before the first
Monday of January in each and every year, during the time necessarily occu-
pied by said survey, to make an annual report of said survey and the progress
thereof, accompanied with such maps, drawings, and specimens as may be neces-
sary and proper to exemplify and elucidate the same to the governor of this
State, who shall lay a copy of such report before the legislature.
SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of the said State geologist to cause to be repre-
sented on the map of the State, by colors and other appropriate means, the
various areas occupied by the different geological formations in the State, and
to mark thereon the localities of the respective beds or deposits of the various
mineral substances discovered, and on the completion of the survey to compile a
memoir of the geology and mineralogy of the State, comprising a complete
account of the leading subjects and discoveries which have been embraced in
the survey.
SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the said State geologist to forward to the gov-
ernor of this State, from time to time during the progress of said survey, such
specimens of the rocks, ores, coals, soils, fossils, and other mineral substances
discovered and examined, properly labeled, as may be proper and necessary to
form a complete cabinet collection of specimens of geology and mineralogy of
the State; and the said governor shall cause the same to be deposited in the
cabinet of the university, there to be preserved for public inspection.
SEC. 7. For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act the
sum of $2,500 is hereby annually appropriated, to be drawn quarterly, for the
term of four years, to be expended under the direction of the governor. The
salaries of the said State geologist and his assistant shall not, however, com-
mence until they have respectively entered upon the execution of their duties;
and upon the completion of said survey, and all the duties connected therewith,
the same shall wholly cease and determine.
SKC. 8. This act shall be printed immediately after the passage thereof, and
when so printed shall be in full force.
Approved March 25, 1853.
Administration. Under this law the appointment of State geolo-
gist was first given to Edward Daniels, who, however, held the of-
fice for but a single year, being superseded in 1854 by Dr. J. C. Per-
cival. Mr. Daniels, in accordance with the expressed provision of
the law, devoted his attentions first to the lead regions in the south-
western part of the State. He was assisted by H. A. Tenney and
I. A. Lapham (volunteer paleontologist). The chemical work of
the survey was performed by Dr. A. A. Hayes, then State assayer
of Massachusetts. A single report, bearing date of 1854, in the form
of an octavo pamphlet of but 80 pages, all told, comprises the re-
sults of this work. As noted, Daniels was succeeded by Percival,
who likewise confined himself largely to economic problems. During
the first year he visited "all the considerable diggings from the
south line of the State to a line drawn from east to west, north of
514 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Cassville, Beetown, Potcsi, Platteville. IMineral Point, Yellowstone,
and Exeter, and from the Mississippi to the east part of Green
County."
His report for this year was in the form of an octavo pamphlet of
101 pages, with an outline map showing the location of the prin-
cipal ore " diggings." In the season of 1855 he first visited the iron
mines at Iron Ridge, Dodge County, Hartford, Washington County,
and at Marston on the Little Baraboo. Sauk County, after which he
recommenced the examination of the lead districts, completing the
work June 30. The remainder of the season, till December 8, was
employed in a reconnoissance of the State for the purpose of form-
ing a general idea of the stratigraphy.
While engaged in preparing his second report, recording the opera-
tions of the year, he was taken ill and died on May 2. 1856. The
report as issued was in the form of a small octavo of 111 pages.
Expense. The total appropriation for the survey, as indicated in
the act, amounted to but $7,500.
SECOND SURVEY UNDER JAMES HALL, 1857-1860.
The geological survey having been left unfinished by the death
of Percival, a new act was passed in March, 1857, of which the fol-
lowing is a transcript :
An act to provide for a geological and agricultural survey of the State.
The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in senate and general o*-
semllv, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. James Hall, of Albany, New York, and Ezra S. Carr and Edward
Daniels, of Wisconsin, are hereby designated and appointed commissioners to
make a geological, mineralogical, and agricultural survey of this State, em-
bracing a scientific and descriptive survey of the rocks, fossils, and minerals of
the State; full and complete assays of the ores and minerals, also of the soils
and subsoils, with the classification and description of the same and their
adaptation to particular crops, and the best methods of preserving and increas-
ing their fertility. They shall also make a full collection of the rocks, ores, and
minerals, and whatever illustrates the economic geology of the State, and de-
posit the same in the rooms of the Stnte university or such other place as may
be provided for the same, constituting a museum of practical and scientific
geology. Said commissioners shall also make full collections of soils, native
fertilizers, cultivated and other useful plants, constituting a museum of prac-
tical and scientific geology, and deposit the same as aforesaid.
SEC. 2. Said commissioners shall arrange and distribute the functions of such
survey by mutual agreement, and employ such assistants as may be deemed by
a majority of them necessary to carry on the work.
SEC. 3. The governor of this State shall make a written contract with each
of the commissioners aforesaid, expressly stipulating and setting forth the
nature and extent of the service to be rendered by each and the compensation
therefor, Including the expenses of the department of the survey under charge
of each commissioner. Such contract shall expressly provide that the com-
GEOLOGICAL, AXD XATTRAl. HISTORY SURVEYS. 515
pensatiou to each commissioner shall be at a certain rate per annum, to be
agreed upon, and not exceeding the rate of $2,000 per annum; and that pay-
ment will be made only for such part of each year as such commissioner may
actually be engaged in the discharge of his duty as commissioner.
SEC. 4. Should the board of regents of the State university neglect to make
suitable provision for the accommodation of the collections, it shall be the duty
of the commissioners, with the advice and consent of the governor, to provide
suitable rooms elsewhere in the city of Madison.
SEC. 5. In case of a vacancy or vacancies occurring in the commission by this
act provided, the governor shall appoint some suitable person or persons to fill
the same ; and he may remove any member for incompetency or neglect of duty,
after giving such member due notice of the charge against him, and a full
opportunity to be confronted with his accuser and to make his defense.
SEC. 6. To carry out the provisions of this act the sum of $6,000 per annum
for the term of six years is hereby appropriated, to be drawn from the treasury
quarterly on warrant of the governor, and paid to the persons entitled to re-
ceive the same; which sum shall be in full for salaries of commissioners, as-
sistants, rent of room, and all other expenses incident to said survey, exclusive
of printing the annual reports of said commissioners.
SEC. 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved March 3, 1857.
Administration. It would appear from correspondence to which
the author has had access that Mr. Carr was the prime instigator
in the passage of this bill, though working in more or less collabora-
tion with Charles Whittlesey and Edward Daniels. In a letter from
Carr to Hall, in anticipation of the passage of the bill, under date
of January 28, 1857, the directorship of the survey is offered the
latter, who, in a reply dated February 3 following, said that he could
not apply for the same so long as Daniels was a candidate, as he
had already agreed to give him his support. Under date of March
26 Carr again wrote Hall :
The governor and all others who are interested in the survey look to you as
the responsible man in geology. The governor understands Daniels and said
to me that yon and myself, being a majority, could arrange matters.
The effective force of the survey as finally organized under this
act was James Hall, Ezra S. Carr, and Edward Daniels, as noted in
the bill of its establishment. The salaries, though not absolutely
fixed by law, were by it limited to a sum not exceeding $2,000 a year,
and it was further expressly stipulated that payment should be made
only for such part of each year as the commissioner should be ac-
tually engaged in the discharge of his duties.
The actual survey did not. according to O. W. Wight, 1 begin until
the year following (1858). It was first proposed by Hall that the
three commissioners named contribute equally out of their allotment
to defray the expenses of Charles Whittlesey in making a survey
of the northern part of the State. The plan does not seem to have
'Annual Report of Geological Survey of Wisconsin, 1875, p. 69.
516 BULLETIN- 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
been fully carried out, apparently through a lack of collaboration
on the part of Daniels, who was evidently an element of discord
from the start, and who secured from the governor a special con-
tract for himself regardless of the interests of Hall and Carr. Wight
states, however, that Messrs. Hall and Carr, at their own expense,
employed Col. Charles Whittlesey to explore the country between the
Menomenee and Oconto Rivers as a preliminary to a more extended
survey to the northward. In the spring of 1859 an engagement was
entered into with J. D. Whitney, who had been employed as chemist
on the Iowa survey, whereby he was to make a survey of the lead
region a work which, it may be incidentally noted, was carried out.
The tripartite commissioner arrangement designated under ths
first law evidently did not work out satisfactorily, as is apparent
from the following:
EXECUTIVE OFFICK.
JJadison, February 17, /85a.
To the Hon. the Senate:
I have received from Mr. E. Carr and Mr. James Hall, appointed by the law
of 1857, with Mr. Edward Daniels, to make a geological survey of this State,
a communication on the subject of that survey, and giving their reasons for not
forming and organizing the commission contemplated by that law. In farther
answer to the resolution of the senate calling on me for information on that
subject I deem it proper to transmit the same herewith for your consideration.
ALEX. W. RANDALL.
To His Excellency Htm. Alexander W. Randall, G'tcernor o/
The undersigned members of the commission appointed by the law, approved
March 3, 1857, to make a geological and agricultural survey of the State, beg
leave to present to your excellency the following statement as an explanation
of the reasons why they have not been actively engaged in performing the
duties required by the said act:
After the passage of the bill authorizing a geological and agricultural survey
of the State, Mr. Daniels assumed such a position toward it that Mr. Hall and
myself believed we could not honorably or usefully be connected with it, unless
the contracts clearly and definitely fixed the nature and extent of the service
to be rendered by each, in accordance with the third section of the act. We
wished that the work of the survey, which each one was to perform, and the
amount of the appropriation which each one might use in accordance with the
provisions of the act to accomplish the same, should be determined by the con-
tracts. We insisted that each one should be limited to an equitable proportion
of the appropriation ($2,000 per year), and that if more than this was ex-
pended in any department it should be a matter of mutual agreement. This
was the difference between Mr. Daniels and the other members of the com-
mission, he insisting that the survey was chiefly instituted for his benefit, and
that the control and management of the same rightfully belonged to him. He
was unwilling to be limited in his contract in the use of the appropriation.
Mr. Hall came to Madison on the 1st of May, at the suggestion of the gov-
ernor and other members of the commission to make the arrangements and
contracts necessary to carry them out, Mr. Daniels having written from Kansai
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 517
that he would be present on that date. Mr. D. did not appear, and the confer-
ence between the governor, Mr. Hall, and myself resulted in agreeing upon the
above as a basis of the contract. The division of the work of the survey was
also agreed upon, and was essentially the same as was afterwards embodied
in the contracts drawn June 19. This division of labor was based upon an
equitable division of the funds, that each one should have the means of working
out, in accordance with the provisions of the act, that portion of the survey
which he was made responsible for. No contracts were entered into at the time,
as it was desired that Mr. Daniels should first be consulted.
Mr. Daniels, on his return, objected to the above basis, for the reasons already
stated, and steadily refused his assent until the 19th day of June, when he
came to me and professed his cordial assent, desiring me to go with him to
the governor's office and have the contracts executed. The governor expressed
his satisfaction at the result, and called in Mr. J. C. Hopkins to draw up the
contracts, to whom we stated the division of labor and the limitation in the
use of the funds agreed upon. Attention was particularly directed to this.latter
point, as it was understood that this was the point of difference which had
prevented the commission from being organized at an earlier date. When I
called at the office of Mr. Hopkins the next morning I found the contracts were
drawn up without the limitations, and what was still more surprising, Mr.
Daniels, without consulting any other member of the commission, had caused
his own to be executed and taken it away with him. The governor had signed
them on the previous evening and left town. I at once protested to Mr. Dan-
iels against the whole proceeding as contrary to the express agreement of the
commission to which he had just assented. As he persisted in retaining his
contract, neither Mr. Hall or myself have had anything further to do with the
matter, believing the proceedings to have been illegal.
It is true that the division of labor as specified in the contract drawn by
Mr. Hopkins is essentially the same as agreed upon (see Senate journal of
January 29), but it is equally true that this division was based upon a condi-
tion wholly ignored in the contracts.
The contracts as drawn, and under which Mr. Daniels has since the 19th
of June drawn about $2,000 from the State treasury, I believe to be not In
accordance with the provisions of the act, because
1st. They do not accord with the second section, which requires that the
functions of the survey shall be distributed by mutual agreement, and that such
assistants shall be employed as a majority of the commission shall deem neces-
sary.
2d. Mr. Daniels's contract allows him. in addition to his salary, which la
fixed by law, at the rate of $2,000 per annum, for the time spent in the service
of the State, all expenses incurred by him in the prosecution of the same, In-
cluding expenses of assistant. (See contract in Senate journal of January 29.)
It is easy to see that under the head of expenses in Mr. Daniels's contract he
might, so far as any limit Is concerned, use up the greater part of or even
the entire appropriation. This contract is in violation of the second section of
the act, which requires that the assistants employed shall be such as a majority
of the commission shall decide upon; and of the third section, which requires
that the contract shall determine, not only the nature but the extent of the
compensation, and the expenses of the department of the survey under the
charge of each commissioner. There are no limitations in Mr. Daniels's con-
tract of the amount of the appropriation which he may use as a part of his
"necessary expenses," while the act expressly stipulates that the contracts
shall set forth the extent of the expenses made by each commissioner.
518 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
It is but justice to the majority of the commission to say that they have
been ready ever since the passage of the act to organize the commission and
take contracts in accordance with its plainly expressed provisions, and that they
have declined to take the contracts as drawn, because they believed them not in
accordance with the provisions of the act, and also for the reason that if Mr,
Daniels, or any other member of the commission, was thus allowed an unlim-
ited use of the funds, they could not with any security enter upon any plan
of operations creditable to themselves or the State.
.Respectfully, yours,
E. S. CAEB.
The foregoing statement, signed by Professor Carr, I certify to be correct
so far as my own action and views are concerned and the events of which I
have any personal knowledge. The agreement of a majority of the commis-
sion with the governor as to the basis of the contracts to be drawn, as set
forth in the preceding statement, has been entirely disregarded, and I have
always maintained that the course pursued in the execution of the same is not
in accordance with the intent of the law, and is therefore illegal.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES HALL.
MADISON, February 16, 1858.
Referred to committee on State affairs.
In addition to the above, Daniels, it would appear, made an at-
tempt, which, however, failed, at getting through the legislature a
bill making himself chief geologist. Carr states further, in a letter
dated May 19 of this year, that a bill was introduced and passed in
the house repealing the law establishing the survey. This was, how-
ever, killed in the senate, and with the understanding that Hall
should go on with the work. On May 30 Carr wrote Hall that new
contracts had been drawn up, allotting to each of the three commis-
sioners the sum of $2,000 a year to be utilized " in accordance with
the previous provisions of this act."
Whittlesey during at least a part of 1859 was working under a
private contract, his expenses ($1,500) being met by moneys ad-
vanced by Hall and Carr. Nevertheless, whether from philanthropic
or other motives, he wrote to Hall proposing that the latter resign
in his (Whittlesey's) favor. Hall naturally declined, stating (under
date of March 29, 1859) :
I should have little objection to resigning, but if I do so it must be entirely
and absolutely and without any further connection with the survey whatever.
The affair is an awkward one and I regret that I ever became connected with
it in any way, but as it is, I shall try a little longer for a better state of things.
And again, under date of April 8 :
I intend to see something tangible clone before I leave the work.
There was apparently no way out of the disagreeable and wholly
unsatisfactory tangle, but by an entirely new deal and by the act
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 519
given in full below, approved April 2, 1860, Hall was made principal
of the commission :
An act to perfect the geological survey of the State.
The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. James Hall, of Albany, New York, is hereby constituted and ap-
pointed principal of the geological commission established by chapter 40 of the
General Laws of 1857, and is hereby vested with such general control and super-
vision of the geological survey of the State as is not already expressly reserved
to the several commissioners designated in said chapter.
SEC. 2, It shall be the duty of the said James Hall to make a written contract
with J. D. Whitney, which contract shall be approved by the governor, pro-
viding for the completion within the present year of his survey and maps of
the lead mines of the southwestern portion of the State ; which maps shall in-
clude the whole of such district and shall be constructed upon a uniform scale.
A contract shall also be made in the same manner with Charles Whittlesey
for the continuance of his survey of the mineral regions of Lake Superior.
SEC. 3. For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the preceding
section the governor is hereby authorized, upon the presentation of the proper
vouchers, to draw from the treasury such portion of the sum appropriated by
said chapter 40 of the General Laws of 1857, as was not drawn previous to the
signing of the contracts with the commissioners on the 29th day of May, A. D.
1858; and all that part of said appropriation hereby authorized to be drawn
by the governor, which shall not be required to carry into effect the provisions
of the contracts as provided in the preceding section, shall be appropriated for
the engraving of maps and drawings to illustrate the surveys therein pro-
vided for.
SEC. 4. This act shall take effect and be In force from and after its passage
and publication.
Approved April 2, 1860.
After the passage of this act Can* wrote to Hall, informing him
of the condition of affairs and stating that the sum of $4,500 re-
mained unexpended from earlier appropriations.
Although not so stipulated in the act, the same was passed with
the understanding that not less than $1,500 of this sum should be
used in the exploration of the northern part of the State, and that
the expense of engraving the map should also be paid from it.
In accordance with section 2 of the law, Hall entered into con-
tracts with Whitney and Whittlesey, as below :
Memorandum of an agreement made and entered Into this 1st day of May, In the year
1860, In accordance with section 2 of chapter 834 of the Laws of Wisconsin, approved
April 2, 1860, between James Hall, of the first part, In behalf of the people of Wisconsin
*nd subject to the approval of the governor of said State, and Josiah D. Whitney, jr., of
the second part, as follows :
To provide for the completion within the present year of his survey and
mops of the lead mines of the southwestern portions of the State, which maps
shall include the whole of such district and shall be constructed upon a uniform
scale.
520 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The party of the second part agrees to make all the necessary surveys and
perform all the field work in the lead region in the southwest part of Wis-
consin and the adjacent country required for the completion of a geological
map of said region, which shall embrace what is known as the lead region of
Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, showing the position and relation of the lead
crevices, the geological structure of the country, and all the information needful
to accompany such a map; and that the map now partially completed shall be
finished and re:idy for the engraver by the 1st of August of this year.
The said party of the second part also agrees to make the necessary surveys
for the completion and also to complete a map of the region between Dubuque,
Galena, and Shulisburg, on a larger scale than the one above specified, to be
called a crevice map, showing the direction, length, etc., of all the lead crevices
known in that portion of the lead region embraced in the map, and that the
map shall be completed and ready for the engraver on or before the 1st day
of November, I860.
The said party of the second part likewise agrees to prepare a report upon
the entire lead region, to accompany the maps aforesaid, which report shall
contain a full description of the country embraced within the limits of the
maps, so far as its geological structure is concerned, and all that related to
Its mining or mineral interests, with such sketches, diagrams, and other illustra-
tions as he may deem proper for the same, the original drawings and diagrams
for which shall be furnished by himself ready for the engraver. The said
report and maps shall constitute a part of the report upon the geological survey
of Wisconsin, to be printed in the same form and in the manner which shall
be designated by the governor.
This report the party of the second part agrees to have completed and ready
for the printer on or before the 31st day of December, I860, and he agrees
either himself to superintend the printing of the same, so far as reading and
correcting proofs, etc., or to provide a competent person to do it.
In consideration of the services and labor above specified, the party of the
first part agrees to pay to the party of the second part the following sum, as
specified namely, $500 on the signing of this contract or on its approval by
the governor; $1,000 on the 1st day of June, 1860; $1,000 on the completion
of the maps and report, and their delivery to the party of the first part. These
several sums shall be accepted in full for all services performed and labor per-
formed or to be performed under the direction of the party of the first part
in connection with the report and maps specified.
These several sums specified shall be paid by a certificate of the party of th
first part to the governor, setting forth that the conditions of the contract havt
been fulfilled and asking his warrant upon the treasurer of the State for the
payment of the same. The provisions and requirements of section 2 of chapter
332 of the General Laws of 1860, approved April 2, I860, and made a part of
this contract.
Memorandum of an agreement made and entered Into this 12th day of June, In th
year 1860, In accordance with section 2 of chapter 334 of the Laws of the State of Wis-
consin, approved April 2, 1860, between James Hall, of the first part. In behalf of tn
people of the State, and Charles Whittlesey, of the second part, as follows :
The party of the second part agrees to proceed to the south shore of Lake
Superior in the State of Wisconsin, and to make, for the continuance of his
survey of the mineral regions of Lake Superior, a careful geological survey of
the country lying between the Montreal River on the east and the easterly
branches of Bad River on the west, or so much thereof as he is able to perform
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 521
during the present season, and to lay down upon a map the limits of the rock
formations and designate the same by colors ; to make a report upon the same
which shall embrace as full and detailed account of his rocks and minerals and
a description of the geological structure of the country, as he shall be able to
do from the observations made.
The said party of the second part agrees to deliver the said map and report
completed to the said party of the first part on or before the first day of Jan-
uary, 1861. 1
The said party of the second part likewise agrees to make all the necessary
collections of rocks, minerals, and ores to illustrate the geology and mineralogy
of said district of country.
For the services herein specified the said party of the first part agrees to pay
to the party of the second part, with the approval of the governor and to be
drawn from the sum appropriated by the law cited, the sum of $1,500, $500 of
which is to be paid on the signing and delivery of this contract, $500 on the 1st
of November next, and the remaining $500 on the delivery of the map and re-
port aforesaid, the same being in full for all services and expenses of the party
of the second part.
Furthermore, the provisions and requirements of the second section of
chapter 334, of the General Laws of A. D. 1860, approved April 2, 1860, are
made a part of this contract.
Matters still did not work smoothly, though Whitney completed
his survey and report on the lead region. The outcome of the ar-
rangement with Whittlesey was less satisfactory. He complained
of unfair treatment and that money appropriated for his work was
diverted. His connection with the Quartermaster's Division of the
Army in 1861 would appear to have interfered with his duties as
geologist, but not to have dampened his ambiti9n; and his final re-
port, as received by the governor, seems to have been quite unsatis-
factory.
In 1861 the legislature passed an act providing for the publica-
tion of 1.000 copies of the reports (Hall's and Whitney's), but in-
cluded an item repealing the act of establishment; also a joint reso-
lution requesting the commissioners to surrender their contracts.
The repealing act the governor refused to sign. A copy of a new
agreement made under this act, as found among Mr. Hall's papers, is
given below:
This agreement made this 7th day of June, A. D. 1861, between James
Hall, geologist, resident of the State of New York, party of the first part,
and Alexander W. Randall, governor of the State of Wisconsin, on behalf of
said State, party of the second part, witnesseth, that said party of the first
part, for and in consideration of the several conditions, agreements, and obliga-
tions, herein below mentioned, agreed on and incurred by said party of the
second part, and between both parties, agrees to deliver to said party of the
second part, in the city of Madison, capital of Wisconsin, on or before the
1st day of January, next, 1,000 copies of Hall's first volume of the geological
1 " Provided that the analyses required for the work shall be completed In time to be
incorporated in the report." This clause Is inserted before the execution of the contract.
522 HULLKTIX 10'.', UNITED STATKS NATIONAL, MUSEUM.
report of the State of Wisconsin, confined mainly to the lead regions, and to
contain not less than 450 pages; and said volume shall embrace a chapter
on the general geology of the State and its relations to the geology of the sur-
rounding States, with the details of the geology, mineralogy, and mining
thereof, and shall be the same size (but it shall have the number of pages
above stated) and in all respects as to type, paper, and binding equal to the
Iowa geological report, with all necessary maps and illustrations.
And said party of the second part agrees that when said copies as aforesaid
are delivered as aforesaid, and duly accepted by him on behalf of the State.
he will pay at the rate of S3 per volume for said report by delivering to said
party of the first part, his, said governor's warrant, on the State treasurer for
the sum of $3,000, which shall be payment in full for all of said 1,000 reports so
delivered and accepted.
It is hereby mutually and further agreed by and between said parties that
in case said reports do not in all respects expressly meet the requirements of
this contract and the law hereinafter mentioned, the said party of the second
part, or the State, shall be under no obligations to accept said report, nor shall
any liabiltiy or account thereof exist against the Stale.
And, lastly, that chapter 263 of the General Laws of Wisconsin for the year
1861, entitled "An act to authorize the purchase of 1,000 copies of the firt
volume of the geological reports of this State " is herein referred to and made
a part of this agreement, in imposing conditions and consequences on the party
of the first part, except where said law is inconsistent herewith.
Misunderstandings continued to arise, the details of which it is
impossible to now ascertain and the causes of which can only be
surmised. The following letter gives Professor Hall's version of the
matter :
ALBANY, October 5, 1861.
DEAB SIR: I have just now been apprised by Mr. Watson that you decline
to pay any money on account of the geological survey. I am surprised and
quite unprepared for such a decision. Last spring I heard something of a de-
termination to suspend the work, but after making inquiries I learned that there
had been no action and I went on as usual ; and am under engagements to pay
money for the field work, more than $300 being due to Mr. Hale from the Sep-
tember quarter's salary, and I must pay him nearly as much more by the
1st of January. 1
After the passage of the law relating to publication I went on preparing the
materials, and, as you are aware, have signed a contract to deliver a completed
volume of not less than 450 pages with maps, etc. My engagements for this
work are all made and the printing is going on. The maps and sections are
to be delivered to me on the 9th of December, and I intend to have the volumes
delivered in Madison on or before the 1st of January, 1862.
I feel that the completion of this volume is of the utmost importance for
the credit of the survey, for those who have authorized it and those who have
executed it, and I feel quire sure that its publication will quiet much of the
complaint against the survey, and will at last show that some good work has
been done.
There has been much labor to prepare this report for the press, and I have
also worked at the paleontology, and although there was no appropriation I have
1 Of this latter sum I have an agreement with Doctor Carr by which he will pay a
portion from his salary.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. oSSrf
had drawings and engravings made; and I send proofs of two plates that you
may see the evidences.
To pay for the work of the publication I need the small amount of money com-
ing to me from these quarterly payments, and if I do not get it I shall be
seriously embarrassed. Your decision places me in a very unpleasant posi-
tion with the responsibilities which by your sanction I have assumed, and I
beg that you will reconsider the matter and sustain me till January, when I
can present the printed report and the whole matter may be then referred to
the legislature. I am quite sure that you will be far better satisfied to have
the work now in progress completed and the report published, for we will then
have something as a record. To complete this work at my own expense
and without the sums due me from the State would ruin me entirely ; and if
your decision remains, I have to choose between this and to stop and share Jn
a disgrace which will fall equally on all concerned for not accomplishing a
work which had been authorized and agreed upon, and for the failure of which
the public will never hold us excusable.
The work has been carried on under your own direction, and I have sought
your advice and sanction in all matters. Two years since I would have gladly
resigned and by your advice alone I remained in my connection with the
survey. A continuance of a few months longer, with the small sums I may
draw, can not materially injure the State, and you have my assurance of a
satisfactory result.
It is my present intention to leave here as soon as the work of printing and
other matters are in a satisfactory condition, and I expect to be in Madison
about the 1st of November. I hope to be able to see you then; and in the
meantime, and as soon as practicable, desire to know if I can draw the amount
of the September quarter's pay.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) JAMES HALL.
To His Excellency, ALEX. W. RANDALL,
Governor, etc.
The legislature of 1862, incidental to the excitement of the Civil
War, repealed the law authorizing the survey, whereupon Carr and
Daniels abandoned the field. This, however, Hall refused to do,
contending that he had a contract under seal with the governor, ac-
cording to the provisions of the law, and that legislation could not
annul it. He, therefore, continued his work and completed that
which had been originally assigned to him in the division among
the three commissioners.
Expenses. Details of expenditures under this survey are not now
available. The original bill authorizing the work appropriated
$6,000 a year for six years. The act of April 2, I860, provided that
all of this appropriation not required to carry into effect the pro-
visions of the contracts which had been entered into should be ap-
propriated for the engraving of maps and drawings. It would seem
safe to assume, therefore, that the entire amount, $36,000, was uti-
lized, and no more, as there are found no records of further ap-
propriations.
524 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Publication. Hall's first report as superintendent of the survey,
as indicated by the letter of transmittal, bore the date of December
24, I860. 1 This consisted of an octavo pamphlet of but 52 pages,
three pages of which are related to the general work of the survey,
the remainder being given up to descriptions of new species of fos-
sils. The manuscript of Whitney's report on the lead region was,
according to this author, submitted in October, I860, but printing
was not begun until a year later and was finished in January, 1862.
As issued, this report formed a volume of 455 pages, of which the
first 72 consisted of an introductory chapter by Hall on the physical
geography and geology of Wisconsin, and included a catalogue of
the paleozoic fossils of the State. One thousand copies of this were
printed under an act of the legislature, dated April 15, 1861. The
second volume of Hall's report, it is stated, was prepared and sub-
mitted to the governor in December, 1862. The latter, however, did
not lay the same before the legislature until it was called for by a
resolution dated February 7, 1863. It appears to have never been
printed. The following letters, explanatory of Hall's views of the
matter, seem worthy of reproduction in full :
WASHINGTON, D. C., January 11, 186%.
Hon. ALKXANDEB W. RANDALL.
DEAB SIR: In making the statement which you suggested in relation to the
geological survey of Wisconsin it is scarcely necessary for me to go back to the
original law and the organization of the survey. The law was imperative and
In all respects binding upon the individuals accepting positions under it, and I
believe you will recollect that I was from the outset desirous of avoiding all
difficulty, and on that account insisted on a distinct specification of the duties
and responsibilities I was about to incur.
After agreeing to the division of labor and signing the contract with the State
I devoted myself, as far as the means at my disposal would permit, to the work
before me, while the passage of a supplementary law increased my duties and
responsibilities as well as my personal expenses without any additional com-
pensation. It is scarcely necessary to recapitulate in this place, as all the acts
and arrangements were done with your knowledge and approval.
The first volume was ordered to be published during your administration, and
the manner and style of publication specified. This was accomplished, and
copies sent to your successor in oflice and placed in the hands of members of
the legislature In February, 1862. At the same time a committee was appointed
to inquire into and report upon the publication of the second volume, for which I
showed them the materials prepared and gave an estimate of the cost. The pub-
lication was recommended by the governor to the committees of both houses, who
met in the executive chambers, and these committees sanctioned the plan. So
favorably had the committee looked upon the matter in several meetings that
there seemed no doubt as to their recommendation, and by the advice of Mr.
1 The copy of this printed report In the library of the United States National Museum
was the property of F. P. Meek, and bears the following, in pencil, on the margin :
"First 16 pages, pub. February, 1861. Pages 17 to 32, Inclusive, pub. Nov. 10, 1861.
Remainder at a later date December, according to Hall."
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 525
Hopkins, chairman of the senate committee, 1 returned to Albany to forward the
remaining copies of the first volume and to prepare for the publication of the
second volume. Within two weeks after I left Madison the legislature passed
some resolutions reflecting upon the course of the geological commission and at
the same time passed an act repealing the law for the geological survey without
giving any party an opportunity to be heard in explanation. The nature of the
original law, I dare say, you will remember. This law authorized contracts
with certain parties and required an investigation by the governor before any
person could be dismissed.
This act repealing the law prevented the drawing of any money by the
governor on account of the survey, and though I was compelled to go twice to
Wisconsin after this, and to continue investigations already begun, I was un-
able to draw any pay from the State under my contract, or in any other way.
Notwithstanding all this, I carried on my investigations in preparation for
the second volume, in accordance with my contract, and have not ceased to
work at the collections already made for the illustration of the report on the
paleontology of the State. The subject of publication was before the legis-
lature during the last session, but they declined to take any action in the
matter.
I have in my i>ossession the manuscript and reports, maps, and diagrams of
Colonel Whittlesey upon the Menomonee region, and upon the iron region of Lake
Superior, also a report upon the drift of the eastern part of the State.
In the department of paleontology I have prepared descriptions of fossils,
and at my own expense have had a considerable number of drawings made to
illustrate them, and some engraving done in anticipation of the order for pub-
lication. The materials in my hands are sufficient to make a volume as large
or larger than the one already published. This volume will require the en-
graving of some maps and about 30 plates of fossils. It would be of great
value and interest to the people of Wisconsin and would be prized in all the
libraries of the country, as well as among all scientific persons and all
students in geology. There can be no question as to the value of the matter
I have prepared, and there should be no question as to the desirableness and
importance of publishing this work. The efforts of Wisconsin to secure a
geological survey have been so often thwarted in one way or another that now
when an opportunity offers of making a respectable and creditable conclusion
of the work there should be no hesitation on the part of the legislature. The
results of the investigations are ready for publication, which is the very con-
dition so long desired by the people and the legislature, and if they would ob-
tain the benefits of the survey the publication must be made.
In the present attitude of the affair I have been deprived of the money ac-
tually due me, and, moreover, have been compelled to expend money in carrying
on the work and in going to Madison on several occasions, not contemplated in
the beginning of the work and subsequent to the repeal of the law.
Although I believe and am so advised legally that my claim against the State
under my contract is good and can be sustained, I would much prefer that the
legislature, taking an enlightened view of the matter, should order the publi-
cation of the results and fulfill the agreement on the part of the State as I have
done mine.
As the matter now stands I am placed In the awkward position of holding
hi my possession materials belonging to the State, while the act of the legisla-
ture has deprived me of all connection with the State or power to act in the
premises. The extensive collections of geological specimens and fossils are
chiefly In my possession (some part of them having been returned to the uni-
526 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSK
versity). Th-se should by all means be properly labeled and placed in the uni-
versity cabinet. Of a considerable part of the collection there are duplicate*,
which might be made into series for one or two other institutions if required.
I believe that such a plan of distribution would be of great service to the in-
terests of education in the State.
Something should be done, at least so much as to relieve me from this posi-
tion, if nothing more. To do this would simply be to pay the amount due me and
take custody of the materials in my possession.
In reference to the first volume, 1,000 copies only were published, while a
State of the extent and population of Wisconsin should have had at least 2,500
copies.
I have, at considerable expense to myself, preserved the lithographic stones
on which the large maps were engraved in order to save expenditure in re-
engraving should another edition of the volume be ordered.
I can do no more than I have done without further authority, and to give
this some legislative action will be necessary.
Should any point require fuller statement or explanation I shall be most happy
to forward it to yourself or to anyone else.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
(Signed) JAMES HALL.
ALBANY, N. Y., January 20, 1S6J.
Notwithstanding the repeal of the law, I did not feel myself exonerated
from the fulfillment of my contract and continued my work in the preparation
of the materials in my hands for publication. I even went so far as to have
drawings made and some engravings done for the second volume.
In December last received a letter from Mr. I. A. Lapham saying that he
had consulted some of the newly elected members of the legislature in reference
to the matter and they were desirous of having the second volume published
and the collections labeled and sent to the university. I have replied to this
letter.
I have in my hands extensive collections of fossils which ought to be properly
labeled and placed in the cabinet of the State university, where they would be
valuable for study and comparison. The course pursued by the legislature
has inflicted an injury upon me by depriving me of a year's salary due under
ray contract, and then causing me to incur expenses which were in no way con-
nected with my duties under this contract. Besides this, I am deprived of the
opportunity of publication, and this is one great object of an investigator.
At the same time the people of the State are deprived of the information col-
lected during the survey, and for which their money has been paid. The pres-
ent condition of the affair creates complaint and dissatisfaction on all sides, for
I certainly feel that I have been wronged, while by no act of mine the people
have been deprived of what they had a right to expect from me, and which,
so far as I could do, I have prepared to bring before them waiting only thy
action of the legislature to order publication.
(Signed) JAMES HALT..
JUIJTJS T. CLABK, Esq.
In 1865. and again in 1866, futile attempts were made at getting
a bill through the legislature that should relieve Hall and bring
matters to a satisfactory conclusion. As late as 1868 finds Hall
writing the governor's secretary as follows:
U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 103 PL. 37
I
gfe
GEOLOGICAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 527
ALBANY, January SO, 1868.
OHAB. KNICKERBOCKER, Secy. etc.
DEAR SIB: Your favor of the 17th was received by me on iny return from
Washington this week. The story of the Wisconsin survey is soon told. I went
into it by request of the governor and legislature and under a contract provided
for in the law. After the first volume was published and a part of the copies
delivered in Madison, the second volume in progress and some engraving done,
the legislature, in a fit of spleen, repealed the law. The principal cause of this
was, I have no doubt, because we did not recommend deep mining in the lead
region.
By this act of the legislature I was left about $2,500 out of pocket; that is,
my salary for one year and $500 paid for engraving, etc. I have made overtures
for some settlement of my claim, but have not succeeded. I have the ma-
terials that is, manuscript, some lithographed plates, etc. and have within the
last few years had other plates lithographed. I have now about 22 plates avail-
able for this work, and 20 more would make a fair completion of the volume.
None of these have been paid for by Wisconsin, and of course will have to be
considered in any arrangement to be made.
The manuscript is, of course, my own, the State having paid for nothing. I
likewise hold some boxes of specimens which I collected while engaged in the
work, and these would go to the State on completion and payment of the work.
You can judge for yourself of the temper and disposition of the legislature,
.ind whether you could secure the appropriation necessary to pay for the work.
I presume that Professor Carr, of the university, can give you some informa-
tion, and perhaps the president of the university may be interested to have it
completed.
If you conclude to do anything and will let me know how I can help the mat-
ter I will do so cheerfully.
I am, very truly yours,
(Signed) JAMES HAUL.
Nothing satisfactory seems to have been the outcome of all at-
tempts until 1873. Fragmentary correspondence which has passed
under the writer's eye indicates that Whittlesey had kept up a spas-
modic and not very amicable correspondence on survey matters and
that the latter had aspirations, not realized, of himself sometime be-
coming State geologist.
THIRD SURVEY UNDER LAPHAM-WIGHT-CHAMBERLIN, 1873-1879.
The third attempt at a geological survey of Wisconsin was made
under the following authorization, approved March 19, 1873 :
An act to provide for a complete geological survey of Wisconsin.
The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The governor is hereby required to appoint, by and with the advice
and consent of the senate, a chief geologist, who shall be a person of known
integrity, thorough practical and scientific knowledge of the sciences of geology
and mineralogy, and, upon recommendation of said chief geologist, the governor
13607520 35
528 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
ghall appoint one or more assistants, not exceeding in number four, one of whom
shall be a skillful analytical chemist and assayer ; and the chief geologist and
his assistants to constitute a geological corps, whose duty it shall be to make
a thorough and complete geological, mineralogical and agricultural survey of
the State, and topographical surveys of such portions as may be deemed by
the corps to need them for the thorougli completion of the work: Provided,
That if the appointment of the chief geologist be made during the recess of
the senate, such appointment may be confirmed at the next session thereof.
SKC. 2. The survey shall have for its objects:
1st An examination of the geological structure of the State, including the
dip, number, magnitude, order and relative position of the various strata;
their richiness in minerals, metallic ores, clays, mineral waters, fertilizers,
building stones, and other useful materials; the value of such materials for
economic purposes, and their accessibility for mining and manufacture.
2d. Accurate chemical analyses and assays of the various ores, clays, peats,
marls, building stones, etc., discovered by the State.
3d. A careful topographical survey of the lead region, for the purpose of
ascertaining as far as possible the amount of denudation and the exact position
of the mining ground at each locality; also careful barometrical observations
on the relative elevation and depression of various parts of the State.
4th. An examination of soils and subsoils, and observations upon the animal
and vegetable productions of the State with reference to its agricultural in-
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of said geological corps, in the progress of the
examinations hereby directed, to collect such specimens of rocks, ores, fossils,
minerals, etc., as may be necessary to exemplify the geology of the State. Sets
of these specimens shall be deposited with the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences,
Arts, and Letters, and the State university, and with each one of the incor-
porated colleges of the State, and with each of the normal schools, provided ap-
plication be made to the chief geologist before the commencement of field work.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the chief geologist and his assistants, on or
before the first Monday in January hi each year during the continuation of the
survey, to make to the governor a report of the progress and results of the
survey, accompanied by such maps, profiles, and drawings as may be necessary
to exemplify the same, which reports the governor shall lay before the legis-
lature.
SEC. 5. As soon as the progress of the survey will permit the chief geologist
shall begin, and on completion of the survey shall complete, a final report, in-
cluding the results of the entire survey, accompanied by such drawings and
topographical maps as may be necessary to illustrate the same, and by a single
geographical map showing by colors and other appropriate means the stratifi-
cation of rocks, the localities of the beds of mineral deposits, and the character
and extent of the different formations.
SEC. 6. To carry into effect the provisions of this act the sum of $13,000 for
each year, until the completion of the said survey, is hereby appropriated, to be
drawn from the treasury on warrants from the governor as needed, which
shall be in full for all expenditures except printing of reports. The salary of
the chief geologist and the salaries of the assistant geologists shall be fixed by
the governor, and shall be for services actually performed and time actually
spent in the work. The balance of the sum hereinbefore appropriated shall be
sed in such manner as shall best promote the purposes of this act.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 529
SEC. 1. The survey shall commence the 1st of June next, or as soon there-
after as practicable, beginning with the counties of Ashland and Douglas, and
the entire survey shall be completed within four years from and after its com-
mencement.
Approved March 19, 1873.
It will be noted that the survey authorized by this act was inde-
pendent of any other institution and was to be sustained by annual
appropriations. This law, with the additions and amendments given
below, continued in force until 1879, though, owing to the unfortunate
clause relative to the necessity of a confirmation of the governor's
appointment by the senate, the early results were not what one had
a right to anticipate.
Administration. Under the law of March 19, 1873, Increase A.
Lapham was appointed chief geologist, receiving his commission on
April 10 following. On the 29th of the same month Roland D.
Irving, Thomas C. Chamberlin, and Moses Strong were, upon the
advice of the chief geologist, appointed as assistants. Also W. W.
Daniells was engaged as chemist.
To Professor Irving was assigned the duty of beginning a survey
of the iron and copper ranges of Ashland and Douglas counties, with
instructions to give particular attention to the question of the age
of the red sandstone and the accompanying shales, to that of the
Archean rocks, and to the disturbances of the strata in the vicinity
of the ore-bearing rocks. He was assisted by F. B. Jenney, E. T.
Sweet, and James Munro.
To Professor Chamberlin was assigned that portion of the State
lying immediately west of the line of outcrop of the Niagara or
Clinton rocks, from the south line of the State through the counties
of Walworth, Jefferson, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Outa-
gamie, to the southern limits of the crystalline Archean rocks in
Shawano County. He was assisted by L. C. Wooster, F. H. King,
N. D. Wright, Samuel Shaw, and G. L. Merriman.
To Mr. Strong was assigned the survey of the lead region, the
work to include a careful topographic survey, for the purpose of
showing the denudation of the superior strata, that so evidently had
occurred, and the exact position of the mining ground at each lo-
cality, with particular reference to the rock formation in which the
ore was found. He was assisted by A. D. Conover and J. W. T.
Crawford.
Unfortunately, as it proved, for the progress of the work, political
influences intervened, and in February, 1875, Lapham was succeeded
as chief geologist by O. W. Wight. The corps of assistants, however,
530 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
remained the same, with the exception of the appointment of Gus-
tavus Bode as chemist in place of Daniells, resigned.
The work of the year would seem to have consisted, so far as the
chief geologist was concerned, in a reconnoissance begun about the
middle of August of the northern portion of the State "for the
general purpose of ascertaining the nature and amount of work to
be done to complete the survey in 1876." In this work he was as-
sisted by E. T. Sweet.
Wight held the position for but one year, and in his turn was
succeeded, in February, 1876, by T. C. Chamberlin, by whom the
survey was finally carried to completion. Under the latter's admin-
istration the working force of the survey was organized as follows :
Corps: T. C. Chamberlin, chief geologist; R. D. Irving and M.
Strong, assistant geologists; W. J. L. Nicodemus, topographical as-
sistant.
Local and special assistants: W. W. Daniells, chemist: Gustavus
Bode, chemist; T. B. Brooks, geologist; Charles E. Wright, iron
expert; R. P. Whitfield, paleontologist; P. R. Hoy. ichthyologist and
entomologist; F. H. King, ornithologist: L. C. Wooster. local
assistant; A. C. Clark, local assistant.
Field and other assistants: D. Caneday, A. D. Conover, F. H.
Brotherton, I. M. Buell. C. S. Douglas. E. M. Hill, C. S. Bacon.
Under Chamberlin's administration work was continued in th
northern and northwestern portion of the State during the first
six weeks of the season of 1876 ; a tract of some 25 townships, situated
in Buffalo, Pepin, and Pierce counties, was explored, and careful
examinations made for evidence of geological changes within the
Quaternary period. Later the copper series were investigated by a
party under Moses Strong and the announcement made that the so-
called cupriferous series extended in a nearly uninterrupted chain
across the northwest portion of the State.
Irving continued his work in Ashland County and Wright in the
Penokee District. A. C. Clark was also engaged in making observa-
tions along the line of the " military wagon road survey."
The invertebrate fossils collected during this period were placed
in the hands of R. P. Whitfield, who recognized among them upward
of 150 species entirely new to science. The reptiles were studied by
P. R. Hoy : the birds, with especial reference to food habits, by Mr.
King.
Field work for the season of 1877 was begun by E. T. Sweet in
Bayfield and Douglas counties. Moses Strong, who during the
previous season examined a belt extending from the St. Croix Falls,
northwestward to the vicinity of Lake Superior, began work in the
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL H1STOKY SURVEYS. 531
area lying between this and the one studied by Mr. Sweet. This work
was, unfortunately, cut short by his death by drowning, which took
place on August 17 in one of the rapids of the Flambeau River. To
overcome the delay incident to this accident, two new parties were
organized, one under the direction of F. H. King, to which was
entrusted the examination of the valley of the Flambeau River, and
the other, under F. H. Brotherton, was charged with the explora-
tion of the territory on the west side of the Chippewa River. Irving
continued his work in the Lake Superior region. Wright was, dur-
ing this season, prevented by his duties as commissioner of mining
statistics from taking the field. The area previously assigned him
was, therefore, examined by Chamberlin, the chief geologist, as-
sisted by A. D. Conover. L. D. Wooster continued his work in St.
Croix, Dunn, and adjacent counties, and A. C. Clark in the north
central portion of the State. T. B. Brooks and C. E. Wright worked
in the Oconto, Pine River, and Menomonee iron districts, while the
chemical work, as before, was in the hands of Gustavus Bode. The
invertebrate paleontology remained mainly in the hands of R. P.
Whitfield, while J. S. Newberry studied the fossil plants. Doctor
Hoy and Mr. King continued as in the previous year, while W. F.
Bundy made a study of the crustaceans.
This survey was notable in that the microscopic investigations of
rocks by means of thin sections was an important feature. This
work was performed by A. A. Julien, R. D. Irving, R. Pumpelly,
C. E. Wright, and Arthur Wichman, the last of Leipzig. 1
The act establishing the survey provided for its continuance for
but four years, or until the 1st of June, 1877. Through an act passed
March 20, 1878 the time was extended until March 31, 1879, but the
appropriation was reduced to $5,000. The following is the text of
this act:
An act relating to the geological survey of the State of Wisconsin, and amendatory of
chapter 292 of the laws of Wisconsin for 1873, entitled "An act to provide for a com-
plete geological survey of Wisconsin, and to repeal chapter 137 of the General Laws
of 1870," entitled "An act to provide for the survey of the lead district, making maps,
and collecting statistics from the same," and chapter 136 of the General Laws of
1872, amendatory thereof, and chapter 36 of the laws of Wisconsin for 1877, amenda-
tory thereof.
The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in setiate and assembly,
4o enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 6 of chapter 292 of the Laws of Wisconsin for 1873, is
hereby amended by striking out the words " thirteen thousand dollars for each
1 It will be remembered that Hawes's work on the micropetrology of the rocks of New
Hampshire was also published in 1878. The first important work of this nature In
America was Zirkel's report on the rocks of the fortieth parallel, which appeared In
1876. Caswell's report on the rocks of the Black Hills was published in 1880.
532 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
year until the completion of said survey," where the occur in the second and
third lines of the section, and inserting the words " five thousand dollars," so
that the sentence shall read as follows: To carry into effect the provisions of
this act, the sum of five thousand dollars is hereby appropriated, to be drawn
from the treasury on warrants of the governor, which shall be in full for all
expenditures except printing of reports.
SEC. 2. Section 7 is so amended as to read as follows. The survey shall be
completed by March 31, 1879, and all salaries shall cease on that date; but
this act shall not debar the members of the geological corps from performing
voluntarily the functions of their office, and of supervising the publication of
said reports: Provided, Said reports are presented at the earliest practicable
date: And provided, This clause shall not be construed as authorizing any
claim to compensation for such voluntary service.
SEC. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the 31st
day of next May.
Approved March 20, 1878.
During the remaining months of the survey's existence the energies
of nearly all were concentrated on practical problems, those se-
lected as most essential being the study of the Oconto iron district,
the completion of the survey of the Penokee iron range, and a con-
tinuation of the so-called crevice survey of the lead region. Irving
brought to completion his final report on the eastern portion of Lake
Superior. Chamberlin, in company with A. D. Conover, made a
reconnoissance of Polk and Burnett counties, with particular refer-
ence to the drift deposits. Brooks continued and brought to com-
pletion his work in the Menomonee iron region.
Expenses. The act establishing the survey limited the expenses
to $13,000 a year for four years. The act of November 20, 1878,
extended the time for two years with appropriation of $5,000 a year.
This would bring the total cost of the survey, exclusive of publica-
tions, up to $62,000. The cost of the latter, by the act of March 6,
1876, was limited to a sum not exceeding $25,000.
Collections and museum. In accordance with section 3 of the or-
ganic law of the survey, large collections of fossils, ores, rocks, and
minerals were made, one set of which was deposited with the Wis-
consin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, one with the State
University, and one each to such of the incorporated colleges and
normal schools as should make application for them before the be-
ginning of the field work. Some 20,000 specimens are reported to
have been thus destributed during 1879, the closing year of the
survey. These were largely in the nature of fossils, the ores and
lithological materials being reserved for future study.
The following acts relate to the publication and distribution of
the reports :
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 533
An act relating to the preparation, publication, and distribution of the final report at
the geological survey.
The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly,
4o enact as folloics:
SECTION 1. That in the preparation of the final report, the chief geologist be,
and he is hereby, authorized to collate the general geology and the leading facts
and principles relating to the material resources of the State, together with
practical suggestions as to the methods of detecting and utilizing the same, so
as to constitute the material for a volume suited to the wants of explorers,
miners, landowners, and manufacturers, who use crude native products, and
to the needs of the schools of the State and the masses of intelligent people
who are not familiar with the principles of geology ; said volume to be written
In clear, plain language, with explanations of technical terms, and to be prop-
erly illustrated with maps and diagrams, and to be so arranged as to constitute
a key to the most perfect understanding of the whole report.
SEC. 2. The annual reports for the years 1873, 1874, and 1875 are hereby
placed in the hands of the chief geologist to be used in the preparation of hli
final report.
SEC. 3. The commissioners of public printing are hereby authorized and
directed to procure the printing, under the supervision of the chief geologist,
of 7,000 copies of the volume provided for by section 1 of this act, and of 2,500
copies of the complete report.
SEC. 4. The said commissioners are also hereby empowered to procure, OB
the best terms they can make, such plates, cuts, engraved stones, and other
means of representation as may be necessary to properly illustrate the report;
and they are directed to contract for the delivery, after the printing of the
report, of such plates, cuts, engraved stones, and other means of illustration,
to the State.
SEC. 5. The said commissioners are hereby further authorized to determine,
with the advice of the chief geologist, the form in which the report shall be
printed, and to make exception of the printing of said report in advertising
for bids for the public printing, and in making contracts for the same, as
provided for in chapter 243 of the General Laws of 1874, if in their judgment
the nature of the publication makes it desirable to do so, and are empowered
to make special contract for the printing of said report : Provided, They shall
in no case pay a rate exceeding that paid the State printer: And provided
further, That they shall not violate any existing contract
SEC. 6. Each school district within the State shall be entitled to one copy of
the volume provided for by section 1 of this act ; each high school and incor-
porated academy to 6; each normal school and incorporated college, to 15;
and the Slate University to 25 copies, respectively, of said volume. Each mem-
ber of the legislature of 3876 and 1877, every officer of State, each judge of
the supreme court, shall be entitled to two copies of the complete report Each
officer of the present senate and assembly, each incorporated college or acad-
emy, each normal school, each high school, each State charitable or penal insti-
tution, each person who has rendered assistance in the prosecution of the sur-
rey, each scientific society in the State, and each town or city library, estab-
lished under the provisions of chapter 80 of the General Laws of 1872 shall be
entitled to one complete copy. The State University, the Wisconsin Academy of
Science, Arts, and Letters, the Historical Society, and the State library, shall
each be entitled to 10 complete copies. The remaining copies shall be placed i
the hands of the govei'nor and chief geologist for distribution to public libraries,
534 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
scientific men, learned societies, and colleges beyond the limits of the State,
preference being given to those situated in the centers of capital in the United
States and in Europe, and in such other ways as may best serve the objects of
the survey. 1
SEC. 7. There is hereby appropriated out of any money in the general fund In
the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, a sum sufficient to carry out
the purposes of this act, not exceeding $25,000; and it is further provided
that not to exceed $12,000 shall be drawn during the current year.
SEC. 8. All acts and parts of acts in contravention of the provisions of this
act are hereby repealed so far as they affect the provisions of this act.
SEC. 9. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage
and publication.
Approved March 6, 1876.
An act relating to the publication and Bale of the reports of the geological survey, and
amendatory of chapter 121 of the laws of Wisconsin of 1876.
The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly,
do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 121 of the laws of Wisconsin of 1876 is hereby amended
by adding the following sections :
SEC. 10. The commissioners of public printing are hereby authorized to
procure the printing of 1,500 additional copies of the final report of the
geological survey, including accompanying maps : Provided, The said commis-
sioners of public printing shall in no case pay a greater price for presswork,
folding, collating, stitching, and binding than is paid the State printer at the
time of the passage of this act for similar work under the State printing con-
tract : And provided further, That no greater price shall be paid for any other
portion of the said work than was paid for similar work upon the publication
of rolume 2: And provided further, That there shall be no extra charge for
composition, stereotyping, cuts, plates, engravings, or other material entering
into the work of said additional volume ordered to be published by the pro-
visions of this act. These copies shall be deposited with the superintendent of
public property, who is hereby authorized to sell them to any citizen of this
State at the cost price, including the expense of handling, the cost to be com-
puted by the secretary of state, and to any person not a citizen of this State, at
a fair price above cost to be fixed by the secretary of state. And it shall be
the duty of the superintendent of public property to keep an accurate account of
such sales, and to pay the amount realized therefrom into the State treasury
at the end of each quarter, and the State treasurer shall report the aggregate
amount of the same in his annual report. The commissioners of public print-
ing are further authorized to use a limited portion of any net profits that may
accrue from the sale of the reports to persons not citizens of the State, in ad-
vertising the same in appropriate publications, if it shall seem to them in the
interest of the State to do so. The said additional copies shall be distributed
only as specified in this section, except by authority of the legislature.
1 This clause was subsequently amended to read as follows :
SECTION 1. Section 6 of chapter 121 of the laws of Wisconsin for 1876 is hereby amended
by Inserting after the figures " 1877," In the eighth line of the section, the words " and
1878," so that the sentence shall read as follows : Each member of the legislature of
1876 and 1877 and 1878, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, State
treasurer, attorney general, superintendent of schools, and each judge of the supreme
court, shall be entitled to two copies of the complete report.
BEC. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved February 27, 1878.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 535
8xo. 11. The commissioners of public printing are hereby further author-
ised to complete the publications of the final report, provided it shall not
exceed four volumes in all, with the accompanying maps, and provided the
ame is done at the same rates for an equally good quality of work and mate-
rial as in the case of the volume already published.
SEC. 12. The ofiice and functions of the chief geologist are hereby con-
tinued in existence, and he is authorized to perform all the duties devolving
apon the chief geologist, in carrying into execution the provisions of this act :
Provided, That this section shall not be construed as authorizing any fixed or
permanent salary.
SEC. 2. There is hereby appropriated out of any money in the general fund
of the State treasury, not otherwise appropriated, a sum sufficient to carry out
the purposes of this act.
SEC. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved March 12, 1878.
APPENDIX 1.
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ITEMS RELATING TO STATE
SURVEYS.
In the following table an attempt has been made to summarize as
accurately and succinctly as possible some of the more important
facts given in the foregoing pages. Obviously, the items relating to
expenditures have presented the greatest difficulty, and numerous
explanations have been necessitated in the form of footnotes. It is
worthy of note that while in some instances the appropriations have
been, for the date and period involved, fairly generous the total
amount is pitifully small when the purpose of the undertaking and
results are considered.
Tabular statement giving dates, names of chief geologists, and expenses of all
State surveys existing prior to 1900.
State.
Geologist.
Expense.
Alabama:
1S48-1856
i $15, 000. 08
1873-1900
E Smith
115,500.08
Arkansas:
1857-1860
P. D. Owen
16,400.08
1871-1873
W. F. Roberts . . .
15,000.08
1873-1874
Haddock Hazeldine Syberg . .
17, 386. 08
18P7-1895
California:
1850
J. C. Branner
J. B Trask
120, 000. 00
7, 000. 08
1860-1873
J D Whitney
258 600.08
1880-1900
471 171.23
Connecticut: 1835-1842
5,000.00
Delaware: 1837-183S.
J C Booth . ..
3,000.00
Ge r &0....
J. R. Cotting. .
10, 000. 08
1874-1879
George Little . ...
51, 000. 00
1889-1900
* 96 000. 08
Illinois: 1851-1900
l^rwood and Worthen
303,521.00
Indiana:
1837-1838
1859-1861
D. T). Owen
1,750.00
5 000 00
1869-1878 ...
V. . T. Cox
61), 000. 00
1879-1 8S4
J Collett . ...
25, 505. 00
1885-18<*7
10, 000. 08
1888-1S94
1895-1900
S. S. Gorby
W. S Blatchley. . .
42,000.00
38, 000. 00
Iowa:
1855-1857
f 15 000. 00
1866-1870. ..
C. A. White
44, 000. 08
1892-1900
S Calvin
50,000.08
Kansas:
1864
1865
B.F. Mudge
G.C. Swallow
3,500.00
7,500.00
1889-1900
State University
10,500.00
Kentucky:
1838
W. W.Mather
1,000.00
1854-1863
D. D Owen .
55,000.00
1873-1893
228, 9W. 08
Louisiana: 1869-70
E. Hilgard
3,000.00
Maine:
1836-1839
1861 1852
C. T. Jackson
C H Hitchcock
12,000.00
6, 000. 08
Maryland:
1833-1841
1896-1900....
J. T. Ducatel
W.B.Clark...
17,909.00
40,000.00
1 No appropriation until 1854. Does not include publications. Includes publications and all expenses.
Includes printing, engraving, binding, and office expenses.
A mount of appropriations.
Not including cost of publications.
Includes expenses of Survey, Historical Library, and State Museum of Natural History.
'Not including cost of publications.
Amount of appropriation. Includes $10,000 for publications.
Includes cost of publications ($18,000.).
i$5,000 in 1838; $3,000 in 1837; the amount given for 1838 is an estimate.
537
538 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Tabular statement giving dates, names of chief geologists, and expenses of aU
State surveys existing prior to 1900 Continued.
State.
Geologist. I Expense.
Massachusetts:
1830-1833
Edw. Hitchcock
12,030.0*
1 2, 500. 09
47,829.0*
26,080.91
167,528.48
2,000.0*
2, 000.0*
* 68, 551. 09
* 17, 445. 00
5 95, 200.0*
62,500.0*
5 72, 000. Of
5 147,025.4*
"57,942.68
^9,051.1*
"67, 618.
5,000.00
136,902.69
'244,292.24
>870,964.Sl
1,250.04
" 58, 611.8*
1*80,820.01
1*16, 700.0*
i333,892.9T
4,000.0t
"82, 000. Ot
16 643,000.0*
2,000.0*
11,632.78
i 12, 104 5*
4,500.09
10, 500. 0*
1-5, ooo. o
15,073.09
19, 728.0*
11 178,000.0*
6,000.00
4, 000.0*
16,000.09
' 40,000.00
17,500.0*
136,000.0*
162 ; 000.0*
1837-1841
Michigan:
A. Winchell
1871-1900
Rominger, Brooks, Pumpelly, Wright, Wadsworth,
Hubbard, and Lane.
A Hanchett
Minnesota:
1865
H. H. Eamesand >'. D. C. Taylor
1872-1888
Mississippi: 1850-1860
Missouri.
Millington, Wailes, Harper, and Hilgard
G C Swallow
1870-1871
1872-1874
A. D. Hager and yorwood
R. Pumpelly and G. 0. Broadhead
>.*ew Hampshire:
C H Hitchcock
Xew Jersey:
1833-1837
H. D Rogers .
1854-1856
W Kltehell
New York:
1836-1887
Hall Emmons Vanuxem Mather, and Hall
North Carolina:
1824-1^28
Olinsted and Mitchell
1852-1864 . . -
1864-1882
W C Kerr
Ohio:
1836-1841
W W.Mather
1869-1885
1889-1893
Pennsylvania:
1835-1842
H D. Rogers
1874-1888
J P Lesiev
Rhode Island: 1839-40
C. T. Jackson
South Carolina:
1842-1846
1856-1S58
O M Lieber
Tennessee:
1S31-1848
1848-1860
J Safford
1871 1900
do
Texas:
1858-1859
1873-1875
1888-1894
B . F. Shumard and F. : r . Moo.-e
J. W.Glenn and S. B. Buckley
E.T.Dumble
Vermont:
1845-1847
1858-1860
O.B.Adams
1896-1900
George H. Perkins . ..
Virginia: 1838-1841
Wiseonsin:
1853-1856
W. B . Rogers
Edw. Daniels and J. O. Percival
J.Halland J. I). Whitney
1857-1862
1873-1879
f5, 558, 008.TO
1 Not including cost of publications.
* Is less than amount appropriated by upwards of $60,000.
Expense of survey proper and general museum as given by Winchell, Bulletin No. 1, Geol. n4
Nat. ffist. Surv., Minnesota, 1889.
4 Includes cost of pub.ications.
* Includes cost of jmb.ications ($40.820).
* Estimates basedou ap
Exclusive of publications.
Includes $33,959.17 for publication of final report.
Not including cost of pub.ications ($216,569.73).
w Appropriations for salaries, printing (in part), coUeoting, drawings, etc., up to 1888.
Including engraving and printing.
18 Including engraving and printing in part.
u As given by Newberry, see footnote, p. 424.
M Including engraving and printing ($16.000).
* Not including engraving and printing. ;
" Including $3,194.50 for publications.
" Estimated; $300 a year for a part of the time.
APPENDIX 2.
THE NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL SURVEY.'
The Northern Transcontinental Survey was originated by Henry
Villard when he accepted the control of the great system of rail-
roads on which Oregon. Washington Territory, Montana, Dakota,
and, to a great extent, Minnesota were dependent for their growth.
Trunk lines on still undetermined routes were to be built, the sys-
tem extended, and tributary lines to be constructed. This large
part of the United States, from which the system was to derive its
life, was to a very great extent an unknown land as regards its ca-
pacity for production.
The object of the Northern Transcontinental Survey was to ascer-
tain broadly the mineral, agricultural, and forest resources of this
vast region. The personnel of the survey was selected for this pur-
pose and the following divisions were established :
Mineral resources : George H. Eldridge, Bailey Willis, Bayard T.
Putnam, geologists in charge.
Climate, rivers, and irrigation: E. S. Holden, in charge.
Agricultural : E. W. Hilgard, in charge.
Forests : C. S. Sargent, in charge.
Forage plants : W. M. Canby, in charge.
Laboratory : F. A. Gooch, in charge.
Topography : A. D. Wilson, in charge.
The division of mineral resources traced out the rock formations
and studied the mineral resources, especially in coal and iron ores,
and also paid attention to subterranean water supply and the question
of artesian wells. It had charge of the work of finding and testing
coal for the use 01 the roads, and was equipped with a diamond drill
for testing in depth.
The division of climate, rivers, and irrigation was established to
study climate; that is, of the great valleys and of the climatic zones
of elevation. It established stations at points representing the local
climates, at which there were observed temperature and rainfall and
certain other important facts. This division also had charge of the
work of gauging the streams and determining the relation between
the prospective demand and supply of water for irrigation in the
different valleys.
1 From manuscript by Raphael Pumpelly, Director.
640 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The agricultural division determined the areas of the various soils
and represented them on the map, according to a classification based
on observation in the field of the conditions of the soils, the native
vegetation, and on chemical and mechanical analyses.
The division of forests determined the distribution of the vari-
ous trees, and had different forests examined by men well known for
their experience in regard to timber and the manufacture of lum-
ber. The object was to obtain such a general knowledge of the eco-
nomic character of the forests as would be needed in order to settle
many questions of general policy. Where it should be necessary,
closer estimate of the amount of timber on each quarter section would
be made independently. This division also paid attention to general
questions of the planting and acclimation, and to questions relating
to the forest policy of the roads.
The division of forage plants related especially to the plants which
form the basis of the whole grazing industry, and of other questions
relating to that business. This division was also charged with the
duty of ascertaining from the experience of other countries the use-
ful plants, either entirely new to us or of hardier varieties, which
are adapted to cultivation in our different climatic areas.
In the laboratory were analyzed the large amount of samples col-
lected in the field; and there also were carried on such experiments
as were necessary to determine the commercial value of such useful
materials as were discovered by the survey.
The division of topography had charge of the mapping of the more
important portions of the region covered by the survey. It also had
the duty of determining and representing the areas of land adapted
to irrigation, and from an inspection of the maps it is practicable
lo determine in a broad way the possibility of large irrigation en-
terprises.
The object of the survey was essentially, by gathering systematic-
ally all the facts concerning the resources of the region, to obtain the
data necessary to guide the companies in regard to building feeders,
in regard to matters of policy in encouraging the starting of differ-
ent industries, and in directing immigration to the proper points.
It was also intended to furnish to the world such comprehensive in-
formation concerning the great Northwest and its resources as should
forward a sound development of the country, and thus increase the
prosperity of the companies under whose auspices the enterprise
was conducted. To insure the gathering of these facts in such a man-
ner as to make them of service the divisions were put under the direc-
tion of men whose names vouched for their value.
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. 541
To execute the survey in the manner planned required the organ-
ized effort of a force working at a considerable expense. The result
of this effort was the collection of an enormous number of facts,
which would be almost useless unless properly digested and cor-
related, and represented in a graphic manner. The information ob-
tained concerning this great area can be expressed only in very gen-
eral terms without at least approximately accurate maps on which
the facts observed would be clear to everybody. As such maps did
not exist the survey was obliged to make them which was done to the
extent of several thousand square miles.
The region with which the survey had to do presented itself to
the economist in two aspects. First, as a producer of raw materials.
It has immense forests on the western coast and in the interior moun-
tain valleys, forests on which the whole United States may before
long become dependent. The railroads of this corporation are des-
tined to become the most important lumber-carrying roads in the
world. It was evidently, therefore, important that the commer-
cial character of these forests should be determined, and the data
gathered for the framing of a forest policy. The mineral wealth
of this region was known to be both varied and extensive, and there
is little doubt that a properly conducted study of mineral resources
would lead to the encouragement of many industries which might lie
dormant in the absence of the information that was furnished by
the survey. Nearly all of the region excepting the forest and the
rugged mountains is adapted to grazing ; vast areas to grazing only,
others in part to grazing and in part to agriculture. It was im-
portant to have the data for determining upon what areas the small
amount of possible agriculture should be discouraged in order to pro-
tect the naturally predominant grazing interest, and for what areas
the opposite policy should be adopted.
The second aspect in which the region presents itself is as to its
capacity under cultivation. While there are large areas of land
which are always sufficiently watered at the right season by rain and
dew, there are larger areas in which droughts occur more or less
frequently and in which the possibility of irrigation would insure
its agricultural value; and there is a far larger area in which the
soils are of the higher and highest grades, on which the cereals can
not, under existing climatic conditions, be cultivated without irri-
gation. Now this region is traversed by many rivers with many
tributaries, some of them fed by spring and autumn rains, and others
by the summer melting of the snow on the mountains. There is no
physical question that is more intimately connected with the future
*r\<\ immediate prosperity of this great region than that of irriga-
542 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The determining of the maximum and minimum amounts of
water in the streams; the periods of flood; the areas where the cli-
mate renders irrigation necessary and where unnecessary; the areai
,n each valley of bottom and bench land adapted to irrigation, and
the relation existing in each valley between the area needing irriga^
tion; and the water supply and the times of different s ages
water-these are the chief factors in the problem. And it seemed
that there was no direction in which the survey could be of greater
service, both to the roads and the country, than in that of determining
the fundamental facts relating to the possibility of irrigation and ar-
tesian wells in this region.
The intention was to make the record of the results of the sur-
vey essentially cartographic; to show upon the maps in a general
form all the physical facts that have an important bearing o
prosperity of that region.
Having this object in view from the beginning, the topographical
survey represented the form of the surface by contour lines of 20C
feet vertical distance. The maps show the form of the surf ace, the
grades of the streams, the extent of the bottom and bench lands,
and the extent of the uplands.
It was intended that one of these maps should show the mini-
mum known volume of water, at high and low water, in the princi-
pal streams, and the seasons at which these stages occur; and tn
classified distribution of the soils and subsoils. This set was to ex-
hibit the data needed to determine the practicability of irrigation
and under drainage. On another set were to be shown the present
climatic conditions according to natural or local subclimate n
These were to show the rainfall and temperature by months, and the
phenomena which condition the success or failure of different crops
were to be mapped by areas and crop seasons. These maps were not
necessarily to be based, as regards these conditioning phenomena,
wholly on our short range of observations, for the reason that these
are facts of general information, and traders, military officers, ranch^
men, and Indians all observe and remember for years the times of
injurious frosts, of droughts, and the years of failure of the i
^AnotheV'set of maps showed the distribution and relative abund-
ance of the various and numerous forage plants, and the climatic
facts conditioning success in stock grazing.
A fourth set to show the mineral resources. On these were t
represented the geological formations of the region tl
pings of coal and the areas underlaid by it; and as the survey was
to test by drill and otherwise the character and thickness of the coal
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS.
543
in the different fields, these facts would appear on the maps in a
generalized form.
It was intended to carry the work on* in such a manner that the
results of each, season would be finally represented on the maps dur-
ing the ensuing winter.
The only connection of the survey with other institutions was
through an accidental community of officers: Two of the officers,
Professors Sargent and Hilgard, occupied chairs, respectively, in
Harvard University and the University of California, while a third,
Professor Holden, was the director of Washburn Observatory.
The survey was sustained by annual general appropriations and
special allowances.
The accompanying table gives a list of the members of the survey
corps and their salaries :
Members.
1881
1882 1883
1884
Raphael Pumpelly, direstor . .
$10,000
1,200
1,100
720
500
900
1,800
600
1,800
810,000
1/200
1,500
720
500
900
1,800
$10,000
1-200
3,000
720
600
900
2,500
$10,000
1,200
3,000
Chas E Smith bookkeeper
F. A. Gooch, chemist
Hermann Olm, sestion cutter
900
3,000
Bayard T. Pufnim, apologist
Chas F. Kin", chemical assistant
Biiley Willis <*eilo 'W
1,800
900
900
480
1,800
3,000
480
600
600
5,000
2,400
4,000
600
4,000
1,000
2.500
1,000
1,500
1,500
500
2,500
3,000
Edward Whitfield, chemical assistant
1,200
1,200
2,500
3,500
550
600
900
5,000
2,400
4,000
750
4,000
1,000
2,500
1,000
1,800
2,000
1,200
1,200
3,000
3,500
550
600
900
5,000
2,400
4,000
750
4,000
1,000
2,500
Samuel Willnton private secretary
Geo H Eldrid<*e "colonist
1,800
A. D. Wilson, topographer
Oscar E. Smith, clerk
Thos R Hill top-) Taphioal assistant
Frank T .vee ly , topa-raphical assistant
C. S. Sargent, salary of self and assistant and expenses, forestry
E. S. Holden, salary of self and assistant and expenses, climate
W P Dawley laboratory assistant
W. M. Canby, salary of self and assistant and expenses. ..
Richard Bliss, jr., librarian
E W Hil"ard agricultural department
T. J. Brandeier, field assistant
R. C. Templeman, field assistant
1,800
2,000
A O. D Taylor chief disbursing agent
F. D. Owen, topographer
1,600
450
1,500
1,200
1,600
600
1,800
A. O. D. Taylor jr clerk |
Edwd. C. Hall, grazing expert.
3. Eliot Wolff, geologist. . .
1,200
300
1,200
300
1,800
1,200
J. R Williston field a33is f ant
W. S. Fritz, in charge of diamond drill
Geo. W. Driver, foreman in coal explorations
1,500
1,500
1,800
300
2,400
600
750
1,500
Jojiah Pierce, jr., topographical assistant
300
W. M. Davis^eolofc.
H. B. Ayres, field assistant . .
750
1,500
F. J. Knight, topographical assistant
Appointments were made by the director. Efficiency and success
were the governing principles in regard to promotion. The director
made annual reconnoissances with reference to laying out the work
of the following. Each large area to be taken in hand was occupied
13607520 36
544 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
by a topographical party working from an independent base line.
Each topographical party was accompanied by one or more field
assistants, whose duty it was: First, to gauge the streams and take
notes with reference to irrigable areas and measure cross sections
of such areas; second, to collect samples of the soils and grasses and
specimens of the trees.
The following year a geological party equipped with rapid-process
copies of the topographical map, made a special exploration of the
area for coal-bearing districts. The coal beds were explored bj
pits, trenches, or tunnels under cover ; differential samples were taken
and these were sent to the home office and analyzed. In order to
locate on the existing or prospective map the position of field ob-
servations the observers were provided with a light, specially con-
structed dioptic compass which revolved on a graduated circle and
could be read more closely than by the needle. Bearings taken to
several prominent points served to approximately fix the position of
the observation to be recorded.
No museum was established.
The total expenditure for the survey during the three years (two
years of field work) of its existence was $398.940. Of this amount
more than a third was spent in the special exploration of the coal
fields, in digging and boring. The publications were map bulletins.
Topographical department: Bulletin No. 1, A. D. Wilson, In charge. Map
of the Yakima Region, Washington Territory; 2 sheets; A. D. Wilson and
R. U. Goode. Map of the Colville region, Washington Territory; 1 sheet;
Louis Nell. Map of the Judith Basin, Montana Territory; 2 sheets; A. D. Wil-
son. Map of the Crazy Mountains, Montana Territory ; 1 sheet ; A. D. Wilson.
Agricultural department: Bulletin No. 1, E. W. Hiigard, in charge. Prelimi-
nary agricultural map of the Yakima region; 2 sheets. Preliminary agricul-
tural map of the Colville region ; 1 sheet.
Forestry department: Bulletin No. 1, C. S. Sargent, in charge. Forest map
of the Yakima region. The Cretaceous bituminous coals of Montana and Wash-
ington Territories. Topographical map of central Montana; 5 sheets. Geo-
logical map of central Montana ; 5 sheets.
The editions were limited to 600 copies and were distributed
chiefly to libraries and societies.
The greater part of the results remains unpublished.
INDEX.
C. B., Appointed state geologist of Ver-
ment, 499; Death of, 500.
Alabama, First Survey of, under Michael Tuomey,
I; Acts establishing, 1, 2; Expenses of, 3; Person-
nel of, 2.
Alabama, Second survey, under E. A. Smith,
Act of establishment, 3,4; Benefits of,7: Expenses
of, 6; Personnel of, 5; Publications of, 5.
Alabama, Third survey, 7; Act establishing, 7; Ex-
penses of, 12; Geological museum of, 12; Methods
and results of, 9; Personnel of, 9, 10; Present con-
dition of survey, 12.
Archeological work in Michigan, 226.
Arkansas, First survey under D. D. Owen, 13;
Act discontinuing, 16; Act establishing, 13-15;
Personnel of, 15; Results of, 16; Salaries of, 15.
Arkansas, Second survey under W. F. Roberts, 17;
Act establishing, 17; Personnel and results, 17,
18.
Arkansas, Third survey under George Haddock and
others, 18; Act of establishment of, 18; Personnel
of, 19.
Arkansas, Fourth survey under J. C. Branner, 19;
Acts establishing, 19-22; Acts relative to distribu-
tion of reports, 23-25; Expense of publications,
36; Personnel of, 21; Results of, 25.
Booth, J. C., Appointed State geologist of Dela-
ware, 3.
Branner, J. C., Appointed State geologist of Arkan-
sas, 21.
Broadhead, G. C., Appointed geologist of Missouri,
285.
Brooks, T. B., Appointed geologist of Michigan, 223.
Brown, Ryland T., Appointed State geologist of
Indiana, 74.
Buckley, E. R., Appointed geologist of Missouri,
289.
Buckley, 8. B., Appointed assistant geologist of
Texas, 474; appointed geologist of Texas, 479.
California, First survey under J. B. Trask, 27; Acts
establishing, 27; Expense of, 29; Publications of
28.
California, Second survey under J. D. Whitney, 29;
Acts establishing, 30-34; Discontinuance of sur-
Tey, 38; Disposition of collections, 35; Expenses
of, 38: Expense of publications, 37; Personnel of,
81, 3; Results of, 38.
California, State mining bureau, Acts establishing,
41 18; Establishment of, 40; Exp?nses of, 44;
Museum and library of, 44; Personnel of, 43, 44;
Publications of, 44.
Calvin, Samuel, appointed State geologist of Iowa,
98.
Cape Kay, geology of, 313.
Carr, Ezra S., appointed geologist of Wisconsin, 515.
Chamberlin, T. C., appointed geologist of Wiscon-
in. 629.
Clark, W. B., appointed State geologist of Mary-
land, 145.
Collett, John, appointed statistician of Indiana, 82.
Colorado, act of 1872 relative to survey, 45; State
geologist of, 45.
Connecticut, Survey of 1R35 under Percival and
Shepard, 45; Act establishing 46, 47; Act relative
to Perclval's report, 50; Act relative to Shepard's
report, 47; Expenses of survey, 51.
Conrad, Timothy, Appointed geologist of New
York, 329; Resignation of, 329.
Cook, George H., Appointed assistant geologist of
Now Jersey, 311; Appointed geologist of New
Jersey, 314; Death of, 320.
Cotting, John R., First geological survey of
Georgia, 55.
Cox, E. T., Appointed geologist of Indiana, 81.
Daniels, Edward, Appointed geologist of Wiscon-
sin, 513, 515; Reprint of reports ordered, 239.
Delaware, First survey of, 51; Act establishing, 51,
52; Administration of, 53; Benefits of, 53; Expensea
of, 53; Publications of, 53.
Dicks, John A., Report on New York survey, 327.
Ducatel, J. T., Appointed State geologist of Mary-
land, 140.
Durable, E. T., Appointed State geoligist of
Texas, 482.
Eames, E. H., Appointed State geologist of Minne-
sota, 241.
Emmons, Ebenezer, Appointed geologist of New
York, 329; Appointed geologist of North Caro-
lina, 370.
Felch, Governor, Message regarding survey of
Michigan, 198.
Florida, State surveys of, 53, 54.
Gallaher, M. A., Appointed State geologist of Mis-
souri, 289.
(feorgia, First survey under J. R. Cotting, 55; reso-
lutions regarding, 56, 58.
Georgia, Second survey, under George Little, 58;
Acts establishing, 58, 59; Amendment of act o f
establishment, CO; Expenses of, 61; Museum of, C2;
Organization, 60; Personnel of, 59; Publications
of, 61.
Georgia, Third survey under J. W. Spencer and
W. S. Yeates, 62; Acts of establishment, C2-64;
Administration of, 64; Expenses of, 64; Museum
of, 64; Personnel of, 64; Publications of, 64.
Glenn, John W., Appointed geologist of Texas, 478.
Haddock, Geo., Appointed geologist of Arkansas,
18.
Ilager, A. D., Appointed geologist of Missouri, 282.
Hall, James, Appointed curator of New York State
cabinet, 353, 355; Appointed geologist of New York
329; Appointed geologist of Wisconsin, 515; Ap-
pointed State geologist of Iowa, 86; Resigned as
director of New^York State Museum, 361.
545
546
INDEX.
Hanchett, A. H., Appointed State geologist of
Minnesota, 240.
Hanks, Henry O., Appointed State mineralogist of
California, 42.
Harper, Lewis, Appointed geologist of Mississippi,
280.
Harper's report, Act relative to publication of
271.
Hawes, Geo. W., Appointed geologist of New
Hampshire, 303.
Hflgard, E. W., Appointed geologist of Mississiipp
260; Geological reconnoissance of Louisiana, 13T
Work in Mississippi, 260-9; Work relative t
Petite Anse salt deposits, 126.
Hitchcock, C. H., Appointed geologist of New
Hampshire, 303; Appointed State geologist o
Maine, 135.
Hitchcock, Edward, Appointed State geologist o
Massachusetts, 152; Appointed State geologist o
Vermont, 503.
Holmes, Ezekiel, Appointed State naturalist, 135.
Hopkins, F. V., Work in Louisana, 130.
Houghton, Douglass, Appointed State geologist o
Michigan, 159.
Houghton's report on salt springs of Michigan, 163
Hubbard, Bela, Work on Michigan survey, 168.
Hubbard, L. L., State geologist of Michigan, 237
Illinois, First survey under J. G. Norwood and
A. H. Wortben, 64; Act establishing, 64-68
Administration of, 69; Benefits of, 70; Expenses
of, 71, 72; Museum of, 69; Personnel of, 69; Pub-
lications of, 69.
Indiana, First survey under D. D. Owen, 72; Acts
relating to, 72-74.
Indiana, Second survey under D. D. Owen and
Richard Owen, 74; Act establishing, 74; Admin-
istration of, 75; Benefits of, 77; Expenses of, 76:
Museum of, 76; Organization of, 75; Publications
of, 76.
Indiana, Third survey under E. T. Cox and John
Collett, 78; Arts relative to, 78-81; Adminis-
tration of, 81; Expenses of, 84; Museum of, 84;
Personnel of, 81-84; Publications of, 85; Salaries
Of, 84.
Iowa, First survey under James Hall, ?5: Acts re-
lative to, 85, 86: Expenses of, 91; Personnel of, 86;
Publications of, 88.
Iowa, Second survey under C. A. White, 91: Acts
relating to, 91-94: Expenses of, 94: Library, 94:
Museum of, 94: Personnel of, 94: Publications
of, 94.
Iowa, Third survey under S. Calvin, 94: Acts re-
lative to, 94-96; Administration of, 96; Personnel
96; Publications of, 97; Salaries and expenses of,
Irelan, Win., jr., Appointed State mineralogist of
California, 42.
Irving, R. D., Appointed geologist of Wisconsin,
Jackson, C. T., Appointed geologist of New Hamp-
shire, 300; Appointed geologist of Rhode Island,
456; Appointed State geologist of Maine, 131-
Report on public lands of Maine and Massa-
chusetts, 157.
Kansas, First survey under B. F. Mudge, 97; Act
tablishing, 98; Administration and personnel
of, 98; Expenses of, 99; Results of, 99.
Kansas, Second survey under G. C. Swallow, 99
Act establishing, 99; Administration and per-
sonnel of, 99: Expenses of, 100; Results of, 100.
Kentucky, First survey under D. D. Owen, 100;
Act providing for, 105; Benefits of, 109; Cost of
publication, 109; Expenses of, 108; Incidents
leading to establishment of, 100.
Kentucky, Memorial of Agricultural Association
and others regarding survey, 104; Memorial from
historical society, et al., regarding survey, 103;
Resolution of assembly, 1833, 102; Resolution
relative to property of survey, 108.
Kentucky, Second survey, under N. S. Phnler and
John R. Proctor, 110; Acts of the assembly rela-
tive to, 111-115, 122-124; Administration of, 116;
Combined survey and bureau of industries or-
ganized, 122; Connection with Harvard Summer
School, 118; Connection with other institutions,
118; Expenses of, 120,121; Museum and library
of, 119; Plan of procedure under Proctor, 118;
Resolution of general assembly with reference to,
122; Results of, 119.
Kerr, W. C., Appointed geologist of North Caro-
lina, 375.
Keyes, C. R., Appointed geologist of Missouri, 289.
Kitchell, William, Appointed geologist of New
Jersey, 311; Death of, 314.
Kost, J., Appointed State geologist of Florida, 54.
Lane, A. C., Appointed State geologist of Michi-
gan, 237.
Lapham, I. A., Appointed chief geologist of Wis-
consin, 529.
Lesley, J. P., Appointed geologist of Pennsylvania,
442.
Lieber, Oscar M., Appointed assistant geologist of
Mississippi, 259; Appointed geologist of South
Carolina, 462.
Little, George, Appointed geologist of Mississippi,
267; Appointed State geologist of Georeia, 59.
Loughridge, R. H., Assistant geologist of Missis-
sippi, 269; Work in Louisiana, 129.
Louisiana, First survey under E. W. Hilgard and
F. V. Hopkins, 124; Act establishing, 127; Hit
gard's geological reconnoissance, 128; Hilgard'i
work relative to sulphur deposits in, 127; Work
preliminary to, 124; Work of Richard Owen al
New Iberia, 126.
McRae's message relative to survey of Mississippi,
Maine, First survey under C. T. Jackson, 129;
Acts relative to, 129; Benefits and results of, 134;
Collections and library of, 132; Personnel of, 131.
Maine, First report on public lands, 131; Resolu-
tions of legislature relative to collections, 133.
Maine, Second survey under board of agriculture,
135; Administration and personnel, 136; Collec-
tions and library, 136; Expenses of, 136; Publi-
cations of, 136.
Maryland, First survey under J. T. Ducatel, 137;
Acts and resolutions relative to, 138, 139; Act
creating office of agrieultural chemists, 144; Act*
relative to maps of State survey, 147; Adminis-
tration and methods of, 140; Expense of, 143-144;
Incidents leading to establishment of, 137; Pub-
lications of, 143.
Maryland, Second survey under W. B. Clark, 145;
Act establishing, 145; Geological commission of]
147; Resolutions relative to, 146.
INDEX.
547
Massachusetts, first survey under Edward Hitch-
cock, 1833, 149; Acts of legislature relative to, 149;
Administration of, 152, 155; Benefits of, 157;
Biological section of, 155; Expenses of, 153, 157;
Incidents leading to establishment of, 149; Publi-
cations of, 153; Resolutions providing for natural
history survey, 154; Scope of, 153; Scope of natural
history section, lofi; Survey of 1837, 154; Survey of
public lands of Maine and Massachusetts, 157.
Mather, W. W., Appointed geologist of New York,
329; Appointed principal geologist of Ohio, 394;
Geological examination of land of L. & B. Rail-
road, 107: Geological reconnoissance of Ken-
tucky, 10!
Merrill, F. J. H., Appointed geologist of New York,
361.
Michigan, first survey under Douglass Honghtcn
158; Acts relative to establishment of, 158-9;
Administration and personnel of, 159; Expenses
of, 197-8; Houghton's report on salt springs, 163,
Message of Governor Felch, 198.
Michigan, Second survey, Opposition to Winchell's
administration; Personnel of, 208; Prejudices
against appointments, 222-23: Publications of,
214; Reports of committees on, 199-202, 220, 230;
Salaries of, 213.
Michigan, Second survey under Alexander Win-
chell, 203; Acts relating to, 204-207; Administra-
tion of, 207, 213; Appropriations for, 1861-62,
217; Archeological work of survey, 226; Attempts
at establishing, 221; Benefits of, 214; Expenses of,
216; Financial statement for 1861, 217; Financial
statement of 1870, 227; Methods and proceedings,
208-213.
Michigan, Third survey under Rominger, Brooks,
and Pumpelly, 231; Appointment of board of
directors, 231; Appointment of C. E. Wright
State geologist, 233; Appointment of Wadsworth,
236; Connection with other institutions, 239; Dis-
tribution of publications, 233; Museum of, 234,
239; Salaries and expenses, 233, 237, 238; Sum-
mary of methods and results of Rominger - s work,
232.
Millington, John, Appointed geologist of Missis-
sippi, 259.
Minnesota, first survey under Hanchett and Eames,
240; Act establishing, 240; Act of March 2, 1865,
relative to, 241; Administration of, 240.
Minnesota, Second survey under N. H. Winchell,
242; Act establishing, 243; Act of 1873, 246; Acts
relating to publications of, 251; Administration
of, 248; Benefits of, 252; Expenses of, 250; Mu-
aeum and library of, 219; Personnel of, 219; Pub-
lications of, 251; Salt spring lands of, 245-247.
Mississippi, Survey of, 255; Acts relating to, 255-7,
272; Administration of, 259; Appointment of
B. L. C. Wailcs, 259; Appointment of John Mil-
lington, 259; Appointment of L. Harper, 260;
Appointment of E. W. Hilgard, 260; Appoint-
ment of O. M. Lieber, 259; Benefits of, 272; Ex-
penses of, 270; Message of Governor McRae, 261;
Publications of, 270; Resignation of B. L. C.
Wailcs, 260; Salaries of, 270.
Missouri, First survey under G. C. Swallow, 274;
Act providing for, 275; Administration of, 277;
Expenses of, 278; Organization of, 274; Publica-
tions of, 278; Salaries of, 277.
Missouri, Second survey, under A. D. Hager, 278;
Acts relative to, 279-282; Administration of, 282;
Expenses of, 282; Organization of, 278; Publica-
tions of, 282.
Missouri, Third survey, under R. Pumpelly, 282;
Act relating to, 282; Administration of, 284;
R. Pumpelly appointed geologist of, 281;
Under G. C. Broadhead, 285; Discontinuance of,
285; Expenses of, 286; Personnel, 285; Publica-
tions of, 286.
Missouri, fourth survey under Arthur Winslow, 286;
Acts relating to, 286-289; Administration of, 289;
Expenses of, 290; Museum of, 290; Organization
of, 286; Personnel of, 289.
Mitchell, Elisha, Successor to Olmsted In North
Carolina, 366.
Moore, Francis, jr., Appointed State geologist of
of Texas, 474.
Mudge, B. F., Appointed State Geologist of Kansas,
98.
Nebraska, State surveys of, 290.
Nevada, State mineralogists, expenses of, 298;
Salaries of, 297; Work accomplished by, 298.
Nevada, State surveys of, 291; Acts relative to,
291-296; Administration of, 296; Museum of, 299;
Organization of, 291; Publications of, 299.
Newberry, J. S., Appointed chief geologist of
Ohio, 406.
New Hampshire, First survey under C. T. Jackson,
299; Acts relating to, 299-300; Administration of,
300; Collections of, 301; Expenses of, 301 ; Organiza-
tion of, 299; Personnel of, 300; Publications of, 302.
New Hampshire, Second survey under C. H.
Hitchcock, 302; Act relating to, 320; Administra-
tion of, 303; Benefits of, 306; Collections of, 304;
Cost of publications of, 305; Expenses of, 305;
Procedure of, 303-304; Salaries of, 303.
New Jersey, First survey under H. D. Rogers, 307;
Act relative to, 308; Administration of, 308; Ex-
penses of, 309; Organization of, 307; Publications
of, 339.
New Jersey, Second survey under W. Kitchell, 309;
Acts relative to, 309; Administration of, 311;
Appropriations for, 311; Expenses of, 314.
New Jersey, Third survey under George H. Cook
and J. C. Smock, 314; Acts relating to, 315-317;
Administration of, 322; Collections of, 320; Eco-
nomic work of, 323; Organization of, 318; Per-
sonnel of, 318, 322; Publications, 320; Results of,
322; Salary and expenses of, 325; Supplemental
acts relating to, 320-322; Topographic work of, 325.
New York State cabinet of natural history, 353:
Acts relating to, 355-357; State museum, 352.
New York, Surveys under Hall, Emmons, and
others, 327; Acts relating to, 329, 331, 342-344;
Acts relating to publications, 333; Administra-
tion of, 239; Benefits of, 350; Cause of delay, 334;
Cessation of appropriations for, 345; Contract of
Emmons and Hall, 332; Correspondence relating
to, 345-350, 359-360; Estimated cost of, 328; Ex-
penses of, 332, 335, 361-352; James Hall appointed
geologist of, 329; Incidents leading to establish-
ment, 327; Letter of Hall to Agassiz, 332-337; to Mr.
Beach, 338-341; Personnel of, 329, 336, 362; Recom-
mendation relative to collections, 3S4; Report of
investigating committee, 330; Resolution relat-
ing to, 341; Salaries of, 330, 332; Total expena*
to 1840, 335.
548
INDEX.
Worth Carolica'Board of Internal improvements,
364; Survey of, by Olmsted and Mitchell, 363.
North Carolina, First survey, Acts relating to, 365;
Administration, 366; Benefits of, 368: Connection
with other institutions, 366; Museum of, 367;
Personnel of, 366; Proposition of D. Olmsted,
1853, 365; Publications of, 367; Salaries and ex-
penses, 367.
North Carolina, Second survey under Ebeneezer
Emmons, 368; Act relating to, 369; Administra-
tion of, 370; Benefits of, 374; Connection with
other institutions, 370; Expenses of, 372; Loss of
manuscripts of, 373; Manner of appointment, 370;
Museum or cabinet of, 372; Personnel of, 370;
Publications of, 372; Salaries of, 370.
North Carolina, Third survey under W. C. Kerr, 375;
Act governing operation of, 377-378; Acts relating
to frauds, 376; Act to sustain, 379; Administra-
tion of, 379; Benefits of, S85; Expenses of, 384;
Library of, 384; Methods of work, 382; Museum
of, 383; Organization of, 375; Personnel of, 380;
Plan of organization, 376; Salaries of, 381; Un-
finished work of, 386.
Northern Transcontinental survey, 539.
Norwood, J. O., Appointed geologist of Missouri,
282; Appointed State geologist of Illinois, 69.
Ohio, Preliminary survey of, 387.
Ohio, First survey under W. W. Mather, 394; Act
providing for, 391-393; Administration of, 394; At-
tempts of revival, 398; Causes leading to estab-
lishment of, 387; Collections of, 397; Expenses of,
396, 423-420; Governor's message relating to, 390,
393; Personnel of, 3)5; Report of committee rela-
tive to, 391; Resolution relative to committee, 391.
Ohio, Second survey under J. S. Newberry, 400;
Act of establishment of, 403-401; Acts relative to
completion of, 405-403; Act providing for extension
of, 42.V421, 426; Acts relative to completion of
vol. 5, annual report, 417-41S; Ad ministration of,
406, 411; Annual reports of, 407, 409, 412, 413, 416;
Appropriations for 1872, 412; Appropriations for
1878,414; Expenses of, 407, 408, 413, 414, 415; Mes-
sage regarding, 401-402, 411; Museum of, 408; Per-
sonnel of, 406; Progress during 1877, 414; Pro-
ceedings during 1879, 414; Publication of atlas.
415; Renawal of act of 1876, 410; Report of com-
mittee on, 402, 403; Resolution relative to, 405,
407; Work of, 1871, 410.
Olmsted, Denison, Appointed by Board of agricul-
ture of North Carolina, 366.
Orton, Edward, Appointed geologist of Ohio, 419.
Orton, Edward, Jr., Appointed geologist of Ohio,
427.
Owen, D. D., Appointed first State geologist of
Arkansas, 14; Appointed State geologist of In-
diana, 73, 74; Appointed State geologist of Ken-
tucky, 105; Death of, 75.
Owen, Richard, State geologist of Indiana, 75
Work at New Iberia, 126.
Pennsylvania, First survey under H. D. Rogers,
428; Acts of establishment, 429-31; Administra-
tion of, 431; Expenses of, 433; Museum of, 433;
Opinions of J. P. Lesley regarding, 431; Personnel
of, 431: Publications of, 433; Supplemental act
regarding, 434.
Pennsylvania, Second survey under J. P. Lesley.
434; Acts relative to, 435-441; Administration of,
442; Appropriations of, 444; Benefits and result*
of, 450-456; Distribution of publications, 440;
Duties of assistant geologist of, 443; Incidents re-
lating to establishment, 435; Personnel, 444-445;
Progress of, 446; Publications of, 44S; Salaries ot,
444.
Perclval, James Gates, Appointed State geologist of
Connecticut, 46: Appointed geologist of Wiscon-
sin, 513; His report on the geology of Connecticut.
48.
Penrose, R. H., Appointed assistant geologist o/
Texas, 482,
Perkins, George H., Appointed State geologist of
Vermont, 507.
Perry, George W., Appointed geologist of Vermont,
507.
Price, Gov. R. M., Recommendation relative t
New Jersey survey, 309.
Proctor, John R., Appointed State geologist of Ken-
tucky, 118.
Pumpelly, R., Appointed geologist of Missouri, 284;
Director of Northern transcontinental survey.
539-544.
Rafinesqae, C. 8., Opinions of, 101.
Rhode Island, First survey under C. T. Jackson.
456; Resolutions of 1838 relating to, 456; Reso-
lution relative to distribution of report, 457; Reso-
lutions of 1875 relating to, 457; Resolutions of 189
relating to, 458.
Rice, W. N., Superintendent of State survey of COB
nectlcut, 51.
Roberts, W. P., Appointment as State geologist of
Arkansas, 17.
Rogers, H. D., Appointment as geologist of New
Jersey, 308; Of Pennsylvania, 431.
Rogers, Wm. B., Appointed geologist of Vlrgini,
509.
Rominger, Carl, Appointed director of the surrey
of Michigan, 231.
Ruffin, Edmund, Agricultural surveyor of South
Carolina, 460.
Saftord, J. M., Appointed geologist of Tennessee,
469.
SeUards, E. II., State geologist of Florida, 53.
Shepard, Charles U., Appointed State geologist of
Connecticut, 46.
Shaler, N*. S., Appointed State geologist of Ken-
tucky, 116.
Shumard, B. F., Appointed geologist of Texas, 47.
Shumard, George G., Appointed assistant geologist
of Texas, 472.
Smith, Eugene A., Appointed State geologist of
Alabama, 3; Appointed assistant geologist of Mis-
sissippi, 268; Work in Mississippi, 269.
Smock, J. C., Appointed geologist of New Jersey,
322; Appointed assistant in New York State
Museum, 361.
South Carolina, First survey under Michael Tu-
mey, 461; Administration of, 461; Expenses of,
461; Events leading to establishment, 45S; Pub-
lications of, 461; Resolutions relating to, 46;
E. Ruffin appointed Agricultural surveyor of.
460; WorkofVanuxem, 459.
INDEX.
549
Sooth Carolina, Second survey under O. M. I.leber,
462; Expenses of, 462; Personnel of, 462; Report
of committee regarding, 463; Resolutions regard-
ing, 461, 463.
Spencer, J.W., appointed State geologist of Georgia,
64.
State surveys, Directors of, 537; Expense of, 537.
Stretch, R. H., Appointed State mineralogist of
Nevada, 296.
Summary of principal items relating to State sur-
veys, 537.
Swallow, G. C., Appointed geologist of Missouri,
277; Appointed State geologist of Kansas, 101.
Taylor, M. D. C., Work on Minnesota survey, 242.
Tennessee, First survey under Girard Troost, 464;
Act of establishment, 464; Administration of, 464;
Expenses of, 466; Publications of, 465; Resolu-
tions regarding, 464.
Tennessee, Second survey under J. M. Eafford, 466;
Acts of establishment, 467-8; Administration of,
469; Expenses of, 470.
Texas, First survey under B. F. Shumard and F.
Moore, 471; Act providing for, 471-72; Adminis-
tration of, 472; Change of director, 474; Exten-
sion of, 474; Methods of, 473; Museum of, 474;
Personnel of, 472-3; Publications of, 475; Salaries
of, 473.
Texas, Second survey under J. W. Glenn and S. B.
Buckley, 476; Act of establishment, 476-8; Ad-
ministration of, 478; Expenses of, 475, 479; Publi-
cations of, 480.
Texas, Third survey under E. T. Durable, 480; Act
of establishment, 480-2; Administration of, 482;
Expenses of, 494-6; Motive of, 482; Personnel of,
482; R. H. Penrose, appointed assistant geolo-
gist of, 482; Preliminary work of, 482; Results of
the second year of, 486;W.H.B. von Streeruwitz,
appointed assistant geologist of, 482; Work of
first year, 484; Work of second year of, 485; Work
of the third year of, 487; Work of the fourth year
of, 489; Work of the fifth year, 490; Work of the
sixth year of, 493.
Thompson, Zadock, Appointed State naturalist of
Vermont, 499.
Trask, J. B., appointed State geologist of Califor-
nia, 27.
Troost, Girard, Appointed geologist of Tennes-
see, 464.
Tuomey, Michael, Appointed State geologist of
Alabama, 1; Appointed geologist of South Caro-
lina, 460.
Vanuxem, L., Appointed geologist of New York,
329; Work in South Carolina, 461.
Vermont, First survey under C. B. Adams, 496;
Act of establishment of, 496-7; Administration
of, 499; Expenses of, 501; Personnel of, 499;
Thompson, appointed State naturalist, 500;
Young, Appointed State naturalist, 500.
Vermont, Second survey, under Edward Hitch-
eock, 502; Act of establishment, 502; Act rela-
tive to distribution of publications, 504; Acts
rative to State cabinet, 505, 506; Administra-
tion, 503; Attempts at resuscitation of, 505; Pub-
lications of, 503.
Vermont, Third survey under G. W. Perry and
G. H. Perkins, 506; Act of establishment, 506, 507.
Virginia, First survey under W. B. Rogers, 507;
Acts of establishment, 507-510; Administration
of, 511; Expenses, 511; Museum, 512; Publica-
tions of, 512.
Von Streeruwitz, W. H. B., assistant on Texas sur-
vey, 482.
Wadsworth, M. E., Appointed State geologist of
Michigan, 236.
Wailes,B. L. C., Appointed geologist of Mississippi,
259.
White, A. F., Appointed mineralogist of Nevada,
297.
White, C. A., Appointed State geologist of Iowa,
91.
Whitehill, H. R., Appointed mineralogist of Ne-
vada, 297.
Whitney, J. D., Appointed chemical assistant of
New Hampshire survey, 300; Appointed State
chemist of Iowa, 86; Appointed State geologist of
California, 0.
Whittlesey, Charles, Appointed geologist of Wiscon-
sin, 515; Work on Minnesota survey, 242.
Wight, O. W., Appointed chief geologist of WU,
consin, 529.
Williams, Charles P., Acting geologist of Missouri,
286.
Winchell, Alexander, Appointed State geologist of
Michigan, 207, 222; Work on Belleplaine salt
springs, 242.
Winchell, N. H., Appointed State geologist of Min-
nesota, 242.
Winslow, A., Appointed geologist of Missouri,289.
Wisconsin, First survey under E. Daniels and J. G.
Percival, 512; Acts of establishment, 512-13; Ad-
ministration of, 513; Expenses of, 514; Publica-
tions of, 513.
Wisconsin, Second survey under James Hall, 514;
Act of establishment, 514,515; Acts relating to,
515-519; Administration of, 515; Agreement be-
tween James Hall and Governor Randall,519; Ex-
penses of, 523; James Hall, appointed chief of
commission, 519; Hall's letters regarding, 522,
524-527; Publications of, 524; Repeal of law of es-
tablishment, 523.
Wisconsin, Third survey under Lapham, Wight,
and Chamterlin, 527; Act of establishment of f
527-529; Act for the continuance of, 531; Act rela-
tive to publications of, 533-535; Chamterlin ap-
pointed chief geologist of, 529; Collections of, 532;
Lapham appointed chief geologist, 529; Expenses
of, 532; Museum of, 532; Personnel of, 529, 530.
Worthen, A. H., Appointed State geologist of
Illinois, 69.
Wright, C. E., Appointed State geologist of Michi-
gan, 233; Death of, 235.
Yeates, W. S., Appointed State geologist of Geor-
gia, 64.
Young, Augustus, Appointed State naturalist of
Vermont, 500.
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QUARTER Lt>AN