Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-02-14

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they may be met in ile outset with inqui.
ries OF this sort but ihcy certainly proceed
from the most narrow and contracted views
Of science. To the observamt and enl'ght-
cned mind, every department OF natural sci
ence teens with interest, aud the little ~.
sect and mighty elephant furnish alike evi
evidence, that nought has been creaied
in vain. The strict u'iliia,ian, in judy.
ing this branch Of zoology. should mol for.
get that we are indebted 10 the insect race
for some of the most valuable articles, as
cochineal and cantharadin. Silk, too, i
the production Of insects OF their early sra
Ces of existence. Besides. there are many
insects, which, like the wecvil. are destruc-
tive in their habits, and if such abound III
Michigan, il is a matter Of much interest,
that their habits aud characters be early un-
derstood.
Amidst the numerous and divided labors
Of the State Geelogist, much lime aud IN
dus,rv have been bestowed upoa the invcs-
tigailon of plants. The intimate connex-
ion of this department with medicine. en'l.
Ties il 10 high consideration, US a subject o
scientific inquiry. The herbarium nliead.
contains several thousand specimens, and
will, undoubtedly. be many times multi.
piled before the tcrmi' alion of tho survey.
Michigan is, Indeed. n natural garden 81
flowers, and the collections in the botanical
department OF tho survey, viii probably no
be surpassed by those OF any other stnte.
From these considerations. the commit.
tee do not hesitate in believing, that the sur
vcy will result in most favorable influences
II. .~ II ,,hD,. hnt. an hnfnG
and abroad. They would be doubly con-
firmed in the belief, should the legislature
adopt the recommendation III the executive
in his late message, aud provide. either by
an addiiional appropriation, or n revision q
the original act auihorising the survey, TO
supplying The university with such spcci.
mems us shall be collected in the different
departments. The committee, however. 20
still further, and urge upon the attention %
the legislature the importance ol supplying
moi only the universe v. but It's braic!Ies.-
These measures would meet the approba.
ton OF the people, aud at once elevate our
system OF collegiate education, so that no
other in the United States could furnish c.
quail facilities for the study of natur SCI.
ence. II is from the liberal policy adopted
in the organization of this university, thai
its future success and high reputation are
confidently predicted bu, the same policy
which dictates the plan should aid in the per-
lection of the superstructure, lest the whole
be wanting in strength and beauty of pro
norton. The prescn, occasion should no
be allowed to pass, without making some
provision for suppl! ing the university an'
its branches with cabinets of natural histo
~, since il can now be done at n compar,
lively trifing expense. Should such Il pro
vision be- made, the value Of the specin' MS
which would probably be collected for thi
university and lis branches. may be mol
erafely estimated at $4,000 Quite ont
half Of that SUN would be requisite for theI
collection, after the survey. Many parent
will BE- unable to give their sons more tina
an education at one Of the branches. an
BY adopting the measure proposed. thong
intended To supply the place oil academi'
in other states, they will, nj least IN one re-
pec,, be paced upon u par with many HER
" nsii.ulions, which arrsga'e 70 tiieinselv'
the titles of colleges. and IN 50 ne instance
unfortunately for the cause of science al
learning, are allOwcd to exercise all the
powers and privileges. The university al
its branches form one great ilis'ltulio
which looks for protection to the reprcsc
tatives Of the people. 1t is for them TO sd
whether it shall be- placed on such a fooiir
that it will reflect honor on the country,
be allowed to wither and die, by dividl
il. dependencies, and driving il into an U
worthy competition with multiplied sc
STYLED colleges. which have their origin
local, political and religious jealousies. a
are, therefore, deep fountains OF prelude
the enemies Of truth and genuine kno
ledge, and finally result in the most balic
influences upon all the social, political, u
literary orders OF society.
Q. The influence of the survey upon
resources of the state.
The committee believe that no measl
can tend more than this to a speedy dc
10. ement Of the internal resources OF
state. Had the survey been co nment
al an earlier day, several valuable
springs would have been saved to tho st
which have now gone into The h,nds OF
waite individuals. Had the survey nc
been commenced, AMI should 1t be
longer prosecuted, all the best silt spriI
would soon be out of the reach of The s'f
From the increased value located conf
ously to the springs already selected, II Is
LEVIED this state has guriel sa.h;innt
defray the entire expenses OF the shrv
The Ultimate gain TO the state in its ilt
resources, from the increased facilities
the g~cologist in making locations ofsprl
and contiguous lands, may be estimates
a million of dollars. Besides, If Mici,l
contains extensive aud valuable beds
coal, gypsum. marble and met ,lIlc ores
will undoubtedly be discovered during
progress of this survey. Upon their
coyery, il shall be the dury OF the state
olorist to ascertain SO far AS possible. I
probable extent and value Coal aud
sum have been already discovered in
ficient quantities. 10 warrant the belief,
,h.v will soon brco ne articles OF ,r
and commerce. Whether iron exists in
icient quaint les, TO Justify the orecilc
furnaces, remains to be determined.
most valuable discoveries. which have
thus far made. apperialn to The state
snrinqs, an analysis ofsome which has
attended with the most satisfactory no
IT. r..lcoist deserves the highest p