Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-10-31

my predecessors transferred their iacts from
their notebooks 10 maps and sections, a large
part of the work which we are doing would be
unnecessary.
In pursuance Of this plan, we have, during the
past summer. nearly completed nine sections,
crossing the State at intervals of about twenty
miles, through its entire length. How many
more 1t may be necessary TO measure, cannot be
determined till these nine are put upon paper.
Indeed, until this is done, cannot Judge accu-
rately what progress we have made in our work
One of nv assistants, therefore, is at present
employed in the work of protraciion.
In order to give the Government clear idea
of the nature of this work, propose TO suspend
one Of these sections at Montpelier during the
approaching session of the General Assembly,
with the rocks collected on that route placed be-
meath Mr.. llAGAR will be there for time to
make explanations and he WILL also, be able to
exhibit at least few cut and polished speci-
mems for illustrating the economical Geology.
In this way trust that the members of the Gov
ernment can form a clear idea cf what we are
doing, and Of the appearance Of the new Geo
logical Hall when it Shall be completed and filed
with specimens.
The WORK of measuring these sections and
collecting at least 1400 specimens, has been
mainly done by my assistants: my own time in
the field having been scarcely three weeks.
had hoped to do much more. But in the meas
urement of the first section laid out too much
work for the week, and for several days was ex-
posed to severe storms of rain and snow, where
by my health was so seriously affected, that |
have felt scarcely equal to The severe labors of
Geological exploration at any time since re-
gret this the less, because the preliminary work
which has now been done, will enable me to
judge more accurately towards what points TO
turn my attention, should the Government dl.
rect, and Providence permit me to resume these
labors another year.
Soon after receiving my commission adj
dressed letter to the Committee for building
the new State House, suggesting the desirable
ness OF devoting room in the new edifce, 10 a
State collection Of rocks and minerals. The
Committee responded very literally by appro-
priating loom, twenty-six by twenty-eighi feet
for this purpose. In that room, if we finish the
survey, we hope to place such collections ev
cry citizen Of Vermont will be proud of; and
such will afford a more convincing proof of
the value of the survey, than a labored arlu-
ment know enough of the rocks and mine
rails of the State, to be satisfied that probably
no other portion Of the Union, of equal size, can
make so rich display of mineral wealth. l
ought, perhaps, to except some mining districts
of the South and West; for although gold oc-
ours here, on belt extending probably through
the whole State, appearances, | am happy to
say, do pot lead us to expect to find it in guam
tity sufficient 10 break up the regular pursuits of
industry, and Introduce the immoralities and
recklessness usually seen in rich gold-producing
regions. The leading subterranean products Of
Vermont, which are inexhausible and will al
ways be in demand at home and abroad, are
marble, scrpentne, soapstone, iron, slate, gran
lite, and limestone for cement. Scattered as they
are through the whole length of the State and
most of them of the finest quality, they must al
ways be source of wealth not coming in fit
ful waves like The precious metals, but in a stea
dy stream, to reward patient industry.
The limited amount of pecuniary means in our
hands for carrying on the survey, will prevent
our purchase for the Cabinet Of cut and polish
ed specimens of these various substances. But
we have appealed to the lberaty or the owners
of quarries and mines, to present cubic blocks
from their works, four inches across, 10 the State
collection. And thus far, believe, we have not
found an indisidual who has not promptly met
our wishes. But should this paragraph meet the
eye of any individuals who could aid us and con-
fer benefit ON the State in this matter, to whom
we have not spoken, beg them to consider this
invitation as addressed to them. Others may
have specimens in their possession, desirable for
their beauty or scientific value. which would be
of great service in public collection, but Of lit
tie value to an individual. would fain hope
that Just pride to have the Cabinet worthy of
the State, will bring in many such specimens, as
it already has to some extent.
| 1t will indeed demand lon. time and siren
uous efforts to make the Cabinet in this manner,
such as it ough, to be in such State. If we
| had the abundant means devoted to the museums
of Economical Geology connected with the Ge-
illogical Surveys of Europe, or of the neighbor-
ing province of Canada, there would be little
difficulty in making an equally splendid exhibit
ton in your Geological Hall. But persevering
industry on the part of the Surveyors, and an in
tsrest in the subject in the community, will go
far to make up for deficiency of money.
As another means of aiding the Survey, take
pleasure in referring to the generous hospitality,
which we have experienced in every part Of the
State. In all my Geological experience have
never seen any thing equal to it, And it is
gratifying not merely for the reason just refer
red 10, but because it shows that the true and
hearty hospitality. for which the old Puritans
were remarkable, has not died ou, from the whole
Of New England
BY the act Of the General Assembly for COM
pleting the Geological Survey, it is made my
duty 10 "report the expenses Of the survey for
the current year, together with an estimate of
the probable amount of funds necessary for its
completion" By section fifth Of the act, "the
sum of one thousand dollars is appropriated un-
til otherwise ordered by the Legislature, for the
purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of
this act" Our expenditures, therefore, must be
limited by thousand dollars this year. Up to
this date the account stands as follows:
| For an Aneroid Barometer, S225
| For horse and wagon during the summer, $500
| My own expenses, (rairoad $l3 76D 432
Expenses OF my assistants through the summer 2i0 88
Whole expenses, s8a2 10
Deduc,ing three hundred and thirty-two dollars
and Ten cents from one thousand dollars, we
have remaining, six hundred and sixty seven
dollars and ninety cents, as compensation for the
services of assistants For shall charge moth
ing for the few weeks have devoted to the sur
vey this year, except my necessary expenses I;
partly because the time has been so short, and
partly because would not further reduce the
small salary which will be left TO those who have
devoted nearly all the summer, and must devote
large part of the rest of the year to the work,
il It be carried on. Divided between 10 asss-
tants, the share of each will be three hundred
and thirry-three dollars and ninety-6ve CENTS
This sum must be still further reduced by what
ever expenses may be incurred this autumn and
the coming winter, in arranging specimens, and
especally in MAKING chemical ANALYSES. / doubt