The State Geological Survey--professor Winchell's Report

We have received from Lansin some interesting information ir. reference to the eharaeter of the lortlicoming report oí Prof. Winchell, on tho geológica] Hurvey of the State. This survey id a public interest of grcat importarme, not to the BOboUr merely, bnt to the material development of Michigan. The report, which wo learn is now ready -for publièafion, lurnishea the first exhibition which has ever been made, oí the complete stratificattoa of the roeks of the Lower Península, and thoir parallelism wilh the fonnations of New York and the surronndiug districts. í'or thi.s geological inforinution, the report will be in great request amongst scientific men and etudents; and it is calculated to promote, in an efficiënt manncr, the ecieuce of geology ia our State. Aiter an introduction, giving a historical sketch of the progresa of geology in Michigan, vvith special reference to the results attuined undar the iormur survey, the report proceeds to detail the organization and plan of operations of tho present qimy, and tlien enters upon the special eonsideratioo r ouf geolog-y and its connectie vvn gur_ rounding ditricts. Jn this part, a üurnmary account ia giv;n of euch oí our groups of Vocks - its minerologic:il, physiearam1. palEB.mtologica] churacter, its güig)"aphioui extcnt.and tho eoononiio:;l purposca to which it is udapted. TKösh groiips, in asccnding order, aro as follows: 1. Lake Superior sandstone. 2. Trenton {iroup. 3. Hudson River grotip. 4. Clinton group. 5. Niágara group. 6. ünondagu Balt group. 7. Helderbarg group. 8. Humikon group. 9. Hurón group. 10. Marshall group. 11. Napoleon group. 12. Gypscous group. 13. Carboniferous limestone. 14. Parma sandstone. lo. Coul mensures. 16. Woodville sandstono. 17. Qiiaternary deposites. The chnpter next following, points out ihe interestiñg íaot that Michigan has a geological history special f kcr sel f so that tho oíd theory that tho coal tneasures oí our State wera once continuous with those of Ohio, is 6hovvn to be untonable. We nest have condonsed statements of the borings mado in various parta of uur Stato in search for coal, salt, &c , which, to al) nterested, will prove exceeditigly val ;able for purposes of referenca and comparison. The chaptej on Económica! Geology isconsiderably extended, and is devote'd to the moro particular consideraron of coal, sult, gyp-um, &c. It embraces analyses oi these producís, and statements of the resul ts of practical ex pulimenta upon the'r vahie. The portioo upon the ealt manufacture, abouuds in ju.-t thaf kind of Information which is so much needed by our Legislators at the present timo, in tbeir oöntemplated action upon the subject oí tho 8;Ut bounty, as woll aa mattere of particular interest to those engaged in the manufacturo, or niunding to engago in it The subject is ooncluded with some general íacts touching the salt mao.ufacture in New York and oiher States, and tliroughout the vvorld. Tho subject of buth coal and salt are introduced by some practical rules for tho puulance o." those acling under siipposed ndicatioas of the prusence or proximity of thoae produett. Tliis portion ot the report is followed by thö Zoological portion, embracing an enumeration of the species of animal thus far identiiied; and the Botánica! portion, comprising a catalogue oí all the planta found growing wild in the Lower Península. The explorations of the State Geologist have thus far been restricted to the Lovvor Península; and he has endeavored to rnako a general reconnoissanca of as largo a portion of it as possible, with a view of presenting, at thiíieurly day, a complete oxhibition of tho geological succession throughout the Península. It in his purpose, ehould tho Legislature provide the j means, to equip ;r suflicient number of 1 partios to complete the field work in two seasons more; and, on the compleI tiun of the field work, to draw up a finaJ report on our General Geology, Economical Geology, Agriuulturo, Topograpi.y, Cliinate, and other ni.tural features When this work is' accornplished, it Wlll do more than anything elsd can, and with higher autbority than any other representations whicïi can bo made, to set the world right with respect to Michigan, and unfold the bounUloss extent oí our agrici tural and mineral resources. It will bg a more efficiënt means than any possibla etaigration agency, in attracling iutulügent and industrious emigrants to our State, and will lead, especially Ihrough tha young, to a more general diffusiOD of geological information, and a hiher appreciation of tho lesson taus;ht by that ec.cncc which stands nest to Eevcliitidii in tho duvulopments it affords of the plnns and charnctor end (lispositions ot the Orea tor. It will thus beoorae a most iinpoitant eduoational agency, and as snch, t'ne Burvey is worthy of the fostering carerf our Legislators. The suilen of apecituena to bo diatributed U ten of tlia public: institutions of lio State, will hecome a direct eduoationn] instrumeDtality; and, in oonnoction with the funil report, will give an Ímpetus to geologioal studies whieh our poople con ld obtaio from no other source. It is tho duty, as it will bo tho desire, doubtleas, of the present Logis!;itiirc, to guard th'eir appropriationa with reference to te tricteet economy and tho early reduction of tho Stata ness. But a meafiiire so closely connected as is this Sorvey with the devolopment of our State ealth, and cal;ulated with so mnch cortainty to make that wealth available, oiight to rece'.ve all the protecli'Mi thn'. justice and a wiso foresigh may díctate. As n mere i eoniary invêstmeüt, it promisea nn ' ly roward, and evory interest ol (ho Stnto looks to its jndioioúa prosecution.