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marl. Limestones, sandstones and other materials adapted for building purposes have also been met with in nearly every por tion of the country examined. In Burnet county we have found extensive tracts underlaid by building rocks of great beauty and durability, and there occurs here a beautiful variegated limestone of remarkably line texture, which receives a good polish and forms a handsome marble for ornamental work. A considerable district in this county is likewise occupied by a rather coarse red granite, which, if properly selected may be advantageously employed in the construction of such works as require great strength and du rability. In the State of Missouri a rock of the same kind is frequently employed for mill stones, for which purpose it is tol erably well adapted. In the counties of Young and Rusk, valuable beds of hydraulic limestone occur, and we have collected specimens from other parts of the State, which appear to possess hydraulic properties, but farther experiments are necessary before we can decide posi tively upon their value. Our collection of,soils clays, rocks, ores, coals and fossils ie quite extensive and already embraces many objects of great interest and rarity.* The suit of organic remains is especially large and valuable, and it is believed when carefully studied will throw considerable light on some disputed points in the geology of the West and South-west.
The following is a statement of expenditures made on ac count of the Geological Survey, from its commencement to the Ist Nov., 1859. Salaries of State Geologist and Assistants, $5,187,50 Services of Draughtsman, 560,00 Hire of sub-assistants, teamster, and cooks 1448,21 Expenses of going to New York for.instruments etc., 332,62 Instruments, chemicals and chemical apparatus, 1030,75 Fitting up geological rooms and laboratory, 532,72 Loomis & Christians acct. for building stable, 480,33 Horses and mules, 1,479,25 Wagons, harness and eaddlery, 1.091,95
* Among these we may mention a magnificent mass of meteoric iron, from the head waters of Brazos River, presented by the late Maj. R. S. Neigh bors. This interesting specimen weighs upwards of three huudred pounds, and is one of the finest examples of native iron to be found in any cabinet in the United States. It is earnestly hoped that the citizens of the State will continue to aid us in our labors, by sending to the geological rooms at Austin, specimens of rocks, ores and fossils, frnr" their r^^eH-ive r>.pi<rliV>orhoor!«. It is oui aim to form at the Capitol, a complete collection illustrating the geolo gy, mineralogy, palaeontology and natural history of the Statt.
