Deferring the fitting up of a laboratory, and the engaging of a special assistant in the chemical department, until a suitable permanent place could be provided in the State Museum building, Mr. Ashburner went East in the spring of 1862 and commenced the examination of some of the ores and minerals of the State in the laboratory of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale College, under the direction of Professor Brush, who has charge of the metallurgical department of that institution. The reduction of the appropriation to fifteen thousand (15,000) dollars for the year, made it necessary to suspend this work soon after it was commenced, in order that the whole force of the Survey might be concentrated on the field operations. A small sum has been allowed to Mr. F. H. Storer, of Boston, for a chemical investigation of the bituminous substances found in different parts of the State. His researches will probably be embodied in the first or second volume of the annual reports. Qualitative examinations, as well as a few quantitative ones, have been made at the office of the Survey, of specimens which have been collected. A considerable number of coals have been analyzed. Information in regard to ores and minerals has been given to a large number of persons who have applied for the same by letter or otherwise, as will always be done when practicable. If the survey is continued, it will be necessary to fit up a complete laboratory, in which the important questions constantly arising, both in regard to the composition and metallurgic treatment of our ores, may be carefully and systematically investigated. No provision has yet been made by the Legislature for the arrangement and exhibition of the collections made by the Survey. These are already quite extensive, embracing many thousand specimens of rocks, fossils, minerals, ores, all of which are of importance in illustrating the Natural History, the geological structure and the mineral resources of the State. Such as have not been required for study remain packed in boxes, and are stored at the office of the Survey in Montgomery Block, San Francisco. Of course it is highly desirable that a permanent, fire-proof building should be provided for the State collections, the proper disposition of which is a subject of great interest, not only as connected with the welfare and progress of the survey, but as influencing the educational and material progress of the State.