To his Excellency H. H. MARKHAM, Governor of California:

SIR: The Trustees of the State Mining Bureau herewith submit their report, in pursuance of the Act of the Legislature entitled "An Act supplementary to an Act entitled 'An Act to provide for the establishment and maintenance of a Mining Bureau,' approved April 16, 1880," approved March 21, 1885.

J. Z. DAVIS.

W. S. KEYES.
THOS. B. BISHOP.
W. S. LYLE.

W. S. WOOD.

SAN FRANCISCO, September, 1892.

REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF STATE MINING BUREAU.

The last Legislature of the State directed that the reports of the Mining Bureau be issued biennially instead of annually, as heretofore. Further, and as the Trustees respectfully suggest, in the exercise of a mistaken economy, the appropriation for the support of the Survey and Museum was reduced to the sum of $25,000 per annum. Of this amount three fifths was assigned for the work in the field, and two fifths for the exhibition rooms, the laboratory, and the working staff in the city of San Francisco.

The State Mineralogist has, owing to the smallness of the funds at his disposal, been obliged to greatly curtail the range of his investigations, but has, in our opinion, used due discretion in the selection of his expert assistants in the field of labor assigned to each of them. Full details of their work will be found in the report of the Mineralogist.

MUSEUM.

By the exercise of the very closest economy, Mr. H. S. Durden, the efficient Custodian of the Museum, has been enabled to keep within the appropriation, and not noticeably diminish the well-earned prestige of the State's exhibit of its precious and useful ores and minerals and its economically valuable oils, earths, waters, and building stones.

There have been catalogued up to date a grand total of 13,164 different specimens and groups of specimens. In this list is included 1,164 exhibits, which represent the additions since August 20, 1890. These consist mainly of ores, minerals, clays, and fossils, collected by the Field Assistants. Many of these fossils are new to science, and are now placed in the hands of competent specialists.

Donations to the Museum have been up to the usual average, but no large loan collection has been offered, nor in fact could any considerable loan exhibit be received, as the rooms are now so fully occupied that many interesting specimens are hidden from view in boxes, awaiting available space. Some room has been gained, so to speak, by altering and rearranging a portion of the shelving, and by returning to the owners certain loan collections of birds and curios, interesting enough of themselves, but not strictly in line with the purpose of a State economic and mining exhibit.

VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM.

The attendance at the rooms, as shown by the register, shows a gratifying increase. From October 1st, the date of the last report, up to the month of August, 1892, 77,605 different persons have registered their names, and of these 3,528 were pupils from the public schools of the city.

In view of the manifest popularity of the State's exhibit, the Trustees respectfully repeat that the usefulness of the Bureau would be enhanced were more commodious quarters obtainable through a somewhat increased appropriation.

LABORATORY.

Much useful work has been done in the laboratory, and much useful information has been gratuitously given to citizens in all parts of the State.

There have been received and answered 9,311 letters of inquiry, touching all manner of technical subjects, earth, ores, etc.; 2,814 specimens have been examined, and replies given either in person or by letter. Many of these answers have been the means of developing new enterprises, such as quarries, oil fields, borax and magnesite works, manganese, slates, etc.

LIBRARY.

Since October 1, 1890, there have been added to the library some 800 volumes and a large number of useful pamphlets. Most of these are the result of exchanges with kindred institutions at home and abroad. Lack of available funds has prevented much increase by purchase. The catalogue of the library is now complete, and will soon be in the hands of the printer.

FACILITIES FOR RECEIVING SPECIMENS.

The Trustees desire to repeat their sense of obligation to Wells, Fargo & Co., and to the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, for their kindness and public spirit in transporting, free of charge, all packages destined for the use of the Bureau up to twenty pounds in weight.