GEOLOGY — WILLIS. 2I 3 



investigation ; the cost of minor items may be met from the general 

 fund granted for the research ; larger expenditures may be made the 

 object of special grants. It is anticipated that the latter may consti- 

 tute a large item of expense, but each major associate investigation 

 may under this plan be considered on its merits. The work of asso- 

 ciate investigators should, however, in all cases be directed by the 

 geologist in charge. 



Office force. — There should be a permanent clerk to take corre- 

 spondence, to handle accounts, and keep records. It is desirable 

 that he should read and write French and German. One or more 

 draftsmen, at first needed only occasionally, would later be employed 

 continuously in drawing base maps and preparing illustrations. One 

 or more compilers to assist in examining publications should be em- 

 ployed as required. 



Aides in exploratory surveying . — As the plan of research contem- 

 plates exploratory work, such as was carried out in China during 

 1903- 1904, the organization of a party would from time to time 

 become necessary. The particular organization would depend upon 

 circumstances, but the need of services of a topographer, of a geologic 

 assistant, and of laborers, packers, or servants usually employed in 

 the region under survey, may be foreseen. 



ORDER OF RESEARCH. 



The following plan of research for a decade is based on current 

 progress in paleogeography and in geologic science in Europe and 

 America. North America presents the geologic record in broad 

 features, and we are better able to outline its history than that of 

 Eurasia. Thus by beginning with it we shall sooner reach results 

 which may invite discussion and prepare the way for work abroad. 

 An alternative plan, that of selecting a geologic period, say the Cam- 

 brian, as the subject of study and exploration, to the exclusion of 

 other periods till that had been considered for all continents, has 

 been set aside as an ultimate rather than initial classification of work. 



1906, 1907, 1908, and 1909. — Studies in paleogeography of North 

 America and preparation for work on Eurasia : Preliminary work 

 has been done for this continent by Chamberlin, Salisbury, and 

 others. The results are at best outlines, which leave much to be 

 accomplished by further research, yet they serve to define our 

 ignorance and to suggest investigation. We are able to sketch 

 North America as a whole at twenty different epochs or more, from 

 the Cambrian transgression to the Quaternary ice-time ; for critical 



