176 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION 



preparation of its report was short, and there were included in the 

 report all important problems of geophysics which occurred to the 

 committee. There was not sufficient time for consultation with 

 geologists as to which of the problems proposed are most pressing, 

 nor with physicists as to which of the problems experience has 

 shown can be attacked with the certainty of securing results. My 

 supplementary work has therefore taken these directions. 



The proper construction of a geophysical laboratory is considered 

 by Dr. G. F. Becker, who submits an independent report upon this 

 subject. 



Opinions of Geologists as to Importance op a Geophysical 



Laboratory. 



In consulting with geologists as to the lines of work which seem 

 to them essential for the progress of the science of geology, it has 

 been necessary to lay before them the general project of a geophysical 

 laboratory at Washington, so that incidentally their views have been 

 learned as to the importance of the establishment of such a laborar 

 tory to the progress of the sciences of geology, physics, and chem- 

 istry. Upon this matter there has been but one opinion : that the 

 establishment of a geophysical laboratory along the lines proposed a 

 year since by your Advisory Committee for Geophysics would be of 

 the very greatest service to science. This view has been expressed 

 by directors of national surveys, presidents of geological societies, 

 presidents of national academies, and man) 7 eminent geologists. It 

 seems unnecessary to extend this report by inserting all the state- 

 ments upon this subject made by various men, but a few may be 

 inserted by way of illustration. 



Dr. J. J. H. Teall, Director General of the Geological Survey of 

 Great Britain, says he has "no doubt that a central laboratory of 

 geophysics in Washington, organized in the manner which is sug- 

 gested in the report of the committee, would contribute very largely 

 to the progress of science." Sir Archibald Geikie, formerly directo- 

 of the same Survey, says in reference to the plan of the committee: 

 ' The scheme seems to me well considered and likely to lead to the 

 most important results in the future. * * * International co- 

 operation is destined in the future to play a large part in the progress 

 of science, and the geophysical laboratory at Washington might be 

 made a powerful medium for establishing and fostering this broad 

 spirit of brotherhood in research." Professor Tornebohm, of the 



