REPORT ON GEOPHYSICS 1 75 



between the geologist and the mathematician rapid advance is being 

 made in knowledge of the early history of the earth, knowledge 

 which could not possibly have been reached by geologists alone or 

 b}' mathematicians alone. 



In a geophysical laboratory the geologists would cooperate with 

 chemists and physicists in a similar manner. Expert chemists and 

 physicists would apply chemical and physical methods to the prob- 

 lems of geology. The phenomena and the various conditions under 

 which they were probably produced would so far as possible be made 

 clear to the chemists and physicists in advance of their work. The 

 results reached by the chemists and physicists would then enable the 

 geologists to advance their part of the work. This would lead to 

 further suggestions to the chemists and physicists. One man would 

 not be working for another. The men in the different sciences would 

 be working together for the advancement of knowledge. They 

 would publish their results separately or jointly, as seemed best. 



Thus by cooperation, action and reaction between men in the three 

 different departments, the great field between geology and chemistry 

 and physics would be occupied. The fundamental work for the new 

 science of geophysics would be done. 



The results which would follow from geophysical work on a large 

 scale are believed to be at least as great as those which have come 

 from occupying the middle ground between physics and chemistry 

 and between astronomy and phj'sics. If a geophysical laboratory 

 were established at Washington, this work would be done in America. 



Scope of a Geophysical Laboratory. 



The Advisory Committee for Geophysics in its report of a year 

 ago proposed a twofold plan : First, the establishment of a geo- 

 physical laboratory at Washington ; and, second, cooperation with 

 all existing institutions or men now engaged in geophysical work. 

 These two phases of the subject will be considered in order. 



Establishment of a Geophysical Laboratory at 



Washington. 



The report of the Advisory Committee referred to discusses 

 broadly the various problems which should be taken up in a geo- 

 physical laboratory and gives a provisional plan for the construction 

 of such a laboratory. The time available to the committee for the 



