212 REPORTS ON INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



the other ; on land areas, coastal plains, interior plains and basins, 

 and mountain districts may be distinguished, and for seas we may 

 delineate the nature of accumulated sediments, the courses of ocean 

 currents, and, in cases of expansion or retreat, the direction of migra- 

 tion of shores. Thus for a given region or continent a set of maps 

 will present the sequence of physical conditions from an early period 

 to the present, or, for a particular period, the maps of all the conti- 

 nents will offer a conception of the world's geographic condition. 



In the discussions, facts and theories should be rigorously sepa- 

 rated ; alternative views should be given appropriate expression, and 

 the contribution to paleogeography should thus present in graphic 

 and verbal form a clear account of the earth's history, so far as we 

 may yet understand it. 



ORGANIZATION. 



The organization here proposed is designed to be small, but efficient 

 and elastic. It comprises a geologist, paleontologist, associate inves- 

 tigators, and aides in the ofl&ce and field. 



The geologist. — The geologist should be in charge of the research : 

 upon him should rest the undivided responsibility to initiate plans 

 within limits of cost, devise methods, employ assistants, direct the 

 work, and state the results. The broadest knowledge of geology in 

 various branches would be none too broad, but his special training 

 should be in stratigraphy, structure, and physiography, the prin- 

 cipal sources of evidence for this research. 



The paleontologist. — A good foundation in general paleontology 

 and a broad grasp of the science are the qualifications needed in this 

 associate. Since paleontologists are usually specialists in minor 

 divisions of that study, it is not probable that one man can be found 

 to give an expert opinion on the evidence affecting each particular 

 question which will arise in course of investigations that must cover 

 the range from Cambrian to Quaternary ; nor is the expert specialist 

 the man wanted in this position ; he belongs among the associate 

 investigators ; rather is the man that one having broad knowledge 

 and a liberal mind , that one who will weigh j ustly the arguments of 

 specialists. A young man of adequate education, fitted to grow with 

 the work, will probably give better satisfaction than an older one. 



Associate investigators. — The scope of the inquiry being world-wide 

 and, its range being that of all geologic time, it embraces more than 

 the knowledge of any few men. Cooperation with geologists of all 

 countries is essential to completeness and success. Such cooperation 

 may vary from an expression of opinion to more or less extensive 



