214 REPORTvS ON INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



provinces such as New York, additional local maps may be drawn 

 to express details of shifting geographic phases. 



Parts of Mexico, of the western United States, and of Canada are 

 geologically unknown and invite reconnaissance surveys, to which 

 we may assign eighteen months out of the four years allotted to the 

 task. The work in this country might be accomplished through 

 cooperation with the United States Geological Surv^ey. 



Concurrently with work on North America, reading and corre- 

 spondence with foreign colleagues should be carried on in prepara- 

 tion for the succeeding work on Eurasia. 



igio, igii, 1912, 1913, ^9^4, and 1915. — Studies in paleogeogra- 

 phy of Eurasia and preliminary work on the other continents : One 

 year to supplement earlier studies in the geology of Europe ; a j-ear 

 and a half in Europe for observation and conference ; a year and a 

 half in Asia engaged in exploratory surveys, and two years to sup- 

 plement data and prepare for publication. 



Studies in European paleogeography involve difficulties which 

 arise from language, controversy, and the complexity' of the later 

 geologic history of the continent. Asia presents extensive unex- 

 plored areas and the great questions of mountain growth, which 

 must be answered before we can understand the Himalayas and the 

 Tibetan plateaus. It is difficult to foresee what advance may be 

 made in a given time. When four years shall have been spent in 

 accumulating material for study and publication, much of it from 

 European literature, some of it from original observation, the two 

 years remaining may well in large part be occupied in preparation 

 for publication. 



In general, it is believed that it will be advantageous to publish 

 results at intervals, even though incomplete, and thus to benefit by 

 that general discussion which the work should invite. 



During the decade which it is estimated may thus be advanta- 

 geously devoted chiefly to studies of North America and Eurasia 

 the other continents should not be neglected. In order that we 

 may have a rounded conception of our subject, we should know the 

 available facts regarding Africa, South America, and Australia, and 

 should be prepared to project plans for further investigation in those 

 continents. Whether those plans should necessarily await the com- 

 pletion of the work assigned to the first decade or might advanta- 

 geously be undertaken through competent associates during that 

 time, is a question for future consideration. 



