ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS 79 



naturally most comprehensive. He held that the Labrador ice-sheet passed 

 completely over the mountain, basing his view^ on a few small erratics found 

 near the summit. On a short visit this fall, the vrriter noted the angular 

 character of the rock surfaces in the summit region and also the general 

 absence of glacial drift, striation, and other signs of glaciation, though at 400 

 feet below the top such glacial effects were plentiful. 



It seems from the data that, though the continental ice may have passed 

 over this highest point in Maine (there is abundance of local Alpine glaciation 

 in the heading valleys), evidence to establish complete overriding by the ice- 

 slieet seems to be wanting. Katahdin has been at least an eminent uunatak. 



Presented hy title in lliu absence of the author. 



NATURALISTIC LAND MODEL, THE "LAST WORD IN GEOLOGY" 

 BY GEORGE CARROLL CURTIS * 



(Abstract) 



strange as it may appear on first consideration, one of the most inclusive 

 subjects in earth science, calling for much detailed study and critical obser- 

 ^■ation, broad, useful, and illuminating, is generally known only in its smallest 

 and by far the least interesting aspect — the mechanical rather than rational 

 side. 



After the preliminary work of topographic mapping has been done, the most 

 complete plotting finished, the culture, forest, vegetation, or other natural 

 features added, the geology surveyed and placed upon the plan, the step which 

 follows, in order to present the most complete representation of the earth's 

 surface, is to gather the remaining data and render it all in the form of a 

 naturalistic land model. In amount of facts, completeness, accuracy ; in the 

 matter of permanence and of characteristic natural expression, this medium- 

 combining data of all other surveys with that especially i-equired l)y its own 

 dcni.'inds seems to be entitled to the phrase "The last word in the earth sci- 

 ences." 



If it has been difficult for some geologists to see how there can be depth to 

 such a subject, this may be due to old associations or to a habit of mind: Iiut 

 it is no fault of the nature of the naturalistic model. When one begins to 

 realize that the reproduction of the face of the earth as it stands in the field 

 is a d(>flnite problem in natural science and not, as it ma.v have been hastily 

 conceived, merely the mechanical raising of maps into relief, the whole aspect 

 of the subject changes; it is seen to be rational, vital, and of tnilimited possi- 

 bilities. In tliis niediuni. so peculiarly neglectetl by ucnlogists. tiie earth sci- 

 ences have one of their greatest opportunities and a future which there is 

 good reason to lielieve may surpass in general interest anything yet achieved 

 in geology. 



The first naturalistic relief of a land-form type made in this country has 

 been brought about; it came through the efforts of biologists.' It was Alex- 



' Introduced by K. O. iTovcy. 



= Tho roral is];in(l iikhIcI i<( r.draliorji, Taliili, inslalli'd in ilir llai'\arii Miisciitii of 

 ("omparativf Zoology in 10(17. 



