THE LAWS OF DISTRIBUTION. 91 



tions connected with it. But within the past three years the laws governing 

 the origin, distribution, and pressure of rock gas have become as well known 

 as are the laws governing artesian water supply ; so that today the 

 geologist prognosticates rock gas nearly if not quite as definitely and cer- 

 tainly as he prognosticates artesian water ; and it is only just to our associates 

 and to American science to say that this great advance in geologic science 

 was due almost wholly to two of our fellows — to Professor Orton, the author 

 of the communication before us, and to Professor White, who has already 

 spoken upon it. To these two men we are indebted for this unparalleled 

 stride in American geology. Others, indeed, contributed facts, but they 

 philosophy; and science was immeasurably enriched by their contribution. 



