RANSOME: NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL SURVEY I05 



geological bureau and if it can be made to furnish the oppor- 

 tunity, hitherto lacking, for geologists in the government service 

 to make first-hand comparison between our own mineral de- 

 posits and those of other lands the experiment will probably 

 bear scientific fruit. 



CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS 



Mineralogy and paleontology are so closely related to geology 

 that there can be no question of the propriety of including the 

 pursuit of these sciences within the scope of a geological survey. 

 The application of chemistry and physics to geological problems 

 admits of more discussion. Chemical work, however, as carried 

 on in connection with geological investigations is of such special 

 character and must be conducted in such intimate contact with 

 geological data as to make it almost certain that better results 

 can be obtained with a special staff and equipment than would be 

 possible were the routine and investigative work in geological 

 chemistry turned over to some central bureau of chemistry. 

 The same argument is believed to be applicable also to physics. 

 Research in geophysics was at one time a recognized function of 

 the United States Geological Survey but since the founding of 

 the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Wash- 

 ington, this field has been left almost entirely to that splendid 

 organization which is unhampered by some of the unfortunate 

 restrictions of a government bureau. Under these particular 

 and unusual conditions this course may have been wise, although 

 it does not negative the conclusion that, in general, investiga- 

 tions in geophysics are logically and properly a function of a 

 national geological survey. 



SOILS 

 The study of soils, with reference to origin, composition, and 

 classification, is unquestionably a branch of geology, but the 

 geologist, with tradition behind him, generally looks upon soil 

 as a nuisance and geological surveys have reflected his attitude. 

 In the United States the classification and mapping of soil 

 types has for some years been in progress by the Department of 

 Agriculture. While quite devoid of any enthusiasm for engaging 



