lOO RANSOME: NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



determination of the so-called "mineral" or "non-mineral" 

 character of public lands is undoubtedly a proper function of the 

 U. S. Geological Survey, although it is one that was neglected 

 by that survey for many years and has not yet received the 

 recognition of a specific appropriation, except recently in con- 

 nection Mdth the stock-raising and enlarged homestead acts. 



TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING 



Inasmuch as the preparation of a topographic map is a neces- 

 sary preliminary to accurate and detailed geologic mapping, a 

 geological survey is vitally interested in seeing that satisfactory 

 maps are available as needed. WTiether a particular geological 

 survey should itself undertake this mapping depends upon cir- 

 cumstances. If another government organization is equipped 

 for doing this work and can provide maps of the requisite quality 

 when needed, it would appear that the geological bureau should 

 leave this work to the other organization, particularly as the 

 maps required to keep abreast of geologic requirements are 

 likely to constitute only a part of the work of the topographic 

 bureau. There are certain decided advantages, however, in 

 having the topographic work done by the geological survey and 

 these advantages must be weighed against other considerations. 

 With the topographic and geologic work under a single control, 

 the geologist is more likely to be assured of getting the kind of 

 map desired at the time needed. Cooperation between geolo- 

 gists and topographers is apt to be both closer and more flexible 

 than were the two staffs in separate organizations. Finally the 

 field work in topography and geology is in some respects alike 

 and is carried out by similar methods and equipment. Occa- 

 sionally the two kinds of work can be combined and carried on 

 simultaneously. 



The general question — whether a national geological survey 

 shall do its own topographic mapping — appears to be one that 

 cannot be answered once for all but must be determined for each 

 country. In an old country where accurate and detailed maps 

 have long been made by militar}^ and other organizations, a 

 geological survey may be under no necessity of providing its 



