ransome: national geological, survey 95 



kind of charlatanry that is utterly demoralizing to those who prac- 

 tice it and that must ultimately bring even popular discredit 

 on science. A bureau that follows such a policy can neither 

 hold within it nor attract to its service men animated by the 

 true spirit of investigation. 



METHODS OF EDUCATION 



It is not practicable in the present address to discuss in detail 

 the many possibilities of educational work in geology. Only a 

 few general suggestions can be offered. 



In the first place the importance of education by a national 

 geological survey should be frankly recognized and the idea 

 that it is beneath the dignity of a geologist to participate in 

 this function should be discountenanced. A geological survey 

 should include on its staff one or more men of high ability who 

 are especially gifted in interesting the public in the purposes, 

 methods, and results of geologic work — men of imagination who 

 can see the romance of science ; men of broad sympathy who know 

 the hearts and minds of their countrymen from the Atlantic to the 

 Pacific ; men imbued with the truthful spirit of science ; and finally, 

 men skilled in the art of illuminating the cold impersonal results 

 of science with a warm glow of human interest. 



It should be the duty of these men to see that so far as possible 

 all of the results of geologic work are interpreted to the people 

 so that every citizen can benefit to the limit of his individual 

 capacity. Magazines, the daily papers, moving pictures and 

 all possible means of publication should be utilized. There 

 should be close contact with educators and special pains taken 

 to prepare material for use in schools and colleges. Carefully 

 planned courses at university summer schools and elsewhere 

 might be given by members of the educational or publicity staff, 

 or by certain selected geologists from the field staff. 



Geologists in preparing papers and reports should consider 

 with particular care the question, "Who may be reached by this?" 

 Some scientific results cannot be popularized and these may be 

 written in the concise, accurate language of science. Others, 

 however, may, by taking sufficient care and trouble, be made 



