86 ransome;: national geological survey 



prise? The reasons that may be adduced will differ with the 

 point of view. The geologist will suggest that whereas some 

 sciences, such as chemistry, physics, or astronomy, may be pur- 

 sued with success with stationary and permanent equipment 

 at any one of a number of localities, geology is regional in its 

 scope and is primarily a field science as contrasted with a lab- 

 oratory science. Geology, it is true, must avail itself of labora- 

 tory resources and methods, but the geologist cannot have the 

 greater part of his material brought to him; he must himself 

 seek it afield. Thus it comes that comprehensive geologic 

 problems require for their solution the equipment of more or 

 less expensive expeditions or travel over large areas. Such 

 projects, as a rule, cannot be undertaken by individual geologists 

 or by local organizations. The preparation of a geologic map 

 of a whole country, with its explanatory text, generally recognized 

 as essential fundamental work, is an undertaking that requires 

 consistent effort by a central organization extending over a period 

 of years. Such a map is not likely to result from the patching 

 together of the results of uncoordinated local effort. From a 

 broadly utilitarian point of view, the intelligent layman as well 

 as the geologist must recognize that the development of a coun- 

 try's natural resources in such a manner as to secure their maxi- 

 mum use for the greatest number of its citizens necessarily de- 

 pends upon reliable information concerning the character, 

 location, and extent of these resources and that this information 

 should be available before they are exploited, by those who have 

 eyes only for their own immediate profit, or before they pass 

 entirely into private control or are exhausted. Such information 

 can best be obtained and published by an impartial national 

 organization responsible for its results to the people as a whole. 

 Such a layman will recognize also that knowledge of the mineral 

 resources of a country must rest upon a geological foundation. 

 As Professor J. C. Branner has recently said in his "Outlines of 

 the Geology of Brazil:" 



"After a life spent chiefly in active geologic work and in the 

 direction of such work, I should be remiss in my duty to Brazil 

 if I did not use this occasion to urge on Brazilian statesmen the 



