177 



The librnry division also is one of importance, in which the working 

 scientist can find the most recent helps to enable him the better to profit 

 by the researiies of his brethren in other, but similar, fields, and so 

 become the better fitted to work out the problems he may himself 

 encounter; and here it may be said that the library of the Geological 

 Survey is probably by lar the most complete in scientific literature of 

 any of the hhraries in the Dominion, and, in as far as practicable, is 

 kept well abreast of the age as regards the current literature in the 

 subjects concerned. 



The financial management of such an institution is also a most 

 important item in its general scheme ot successful work and the 

 proper disposition of the funds by which the necessities of the several 

 widely scattered parties can be best met, calls for a wise discrimination 

 of the needs of each, and the expense peculiar to each locality to be 

 ex[)lored ; the prime object being the most judicious expenditure of the 

 lunds at the disposal of the department consistent with the highest and 

 most satisfactory results obtainable. 



I trust in this very imperfect description of the work done by the 

 Geological Survey department I have shown you that in the old 

 building on Sussex Street many kinds of work of great importance to 

 the nation are being carried on. The structure and contained wealth 

 of the rock masses from the Laurentian or fundamental crust of the 

 earth to the most recent formation of drift sand, gravel and peat are 

 being systematically studied and their actual valu^, in so far as this is 

 jicssible, ascertained. The importance of each system as a source of 

 mineral sup|)lv is carefully weighed and the mode of occurrence and 

 l)robable extent and value of each element of economic importrnce 

 sought out where practicable, to '^ome extent in the field and in more 

 detail in the laboratory of the Museum. Not only are the analyses of 

 the rocks and of the contained ores there conducted and their probable 

 value, from many localities carefully proven, but the chemical composi- 

 tion of the mineral waters from various provmces of the Dominion is 

 carefully ascertained and their probable beneficial effects noted. Many 

 of tnese have proved already to be large and important sources of 

 revenue to the localities in which they occur, as at St. Leon, Caledonia 

 St. Catharines and other points. Much of this work though presented 



