I907.] AND MOUNTAIN FORMATION. 411 



processes in every stage of development, and the aspect obviously 

 v^ill be different in different stages. If we can find the true laws 

 exemplified in a few typical cases in which the meaning of the 

 phenomena is free from doubt, we may legimately hold that in all 

 cases the phenomena were more or less similar at one stage of their 

 existence. Considering the vast age of the earth and the insignifi- 

 cant period of human history, and the much briefer time covered by 

 intelligent observations, we seem indeed fortunate to be able to 

 recognize the true processes in even a few typical cases of crustal 

 transformation. *For the life of the individual is as nothing in the 

 history of our planet. Accordingly the simplest natural laws, which 

 lie at the basis of the physics of the earth, we have discovered and 

 confirmed beyond all doubt; and we may safely leave to the future 

 the extension and verification of the theory of the secular leakage of 

 the ocean bottoms, of which we have been able to lay only the gen- 

 eral foundation. 



But even a mere outline of the processes which lie at the basis 

 of the physics of the earth is likely to clarify and simplify our views 

 of the order of nature. The complete development of that beauti- 

 ful science will be a work of the future, and for the present we must 

 rest content with the recognition of true physical causes, without 

 which order and harmony and proper relationship between different 

 classes of phenomena could not be established, however great the 

 number of observations. The chief danger in science to-day is that 

 in the midst of such vast multitudes of special observations as are 

 being accumulated, the few true causes, which give order and har- 

 mony to the whole body of phenomena, will be lost sight of. With- 

 out these underlying principles for guiding our thought, according 

 to nature's laws, the mere accumulation of disconnected facts may 

 become a burden to oppress, rather than a starry ray to illuminate, 

 the human mind. Principles are therefore vastly more important 

 than observations, though accurate observations always are required 

 in their deduction ; because where the underlying laws are confirmed 

 they give the solid foundations for a real science, which enable us 

 to understand the observations of all time. 



Blue Ridge on Loutre, 



Montgomery City, Missouri, October 24, 1907. 



