CENTURY OF IOWA GEOLOGY 439 



in the Union matches ours in the vokime and general excellence of 

 the published results. Of the geological information published rela- 

 tive 10 our state a digest alone covers a large volume of nearly a 

 thousand pages. ^^ 



That a public scientific work should endure for a quarter of a 

 century without interruption and without sudden changes of policy, 

 weather the vicissitudes of unsympathetic legislatures, and overcome 

 the prejudices of an indifferent people, is a circumstance mainly 

 due to protective clauses in the organic law establishing the organi- 

 zation. Directly under the segis of our Academy and our two great 

 universities, capable scientific men guide its activities. The highest 

 scientific talent of the state is always at command. By the simple 

 provision of an ex-officio board of management control of the sur- 

 vey is entirely removed from insidious political influences, and the 

 selfish interests of local cliques. Support of the work being by an- 

 nual appropriation it is unnecessary to beg before an occupied legis- 

 lature every biennium. 



EPILOGUE. 



Several years ago one of our Academy's worthy presidents, a 

 zoologist by the way, in attempting to measure up the annual output 

 of creative endeavor, incidently resorted to some comparative sta- 

 tistics. Unwittingly he drew attention to the fact that of Professor 

 Cattell's eight "starred" men of science apportioned to our state, 

 four were geologists. This remark called forth rather bitter re- 

 sponse from the chemists, who would ascribe the ascendency of the 

 earth students to the public financial aid which they received. A 

 little reflection disclosed to all present that there is deeper reason 

 than this really inconsequential material advantage. 



Singularly, Iowa geologists are prone to hook up their local re- 

 cherchcs with problems of world-wide significance. In attempting 

 to unravel the earth puzzles at home they also, by showing their 

 bearing upon the broader problems, tend to do their bit in pro- 

 moting knowledge generally. Their work thus becomes a part not 

 altogether of curious home information alone, but an addition to 

 the sum total of philosophical knowledge. Iowa takes active part 

 in world discussions. Provincial workers pass from mere local to 

 national or even world-wide sympathies. If, therefore, the Iowa 

 geologists have any appreciable advantage over their confercs in 

 other branches of science it is not due so much to slight material 

 help, but principally to the acquirement of catholicity of sympathies 



"Iowa Geol. Surv., Vol. XXII, 908, pp. 1913. 



