560.7 36i 



The Determination of Fossils. 



THE Note in our last number headed " Pavingstone Palaeontology " 

 has brought us, as we expected, communications from various 

 people who felt that our remarks applied to them. In some cases 

 they were not far out ; but as to other cases we thought it clear 

 that we were not criticising all published lists of fossils, and certainly 

 not those that were compiled with the properly acknowledged aid of 

 specialists. The difficulty of the geologists is well put by the letter 

 from a " Stratigraphical Geologist " printed in the present number ; it 

 is the difficulty of finding specialists. Those who live in the great 

 centres of intellectual activity are apt to make light of this difficulty, 

 but it is one that we fully recognise. Specialists in palaeontology are 

 not numerous, their names and addresses and the subjects with which 

 they are prepared to deal are not always so well known as are those of 

 Cabinet Ministers, finally they are not always anxious to work over 

 carpet-bags full of imperfectly preserved fossils, left with them by too 

 enthusiastic friends. On the other hand, the real specialist on any 

 subject is, or ought to be, glad to examine specimens belonging to the 

 particular group that he studies, especially when these have been 

 collected with due attention to horizon and locality. We have 

 therefore thought that the publication of a list of those studying 

 particular groups may be of value, first, as showing stratigraphical 

 geologists where they can obtain assistance, secondly, as putting 

 specialists in communication with those who can forward their own 

 studies by material and by information, and lastly, as indicating what 

 groups of fossils are still in need of students. The list that the 

 kindness of the palaeontologists mentioned in it enables us to publish 

 may help in these directions ; and with regard to the last point, we 

 would urge each stratigraphical geologist, provided he has had 

 sufficient zoological training, to make himself a specialist in some 

 small branch that is not represented here ; thus the list will gradually 

 become more complete, and by the organisation of labour, workers will 

 be able to render mutual aid, while British geology and palaeontology 

 will advance with firmer foot. 



Concerning this list some remarks are necessary. No name in it 

 is published without the express sanction of its owner. But this 



2 c 



