46 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Canada has reason to be proud of the achievements of its Geo- 

 logical Survey not less in stratigraphy than in other branches of 

 the science; but it is not wise to disguise the fact that most of the 

 recent advances in stratigraphy and palaeontology are due to the 

 efiforts of workers from across the line or of men fresh from post- 

 graduate courses in American universities. This should not be and 

 the fault lies with our Canadian colleges. There is no intention to 

 disparage the undergraduate work: it is admittedly as extensive as 

 possible, but it must be remembered that a palaeontologist or strati- 

 grapher can not be created by four years of undergraduate work. 

 The remedy is obvious: post-graduate studies must be encouraged 

 in our universities. To this end the co-operation of the Geological 

 Survey of Canada and of the provincial bureaux is essential. The 

 opportunities for geologists can never be very numerous; in conse- 

 quence, the professors in our universities hesitate to assume the 

 responsibility of actually advising students to make geology a life 

 work. The greatest incentive given to the subject is the practice 

 of employing undergraduate students on field parties: for this the 

 universities owe the Survey a debt of gratitude. If the Survey or 

 the Provincial bureaux could extend this privilege to the granting 

 of independent commissions to a small number of graduate students, 

 increase in this type of student would be at once apparent. 



While it is true that this is now done, the uncertainty of appoint- 

 ment largely counteracts the advantage. The writer would appeal 

 for some sort of arrangement whereby the universities could actually 

 rely upon one or two appointments of this kind per annum. It is 

 true that the Survey might in some instances suffer loss or disap- 

 pointment, but on the whole, the general cause of education in geology 

 would be immeasurably advanced. 



