BY R. C. RINGROSE, M.A. 199 
It would be beyond the scope of this paper to enter into the 
whole question of the scientific value of the study of geology, 
and it will therefore be assumed. It will be enough to state 
that the Governments of nearly all European countries, and of 
the United States, and of most of the British colonies have 
recognised its importance by establishing a permanent survey. 
The English geological survey has long been established, and 
now a very large portion of the work has been completed. The 
staff of the survey consists of the large number of 57 skilled 
persons. They include a director-general, 3 directors, 3 district 
surveyors, 14 geologists, 25 assistant geologists, 4 naturalists 
and paleontologists, 4 fossil collectors, and 3 general assistants. 
The permanent geological survey of Canada was commenced 
many years ago, and since that time it has continued to do 
valuable work. (Prof. Bonney, the President of the Geological 
Society of London, in a recent speech at the Colonial Institute, 
referring to their work, said, that he thought, considering the 
vast area of country to be gone over, and the difficulties of 
many parts of it, it was wonderful that they had accomplished 
so much. He urged that some specialist should be added to 
the present staff to whom the duty of prospecting minerals 
should be given, as it was impossible for the present staff to do 
that work without abandoning the more important scientific 
work of the general survey). The Geological Survey of Canada 
is directed by Mr. A. R. L. Selwyn, formerly in the service of 
the Victorian Government. 
The colonies of New Zealand and Victoria have also got 
permanent surveys, that of the former colony especially has 
done a large amount of good work under the able leadership of 
Dr. Hector. 
In New South Wales I believe there is as yet no permanent 
survey, although there is a staff of 3 or 4 geological surveyors. 
In South Australia it is said that they are about to establish a 
permanent geological survey. Altogether then, there is ample 
