TO The Mountaineer 
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES. 
A. H. ALBERTSON. 
The Mountaineers have a destiny. They should search high to 
find it. We have been mostly getting. The greater growth comes with 
giving. We take strength and inspiration from the hills; they should 
show forth in works—permanent and of human benefit. As an or- 
ganization the Mountaineers have sufficient resource and talent to 
make lasting local history. 
Compared with other parts of the United States this sunset coun- 
try is new and undiscovered, particularly in the fields of natural 
science. Its beauty and variety of forms, its monuments of profound 
strength are unexecelled on this continent. There are lines of action 
leading to such works—to the writing of such history, and to the find- 
ing of such destiny. They are as follows: 
I. Geology and Extinct Life. 
As Dr. Lyman stated in The Mountaineer of 1907 this section will 
richly reward the study of geologic forms. “At the present stage of 
investigation, the geological history of our mountains cannot be wholly 
affirmed. It constitutes one of the most interesting problems for the 
scientific students of our state.” 
II. Geography and Exploration. 
A surprising number of the natural features of the country round 
about are nameless—many are inappropriately named. Facts could be 
collected, names selected and recommendations made to Washington 
for their adoption. The naming of nameless mountains is already 
under way. Topography and map making are given considerable at- 
tention by the Appalachians. In Boston they have upheld the Park 
Board, the Civic Plans Commission and the School Board in their 
playground work. 
The Mountaineers may also well look forward to the time when 
serious explorations may be undertaken. 
Ill. Vegetable Life. 
The Eidelweiss Committee is already looking toward importations 
of new species. Along with the EHidelweiss the arbutus, the girlhood 
flower of the secluded eastern woods, is worthy a playground on our 
Western slopes. The Mountaineer already records’ scientific effort 
in the domain of vegetable life extant. 
IV. Animal Life. 
The protection and extention of game life is one of the Mountain- 
eers’ most obvious duties. It was reported recently that a small party 
of hunters in a few days shot thirty-one deer from one camp in this 
