84 Taylor's model of the western 



not too late, even at this hour, to exhibit in this way, all the to- 

 pographical characters of that region ; to represent those great 

 natural features, suggested for lines of international boundary. 

 All the details applicable for this purpose are but now in pro- 

 gi-ess of collection. From their arrangement we may expect to 

 result the clearing up of existing obscurities ; a more accurate 

 consti'uction of terms, and the adjustment of important points, 

 now at issue. 



Models are peculiarly adapted to the exhibition of geological 

 phenomena. For ordinary convenience of ti-ansportation and 

 portability, no doubt maps are best adapted, for the library, or for 

 the use of the traveller. But for public and more enlarged ob- 

 jects, and for scientific institutions, the more permanent and pon- 

 derous form of representation, such as that we have now^ under 

 consideration, does appear to possess sti-onger recommendations. 

 We would desire to extend the principle so far as to introduce it 

 in the final elucidation of State geological surveys ; convinced 

 that the greatest advantage would result from it. There exists 

 no remarkable or insm-mountable difficulty in thus exhibiting, in 

 the distinctest form, the most prominent geological features of the 

 States around us. There appears to be no practical or scientific 

 reason, (pecuniary considerations aside,) wliy the results of those 

 labors which have proceeded so successfully, and are still prose- 

 cuted so satisfactorily, in most of the States in the Union, by 

 gentlemen of high professional eminence, a large proportion of 

 whom are now assembled here, — there appears no reason, I re- 

 mark, why the vast mass of facts which they have thus so indus- 

 triously accumulated, should not finally receive this mode of 

 representation. The capitols of Harrisburg, of Richmond, or of 

 Albany, and other seats of local government, might be honorably 

 adorned with instructive geological models of their respective 

 States ; and in due time, when the gi'eat work has so far pro- 

 ceeded in advancement, the Capitol of "Washington itself might 

 be enriched by one superb model, in which shall be concentrated 

 those results which so much combined talent has brought to light 

 and reduced to order, and the usefulness of which has been de- 

 monstrated. 



The illustration of physical geography by means of models 



