210 THE NEW WORLD OF SCIENCE 



maps, but practical descriptions of such features of each forma- 

 tion as were important from the military point of view. From 

 these maps the army engineers could tell at once which forma- 

 tions were filled with water, which were dry and suitable for 

 the location of dugouts, tunnels, and subways; in which the 

 walls of trenches would remain vertical for a long time, and 

 which would require timbering to prevent the slumping down 

 of trench walls; which would give muddy and marshy surface, 

 and which would yield valuable deposits of road metal and 

 other construction materials. 



Of equal importance were the different types of water supply 

 maps, showing which formations carried ample quantities of 

 good water; what was the depth below the surface of the 

 groundwater level at any point ; where existing wells were 

 located ; where new ones should be placed, and where springs 

 could be sought with success; and all the needful information 

 for those upon whose shoulders rested the heavy responsibility 

 of providing the enormous numbers of men concentrated in the 

 war zone with sanitary supplies of water for drinking and 

 other purposes. There were also maps to show the different 

 types of surface over which the advancing armies would have 

 to pass following their offensives, and to portray other data 

 of high military value. 



It would involve needless repetition to show in detail how 

 the American geologists proceeded to meet the same needs of 

 their armies which the British in their earlier work had demon- 

 strated could be met with enormous advantage to the efficiency 

 of the military machine. Suffice it to say that the excellent 

 work directed by Col. Brooks confirmed anew the value of 

 geology as an adjunct to military operations, and commanded 

 the respect and praise of our French and British associates. 



Geologists were naturally much interested to know whether 

 the great military machine which the German Government 

 built up for their war of world conquest, was efficient enough 

 to provide an adequate corps of geological workers for their 

 armies. There is evidence to show that in the beginning not 



