630 PHYSIOGRAPHY 



and enable the general reader of average intelligence to receive 

 instruction and inspiration from the talks and writings of the espe- 

 cially qualified interpreters of nature. 



Exploration 



Physiography, to a great extent, is still in the descriptive stage of 

 its development, but the descriptions demanded are such as dis- 

 criminate and select the essential, or suggestive, from the confusing 

 wealth of secondary details frequently present. The records should 

 also include comparisons between the objects described and analogous 

 topographic or other physiographic features, and, within safe and 

 reasonable limits, be accompanied by explanations of their origin and 

 life-histories. 



One of the important functions of physiography, as a more mature 

 growth of physical geography, is to continue and render more com- 

 plete the exploration of the earth's surface and to conduct resurveys 

 where necessary. Geographical exploration has, as is well known, 

 been carried on vigorously, although spasmodically, in the past, and 

 the areas marked "unknown" on our globes have become smaller and 

 smaller, and more and more isolated. The more critical physiographic 

 studies, however, which have for their object not only the descrip- 

 tion of coast-lines, mountain ranges, plains, etc., but a search for 

 the records of their birth, the discovery of their mode of development, 

 and their assignment to a definite place in the complex whole, termed 

 man's environment, has progressed but slowly. In this stricter sense, 

 the unknown areas on the earth's surface embrace regions of con- 

 tinental extent. It is this latter method of geographical exploration 

 and survey which now demands chief attention. 



The terms "exploration" and "survey" are here used advisedly, 

 as two divisions of physiographic field-work may justly be recognized. 

 These are: first, travel in which physiographic observations are 

 incidental to other aims, or perhaps the leading purpose in view, as 

 during a physiographic reconnoissance; and, second, detailed sur- 

 veys and critical study of definite areas or of concrete problems. 

 Each of these subdivisions of the great task of making known the 

 beauties and harmonies of man's dwelling-place has its special 

 functions. 



From the observant traveler we expect comprehensive and graphic 

 descriptions of the regions visited, rendered terse by the use of well- 

 chosen terms, in which the more conspicuous elements of relief, and 

 other physiographic features, and their relation to life, shall be 

 clearly and forcibly presented. In order to render this service, the 

 traveler should not only be familiar with the broader conclusions 

 and fundamental principles of physiography, but skilled in the use 



