Reviews and Abstracts. 



Physical Features of Missouri. By Curtis Fletcher Marbut. 

 Geological Survey of Missouri, Vol. X, pp. 1-109, 1896. 



This report represents one of the first attempts on the part of a 

 state geological survey to interpret the physical geography of the state 

 concerned from the modern standpoint. The report brings out many 

 interesting facts and relations, even though the topographic map of 

 the state is not complete, and all the data which the area may 

 ultimately afford for the interpretation of its geography are therefore 

 not now available. 



The general physical features of the state are discussed from the 

 standpoint of history. The processes of their evolution, and their 

 dependence on geological structure are emphasized, thus bringing out 

 what geographers have long recognized — that any rational interpreta- 

 tion of geography must be based upon a knowledge of geological 

 structure. 



The general physiographic provinces of the state are outlined, and 

 their leading characteristics succinctly set forth, and set forth in such 

 a way as to give them a meaning. It is not too much to say that any 

 one who masters this part of Mr. Marbut's report will have a concep- 

 tion of many of the common processes by which topography is 

 developed, and will have acquired some ability to interpret geography 

 for himself. 



In the discussion of the hydrography of the state, the same funda- 

 mental principles of treatment are followed. Various types of 

 drainage, as drainage is now classified, are found to exist within the 

 state, and specific illustrations are pointed out. It is one of the 

 evidences of the right methods of river study now in vogue, that they 

 are found to fit regions which had not been studied when they were 

 adopted. Many special features of valleys as developed in Missouri 

 are discussed, and new illustrations of various well-known principles 

 are furnished. River meanders come in for special and discriminating 



discussion. 



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