326 Reviews — Military Geology and Topography. 



training of their new Army. They were at once struck by the great 

 increase, as compared with former wars, in the numbers and varieties 

 of maps and also by the far greater employment of mining. At one 

 period the Western Front was to all intents and purposes in the 

 hands of the mining engineers of both sides, mine and countermine 

 determining the success of costly local operations. It was therefore 

 natural to assume that the study of mining would form a greater part 

 of the education of the military engineer of the future than it had 

 done in the past. The study of mining is closely linked with that 

 of geology. Again, it was found that geological experts were 

 attached to the headquarters of the Armies, the most highly organized 

 branch being found in the German Army. There were also special 

 branches of the engineering staff dealing exclusively with water supply. 

 The authors had, therefore, a wide field to cover, and by the nature of 

 the case were compelled to be very concise. They have acquitted 

 themselves very well, for the book coutains just as much geology 

 and topography as the military engineer — that jack of all trades — 

 need know, clearly and attractively presented. 



The subject first studied is that of rocks and other earth materials. 

 The scheme adopted is to describe the rock and give an account of . 

 its occurrence, then to note its practical utility, as for example in the 

 preparation of concrete, llock weathering is then shortly described 

 as its direct bearing on military Avork is only slight. .Next streams, 

 lakes, and swamps are considered, and examples, from the War and 

 history, of their influence on military campaigns are frequently 

 inserted. 



The study of water supply is gone into pretty thoroughly, occupyin g 

 fifty-two pages. This attention is indeed merited, good and plentiful 

 water being most important to the health and comfort of troops in 

 any campaign. Theory and practice are skilfully intermingled. 



The chapter on land forms, in which field of study American 

 geologists lead the way, enables the reader to appreciate the forms 

 characteristic of the different kinds of rocks. 



The portion of the book devoted to map-reading and interpretation 

 is not quite so good as our own Army handbook on the subject, 

 except that the interpretation is treated from the geological point of 

 view. It is also interesting to note that the authors make no attempt 

 to explain geological map-reading; probably they consider this should 

 be left to the expert. 



The last chapter deals with the economic relations and military 

 uses of minerals. 



Throughout the text numerous references to more advanced works 

 by American authors are given. The book is clearly printed, 

 profusely illustrated with excellent photographs and diagrams, and 

 is reasonable in price. 



In spite of the fact that the book was written for the special 

 purpose of training officers for the "War just concluded it would be 

 of great value to officers, particularly to those of the Royal Engineers, 

 as the essentials of their requirements of geology and topography 

 are collected together under one cover. B. Lightfoot. 



