THE PROBLEMS OF GEOLOGY 603 



Evidently, in order that we may have even an approximately correct 

 idea of the chief causes for crustal deformation, the question must 

 be answered as to the quantitative importance of each of the causes. 



The consideration of the processes of geology by quantitative 

 methods is superlatively difficult, yet this task must be undertaken 

 if the science ever approximates certainty of conclusions. This 

 leads to the relations of mathematics to geology. The moment we 

 pass to the quantitative treatment of processes the assistance of 

 mathematics is needed. For simple quantitative calculations arith- 

 metic and algebra may suffice, but for the more difficult problems of 

 geology the assistance of higher mathematics is needed. This, then, 

 raises the question as to whether or not it is expected that the geolo- 

 gist, in addition to knowing physics and chemistry, must also be a 

 mathematician. Undoubtedly this is the ideal equipment of a geolo- 

 gist, which, unfortunately, few if any possess. There are many 

 geologists who apply simple mathematics to various problems. 

 But the man who is so familiar with forces, agents, processes, and 

 phenomena of geology that he is able to handle them, and at the 

 same time is capable of handling higher mathematical reasoning, is 

 rare indeed. Those geologists who have made the attempt to com- 

 bine mathematical with their geological reasoning usually have 

 shown marked deficiency in their mathematics. Upon the other 

 hand, those mathematicians who have attempted to handle the 

 problems of geology mathematically have usually been so deficient 

 in a knowledge of geology that their work has been of comparatively 

 httle value. In view of these unfortunate results, it seems to me 

 that the time has come for co-operation between geologists and 

 -mathematicians in the advancement of the science of geology to a 

 quarmtative basis. Two or more men should work together, some 

 of them geologists with a broad famiharity with the phenomena and 

 methods of their science, and the others expert mathematicians. In 

 continual consultation, the geologist and mathematician will be able 

 safely to handle the problems of geology quantitatively. This happy 

 condition of co-operation, once reached, will be sure rapidly to advance 

 the science. 



The quantitative solution of geological problems is Ukely to empha- 

 size also another of the principles of geological method of the greatest 



