THE PROBLEMS OF GEOLOGY 6ll 



fundamental problems of geology. As a consequence, when a com- 

 mittee was appointed by the Carnegie Institution to consider what 

 could best be done for the advancement of geology, it was unani- 

 mously decided that the most pressing need of the science was, not 

 further support of the study of the phenomena of geology, but the 

 advancement of the principles of physics and chemistry upon which 

 geology is based. ^ In a small way some of the physical and chemical 

 problems, the solution of which are asked by geologists, have been 

 taken up by the Carnegie Institution. Thus the demands of the 

 geologists that their science shall be reduced to order under the 

 principles of physics and chemistry are likely to result in important 

 advances of these sciences. 



DEFECTS OF GEOLOGICAL LITERATURE. 



If further proof than that already given were needed of the impor- 

 tance of the knowledge by geologists of the basal principles of the 

 elementary sciences, and of their application to geological problems, 

 it is furnished by the literature of geology. It seems to me that the 

 radical defect which pervades the literature of the subject is due to 

 the lack by geologists of such knowledge. Because of this, many 

 geologists are wholly unable to make a logical arrangement of their 

 material, or respectably to discuss the phenomena observed with 

 reference to causes. 



Indeed, some geologists seem to take pride in lack of knowledge 

 of principles and of their failure to explain the facts observed in the 

 terms of the elementary sciences. I have heard a man say: "I 

 observe the facts as I find them, unprejudiced by any theory." I 

 regard this statement as not only condemning the work of the man, . 

 but the position as an impossible one. No man has ever stated more 

 than a small part of the facts with reference to any area. The geol- 

 ogist must select the facts which he regards of sufficient note to 

 record and describe. But such selection implies theories of their 

 importance and significance. In a given case the problem is there- 

 fore reduced to selecting the facts for record, with a broad and 

 deep comprehension of the principles involved, a definite under- 

 standing of the rules of the game, an appreciation of what is probable 



I Carnegie Institution Year-Book, No. i, 1902, No. 2, 1903, 



