Reviews 



Handbook for Field Geologists. By C. W. Hayes, Ph.D., Chief 

 Geologist U. S. Geological Survey. Pp. 159; 18 figures. New 

 York: John Wiley & Sons, 1909. 



This handbook of field methods will be found an important addition 

 to the equipment of the working geologist. The basis of the present book 

 was laid in an earlier volume on geologic field methods issued modestly 

 in a limited edition in 1908 merely for distribution among members of the 

 U. S. Geological Survey, but the frequency with which requests were made 

 for it from members of the state surveys, teachers, mining geologists, and 

 others indicated that a much wider need for such a book was felt, and it 

 was in response to this demand that the present volume has been prepared. 



The subject is treated under two main heads — Part I, general instruc- 

 tions, and Part II, instructions for special investigations. Part I covers 

 the more common matters and the more specific instructions to members 

 of the U. S. Geological Survey. Among these are included the field outfit, 

 the more general lines of field observations, and measurements of structural 

 features. These are accompanied by tables and formulas, and by the many 

 graphic and trigonometric aids in solving problems connected with folds, 

 faults, thickness of beds, etc. Upon these subjects much information is 

 given in a condensed form. The taking of notes receives special atten- 

 tion; the purposes and the technique not only of written notes, but 

 of graphic, photographic, traverse, plane table and profile notes, are care- 

 fully treated in detail and much attention is devoted to the methods of col- 

 lecting material for further study and for museum exhibition. The various 

 methods of surveying are also given an important place. The chief empha- 

 sis in this part is placed upon the necessity of using sound, accurate, and 

 systematic methods in field work. It is an excellent exposition of the 

 mechanical devices which have been long tried and found serviceable by the 

 Federal Survey and, while doubtless not the last word, may be accepted 

 as the teachings of mature experience. 



Part II serves as a guidebook to the significant features to be observed 

 in various special branches of field investigation and in its nature could not 

 be equally complete. Pointers are given for the description and interpre- 

 tation of land forms, for observations in petrologic and structural geology, 

 for the study of glacial formations, and for the investigation of metalliferous 



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