256 National Geogra,phiG Magazine. 



in working out his problems, and it is simply invaluable to ex- 

 plain the details of a plan to anyone who has little or no tech- 

 nical training ; for, as has been stated, a model is easily compre- 

 hended by anyone, while more or less technical knowledge is 

 required for the proper understanding of even the best maps. 



I might go on cataloguing in detail the many uses to which 

 models may be put, but shall now mention only one more — per- 

 haps the most important of all — their use in the education of the 

 young. No method has yet been devised that is capable of 

 giving so clear and accurate a conception of the principles of 

 physical geography as a series of well selected models; models 

 have, indeed, already been used for this purpose, but unfor- 

 tunately their great cost has prevented their general use in 

 schools. Since, however, the stiidy of geography has been placed 

 upon a new basis and a new life has been infused into it, many 

 men have given their attention to the subject of models, and have 

 experimented with a view to cheapen the cost of reproduction, 

 which has hitherto prevented their wide distribution; and prob- 

 ably this objection will soon be remedied. The ability to read a 

 map correctly, — to obtain from a study of the map a clear con- 

 ception of the cou.ntry represented, — is more uncommon than is 

 usually supposed. Some of the recent methods of teaching 

 geography are intended to cultivate this very faculty, but it is 

 doubtful whether there is any better method than that which 

 consists in the study of a series of good models in conjunction 

 with a series of maps, all on the same scale and of the same 

 areas. The value of a series of good models in teaching geology 

 is so apparent that it need only be mentioned. It is often, for 

 reasons stated above, far more valuable eveUj than field instruc- 

 tion. 



For the construction of a good relief map the first requisite is 

 a good contoured map. To this should be added, when possible, 

 a good hachured map, upon which the elevations of the principal 

 points are stated, — if the interval in the contoured map is a large 

 one, — and as much material in the way of photographs and 

 sketches as it is possible to procure. The modeler should, more- 

 over, have some personal acquaintance with the region to be 

 represented, or, failing that, a general knowledge of topographic 

 forms, and at least a clear conception of the general character of 

 the country which he seeks to represent. This is very important, 

 for it is here that many modelers fail: the mechanical portion of 



