424 Rei'ieics — Hayes' Field Geologists' Handbook. 



in price has been made in the Drift map of Lincoln, Sheet 83. The map 

 of Norwich, 66 N.E., formerly priced at 3s., is now 9s. 9rf., and the 

 Scottish map 37 (Inverary, etc.) has been raised from 6s. to 25.s. ^d. 

 This is surely a retrograde movement on the part of H.M. Treasury. 



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

 Chief Geologist, United States Geological Survey. Second 

 edition. Small 8vo; pp. ix, 159, with 18 figures. New York 

 and London: Chapman & Hall, 1909. Price 6s. 6^. net. 



THIS little handbook is one that may be consulted advantageously 

 by all field geologists, by teachers, and by students who are 

 desirous of joining the staff of a Geological Survey. 



After referring briefly to the physical and mental qualities and 

 adaptability to conditions requisite in a field geologist, the author 

 rightly urges that a thorough grounding in chemistry, physics, 

 zoology, and botany is the best preparation for geologic work, and 

 that this should be secured even at the expense of certain geologic 

 inforaiation that can be better learnt during the progress of field-work. 

 Some knowledge also of mathematics and of modern languages is 

 regarded as essential. 



The requirements of the geological surveyor vary naturally in 

 different regions, his work being much more arduous and diversified 

 not only in complex mountain regions, but in countries where the 

 climate is extreme and where topographic maps have to be 

 constructed. 



In the United States Geological Survey, under the Director, there 

 are four branches : the Geologic Eranch under the Chief Geologist, 

 the Topographic Branch under the Chief Geographer, the Water 

 Resources Branch under the Chief Hydrographer, and the Technologic 

 Branch under an Expert in Charge. 



The present handbook contains instructions relating almost 

 exclusively to the geologic branch, and we miss therefore any 

 special advice with regard to water supply ; the investigation of oil 

 and gas fields, however, is included. 



Among other qualifications necessary in the United States it is 

 held that " A geologist must possess a practical knowledge of horse- 

 manship, of boating, and of general woodcraft, so that he will be 

 equally at home in the saddle, in the canoe, or on foot in a trackless 

 forest". Useful instructions are given in the matter of outfit, and 

 neatness in dress is strongly urged. 



As the author observes, "Directions for making and recording 

 observations and for the use of the schedules are intended to insure 

 thoroughness and system, not to relieve the observer of the necessity 

 for thought." Ability to write clear and concise English is regarded 

 as second in importance only to scientific knowledge. 



The study of previous geologic work is recommended prior to 

 a field survey; thus, " Such previous work should be utilized to the 

 utmost, but the geologist should guard, on the one hand, against- 

 following former conclusions slavishly and, on the other, against 

 going out of his way to prove his predecessor in the wrong." 



