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SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. LIV. No. 1408. 



in reviewing a recent work on foraminifera, 

 has pointed out that these microscopic ani- 

 mals "have lately been shown to be of pro- 

 found significance in the location of oil 

 sands ... in the Texas oil fields." 



4. The geologist has the pleasure of realiz- 

 ing close bonds with many hinds of people 

 and many fields of human interest. The suc- 

 cessful operation of the federal leasing law 

 depends on the work which many young ge- 

 ologists have been doing in the different 

 sections of the country in past summers. In 

 the settlement of post-war problems in eco- 

 nomics, the word of the geologist (and geog- 

 rapher) carried much weight. In matters 

 of conservation and the establishment of 

 national parks he holds an honorable place. 

 And his influence on religious thought has 

 been and still is great. 



Geology means contact with people. The 

 geologist in his field work often meets woods- 

 men, Indians, -cowboys, pioneer agricultural- 

 ists, prospectors and miners; in consulting 

 work, he deals with " big business " ; in class- 

 room or office, with highly trained university 

 men; often his lot is cast with all three types 

 many times in the course of a year. He 

 must develop tact, an understanding and ap- 

 preciation of i)eople of various kinds, and an 

 ability to adapt liimseK to varying conditions 

 of life. Incidently, he will probably keep 

 alive the " milk of human kindness." Ge- 

 ology may not be a humanistic subject, but 

 it is a thoroughly human subject. 



5. The character of the science is such as 

 to develop the quality of good judgment. 

 Geology being young and many theories still 

 debatable, the first duty of the geologist is 

 to consider the evidence and accept those 

 theories according best with the known facts. 

 Due, perhaps, to this and the preceding fact, 

 many geologists have filled positions as col- 

 lege presidents, executive officers, and public 

 servants with exceptional tact, skill, and in- 

 tegrity. 



6. The geologist derives great reward from 

 his intimate understanding of nature. No 

 journey is so long, no desert so drear, no 

 mountain so forbidding, no streamlet so 



small, no life so insignificant, that it does 

 not bring with it some intimate revelation 

 and fellowship. As is often said of religion, 

 this is something which needs to be experi- 

 enced to be understood. It is a wonderful 

 possession to have and a wonderful gift to 

 impart to others as teacher and as investiga- 

 tor. The geologist may not express his 

 thoughts in a " Psalm of Life " as did Long- 

 fellow after viewing a fossil foot-print, but 

 his inspiration may be even greater from his 

 fuller understanding of its meaning. 



7. Geology is an invigorator — physically. 

 The researches of tlie active geologist will 

 take him into the open, far away from the 

 contaminated air of city and laboratory, for 

 several weeks or months, each year. Few 

 other learned professions can offer this in- 

 ducement to their votaries. The geologist 

 must love the out-of-doors and from this 

 love he will draw physical fitness. Geology 

 is pre-eminently a profession for the red- 

 blooded, athletic type of man. 



8. Geology is an invigorator — morally and 

 spiritually. Consider the title of papers by 

 some of the present-day leaders — J. M. 

 Clarke, " The philosophy of geology and the 

 order of the state " ; T. C. Chamberlin, " A 

 geologic forecast of the future opportunities 

 of our race " ; G. O. Smith, " Geology and 

 the public service"; read the concluding 

 paragraphs of text-books on geology; con- 

 sider the closing words of a recent address 

 before an important gathering of geologists — 



The student of earth sciences was once a con- 

 tributor to the wider philosophy of nature. It may 

 be his duty now to make sure, not only that his 

 influence is felt in advancement of material wel- 

 fare, but that he serve also to point out the lesson 

 of the foundations of the earth, and to show that 

 strength may still come from the hills. 



In conclusion, for one who has scientific 

 leanings, who cares for investigation, and 

 who has ability, geology offers health, an 

 optimistic outlook on life, human intercourse, 

 abundant opportunity for research, and withal, 

 a livelihood. 



H. P. Little 



National Ebsearch Council 



