Mat 6, 1887.] 



sciujsrcE. 



447 



the geological features of the state, has been pre- 

 pared by Dr. J. Kost. Florida has never been a 

 very promising geological field, the rocks being 

 effectually concealed almost everywhere over its 

 level surface by extensive quaternary and recent 

 deposits ; while the facilities for geological obser- 

 vation afforded by artificial excavation and river 

 and coast erosion are very meagre. Enough facts, 

 however, have already been determined to show 

 that Florida can no longer be regarded as simply 

 a long stretch of sand deposited on a series of 

 coral reefs. Every member of the tertiary series 

 has been identified in the state, and the lowest 

 division or eocene, especially, is of considerable 

 extent and thickness. A low anticlinal axis runs 

 down the peninsula midway between the east 

 and west coasts. This uplift appears to have oc- 

 curred at the close of the eocene, since the later 

 rocks differ in character on the two sides of the 

 ridge. Those of the east side are chiefly the 

 coquina or shell limestone ; while those of the 

 west side are coralline and shelly limestone, and 

 sandstone, with much siliceous material. In 

 most parts of the state, all the formations, and 

 especially those newer than the eocene, are often 

 exceedingly cavernous ; branching channels, with 

 running streams into which numerous sink-holes 

 descend from the surface, constituting an exten- 

 sive system of subterranean drainage. In nu- 

 merous instances these subterranean streams reach 

 the surface at lower levels, forming springs of 

 great size and force. Under the head of geologi- 

 cal principles, the physical and geographical fea- 

 tures of the state in the successive epochs, and 

 the sources of the different kinds of sediment, are 

 discussed at some length. The sandy and seem- 

 ingly barren soil of Florida is shown, by state- 

 ments concerning its composition and agricultural 

 products, to possess virtues not suspected by the 

 casual observer. Not only is the soil much better 

 than it has been represented, but it is shown that 

 the state is not lacking in materials for improving 

 it to any desired extent. Shell marl is abundant 

 in all parts of the state, and the discovery of im- 

 portant phosphate deposits similar to those of 

 South Carolina is announced. Aside from the 

 maris and phosphates, the mineral resources of 

 Florida are very limited, including, however, 

 some building- stones and clay-beds, and indica- 

 tions of lignite and iron ore. 



Me. and Mrs. E. W. Morse, pioneer members 

 of the San Diego society of natural history, have 

 recently presented that association with a lot near 

 the post-office, valued at over twelve thousand 

 dollars. By the conditions of the gift, the society 

 will erect a building. 



RELATION OF THE STATE TO INDUS- 

 TRIAL ACTION. 



Professor Adams has given us a pamphlet that 

 is not only critical but constructive, and it is the 

 ablest monograph that the Economic association 

 has yet issued. It is not altogether new, for its 

 substance was read some time ago as a paper be- 

 fore the Constitution club of New York City, and 

 published by the club with the title " Principles 

 that should control the interference of the state in 

 industries." In its present form, however, the 

 argument is both revised and extended. 



The author's plan of procedure is simple and 

 suggestive. He first takes up the laissez-faire 

 theory, analyzes it, and finds it inadequate as a 

 guide in constructive economics, and then de- 

 velops his own principles for the regulation and 

 limitation of state interference. Professor Adams 

 finds himself unable to follow Mill's dictum that 

 every departure from laissez-faire, unless required 

 by some great good, is a certain evil. He finds 

 the presumption against state activity an insuffi- 

 cient principle upon which to base constructive 

 efforts. He, moreover, regards the modification of 

 the English system of economics for which Pro- 

 fessor Cairnes is largely responsible as no improve- 

 ment. " In its original form, it [English econom- 

 ics] was conclusive as as argument though based 

 upon an erroneous premise ; in its modernized 

 form the error of its premise has been corrected, 

 but its conclusiveness as an argument has thereby 

 been destroyed " (p. 25). As modified, the doc- 

 trine of laissez-faire cannot lay claim to scientific 

 pretension, and amounts to nothing more than a 

 declaration in favor of the wisdom of conserva- 

 tism. 



In seeking to replace this now discarded prin- 

 ciple. Professor Adams finds some obstacles, owing 

 to the general failure to distinguish clearly be- 

 tween laissez-faire as a dogma and free competi- 

 tion as a pi'inciple. "The former is a rule or 

 maxim intended for the guidance of public ad- 

 ministration ; the latter is a convenient expression 

 for bringing to mind certain conditions of indus- 

 trial society " (p. B2). Over against the prevailing 

 English maxim with its presumption in favor of 

 the individual, on the one hand, and against the 

 prevailing German maxim with its presumption 

 in favor of the state, on the other, the author 

 brings forward this principle, distinct from both, 

 as the starting-point for constructive study : "It 

 should be the purpose of all laws touching matters 

 of business, to maintain the beneficent results of 

 competitive action while guarding society from 



Relation of the state to industrial action. By Henry 

 C. Adams. Baltimore, American economic association. 8°. 



