340 J. C. MEKRIAM THE TEACHING OF HISTORICAL GEOLOGY 



(1) The expression of research referred to as '^practical application 

 in engineering laboratories" includes use of science in development of 

 economic interests in the great variety of ways in which investigation 

 contributes to the good of mankind. The words '^engineer" and "science" 

 are here used in the widest sense, covering the appliers of knowledge 

 secured by investigation. The operations of this group might be illus- 

 trated by the constructor of railways, the builder of aeroplanes, or the 

 dentist. The work of the engineer in all of the fields in which he oper- 

 ates may, unfortunately, be carried on by rule-of -thumb application with- 

 out consideration of the special merits of each case. The true engineer 

 we all recognize as one who views each problem as a new subject for 

 special study. In a large measure, his judgment must be based upon 

 previous experience with similar studies, but his greatest success comes 

 through realization of the fact that each bridge to be built, whether it be 

 intended to cross a river or only to reach from one tooth to another, 

 presents a special problem not identical with any previously considered 

 case, and that failure to see the individual peculiarities may mean ina- 

 bility to make full use of the principles which are his instruments. The 

 successful engineer is continuously engaged in the application of research 

 methods. 



In a still larger sense does the engineer concern himself with research 

 problems by consideration of questions which are not merely specific 

 applications, but involve principles which must be better understood be- 

 fore he is able to proceed. The dentist recognizes that knowledge of 

 microscopic structure of the tooth is of fundamental importance in his 

 treatment of tissues, if this work is to have value in a degree of perma- 

 nence measured in years or tens of years. The railroad builder realizes 

 that not all rock foundations give real stability to a railway bed, and that 

 an understanding of the material through which he cuts may determine 

 the ultimate value of his constructive work. These investigations in 

 engineering inquiry we often designate as research in applied science. 

 They differ from those in so-called pure science only in the fact that the 

 research of the engineer is specifically directed, and by nature of the 

 inquiry is rather narrowly limited, whereas the real solution of the prob- 

 lem may lie in a rather remote field. The railway builder may find the 

 answer to his engineering questions in special phases of chemistry or 

 petrography which were not included in the curriculum of his training 

 course. 



Even with the limitations which are set in investigations designed to 

 meet specific needs in restricted fields of applied science, we must recog- 



