358 H. E. GREGORY TEACHING GEOLOGY AS RELATED TO RESEARCH 



and in a number of institutions is absolutely weaker, as measured by size 

 of faculty or by number of students or by both. Some fifteen institutions 

 in which biology, physics, and chemistry are well thought of have elimi- 

 nated geology from the course of study or reduced it to harmless propor- 

 tions since 1870. Geology has disappeared almost entirely from secondary 

 schools and physical geography is getting up speed to follow. The history 

 of geology as a teaching subject is more like astronomy — once universally 

 taught, now almost absent from schools of all grades — than like biology 

 or chemistry, which have shown a consistent growth. The appeal to 

 geology is now primarily for economic contributions and of late mainly 

 for assistance in making money out of oil. This growing appreciation of 

 the subject is gratifying and should be encouraged, but the relatively low 

 valuation given science as a means of training minds and of teaching 

 essential truths is worthy of serious attention. The present conditions 

 are favorable for strengthening the position of geology; the attitude of 

 investors and of business men is sympathetic; and the war, with the 

 consequent unsettled condition of the world, has increased faith in science 

 as a whole. 



Discussion of the Functions of Geology 



The function of geology may be viewed from three standpoints : 



1. Should a knowledge of geology be the possession of the few — the 

 well preserved treasure of a selected group of men and women who write 

 papers to be read within a restricted circle ; whose reward consists of the 

 approval or envy of colleagues trained to understand the intricacies of a 

 particular subdivision of the subject? If so, geology in America has 

 been successful. 



2. Is the essential function of geology to find new truths and to restate 

 old truths which may or may not bear on the happiness and welfare of 

 man ? If so, we have succeeded, for only a few choice minds are necessary 

 to develop theories, and it is probable that there are now within the 

 United States a half dozen abundantly capable geologists to one in the 

 days of Dana, Hitchcock, and Rogers. But the great development of 

 research institutions and the setting aside of men for special investiga- 

 tions has taken place since 1890. Relatively, geological research has not 

 kept pace with the advance of other sciences. 



3. Is geology a medium of thought, a method of training minds for 

 use in any activity — a body of fact and principles and methods, acquaint- 

 ance with which will raise the level of the intellectual life of a commu- 

 nity? In other words, has its teaching a significance which justifies its 

 incorporation in school and college courses ? In academic parlance, is it 



