GEOLOGICAL EXCURSION IN COLORADO 5 



to assist those interested in mines in their studies. We are especially indebted to 

 Mr H. C. Lay, of Telluride, who was interested in the excursion from the first. 

 At Aspen we were the guests of Mr F. T. Freeland, Mr J. B. Gwinn, Mr. Wood- 

 ward, and the other mining men of the city. At Ouray we were the guests of 

 Mr T. F. Walsh, and were magnificently entertained both at Ouray and at the 

 Camp Bird mine. At Telluride the citizens showed us many courtesies and atten- 

 tions. Mr Arthur Collins, who is in charge of the Smuggler Union property at 

 Telluride, entertained the party at his mines, and furnished us every opportunity 

 for studying the ore deposits. Among others to whom the party is indebted for 

 many courtesies may be mentioned Messrs J. W. Benson, D. R. Reed, A. Richard- 

 son, H. W. Reed, and E. A. Krisher, of Ouray ; Messrs E. I. Fields, C. R. Van 

 Law, John Herron, A. Koch, J. K. McCoy, and Charles A. Chase, of Telluride; 

 Messrs S. J. Hallett, G. H. Stoiber, and R. W. Watson, of Silverton, and Mr J. O. 

 Campbell, of Durango. 



The various members of the party expressed themselves as being highly pleased 

 with the excursion. And if it is advantageous to rapidly go over a considerable 

 part of a great region in order to obtain a large view ; if it is advantageous for 

 geologists to see the same phenomena together, or, in other words, to be able to 

 see with one another's eyes ; if it is advantageous for geologists to interpret phe- 

 nomena together, or to interpret with one another's brains; if it is advantageous 

 for geologists interested in similar problems to confer with one another as to 

 geological phenomena and their meaning, then the excursion was well justified. 

 In many cases the field experience of a man has been somewhat narrow ; his 

 capacity to correctly observe and discriminate the important phenomena in an 

 area, to understand their relations, to understand their meaning in the terms of 

 the principles of physics and chemistry and biology, is somewhat limited. In 

 many instances, in consequence of isolation, peculiar or partial views have been 

 developed. All of these defects may be partially removed or corrected by mutual 

 study of the same field. 



By a rapid review of a great region the large and salient points are discriminated 

 from the minor, and in some cases less important ones. One whose power of 

 observation is imperfect finds that other men perceive many things that his eyes 

 do not see, and his vision is thereby improved. One who is defective in his 

 method of observation or reasoning is sure to realize these defects when he com- 

 pares himself with others more fortunate in the capacity to perceive facts and to 

 apprehend their meaning. 



In consequence of the Colorado excursion we who participated in it hope we are 

 somewhat more accurate observers, somewhat better interpreters of phenomena, 

 and somewhat more capable of carrying on our investigative or instructional work 

 than before the excursion. If this be so, it would seem that the dominating 

 feature of the summer meetings of geologists should hereafter be extended excur- 

 sions, although this by no means prevents the advantages which result from the 

 presentation of papers and the discussion of them at the regular meeting. 



