224 Clarence King. 



CLARENCE KING. 



Of the many rapid advances in various branches of science 

 during the last quarter of the past century none has been more 

 remarkable than that of geology. The fundamental cause of 

 this advance is to be ascribed less to the brilliant discoveries 

 and generalizations of individual investigators, of which, how- 

 ever, there has been no want, than to the systematic organiza- 

 tion of geological work, which has given a sounder basis for 

 generalization and rendered the work of the individual more 

 effective. 



In the earlier days, when only State geological surveys were 

 carried on, and those without adequate maps, no satisfactory 

 correlation of their results was possible ; hence much time was 

 often wasted in polemical discussions that might better have 

 been employed in more systematic field observation. A few lead- 

 ing minds like Dana, Hall, Rogers, and others had made bril- 

 liant generalizations that left their impress upon the science of 

 geology, but in cases of conflict of opinion the array of facts 

 that could be cited to confirm or deny a given hypothesis was 

 insufficient to produce final conviction. 



It was not until the truth, that geological studies cannot pro- 

 fitably be confined within State lines or other artificial bound- 

 aries, had been proved by practical demonstration, that the aid 

 of the general government was freely and permanently enlisted, 

 and thereby geological science in America raised to its present 

 high position. 



To the accomplishment of this result the late Clarence King 

 was the foremost and one of the most active contributors. It 

 was he whose personal efforts created the 4:0th Parallel Survey, 

 which was the first government exploration primarily devoted 

 to geological investigation, the first geological survey in the 

 country to make and publish topographical maps as a basis for 

 its geology, the first to employ microscopical petrography in 

 the study of its rocks, and the first to institute systematic 

 geological examinations of mining districts with a view of 

 establishing a more satisfactory theory of vein formation. 



The organization of the United States Geological Survey 

 as a permanent bureau of the Government, which naturally 

 resulted from the work of this and succeeding government 

 explorations, was in great measure due to his personal efforts. 



It was, however, not as an organizer alone that King con- 

 tributed to the advance of geological science ; his writings 

 have been of the very highest order, not only in their matter 

 but in their manner of presentment; while his personal 

 influence upon fellow geologists and his suggestiveness have 



