1890.] Editorial, 919 
It is not uncommon, however, to hear very exalted sentiments 
uttered by the enthusiastic devotee, to the effect that he cares noth- 
ing for the ordinary indications by which he may be known. He 
‘particularly disclaims the vulgar desire to give names, when it is 
fully within his right to do so, and he looks down with contempt 
on the man who thus affixes a trade-mark to the goods which he 
has himself produced. Now this is nothing but a mild form of hy- 
pocrisy, pleasing to him who entertains it and to the groundlings 
who know nothing of life, but it deceives no others. Let another 
step in and try to set up his shop in the “ preserves " of these gen- 
tlemen, or let him try to attach his label to what he may discover 
therein, and human nature displays itself in vigorous forms. They 
are not so indifferent as they pretend to be. 
We sometimes hear suggestions that the scientific field shall be 
divided. A shall do this, B that, and so on. Such propositions 
are most likely to emanate from some person who fears the in- 
dustry or the ability of some one else, and desires to preempt a 
claim from which * depredators" shall be excluded. This also is 
human nature, but it is notthe right kind. The defenders of 
such methods, however, assure us that it is in the true interest 
of science! 
These remarks are apropos of a recommendation contained in 
the address before the Geological Section of the American 
Association for the Advancement of Science, of 1890, by its chair- 
man, Prof. Jno. C. Branner, who is director of the Geological Sur- 
vey of Arkansas. He recommends that the State Geological Sur- 
veys confine themselves to economical geological work, and leave 
the solution of all scientific problems to the United States Geo- 
logical Survey. Perhaps Professor Branner intends to do this in 
the case of the survey which he directs, but if he does so we should 
consider him derelict in his duty to the people who have appoint- 
ed him. We doubt, however, whether he will or can do so. 
to other geological surveys, his proposition will be apt to provoke 
a smile. The scientific geologist, wherever located and however 
situated, will not probably confine himself to economic questions. 
Nor will the literature of geology be diminished as Prof. Bran- 
ner professes to desire. If scientific geology is to be restricted 
