1897.] International Geological Congress. 407 
has increased the zeal of the Russians to outdo their most 
dangerous rivals. 
The next Congress was that of 1894 in Ziirich, Switzerland, 
where there were rocks of the world’s crust enough, but those 
of commercial value were not superabundant. While 
Switzerland did herself credit, therefore, nothing was done 
which deprived the Bologna Congress (1881) of the right to be 
considered the most successful and brilliant thus far held. 
The Russians thereupon secured the favor of the Tsar and of 
his Ministers and called to their aid all the official and other 
geologists of the Empire. 
The large cities and towns, the wealthy syndicates and pro- 
prietors, all united in the efforts to draw to Russia the largest 
possible number of scientific men, and to conduct them over 
the maximum of Russian territory in order that the resources 
of that enormous realm (or rather of its European part) might 
become known as they never have been known before. 
By imperial decree the Consuls in all foreign countries have 
been notified to facilitate to the utmost degree the viséing of 
passports upon presentation of the card of membership of the 
Congress. This same card entitles the owner to gratuitous 
transportation over the entire system of Russian railways. It 
will also enable the possessor to pass his baggage and effects 
through the frontier, with the minimum amount of embarrass- 
ment from Custom House regulations. Finally objects marked 
for the Geological Congress may be sent without being opened 
at the frontier to St. Petersburg, and there opened in the pres- 
ence of an officer of the Congress. The business to be transacted 
at the meeting of the Congress will be referred to hereafter. 
Equally important are the opportunities for the masters of the 
branch of science to meet each other and discuss face to face 
the problems which hitherto have been debated at long range 
and through the desultory and uncertain medium of scientific 
journals or comptes rendus in different languages, the illus- 
` trations and nomenclature of each party to the controversy 
being drawn from his own land. 
But most instructive of all the customs has grown that of 
bringing the students from other lands face to face with the most 
