ie ee een ee 
_ system (that in use by the United States Geological Survey) is 1 
the antithesis of that in common use (and represented by the 
_ nized elements forms a complete and symmetric whole. In view | 
644 ; : Editors’ Table. ft y 
others of the kind, would have to be continually enlarged by 
new accessions, as in all other departments of science. Thus is 
answered the second of the objections above referred to. À 
The above remarks apply ‘both to a system of nomenclature 
and to a system of coloration. Major J. W. Powell, of the 
United States Geological Survey, has entered a protest against f 
the adoption of the system of colors generally in use, and has E 
endeavored to secure the adoption of one of his own devising. | 
The following is an extract from a letter which was presented to : 
the last Congress—that of Berlin'—by Major Powell : x 
g 
z; 
ie 
“Tt will be observed that in’ its fundamental principles this | 
European map). With the evolution of geologic science there | 
of the manner in which scientific classification is effected, it 
involves conference among geologists concerning obscure and 
discovery. Though natural and simple in its inception, the fully 
_festingson a partly artificial basis, it is simple and natural in its 
application. 
“The old system is ideographic, connotative, and analyt! 
_ the new is alphabetic, denotative, and synthetic; the old system | 
trammels the observer by prescribing rules to which his obse 
_ +The Work of the International Congress of Get gists, and of its Committees» 
Ss by Dr. P. Frazer, Secretary of the American Committee, 1886, p.. 107- 
Re 
