166 
MAURICE G. MEHL 
can not be looked upon as securely established. True, the 
author of the map has recognized this to some extent, as is indi- 
cated by the many dashed contours. Still, there may be ques- 
tions as to the correctness of interpretation of some of the data 
in the more definite portions of the map such as the extremely 
long, narrow syncline near the center of the plate. Apparently 
there is but a single observation upon which this is based not- 
withstanding the fact that it is decidedly out of keeping with the 
regional structure. 
There is another striking peculiarity in the manner after which 
the contours follow the outlines of the ^^oil pools’’ in all their 
sinuosity. One recognizes the commion tendency to interpret all 
data so as to favor a suitable structure” about producing w^ells 
and is inclined to wonder if this is another illustration. Cer- 
tain it is that so extensive a coincidence of the outline of the oil 
pools and the contours is out of the ordinary. 
The data indicated in this map has been modeled in recogni- 
tion of the intersecting triangular plane method and the resulting 
contours are showm in red on plate XX. 
In constructing the model all of those observations that w^ere 
designated as uncertain” have been omitted because in one 
case on the original map the elevation of the datum plane varies 
over 40 feet from the observed uncertain” elevation. While it 
cannot be asserted that the resulting contours accurately record 
the structure of the region, there can be no question but that 
they do show, with possible minor Variations, the most logical 
interpretation of the data utilized if we are to assume that the 
data are all valid. As a matter of fact, several of the observa- 
tions appear decidedly out of harmony with the general atti- 
tude of the beds and should call for the most strict investigation 
in the field before adopted. One striking example is the single 
elevation upon which the conspicuous, inclosed depression near 
the east center of the map is based. 
Now w^hile the possibility of eliminating questionable data has 
been pointed out, it must be recognized that there is great danger 
in this easy elimination. It must be done with the best dis- 
crimination and only after the closest study and after the sug- 
