J'jl ttdrilll ( (IIHIII'llf. 'A'lr* 
But pojssessiiig tlii>s lit' yet needs fareful traiiiino;. At the same 
time the subjeet is so hirge and the field so wide that scope is 
att'orded for o;reat variety of mental power and habit. The re- 
flective mind can find ample room to usefully induljje his specu- 
lative tendency if he only keeps within the limits of reason and 
judsjment. The observino; realistic mind will be [)erfectly at 
home in a practical portion of the science. NOr are the <>;iaces 
of literary training foreign to the subject, for the power of the 
geologist to present his favorite theme to others is often and 
vastly helped by its possession. The stonemason of Kdinburgh 
would never have become the Hugh Miller of geology and litera- 
ture had he lacked his elegance and power of diction and illustra- 
tion. 
But for success in any field of the scienct- hard and continuous 
labor and thought are re([uisite — especially thought. Pondering 
on the problems before him and working them out in detail. 
Avhether in the field or the study, makes the geologist. 'I'o realize 
by the aid of a scientific imagination the past and the lost of the 
earth's history, to conceive <^f the destroyed as still in existence. 
and to estimate and weigh the changes resulting from its destruction, 
all this invoh'es a power of vivid mental imagery not possessed 
by many. 
(rreat geologists therefori' haxc l)een and still are rare. .^Il•u 
who can gather up the work of others and focus it with their own 
in some grand generalization as Agassiz did for the Ice-age. nevt'r 
will be numerous. But the rank and file of th»' geological army 
is not to be des[)ised Itecause each one cannot lie the great com- 
mander. Every one can contribute to the victory if Ity patient and 
careful drill he will fit himself for the work that geology demands. 
And this work is the investigation of the problems that lie al 
his own door. County geology, township geology and vww the 
geology of smaller areas are the topics with which most must con- 
tent themselves. There is scarcely a county or township betwt'en 
Elaine and (Jregon. I»etween Minnesota and Mississippi that does 
not afford enough problems to employ all who desire to work. 
" But what shall 1 study? At what shall 1 look?" are the 
usual remarks. Are there fossils within your reach? TIumi 
make an efif'ort to secure all the species that occur tlu-re and learn 
to distinguish each one and every single part of each c)ne so as to 
have a critical acciuaintance with them. Are there none? Tlu-n 
