184 The Amertcau (rcologmt. Scpti'inbi-r, 18'.»7 
thus making the geological survey in all cases a contingent of 
politics. This action in Missouri is a lesson for the future, 
and stands as a warning tlnger-board to those who may have 
to frame laws establishing such surveys, pointing to the dan- 
ger that lies in the controlling power of politicians. The rem- 
edies for sucli dangers lie in making the law provide for the 
following as nearly as they can be enacted. 
1. The governing board should not all go out of office at 
once. 
2. The governing board should he men of education and of 
scientific attainments, and if possible should represent seve- 
ral established scientific institutions existing in the state. 
3. The surve}^ headquarters should be at some state insti- 
tution, preferably at the state University, and last of all in 
the state eapitol. 
4. The state geologist should be required to abstain from 
"practical politics", and should serve until the survey is done- 
or be removable only for good cause. 
Science, the supreme court, and the church are the three 
things that ought to be entirely free from the shifting condi- 
tions of politics. A state geologist, charged with the scientitie 
interests of the State, as expressed in the law which he has to 
execute, has in his hands the material as well as the educational 
welfare and reputation of the State. His duties are not fleet- 
ing and transitory, but far reaching- and permanent in their 
results, and if he be a true scientist who realizes the respon- 
sibilities of his position he will know little and careless about 
the politics of the State. K. H. w. 
REVIEW OF RECENT GEOLOGICAL 
LITERATURE. 
GeolcK/ical Survey of Blexic), Bulletins 4,5 and 6, 1897. This report be- 
gins with a memoir of Dr. Antonio del Castillo, the late director of the 
Mexican survey, by Sr. Jose G. Aguilera, prefaced to which is a likenes& 
easily recognized by all who met the original at Washington in 1891, 
at the fifth International Congress. Following this comes the "prologue"^ 
or administrative report by the same writer, then a brief account of the 
work of the season in the province of Durango by Sr. R. F. Biielna, in 
the regions of the Sierra Mach-e, west of Mexico in Tepic, Jalisco and 
