282 The American Geologist. Novombor, 1896 
ed in the history of the region. This change was in the na- 
ture of a great uplift, with the formation of several new 
ranges. 
During the Pliocene the region was again depressed. This 
was followed by another marked elevation which has contin- 
ued with some irregularity, and perhaps local depression, up 
to the present day. 
In this outline no attempt has been made to trace the char- 
acter of the movements, but simply to call attention to the 
complex relations of the different series of strata, with the 
object of showing the existence of mountains in the region 
of the California Coast ranges in much more remote geologi- 
cal times than Mr. Ransome is willing to grant. The five or 
six marked non-conformities between the different series of 
strata are indubitable evidence of the existence, periodically 
at least, of a connected series of mountains above the sea 
level. 
It is difficult to understand how the principle of isostasy 
can be reconciled with this remarkable series of oscillations 
along the coast of California. A criticism of the theory tak- 
ing into account the history of the Coast ranges must be 
greatly strengthened. 
THE ELECTIVE SYSTEM IN ENGINEERING 
COLLEGES.* 
By M. E. Wadsworth, Director of tlm Micliisaa Mining School. 
It was my privilege to present for your consideration last 
year a paper on the elective system as adopted in the Michigan 
Mining School; it is now my purpose to continue this subject 
by presenting some further particulars and pointing out the 
conditions under which this system might with great advan- 
tage be introduced into other engineering colleges. 
To establish a clear understanding between the auditor and 
myself, I shall divide the matter up into heads which are 
regarded as cardinal points in the argument. 
1. Engineerimj is a Learned Profession. 
This I think will be admitted without discussion, hence it 
clearly follows that studies forming integral parts of the 
*Read before the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Educa- 
tion. Buffalo, N. Y., August 20th, 1896. (Abstract.) 
