110 The American Geologist. February, 1902. 
COMPTE RENDU, VIII CONGRES GEOLOGIQUE 
INTERNATIONAL, PARIS, 1900. 
PERSIPOR FRAZER, Philadelphia. 
In the preface Dr. Barrois modestly excuses himself for 
requiring a double volume to give as interesting and varied 
matter concerning geology as was ever printed in the same 
space. He is not literally exact in saying that every previous 
Congress had expressed itself strongly in favor of having its 
proceedings published as soon as possible. At the Berlin con- 
gress of 1885, the subject was broached but it was allowed to 
pass with the remark so characteristic of large bodies of good 
natured men, that those in charge would no doubt print the 
transactions as soon as possible. At London, the confusion 
and loss of time consequent upon the absence of an authorized — 
version of the proceedings and especially of the steps which 
had been taken to secure conformity in nomenclattire, map col- 
oring etc., stimulated the congress to pass a very decided res- ° 
olution that the proceedings should be printed wit'i.a a year if 
possible and if not, with the ieast delay. Yet the volume ap- 
peared in little less than three years in spite of the energy of 
the secretary, Dr. C. LeNeve Foster, with the codperation of 
the President, professor Prestwich. The Washington (1891) 
volume was also tardy, as was that of Ztirich (1894) in spite 
of the fact that neither had to dispose of so many difficult 
problems as the congresses of Bologna (1881), Berlin (1885), 
and London (1888); and also that quite strong instructions 
were given the publishing board at Ziirich to expedite the 
issue of the volume. At St. Petersburg (1897) these instruc- 
tions were repeated, but if over two years elapsed before the 
volume appeared, its value was in large measure a compensa- 
tion for waiting. Here, however, is a volume which, while not 
so prodigally illustrated as the Bologna compte rendu, easily 
outstrips all of its predecessors in bulk and value, and yet it is 
the first to appear nearly within the time so often fixed. 
The divided volume consists of seven parts as follows: 
1. List of members. It is only fair to note the extreme 
care of the secretary general, Dr. Charles Barrois, whose hand 
