Geology as a means of c^dturc — A. Winchell. 109 
scription written in style of high hterary excellence. Allow me 
to cite Hugh Miller's "Old Red Sandstone;" Major Powell's 
"Exploration of the Colorado River of the West;" Captain But- 
ton's "High Plateaus of Utah," and Miss Bird's "Fire-Foun- 
tains;" — or in a different field, the Duke of Argyll's "Unity of 
Nature." If the student is called upon to record his observa- 
tions, as well he might be, he may acquire a copiousness of dic- 
tion and a beauty of style not inferior to that promoted by es- 
says on historical or romantic themes. More indirectly, come 
the acquisition of languages and the enrichment of the vocabu- 
lary. 
With these forms of geological study will be noticed an ac- 
cessory training of the imagination. The picturing power is. 
demanded even in bringing into juxtaposition in thought, absent 
data of observation which have to be compared together. Still 
more is it demanded in acquiring a vivid comprehension of data 
presente<^l through descriptions. Especially is this demanded 
in the study of descriptions of fossil remains unaccompanied by 
delineations; and not less in the drawing up of such descriptions. 
I know palaeontologists who declare that a mere description of 
a fossil shell is unintelligible; but, provided the description is- 
good, it would become intelligible with improved picturing 
power in the imagination. The facts show that in the study of 
descriptions of fossil remains, and other facts not fully illustrat- 
ed by drawings, the imagination is kept in constant exercise. 
The cultural results on this faculty are therefore of great effect- 
iveness and high value. 
In an accessory way also, comes discipline in the art of delin- 
eation. It is impossible for the geological observer to record 
his observations without the ability to accompany them with 
drawings. If the student has had no instruction or practice in 
drawing, he will soon obtain the practice, and then the instruc- 
tion will be unessential. On almost every excursion, the student 
or investigator must execute from nature geological sections or 
geological maps. Not unfrequently, he must delineate some 
fossil which cannot be removed from the rock, or embody some 
delineation in a description. I am aware that finished drawings 
exhaust much time, and are commonly con'fided to special artists^ 
Still, drawing is one of the demands of geological study and in 
