GEOLOGY IN CHINA 
109 
Dynasty, a mining and geographical staff formed an important branch 
of the government organization. The book of Kwoitzu touches even 
on the principles of ore deposition and the manner of locating ore 
deposits. Since the Dynasty of Han and Wei, trained specialists on 
copper and silver were constantly employed by the government. 
Though their knowledge was fragmentary, and their results frequently 
inconsistent with modern ideas, we can not help thinking, that the 
achievements of those pioneej workers entitle them to be considered 
as forerunners of the great army of investigations in the modern 
science of geology. It is only because of the lack of system in the 
methods of study of the ancient Chinese, that we are at present far 
behind other countries in this branch of science. As a result of this 
neglect in the development of this important branch of knowledge, 
our people remain poor and -miserable, because we are not equipped 
with the necessary knowledge to develop our vast resources, which 
are at present almost untouched. 
“As is well known, geology is most intimately related to mining, 
while mining is the foundation of a nation’s prosperity. Important 
and fundamental though they are, our government has paid no atten¬ 
tion to such investigations, until very recently. 
“The Geological Survey of China was organized in 1913, two years 
after the revolution. Having spared no efforts to overcome the 
many and serious obstacles in its path, this Survey has now reached its 
present enviable position. This is due entirely to the efficient ad¬ 
ministration of its officers, and the ambitious labors of all its members. 
Under almost all kinds of difficult conditions, the members of the 
Survey have willingly and earnestly enlisted to perform their duty — 
the work of collecting facts and materials, the mapping of many 
districts, and the study of the various problems conneeced with the 
mining industry. Recently the Survey has purchased a large number 
of books in Europe, America, and Japan, to serve the needs of its 
ever growing activities. In 1920, the new Museum and Library were 
established, this being made possible by contributions from outside 
sources. With these facilities, the Survey is now able to arrange, in 
systematic manner, all the minerals, ores, rocks, fossils, and books 
collected from time to time. 
“To-day is the opening day for the public exhibition of the newly 
established Museum and Library, and I have the great honor to be 
present on this occasion. I found, in the Library, books on diverse 
phases of the science of geology and its kindred subjects, well classi¬ 
fied and arranged, and in the Museum, specimens of almost all the 
varieties of minerals, rocks, and fossils of this country, accompanied 
by descriptive matter and illustrative maps and sections. It is realy 
a wonderful and marvelous exhibit. I am very sure that both the 
industrial and the scientific world will be greatly benefited by the 
existence of such an organization as this. May I congratulate you. 
