The Marble times and Crystal silver lance., 1901-01-25
Geologists and Timing.

!
general among people living in mining
regions, to belittle mining geologists.
This goes to the extent and value OF
their actual knowledge, and also to the
manner in which it is employed. There
undoubtedly are so-called mining
geologists who merit all the contempt
that is "isited upon them, for they are
lacking. both in scientific knowledge
and in the higher qualities OF personal
character. But in this the profession
is not peculiar. All have their quacks
and scoundrels, and all should be
judged by their best representatives,
not their worst, says Mining Record.
Nothing is more usual in this region
than to hear people interested in min
ing matters descanting upoa the sup
posed superiority of the ''practical
mining man" over the scientific geolo-
pist. it may be true that some practi-
cal,mining men know more about the
conditions under which valuable ore
deposits are usually found than do
some reu who assume to be scientific
geologists, but it is so only when the
supposed geologist is not well ground
ed in his profession.
No one will deny the value of practi-
cal experience in mining matters, but
such experience coupled with scientific
knowledge is much more valuable than
when it stands alone. There is no
reason why the man who is thoroughly
grounded in the book lore of the science
should not also have experience. When
he gets this he has not only his own
experience, but a knowledge OF the
observations and experience OF others
az he has CLEANED it from the books
That is to say, the knowledge OF the
experienced geologist is much broader
than that of the mere practical or ex-
perienced miner.
There is no man who knows all about
any profession, but the careful student
of a particular science, certainly knows
more about it than does some one who
has never studied it at all along scien-
tifc lines. There are elements of un-
certainty in all sciences. This is
especially true of geology, for, OF
necessity, the geologist must deal
largely with conditions which exist far
below ground, and where only actual
exploration can determine with GER
tainty what those conditions are. But
ii will never do to assume that because
geologist does not know everything,
and sometimes makes mistakes, he
therefore knows nothing.
A fine illustration of this is found in
the career of Alexander Winchell one
of the most eminent of modern geolo-
gists, who was for many years promln-
emily Unidentified with the geology of
Michigan. He would never have
thought of claiming all knowledge of
the unseen things with which geology
deals. But he had knowledge OF
some things-and upon the basis of
this knowledge he located the great
salt deposits which underlie East
Saginaw, Michigan. After thorough
exploration OF the region he declared
that there would be found at a depth
of six hundred and fifty feet and, as a
matter of fact. where are said to be
the greatest salt deposits in the world
We're actually struck at a depth of six
hundred and forty eight feet.
This was indeed marvellous triumph
of scientific knowledge. 1t never could
have been achieved by the mere practi
cal salt miner. 1t required ii higher
class of knowledge than he possesses
that which comes from careful
study OF the very best books upon the
subject, combined with practical ex-
perience in the field of active labor.
There is, in truth. no geologist OF high
standing today who is willing to rest
| his opinions entirely upon what others
haze written. He makes his field work
the most important part of his educa-
ton, using the books merely as a
guide.