The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. I., No. 3, July, 1889Various
Science
The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. I., No. 3, July, 1889
Various
Geography -- Periodicals
I might go on cataloguing in detail the many uses to which models may
be put, but shall now mention only one more--perhaps the most important
of all--their use in the education of the young. No method has yet been
devised that is capable of giving so clear and accurate a conception of
the principles of physical geography as a series of well selected
models; models have, indeed, already been used for this purpose, but
unfortunately their great cost has prevented their general use in
schools. Since, however, the study of geography has been placed upon a
new basis and a new life has been infused into it, many men have given
their attention to the subject of models, and have experimented with a
view to cheapen the cost of reproduction, which has hitherto prevented
their wide distribution; and probably this objection will soon be
remedied. The ability to read a map correctly,--to obtain from a study
of the map a clear conception of the country represented,--is more
uncommon than is usually supposed. Some of the recent methods of
teaching geography are intended to cultivate this very faculty, but it
is doubtful whether there is any better method than that which consists
in the study of a series of good models in conjunction with a series of
maps, all on the same scale and of the same areas. The value of a
series of good models in teaching geology is so apparent that it need
only be mentioned. It is often, for reasons stated above, far more
valuable even, than field instruction.
For the construction of a good relief map the first requisite is a good
contoured map. To this should be added, when possible, a good hachured
map, upon which the elevations of the principal points are stated,--if
the interval in the contoured map is a large one,--and as much material
in the way of photographs and sketches as it is possible to procure.
The modeler should, moreover, have some personal acquaintance with the
region to be represented, or, failing that, a general knowledge of
topographic forms, and at least a clear conception of the general
character of the country which he seeks to represent. This is very
important, for it is here that many modelers fail: the mechanical
portion of the work any ordinarily intelligent person can do. A model
may be as accurate as the map from which it is made, every contour may
be placed exactly where it belongs, and yet the resulting model may
be,--indeed, often is--"flat," expressionless, and unsatisfactory.
Every topographer in drawing his map is compelled to generalize more or
less, and it is fortunate for the map if this be done in the field
instead of in the draughtsman's office. But topographers differ among
themselves: there may be, and often is, considerable difference in two
maps of the same region made by different men; in other words, the
"personal equation" is a larger element in a map than is usually
supposed. This being the case, there is something more required in a
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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