The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. I., No. 3, July, 1889Various
Science
The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. I., No. 3, July, 1889
Various
Geography -- Periodicals
modeler than the mere transferring of the matter in the map,--giving it
three dimensions instead of two: he must supply through his special
knowledge of the region (or, failing that through his general
knowledge) certain characteristics that do not appear upon the map, and
undo, so far as it is necessary, certain generalizations of the
topographer and draughtsman. This artistic or technical skill required
correctly to represent the _individuality_ of a given district is
especially important in the modeler; it is more important, perhaps, in
small-scale maps of large districts than in large-scale maps of small
ones,--for in the latter the generalizing process has not been carried
so far, and the smaller interval of the contour lines preserves much of
the detail.
The methods by which relief maps are made have always received more
attention than would, at first sight, appear to be their proper
proportion. It may be due, however, to the difficulty of applying any
test to determine the accuracy of the finished model, and perhaps also
to the general impression that any one can make a relief map,--and so
he can, though of course there will be a wide difference in the value
of the results. Some, indeed, have devoted their attention to methods
exclusively, letting the result take care of itself,--and the models
show it. There is no more reason why a modeler should tie himself down
to one method of work, than that a water-colorist, or a chemist, or
anyone engaged in technical work, should do so; though in some cases he
might be required, as the chemist is, to show his methods as well as
his results.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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