A Scale of Grade and Class Terms for Clastic Sediments

TLDR: In this paper, the problem of terminology in geology has been discussed and the need for greater uniformity of usage and hence much confusion has arisen due to the indiscriminate use of the terms both in the old and new senses.

Abstract: In no other science does the problem of terminology present so many difficulties as in geology. With the growth of knowledge in any field of investigation, men devise new terms or redefine old ones in the attempt to convey more precise and definite ideas. In all the branches of science much confusion has followed the redefinition of old terms because of the indiscriminate use of the terms both in the old and the new senses. But in geology, difficulties of this kind are peculiarly great. Because geology is a field science and has followed in the footsteps of exploration, it has acquired terms from all parts of the world. Many of the names for the less common special features have come from the dialect or colloquial speech of that part of the world where they are best developed. With the use of these terms of geologists of other regions, much irregularity of usage and hence much confusion has arisen. Since '917, the writer had been engaged in the study of abrasion and shaping of cobbles and pebbles by the action of running water. In the course of this study the loose usage of cobble, pebble, and related terms (in which his own practice was no exception) has impressed him with the need of greater uniformity of usage and