Lessons in chalk modeling: The new method of map drawing

by Ida Cassa Heffron

He realizes that this is not a proper representation and is often discouraged. He knows that peaks are related to level ground by continuity of mass: that they are the corrugated tops of great uplifted masses or swells of land, and his failure to find this illustrated in the old maps has led him to lose much of his interest in them, and to greet the new one with ardor.

It appeals to his reason as a symbol more nearly corresponding to the features of the country represented. It is indeed the link needed to connect the political map with the putty relief map.

Mass Without Outline. Not only can we say that the Chalk Modeled map has been a great factor in the better understanding of the surface contour and conditions of the continental mass, thus advancing the true study of geography, but that it has also awakened some of the teachers of the public schools of the country, to the lack of interest and lifelessness in the teaching of drawing as it has prevailed in the schools in the past. It has been the means of revealing to them the beauty and desirability of delineating mass without a continuous hard outline. The artist when inspired with his subject masses his material in boldly and each stroke counts for the thing he wants to say—it tells of the direction of surface, or edge of mass, or detail.

In the new map, the representation of solidity and land continuity as mass, with no hard and fast limitations of land and water, such as the outlines so prominent in the old reference maps, is a noticeable feature.

It is a well-known fact that a general or approximate shape of the coasts of continents is all that can be known from the most careful surveys; for in reality with every season there is more or less change in coast line, caused by wearing and building of ocean and river, as well as by the occasional rising or sinking of stretches of land along the coast. In course of time these changes become very apparent.

The omitting of outlines of continents, then, in the drawing of maps has been for a purpose. They have not been necessary to the showing of limitation of continental mass or the meeting of the surface plane of water with land surface; and as the direction of all lines used in delineating have their meaning, there can be truthfully none used to represent something lying between land and sea, as there is nothing there. Continental coast contours may be as accurately shown as the occasion demands without the use of any outline to confuse the eye or to contradict the direction of line used to delineate the structure of the land surface at the water’s edge. (See map illustrations in Part IV.)

The most prominent feature of the new map is the representation of the relief of the earth’s surface; showing, as it does at a glance, the great back bone of the continent, with its ragged broken line of peaks dividing the waters of the two slopes; its great land masses, primary and secondary; and its area or line of greatest depressions. Its river basins also are plainly seen, and we infer the reason for the general course of the rivers and read their history from the sculpturing they have done.

We may note also the character of the mountain ranges; whether they are young or old; where new land is being made, and where areas are sinking. One can often determine what the prevailing wind of a section may be and the regions of greatest rainfall, and can judge of the climate and vegetation; in short, very rational conclusions concerning the life and habits of a people may be formed from a study of the map alone, and the student can picture, in imagination, the growth or advancement of nations under the given conditions.

He will be enabled to see, as has been remarked in substance before, that the mighty influences bearing upon civilization have always been largely dependent upon the geographical structure of a country; the relation of natural divisions to existing political divisions will be noted, and the reasons for the locations of great centers of commerce, important cities, and military fortifications, will be understood.

Altitudes. In common with all relief maps, altitudes are shown in these, greatly exaggerated in comparison with the horizontal distances, but this is essential in order that the pupil may be able to grasp the general truths of the organization of the continent.