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Blue signs inform of forms whose origin is due to the constructive action of rivers and denudational processes in recent time.

Orange coloured signs mean different forms due to the destructive action of rivers and denudational processes in the Pleistocene.

Green signs show different forms due to the constructive action of flowing waters and denudational processes in the Pleistocene.

Grey signs mean different forms due to the destructive action of rivers and denudational processes in the Pliocene.

On the geomorphological map, the c o 1 o u r s indicate both the dest-ructive or the constructive action of differing agents in different periods, the signs mean the result of their action i.e. the concrete forms.

Thus the colours indicate both the origin and the geological age of the particular forms. Colours indicating either the age or the origin of forms make the map’s legibility difficult. Its result is a map showing in the first place the age or the origin, but not the age and the origin at the same time. The use of complicated symbols as numbers, letters and figures will also make the geomorphological map’s legibility difficult.

The geomorphological map of Poland not merely indicates the age and the origin of strictly localized forms but also gives some morpho-metric information. Since particular forms are shown true to scalę their true dimensions may be calculated. Their absolute or relative height may be found from the contours. The depth and height of smali forms (e.g., gorges, edges of terraces) is indicated by the adeąuate thickness of lines and by varying grades of jags, while the inclination of slopes is shown by shades of the colour defining the age of form of which the slope is an element.

In this way by means of colours and signs the geomorphological map informs of the appearence (morphography), of the dimensions (morpho-metry), of the origin (morphogenesis) and of the age (morphochronology) of the landforms, thus containing all the data necessary for depicting the character and the development of the relief.

This development, however, according to the map’s principles should be considered (reconstructed and foreseen) on the background of geological structure and in connection with other elements of the geographical environment (climate, water, soils, vegetation) changing in the course of its development as well as with man’s activity (natural conditions and their transformations by man). In order to tracę and to establish the relation of landforms to the geological structure and to consider the relief’s development on a lithological and tectonic background the geological map and other ones may be used in field studies. These data cannot obscure the contents of the geomorphological map.

The printing of a multicoloured map (8 colours) is very expensive. Geomorphological maps in two colours (provisional edition) which are based on the original multicoloured geomorphological map are being, therefore, printed.

On those maps, edited by the Geomorphological Department of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Toruń, water is shown by means of the black colour whereas the landforms of a known age and origin are shown by means of sepia-coloured signs.

On the geomorphological map of the Upper-Silesian Industrial District, prepared for printing at the Geomorphological Department of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków, the geomorphological content was plotted on contours.

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