In a drill stem including a bit for penetrating an earth formation, said bit including a bit body having a transverse face adjacent a zone of said earth formation which is substantially uninvaded by drilling fluid, the improvement characterized by:
- a sensor mounted in said bit body and adjacent said transverse face;
- an instrument operably connected to said sensor for causing at least one of the emission and receipt of signals with respect to said zone for measuring a selected property of said zone;
- and,
- a fluid ejection nozzle positioned on said bit to eject drilling fluid across said sensor to maintain a uniform layer of drilling fluid between said sensor and said zone.