110 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
part of the Northern Central Railroad) and soon afterward 
became interested in a topographical and geological survey of 
Maryland. In association with Professor Julius T. Ducatel, 
he prepared a plan for these surveys and in 1834 was appointed 
Topographical Engineer by the Maryland Legislature, Pro- 
fessor Ducatel at the same time becoming State Geologist. As 
the result of a trigonometrical reconnoissance, Alexander was en- 
abled within four years to construct a map of the State on which 
geological data could be plotted, and was contemplating the 
preparation of a more accurate map, through the codperation of 
the United States Coast Survey, when the Legislature withdrew 
its support from reasons of economy and the work was left in- 
complete. 
Alexander in the meantime formed the George’s Creek Coal 
and Iron Company and served as president of that organization 
from 1836 to 1845. In 1839 he visited Europe for the purpose 
of obtaining funds for the support of the enterprise. In 1840 
he published a work entitled ‘“ Contributions to a History of 
the Metallurgy of Iron” which was followed in 1842 by a 
supplement, and constituted a “‘ complete treatise on the subject 
up to his day.” (Hilgard.) 
To meet the needs of surveyors and engineers he then pre- 
pared a copiously annotated edition of “‘ Simms’ Treatise on 
Mathematical Instruments used in Surveying, Leveling, and 
Astronomy.” 
After the copies of the United States standards of weight 
and measure, which had been authorized by Congress for the use 
of the several States, had been completed, Dr. Alexander induced 
the Maryland Legislature to provide similar copies for the 
counties of that State, and was in turn charged with their con- 
struction and verification. In that connection, he prepared a com- 
prehensive report “ On the Standards of Weight and Measure 
for the State of Maryland,” which included an account of the 
origin of Anglo-Saxon measures, and a résumé of legislation in 
England and the United States. 
