12 NOTES BY THE EDITOR 



The scientific expeditions, surveys and explorations prosecuted, or pro- 

 jected during the year 1852, have been numerous, and attended with valua- 

 ble results. 



The survey of the coast of the United States, under the superintendence 

 of Prof. A. D. Bache, has been prosecuted with great energy. With only 

 one link of twenty-six miles south of the Chesapeake to be filled up, an 

 unbroken triangulation now extends from the mouth of the Kennebec river, 

 in Maine, to the harbor of Beaufort, in North Carolina. The topography 

 and hydrography have made corresponding progress. In a few years an 

 unbroken series, with points well determined by astronomical aud other 

 observations, will cover the coast from the Penobscot river in Maine, to the 

 St. Mary's in Florida. The progress of the survey on the Florida reef 

 and the shores of the Peninsula is entirely satisfactory, in view of the 

 limited appropriations, compared with the vast extent arid variety of the 

 whole work. The entire reef and western shore has been examined in a 

 preliminary way, and nearly one-half of the survey of the reef has been 

 made. A recounoissance has been made of about one-half of the distance 

 between St. Mark's and Mobile bay, and the triangulation and topography 

 now extend from Mobile bay to Lake Ponchartrain, and nearly all the 

 hydrography has been, completed, and an examination made of the delta of 

 the Mississippi. Galveston bay has been surveyed excepting a small por- 

 tion of the hydrography, and the triangulation now extends to the vicinity 

 of Matagorda bay. On the western Coast, in consequence of the extraor- 

 dinary difficulties in securing hands and means owing to the discoveries of 

 gold, the survey did not fairly get under way till about three years since. 

 A very good preliminary reconnoissance has been made of the whole coast, 

 from San Diego to the Straits of San Juan del Fuca, and of nearly every 

 important harbor. In connection with this rapid progress of the survey on 

 this coast, observations have been made for latitude and longitude, and the 

 magnetic variation. The geographical position of the coast, from the 

 Straits of San Juan del Fuca to San Diego, has been established ; the lati- 

 tude and longitude of the most important headlands having been determ- 

 ined by sufficiently numerous and reliable preliminary observations. 



The exploration of the Gulf Stream has been continued. Great progress 

 has been made in publishing the results of the survey. Forty-two charts, 

 elaborate and highly finished, and forty-two preliminary charts have already 

 been published, and twenty-seven sheets are in various stages of engraving. 

 The geographical positions determined by the survey from its commence- 

 ment to July, 1851, have been published. The latitude and longitude of 

 over 3,200 points have thus been given to the public, furnishing infor- 

 mation of great value for general and local purposes. 



Under the direction of the U. S. Government a strong naval expedition 



