128 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



tion is completed ; and also the local variations of figure in connection 

 with those differences of internal density, the detection of which is 

 already to be enumerated as one of the scientific discoveries which 

 have been made upon the survey. 



" The intricate problem of the tides, also, which is still so defective, 

 notwithstanding the labors of Laplace, Airy, Lubbock, and Whewell, 

 will undoubtedly receive new development from the observations of 

 the survey, and the laws of the tides upon the American coast will be 

 ascertained. 



" The exploration of the Gulf Stream, which was commenced by 

 Lieutenant Davis, and so indefatigably pursued, even to the sacrifice of 

 his life, by the lamented George M. Bache, has led to results which 

 are of profound scientific importance ; and the deep-sea soundings, 

 which have been examined by Professor Bailey, are also replete with 

 interest to the naturalist. 



" 4. Your committee have kw data for arriving at any definite con- 

 clusion with regard to the extent of the economy with which the survey 

 has been conducted. They are not, however, aware of any objection 

 to the comparison which has been instituted by the Superintendent with 

 the surveys of the Land Office, and which is very favorable to the 

 Coast Survey. There is certainly no appearance of waste or extrava- 

 gance in any respect ; there are no excessive salaries, no idle attaches, 

 nor any apparent disposition to pay too much for services rendered. 

 There seems, on the contrary, to be an anxious desire to husband the 

 appropriations of Congress, and to derive from them the largest possible 

 return of valuable results. It is especially deserving of notice, that 

 the Superintendent has manifested the wisest and most unselfish 

 economy in asking for large appropriations, in order that he may press 

 forward the work as rapidly as possible to its final completion. 



" In conclusion, it is the deliberate opinion of the committee, that the 

 present Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey has, by his 

 able and judicious, his energetic and economical administration of this 

 great national work, raised it to the highest state of successful activity 

 and deserved popularity, and that he has thereby fulfilled the high 

 expectations which were raised at his appointment. , 



" All of which is respectfully sublnitted by 



BENJAMIN PEIRCE, 

 DANIEL TREADWELL, 

 J. I. BOWDITCH, 

 JOSEPH LOVERING." 



