OP THE UNITT.U STATES. 398 



which was of course apart from the operation. But it may 

 easily be imagined how such a journal sliould he kept. 



The ultimate results of the work arc to he collected with 

 great order into a separate hook. The mode of doing this 

 I cannot exemplify further than will appear from No. 3 of 

 the Journal Exemplars. The titles of the other columns 

 depend in some measure on the formula of calculation used, 

 the methods of projecting, and the like, besides the general 

 results, which will always remain. Examples of it may he 

 seen in the different accounts of measurements of degrees, 



For the assistants in the calculation, it was my intention, if 

 the work had proceeded to a greater extent, to have had for- 

 mula; of blank calculations printed purposely, which is a 

 great lucans of security against omissions in the calculations. 



To proceed in such a work with the greatest advantage 

 and celerity, it is proper tliat various assistants and an ade- 

 quate number of labouring men be with the chief operator. 

 'I'he necessary discipline and icgularity which the nature of 

 the work requires, would, when possililc, give ibr both the 

 preference to military men. Good old soldiers will always 

 be the best for the labours, 'I'hc whole work must go on 

 with the greatest regularity, to give proper confidence in the 

 precision of it, and the desired accuracy in the results. 



The better the assistants are informed in mathematics, and 

 the more they take a pioper care and active interest in the 

 work, the more advantageous will it !)e. They must I)e fur- 

 nished with wriltcn instructions upon their respective duties, 

 and it will be proper that they change duty in regular rota- 

 tion, either weekly or l)y station. 1'he separate journals 

 wjiich they will have to keep are to l)e signed by them at the 

 end of every day, to facilitate a reference to their recollec- 

 tion, in case of mistake. 



I found the following distril)ution of their work advanta- 

 geous : — 



One to act as secretary to the observer. He is to write tlie 

 Jiames, readings on the instruments, f^c. under his dictatiorr. 



