[GANONG ] BOUNDARIES OF NEW BRUNSWICK 147 
compass lines. Lines of the first class are determined by reference to 
the great meridian circles and parallels of the earth, and, theoretically, 
may be fixed without the compass ; but practically they always are 
compass lines which are run with a calculated allowance for magnetic 
variation. The positions of such lines are determined astronomically, 
but they are actually run out by compass. Naturally they are used for 
the larger divisions, for international and interprovincial boundaries, 
as a map of the central provinces and states will show, and the larger 
the divisions concerned, the greater tendency is there to choose meri- 
dians or parallels expressed in round numbers. This tendency, by the 
way, may lead at times to coincident and non-hereditary boundaries, 
as in the case of the 48th parallel, which to-day forms a part of the 
northern boundary of New Brunswick, and which in 1620 was estab- 
lished as the northern boundary of New England. The other compass 
lines used for smaller divisions are of course indefinitely numerous. 
In using compass lines to determine boundaries, it is practically 
easiest to run them when the starting point, direction and distance are 
given, and most of the compass-line boundaries in New Brunswick are 
thus described. To run a compass line between two points is difficult, 
usually necessitating an additional trial line with its attendant delay 
and expense. 
Compass lines are least expensive to run in settled or open country, 
and their cost increases rapidly with the ruggedness and depth of for- 
estation ; and, further, in such country their cost increases very rapidly 
with their length. Moreover, the compass was less used in earlier 
times, and its use is constantly increasing. Hence in general we may 
say that compass lines are more used to establish boundaries the more 
fully and newly settled the country and the smaller the divisions con- 
cerned. They are less used, and replaced by natural boundaries, the 
older the less settled and more rugged the country, and the larger the 
divisions concerned. 
2. THE Purposes oF BOUNDARIES.—These seem to be mainly these 
four,—political, colonial, administrative, property. 
Political Boundaries are intended to separate distinct and inde- 
pendent peoples, that is, are usually international. The boundaries 
between long established peoples, coming down to us from ancient times, 
are likely to inclose great natural habitable basins, for each nation tends 
to expand and fill such a natural area, absorbing the weaker peoples 
that stand in the way. Such boundaries are not established by treaties 
or conventions but are a natural growth, and hence are of the natural 
sort,—the sea, great rivers or mountains ; and a map of the old world 
shows how prevalent such boundaries are there. In newly settled coun- 
