6 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



future, our eastern and western shores shall be united along the 52nd 

 parallel by a similarly strong chain. This small circle, situated as it is 

 at tiie part of greatest width of the continent — just touching the Hud- 

 son's Bay — would, vcr}' curiously, correspond precisely in latitude with 

 the great European arc now in progress, and, extending somewhat over 

 70° in longitude, would slightly exceed the latter in length. To such 

 a work we might indeed look forward with pride as worthy of our 

 country. 



The primary triangulation of the United States has at Montreal 

 overstepped the boundary line, and there are established there both 

 trigonometric and longitude stations. This arises from the fact, that 

 since the direct Greenwich-Montreal longitude determination, the posi- 

 tion of Montreal is much more accurately known than any other point 

 in America. Prior to this determination, the longitudes of American 

 points depended upon the cable determinations of 186G-70-73. To this 

 old determination, which was made without interchange of observers, 

 there was assigned a probable error of 041 sec. The superior facilities 

 of the 1892 determination brought the probable error down to "012 sec, 

 with the added reliability due to interchange of observers. 



Reverting again to the invitation extended to us by the United 

 States to take up our part in the triangulation along the 98th meridian, 

 there is no reason why that work should not be the first to be carried 

 out by a newly constituted Geodetic Survey. Such a triangulation will, 

 in any case, be required ultimately, and it is fitting that Canada should 

 recognize the magnificent work which has for years been carried on by 

 our friends across the line, and promptly embrace the opportunity 

 offered her to contribute her mite towards the advancement of the 

 knowledge of the world. 



In a foot-note to his paper presented last year, Professor Pritchett 

 mentioned that the Government of Mexico had announced its readiness 

 to undertake its part in the proposed work. A few days ago Professor 

 Pritchett informed me that he had just had a letter from the Director 

 of the Mexican Geodetic Commission announcing that they were ready 

 to begin work, and that preliminary plans were being prepared for 

 joining the two triangulations at the Rio Grande. The Mexican Com- 

 missioner was very anxious to know if Canada was coming into the 

 scheme, and asked if any progress has been made to that end. 



Is it fitting that Canada should at this time be found unable or 

 unwilling to follow in the path which has been so plainly marked out 

 for her ? There is surely no doubt as to the answer to this question. 



I have thus endeavoured briefly to show that the time is ripe not only 

 for the prosecution of this work, but also for the permanent establish- 



