LXXIV ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
tance to the true line was found to be only 17 feet. The production of 
the line from this point southward is now in progress and it is hoped 
that it will be possible to carry it this year to the base of the St. Elias 
range. 
The boundary line “ parallel to the Coast ” of Alaska was defined 
by the Tribunal of 1903, by reference to certain mountain summits 
shown on the map which had been prepared by the joint surveying 
commission of 1893-95. These mountains have to be identified from 
the map and photographs and the line surveyed as a straight line 
between successive summits. ‘The peaks are connected with one another 
and with the Coast Survey points along the coast by triangulation. The 
important points are marked by monuments of aluminium bronze. 
From the extremely mountainous character of the country the 
survey is a very arduous one. Although it has been in progress for 
three years with a considerable force at work much yet remains to be 
done. 
The survey between Lake Superior and the Pacific Ocean has not yet 
gone beyond the mountainous region west of the summit of the Rocky 
Mountains. This line was surveyed by an international commission 
nearly fifty years ago but not completely. Points of the 49th parallel 
in the most accessible valleys were determined by observation and the 
parallel surveyed east and west therefrom into the mountains as far as 
practicable at the time. In many places long stretches of mountains 
were left untouched, it being doubtless thought that these would forever 
be inaccessible to civilized man. Mining development, however, reaches 
the most remote spots and necessity was found for the completion of 
the survey. Most of the monuments placed by the former commission 
consisted of piles of stones, uncemented, which it has been thought desir- 
able to replace by, more permanent monuments. 
The new monuments are of aluminum bronze set in cement bases 
or in the rock. They stand about 6 feet high and are about 1 foot 
square at their bases. These are placed at all points previously marked, 
and at such intervening points as are necessary. All monuments from 
the summit of the mountains to Point Roberts in the Strait of Georgia 
are visible, each from the next. 
It is expected that this section of the boundary line will be fully 
completed this year. 
The eastern section of the boundary line (east from Richelieu 
River) was surveyed about the years 1843-45 and was marked with cast 
iron monuments. These when found in good condition are being reset 
in concrete. When not in good condition they are replaced by granite 
or concrete monuments. Monuments are also beirig placed at many 
intermediate points omitted in the original survey. 
