18 KEPOKT OF THE UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHIC BOARD. 



new geographic names, and as a guide in the selection of names the 

 Board adopted and issued a circular of " Principles," as follows : 



Euphonious and suitable names of Indian, Spanish, or French 

 origin should be retained. 



Names suggested by peculiarities of the topographic features 

 designated — such as their form, vegetation, or animal life — are gen- 

 erally acceptable, but duplication of names, especially within one 

 state, should be avoided. The names " Elk," " Beaver," " Cotton- 

 wood," and " Bald " are altogether too numerous. 



Names of living persons should be applied very rarely, and only 

 those of great eminence should be thus honored. No personal 

 names should be attached because of relationship, friendship, or 

 personal interest, nor should names of obscure persons be given. 

 Names of eminent men now dead may be thus perpetuated, particu- 

 larly those of earlj^ explorers, naturalists, geologists, topographers, 

 etc. 



Long and clumsily constructed names and names composed of two 

 or more words should be avoided. It is a foregone conckision that 

 such names will not be adopted by the public. If the name selected 

 consists of more than one word the words should be combined if 

 practicable. 



The multiplication of names for different parts of the same fea- 

 ture, such as a river or mountain range, should be avoided. Only 

 one name should be applied to a stream or mountain range through- 

 out its entire length ; in the case of a river the name should follow up 

 its longest branch. 



The naming of forks, prongs, branches, etc., as " East Fork " or 

 " North Prong " of a river, should be avoided unless there is a special 

 reason for it. In most cases, independent names should be given to a 

 river's branches. 



That spelling and pronunciation which is sanctioned by local usage 

 should, in general, be adopted. 



Where names have been changed or corrupted, and such changes 

 or corruptions have become established by local usage, it is not 

 usually advisable to attempt to restore the original form. 



In cases where what was evidently originally the same word ap 

 pears with various spellings sanctioned by local usage, when applied 

 to various features, these various spellings should be regarded as in 

 eifect different names, and, as a rule, it is inadvisable to attempt to 

 produce uniformity. 



Where a choice is offered between two or more names for the 

 same place or locality, all sanctioned by local usage, that which is 

 most appropriate and euphonious should be adopted. 



