On the Government Trigonometrical Survey. 427 



Nation, during a series of years of which we have no other evi- 

 dence, and affords the sole ground on which a conjecture could 

 be formed of the very remote period at which this problematic 

 body has fallen upon the earth. 



LXXXV. Remarks and Sugs^esiimis, for further improving and 

 applying to Use, the Government Trigonumelricul Survey of 

 Great Britain. — By Mr, John Farey Sen. 



To Mr. Tilloch. 



Sir, — 1 AM much pleased to observe in a contemporaneous 

 Journal, that the Trigonometrical Survey of Britain, which has 

 so long been in progress, is beginning more generally to attract 

 the attention of ingenious Ml'u, towards giving to its results, 

 every possible degree of perfection and usefulness, of which thev 

 aresusreptible. In one of the communications alluded to, dated 

 October IS 16, I read as follows ; viz. " There is also an eminent 

 Geologist, Dr. MacCulloch, connected with the work: and at 

 this moment, I believe, going from station to station with Col. 

 Mudge and Capt. Colbv, or with which ever of those Gentlemen 

 may be now in Scotland." 



It would give me very sincere pleasure to find this latter an- 

 nouncement to have been correct, but of which 1 can have little 

 expectation, from havintr, when on a survey of the environs of 

 Edinburgh in the last autumn, been so fortunate, as to have met 

 Capt. Colby, at his station on the Pentland Hills nearest to 

 Edinburgh ; wlien, in a conversation principally turning on the 

 internal structure of the surrounding District, between a Gentle- 

 man of the vicinity, whom I met in the Captain's Tent, and my- 

 self, I heard from liim or Capt. C. no hint, of such a valuable 

 addition having been made to the Trigonometrical Establish- 

 ment. 



I the more lament this circumstance, from having always de- 

 sired, and made frequent attempts at recommending the making, 

 of a minute Minercd Survey and Map of the Environs of each 

 Station, since I became acquainted in 1801, with the new Prin" 

 ciples of Mineral Surveying, and with the progress then made 

 in applying them, in extensive |)ractice, hy Mr. IVilliam Smith, 

 for ac(|uiring satisfactory and practically useful knowledge of the 

 internal structure of a District, from the accurate investigation 

 and wjusideration of its surface: an art, for which posterity will do 

 Mr. S. ample justice, however Umi^ijittrested, Lecturing, Book- 

 making and ^Iap-making and publishing parties amongst us may 

 tucceed, in suppressing his name and achievements, and in unjustly 



appro- 



