no NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



part of the Northern Central Railroad) and soon afterward 

 became interested in a topographical and geological survey of 

 Maryland. In association with Professor Julius T. Ducatel, 

 he prepared a plan for these surveys and in 1834 ^^^^ appointed 

 Topographical Engineer by the Maryland Legislature, Pro- 

 fessor Ducatel at the same time becoming State Geologist. As 

 the result of a trigonometrical reconnoissance, Alexander was en- 

 abled within four years to construct a map of the State on which 

 geological data could be plotted, and was contemplating the 

 preparation of a more accurate map, through the cooperation of 

 the United States Coast Survey, when the Legislature withdrew 

 its support from reasons of economy and the work was left in- 

 complete. 



Alexander in the meantime formed the George's Creek Coal 

 and Iron Company and served as president of that organization 

 from 1836 to 1845. In 1839 he visited Europe for the purpose 

 of obtaining funds for the support of the enterprise. In 1840 

 he published a work entitled " Contributions to a History of 

 the Metallurgy of Iron" which was followed in 1842 by a 

 supplement, and constituted a " complete treatise on the subject 

 up to his day." (Hilgard.) 



To meet the needs of surveyors and engineers he then pre- 

 pared a copiously annotated edition of " Simms' Treatise on 

 Mathematical Instruments used in Surveying, Leveling, and 

 Astronomy." 



After the copies of the United States standards of weight 

 and measure, which had been authorized by Congress for the use 

 of the several States, had been completed. Dr. Alexander induced 

 the Maryland Legislature to provide similar copies for the 

 counties of that State, and was in turn charged with their con- 

 struction and verification. In that connection, he prepared a com- 

 prehensive report " On the Standards of Weight and Measure 

 for the State of Maryland," which included an account of the 

 origin of Anglo-Saxon measures, and a resume of legislation in 

 England and the United States. 



