82 SHELL-FISH COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT. [Jan., 
ing the work done by the Coast Survey upon the oyster beds in 
the Chesapeake Bay. I also called upon Prof. J. E. Hilgard, who 
has been in charge of the survey since the death of Captain Pat- 
terson. Prof. Hilgard has given us the same consideration as his 
predecessor. The question as to what sort of buoys the Light- 
house Board would permit to be used in the Sound suggested 
itself, and I called upon Captain George Dewey, naval secretary. 
The case was stated, and I was told that the Board would not be 
captious, but that individual cases would receive any needed 
attention. 
I desire to make mention of courtesies received by me from 
Captain C, M. Chester, Hydrographic Inspector, of the Coast and 
Geodetic Survey. I would also thank Mr. Edward Goodfellow, 
for many courtesies in connection with the discharge of his exec- 
utive duties. 
It was very desirable that we should have a tracing of the orig- 
inal coast-survey map of the Connecticut coast. I therefore drew 
up the specifications and left them witha request that an estimate 
of the cost of furnishing the tracing should be prepared. These 
original maps are nearly all on a scale of one in ten thousand, or 
about six and one-third inches to the mile. 
The preparation of the estimate for the tracings proved difficult, 
as the following extract from a letter of the superintendent will 
show: “The details of the estimates are exceedingly laborious, as 
every hydrographic and topographical sheet on the various scales 
must be handled.” The tracings as furnished are in five sections. 
If placed end to end, they would make a map of the state sixty- 
four feet in length. They are handsomely colored to make appar- 
ent the various hydrographic and topographical features. The 
style of execution will serve this office as a model for its maps. 
The request as originally made was greatly improved upon by 
the addition of numerous indications of the depth of water and 
the character of the bottom. 
It is a matter for congratulation that these tracings have been 
secured. 
The question may arise as to what need we have of any maps 
other than these. I answer, that a triangulation is necessary in 
order to establish the location of reference points to be used as 
initial points for the description of deeds, and for the location of 
the shore extremity of the town boundary lines, and for the deter- 
