4 
covers the thousands of acres of oyster grounds of the Sound, there 
can be no descriptions by metes and bounds, by trees and stones, 
and other natural objects, as of tracts of land out of water. The only 
practicable method of locating a lot under water at a distance from 
the shore is by reference to permanent objects on the land. This 
may be done in two ways,.one by separately noting the ranges of 
any side of the lot with any “wo prominent permanent objects on 
the shore or on the water; and the other by noting at each corner of 
alot the angle formed between three lines drawn from such corner 
to three permanent objects on the shore. Either way is satisfactory 
for mapping, locating and buoying. Sometimes one plan is more 
convenient than the other; but for the practical working of the beds 
the owners prefer ranges with permanent objects on the shore or: 
water. As the buoys after they have been properly set are liable to 
be disturbed by the elements and by passing vessels, a range upon the 
shore and elsewhere for readily readjusting them is very convenient. 
But it is often found impracticable to obtain ranges, and resort must 
consequently be had to the engineer and his sextant to determine the 
exact points of the corners. 
Preliminary to all this, however, he must griphon these necessary 
prominent permanent points on the shore and elsewhere, and deter- 
mine their exact positions and relative distances. On some parts of 
the shore prominent rocks, heads of capes and islands, lighthouses, 
church steeples, lofty chimneys and cupolas serve as convenient 
points; while on other parts the absence of such objects makes arti- 
ficial structures necessary. Of the latter 35 have been erected during 
the past year. They are built of pine joist, 4 x 6 inches square, set 
one at each corner of a triangle, sloping towards each other so as to 
meet over the centre of the space. Extending above and below the 
apex thus formed is a mast painted black and white, which sets verti- 
cally over the centre of the enclosed area. At this centre is placed a 
block of stone, the centre of which indicates the exact location of the 
beacon or signal station. These stations are now complete along the 
shore, from the Connecticut river, west to the New York boundary 
line. The exact position of all the points, natural and artificial, with 
their relative bearings and distances from each other, has been 
determined during the past year. This work of triangulation has 
been considered by the Commissioners the most important and far 
reaching in its results of all the work that had been imposed upon 
them. Upon its accuracy in general and in detail the true position 
of every lot of ground within State jurisdiction must depend. To 
