OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. 21 
by record. Much has been done towards a legal adjustment of 
such lines. ‘The ranges for these old claims were thought to be 
enduring, but many causes contribute to their destruction. In 
such cases, when requested, we can reset the buoys exactly as we 
surveyed them. But after the ranges are lost the owners usually 
prefer what is found to be the best construction of their recorded 
titles. 
The Commission maps are all constructed in accordance with 
the methods adopted by the United States Coast and Geodetic 
Survey. -Each map is an accurate development, on a specified 
scale, of a section of the earth’s surface. ‘This is effected by con- 
structing, on the paper, a projection (polyconic system) of the 
minutes of latitude and longitude, the values for which are ob- 
tained from the Coast Survey projection tables. The triangula- 
tion stations are then plotted according to their geographical 
positions, which are expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds 
of latitude and longitude, even to the nearest hundreth of a 
second. Thus the coérdinate position of each triangulation station 
is plotted, and the accurate relative position of stations miles 
apart is secured. The map is now ready to receive the shore 
_line, the plotting of surveys, or the layout of lots that can be 
located, on the water, with precision. ‘The maps and the buoy 
numbers which designate their corners are yet mainly in pencil. 
These numbers should be neatly inked on the maps. Skill and 
great care are needed for this work, to secure neatness and cer- 
tainty. The plotting of the notes of buoy surveys has been done 
at odd times and as the pressure of other work would admit. 
It is necessary that a systematic revision of the maps and buoy 
notes should be made to make sure that there are no omissions in 
plotting and also that each buoy number is properly inked. 
The reduced sounding and character of the bottom should be 
transferred from the buoy notes to the tracings which are in com- 
mon use at the office. The tracings at the several Town Clerks’ 
offices should be recalled each year and corrected to date. 
BUOY WORK. 
The number of buoys set from July 1, 1887, to November 1, 
1888, is 78; buoys surveyed, 26. ‘Total positions determined, 104. 
APPLICATIONS. 
From November 1, 1887, to November 1, 1888, 55 applications, 
having an aggregate area of 2,387.7 acres, have been received. 
