L 



Prof. Backers Reporf on the U. S. Coast Survey. 159 



of navigation, but also of a worthy contribution, from our country, 

 to the great magazines of observations which the governments 

 and savans of the civilized world are combining to store as the 

 treasure house of future science. 



The most distinguished foreign associations and journals have 



- V 



expressed their attentive admiration of the work, and the hopes 

 which they indulge of its manifold results. We cannot forbear 

 to instance the *' Bulletin de la Societe deiGeographie,'^ (Paris, 

 Jan., lS51j) which, after an extended notice, adds; '^In our 

 mention of the eminent services, rendered by the Coast Survey 

 to science and to humanity, we have indicated but a small part 

 of the results of this admirable enterprise. Directed in all its 

 branches with zeal and activity, it cannot fail to add each year to 

 the consideration with which it is regarded, not only in the Uni- 

 ted States, but in every country where science and its applica- 

 tions to the arts of life are justly appreciated." Of the present 

 head of the work, it says; "The new superintendent was called 

 with unanimity to this eminent post: signaHzed to the esteem of 

 his fellow-citizens by useful publications, appreciated by the prin- 

 cipal academies of Europe, he has acquired a universal renown 

 by services daily rendered to science, and by ameliorations of 



every description introduced in the various branches of the Coast 



Survey," 



Under the system established by the present superintendent, 

 our coast has been divided into sections (nine for the Atlantic 

 and two on the Pacific), in all of which the work is prosecuted 

 simultaneously and separately. The different parts of the work 

 will thus serve, in future, to verify each other, where the trian- 

 gles meet By this plan, moreover, the resulting benefits of the 

 survey, instead of being postponed, or partially bestowed, are 

 distributed throughout the country, during even the first stages 

 of the work, in the different sections — a consideration, in its fa- 

 ^or, of high practical moment, there being many cases, on vari- 

 ous parts of our coast, in which even an approximation to accu- 

 racy of information is of immediate importance, to remedy the 

 om^issions or mistakes of existing charts. 



The delineation of the Atlantic coast, as far south as that of 

 North Carolina, has, in its essentials, advanced well nigh to com- 

 pletion ; and a large number of extended and useful charts have 

 heen published. In our southern and western sections, the pre- 

 liminary work is being rapidly pushed, together with, here and 

 there, surveys in detail of important points, examined with a 

 view to present necessities, or in compliance with special requests 

 ftom the communities interested. Much valuable information, 

 *^^ those coasts, has indeed been already acquired and made public- 



Within the past year, the harbor of Beaufort, N. C, has been 

 surveyed, and a sketch published, as also of Oregon and Hatte- 

 '^ mlets, which sketches have been gratuitously distributed. 



