330 Davis’s Report on the Nautical Alnanae. 
ston’s Physical Atlas for instance, are notoriously in fault con- 
concerning these and kindred subjects. In truth, these publica- 
‘tions mnst unavoidably rely on crude sources of information here, 
which, after being transmitted across the Atlantic return to us 
stamped with the seal of foreign authority, and therefore doubly 
pernicions. And such must continue to be the case so lon 
be remembered that the whole question of the improvement of 
our southern harbors rests chiefly, and to such an extent that it 
might almost be said wholly, on a perfect acquaintance with the 
tides in all their relations and effects. 
One consequence of the announcement of the preparation of 
the American Nautical Almanac, may be noticed here. 
reduced the price of the British Almanac by one-half, that is from 
5s. to 2s. 6d. , 
The counter effect of a restoration, of the British monopoly in 
the American market will probably be a return to the former price. 
The active and inventive minds of our countrymen have fe- 
ceutly discovered and brought into successful operation a new 
method of recording astronomical observations, which enav! 
1¢ observer to perform in one night the work of several nights 
under the old system, and is much more accurate. : 
