38 SURVEY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
necessary. ‘This tent was employed to protect the theodolite, when in use, from the 
effects of the sun and wind, and at other times from the weather. 
The state of Massachusetts is so densely settled, that we could without much 
inconvenience find lodgings with the inhabitants near almost all of our stations; so that 
we did not provide ourselves with camp equipage. When we found it necessary to encamp 
at a station, we built up small cabins, which we covered with brushwood and turf. We 
were only obliged to encamp regularly at three stations. 
For the greater portion of the time, while we were triangulating the state, we were 
provided with two horses, and with a spring wagon made particularly for the service, and 
of rather large dimensions, for the convenience of stowing our instruments and baggage. 
While the survey was under the direction of Mr. Stevens, and after the base line was 
measured, an additional horse and a small buggy were provided for his accommodation. 
The time occupied ata station, in measuring angles, varied from one day to twenty-five, 
depending much upon the state of the weather, and the amount of labour to be performed. 
I suppose that the average time spent at stations of much magnitude would be from five 
to tendays. Had we been provided with an instrument of suitable dimensions* and pro- 
perly constructed, more than a third of the time occupied in measuring angles might 
have been saved. 
At the commencement of the survey, it became an object of much interest, to contrive a 
signal which it would be convenient to erect in almost every situation imaginable; which 
would be firm and secure when erected, at least so far as regards high winds and storms; 
which would admit of being easily adjusted, repaired, or altered when found necessary ; 
which would furnish a convenient support for our tent, and at the same time allow the 
theodolite, without an inconvenient derangement, to be placed directly over the centre of the 
station. The signal which we then contrived, and afterward used through the whole survey, 
is supposed to possess all of the properties named above, in a very satisfactory degree. The 
dimensions of the signals vary somewhat on account of the different condition or situation 
of the sites or stations over which they are erected, and not unfrequently have we been 
obliged to accommodate them to the size of the timber near at hand. ‘The signal staffs 
were from fifteen feet to eighty feet in height. When we have had occasion to erect a 
very high signal, we have found it necessary, for the purpose of securing the top, which in 
these cases is the only portion used, from being swayed by the wind, to attach four slen- 
der wire guys or stays, which may be seoured to pins driven into the ground for the 
purpose, or to trees or other objects, at hand. Lines would-not make suitable stays, on 
account of their liability to lengthen and shorten with slight variations of moisture. 
The following figures or sketches are intended to represent the signal in all its various 
Fig. 1. attitudes or positions. Fig. 1 represents the signal as framed or put together 
upon the ground previous to erecting it;—a, a, a, represent the braces or legs 
which support the signal staff b, when it is erect; c represents a bulb or bal- 
loon, (as we frequently call it,) of common cotton or any other cheap white cloth, 
to render the signal more conspicuous under certain degrees and conditions of 
the light. It is formed by sewing together some pieces of cloth into the size 
or Wiamotet of a flour barrel and about a yard and ahalf long. Two flour bar- 
rel hoops are then placed within the bag, equidistant from its end, and secured 
— 
* The instrument should be as large as can be conveniently transported, 
