230 _ Coast Survey of the United States. 
Repertory and Princeton Review.” The object of the present 
article is to make known some of the new methods of observa- 
tion and reduction which Dr. Bache has himself introduced into 
the survey, and certainly it cannot but be regarded as a favorable 
sign of the times, that the means are supplied for writing such a 
paper ; that openness and freedom of communication are substitu- 
ted for secrecy, and the habitual mistrust, to say nothing worse, 
which mystery always implies. 
It is only necessary to remark before entering at once upon the 
subject, that a slight divisional arrangement has been adopted for 
convenience, and that having to speak of such changes only as 
are due to Dr. Bache, a frequent reference to his name is un- 
avoidable. 
In the determination of latitudes the superintendent has 
adopted a method in accordance with the established facts of 
observation, and with the extent of his means and authority. 
It is undoubtedly most desirable that the work should finally 
rest for authority in its astronomical determinations upon two 
permanent and well endowed observatories in distant parts of the 
country. Such was the project of Mr. Hassler, and it was owing 
perhaps to the hope that it might be realized, that up to the time 
of his death, no regular astronomical observations had been made 
at any of the stations of the primary triangulation, since leaving 
Weasel. During this interval, however, (it would be unjust to 
omit the mention of it,) some voluntary observations have been 
contributed by Mr. Edmund Blunt, one of the two principal 
assistants. 
But the prospect of obtaining the efficient support of a well 
conducted observatory in the southern section of the Union 
is distant, notwithstanding the noble efforts directed to that ob- 
ject in Alabama. In the mean time it must be considered the 
part of prudence, as well as fidelity, to accomplish all that is 
possible, and the superintendent has undertaken this in sueh a 
manner that the results will form an interesting contribution to 
physical science, independently of their value in settling individ- 
ual positions. Last summer, observations for the latitude were 
made at six stations of the survey, four at the north and two at 
the south, and this season the same observations will be continu- 
ed, not only at the stations of the new primary triangulation, but 
also to supply the deficiencies of the old wark. ‘The principle 
