188 
MISCELLANEA 
In presenting his estimates for the next year the Superintendent urges 
a moderate increase in the api^ropriation for field work as necessary to 
the rapid and economical prosecution of the surveys urgently demanded 
in the interests of commerce along our coasts, and for the advancement 
of other imi)Ortant field operations of the survey, which, he states, are 
found to be impracticable with the amount appropriated for the current 
year. The estimates contemplate resurveys of several important harbors 
on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts ; also the commencement of a survey 
of the Aleutian islands and an examination of the mouths of the Yukon 
river in Alaska in addition to the work in progress. 
Besides the publications referring to nautical matters, the survey issues 
bulletins at irregular intervals intended to impart advance information 
on new discoveries or other matter relating to the survey ; and appendices 
to the report of the Superintendent giving scientific results and other de- 
velopments incidental to the progress of the work. Four bulletins were 
issued during the year and the report has appendices on the following 
subjects : The Secular Variation in Direction and Intensity of the Earth’s 
Magnetic Force in the United States and Some Adjacent Countries ; Ob- 
servations of the Transit of Mercury at Washington in 1894 ; Results of 
Latitude and Longitude Determinations in Alaska ; Physical Hydrog- 
raphy, Nantucket, Mass. ; Notes on the Specific Gravity of the Waters of 
the Gulf of ^lexico and the Gulf Stream ; A Graphic Method of Reducing 
Stars from ^lean to Apparent Places ; A Description of Improved Leveling 
Rods and a Report on the New Kilo Balance of Precision. 
Herbert G. Ogdex. 
MISCELLANEA 
In Santo Domingo important governmental concessions have been 
granted to an American corporation. From Puerto Plata, a seaport of 
18,000 inhabitants, at which from 12 to 15 steamers enter monthly, a rail- 
road is being constructed to Santiago and Mora. 
American capitalists have purchased the entire street-railway system 
of the city of ^Mexico, comprising 100 miles of broad gauge and 60 miles 
of narrow gauge, over which seventeen and one-half millions of passen- 
gers were carried in 1895. Electric traction and other improvements are 
contemplated. 
Two summer courses in physiography will be given by Professor W. ^I. 
Davis at Harvard University, beginning July 3 and lasting six weeks. 
The chief object of the elementary course is to promote the change in the 
method of teaching geography so generally advocated in recent j’ears, 
and the lectures will be supplemented by laboratory work and excursions. 
The advanced course will be specially adai)ted to the needs of those 
already well grounded in the elements of physiograpln\ The admirable 
library and laboratory resources of the university will be available for the 
use of students, and as the fee for either course is only §20, there should 
be a large attendance. 
