of the United States Geological Survey. 95 
Such is a brief outline of the plan so far as it has been devel- 
oped at the present time. In this connection it should be 
stated that the map of the United States can be completed, 
with the present organization of the Geological Survey, in 
about 24 years; but it is greatly to be desired that the time 
for its completion may be materially diminished by increasing 
the topographic force of the Geological Survey. We ought to 
have a good topographic map of the United States by the year 
1900. About one-fifth of the whole area of the United States, 
exclusive of Alaska, has been completed on the above plan. 
This includes all geographic work done in the United States 
the auspices of State governments. The map herewith shows 
those areas that have been surveyed by various organizations 
on such a scale and in such a manner that the work has 
been accepted as sufficient for the purposes of the Survey. 
uch other work has been done, but not with sufficient 
refinement and accuracy to be of present value, though such 
work subserved its purpose in its time. An examination of 
the map will show that the triangulation of the various organi- 
zations is already largely in advance of the topography. The 
eg 
ide. Where the scale is 1-125000, a page of the atlas-sheet 
will represent one-fourth of a degree. Where the scale is 
1-62500, the atlas-sheet will represent one-sixteenth of a degree. 
resenting latitude, the other longitude. Where the sheets 
represent fractional degrees, they will be labeled with the same 
tumbers, with the addition of the description of the proper 
United States, and the organization by which it is to be made. 
