378 NOTES. 
The memorial goes on to show that in carrying out the survey 
the State could take advantage of the provision made by Congress, 
by which any State undertaking a topographical survey of its ter- 
ritory is empowered to call upon the United States Coast Survey to 
make the preliminary triangulations, so that the State is at once 
relieved of a very important part of the work to be done. In 
making these triangulations, the Coast Survey utilizes the expe- 
rience of local professors and their students; and in the same 
way, it would be entirely feasible, in following the trigonomet- 
rical with the topographical survey, to employ the services, 
in different parts of the State, of the same persons. The survey 
would thus become at once a most valuable auxiliary to scien- 
tific education, by giving the younger men in our schools of 
science and technology an opportunity to put their studies to 
practical use. 
The Academy places in a conspicuous light the educational ad- 
vantages which would accrue from such an undertaking and urges 
that the reports under the proposed survey should, as far as pos- 
sible, be prepared with special reference to an intelligent use by 
the people; and that, instead of being distributed gratuitously, 
they should be sold through the ordinary agencies at a slight ad- 
vance upon the cost, so as to enable the State to pay the authors 
from the proceeds of the sales, and to recover the greater part of 
its original outlay, without placing the books beyond thè reach of 
persons of moderate means. Such a mode of publication would 
unquestionably be the most economical for the State, and the mos 
certain to bring the books directly and naturally into the hands of 
those who would value and use them. 
These suggestions are timely and important, and if faithfully 
followed, would reduce by one-half the ordinary expenses of such 
a survey. One or two further suggestions, however, are needed; 
that the Legislature should at the start ensure the continuance of 
the survey for a term of years, ten or fifteen at least ; and that the 
appointments should be removed from the domain of politics oF of 
personal preferment. Why should not the nominating power 
intrusted to such a body as the American Academy? This meas- 
ure would give confidence in the success of the survey- 
We bespeak from our Massachusetts readers all the aid they can 
render in this matter. If the movement fail now, it may be years 
before we can hope to see it urged again with the least chance of 
