sl)oet J3 inches squiire : wiiereas a county of o.OOU scjuarc miles, 
mapped on the sanne scale, would require a sheet at least 72 inches 
square. Such a range in size of sheet as is here indicated — and 
a much greater range would at times be necessary. — is sufficient 
to condemn this second alternative. 
The third alternative (0), is the one embodied in the lUgginsville 
sheet. It retains uniformity in the size of the slieet : it i)ermits the 
use of any scale desired ; the size of the sheet is not too large for ready 
handling. 
I recognize it as a C(jntrolling |)iMnci])h^ in the pni)lication of a series of 
maps that, for comprehensiveness of view and in order that tlie relatio?i- 
ship of parts shall be cle^arly seen, the area represented by the map 
should l)e as large as is possible, compatible with convenience for use. 
We are all familiar with the great and many times folded sheets accom- 
panying many public reports; especially those of the earlier explora- 
tions in our country. Their large size and awkwardness defeat the main 
object. It is an exasperating problem to unfold them for reference 
without mutilation and it is a veritable ("hinese puzzle to return 
them to their places with the same folds and creases. 
The size represented by the Higginsville sheet seems to me a good 
compromise between these great maps and the small page plate. It 
is not too large for one to hold it in the hand or to have it at one's 
elbow on the desk convenient for reference ; it is not so small as to 
prevent the representation of a large areaon a reasonably large scale. 
The geograjihic unit of area is one of universal adai)tability ; it is 
absolutely hxed and its position on the surface of the globe is clearly 
defined to any man who has the rudim(>nts of geographic knowledge. 
Concerning the publication of the report in folio form along with 
the map I do not know that I can say anything further in explanation 
than has already l)een said in the "Notice" accompanying the rejjort in 
(juestion. The following is (| noted from this iiotice. 
"The controlling ideas have been to bring prominently forward, as 
an im|)ortant ])art of the publication, the accom|)anying map and 
section sheet, and to make them of ready access for reference. The 
great amount of detail embodied in these sheets justifies the sub- 
ordinating of the report to them. As future sheets and reports are 
issued they can be bi)nnd together in atlas form in substantial covers. 
P]very one recognizes the objections to a folded ma]) inserted in a 
pocket at the end of the report ; it is inconvenient for reference; i( is 
liable to become mutilated and torn from frecinent folding and un- 
folding ; it is often dropi)ed out of the pocket and lost, and it can 
Jiever, in its secluded retreat, be recognized as the prominent feature 
of the j)ublication. .\n octavo rejiort. accompanied by unfolded maps 
in a separate cover, is open toother objections |)erhaps e(|ually strong; 
the chief of these are that the maps and reports are of dill'erent sizes 
and have to l)e separated in the library and are, hence, not readily 
accessible; one i)art frecjuently goes astray or is lost while the other, 
incomplete in itself, is retained; the two together are awkward to 
