Correi<pondenGe. 67 
between the Geological Survey and the Coast and Geodetic Survey. 
So far as known to one in a position to speak with authority, this 
statement is entirely without foundation. The Coast and Geodetic 
Survey is not mapping in the interior. There has been no duplication 
whatever, and instead of clashing there has existed the best of feeling 
and a most cordial co<")peration between the two organizations. The 
Coast and Geodetic Survey has given in the fullest and freest possible 
manner all material desired by the Geological Survey, and its work 
has been utilized to the fullest possible extent by the Geological Sur- 
vey in the pre])aration of ma])s. 
Again, the article states that some fifteen or twenty States are now 
cooperating with the Coast and Geodetic Survey in the production of 
topographic maps. The fact is that no State is cooperating with that 
organization, for that or any other purpose. In certain states, namely, 
Tennessee, Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Coast and Geodetic Survey 
is executing triangulation at the request of the State authorities but 
at its own expense. In none of these cases is the State doing any 
topographic work. 
The article contains numerous reflections upon tlie quality of the 
maps made by the Geological Survey. Now while the work must stand 
or fall upon its own merits, it is but just to the men who have exe- 
cuted it to remind the Gkologist that errors will be found not only in 
the most expensive, but even in the very best work ; and that in seven 
hundred sheets, representing 550,000 square miles, it would be strange 
if the errors, collectively, were not numerous. That the work, as a 
whole, is of good quality is sufficiently attested by those who have 
used it. Among them may be mentioned prominently the commis- 
sioners of the three States with whicli tlie CJeological Survey has 
worked in cociperation, namely, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and 
Connecticut. The maps of these states have been completed, and the 
results after careful examination have been pronounced satisfactory 
by the Boards of Commissioners. That the surveys are satisfactory 
to engineei-s is abundantly shown l)y the extensive use made of them 
by state geological surveys and by mining engineers,as well as in rail- 
niiid location and other similar works. For these pur^joses hundreds 
(if proof sheets are daily distributed. They are in the hands of geol- 
ogists and engineers all over the country and are in very extensive use. 
In the mapping of its area this country is far behind other civilized 
nations. Scientific and industrial enterprises in this country have 
always been handicapped by the need of them. The Geological Sur- 
vey is now engaged in su]iplying this need upon a practicable plan, and 
at reasonable expense, immediately for its own use, but quite as 
nuich for the use of the ])ul)li('. It would appear that an attack upon 
wliat is ])resuniably so useful a work should be undertaken only with 
a full knowledge of the circumstances and the technical details of the 
work, in both of wliich tlu' writer of the article shows himself lament- 
ably at fault. IIkxi'vV (Jannktt. 
l^'^s•/////7^-/^ I). C. 
