230 Note-Taking and the Use of Maps, Etc. — Foerste. 
minute of longitude or latitude is the most convenient inter- 
val between these lines. The parallels or meridians already- 
marked on the map will be of assistance in determining the 
positions for the smaller divisions here desired. Each square 
or parallelogram thus formed is considered as an individual 
in the use of the map and the localities investigated 
in each are numbered consecutively in the order in which the 
notes have been taken in the field. In practice we have never 
found more than forty notes necessary in any one square or 
parallelogram (we shall call these divisions squares hereafter, 
although mathematically this nomenclature must be consid- 
ered incorrect for most parts of the world). The notes are 
numbered in such a way as to correspond with the figures in 
the map. This method has the advantage in not requiring the 
use of large numbers running into the thousands, and there- 
fore permits the designation of a greater number of localities 
in close proximity to each other if found necessary or con- 
venient by frequent exposures in the field. It becomes nec- 
essary, however, to designate by some means or other the 
squares, since in this method the same numbers are apt to 
occur in any or all of the squares. For this purpose some 
parallel and some meridian dividing the field somewhere near 
the center is taken and all the squares running northwards of 
the parallel are marked consecutively with the ordinary 
printed capital letters used by the English. Omitting the 
letters already employed the squares south of this parallel are 
marked in the same manner by letters of the Greek and Rus- 
sian languages. East of the meridian accepted for reference 
the squares are marked by the small written letters of the 
English script, and west of this mei'idian by the small written 
letters of the Arabic language. This does not necessitate the 
understanding of a single one of the characters in use. They are 
merely conventional figures used to designate squares and their 
convenience lies in the fact that they are simple, readily made, 
easily recognized, and being the result of centuries of human 
activity in the art of using written and print«d characters, are 
apt to be superior in convenience to any conventional figures 
invented by ourselves. 
To designate any locality in the notes it is only necessary 
to mention before each note the printed capital and the small 
written letter designating the square together with the number 
