20 
REPORT OF BOARD ON GEOGRAPHIC NAMES. 
additional investigation. A facsimile of one of these cards is printed 
herewith: 
A i°£f 
Approved 
Thing ) Spur of Greylock Mountain, Berkshire Aug. 10,1897. 
named. [ Co., Mass. 
Names. 
The Bluffs . 
Stony Ledge . 
Local usage, Stony Ledge ... 
a 
Authorities. w 
U. S. Geol. Survey, Greylock sheet. o 
^ *»► 
Berkshire Insurance Co.'s map. > w 
Walker's atlas. gj o 
Berkshire County atlas. q 
P. M. at South Williamstown. § 
p 
Submitted by. Geol. Survey. 
Date. July 13, 1897. 
This card prepared by Marcus Baker. 
Recommendation of executive committee. 
Stony Ledge . M. B. 
44 “ . A. It. A. 
“ 44 H.G.O. 
Such is the present practice of the Board, gradually developed as the 
outcome of experience. The principles which govern decisions were 
at the outset considered and formulated with great painstaking and care. 
They were the subjects of many and earnest discussions, and it is a mat¬ 
ter on which the Board congratulates itself that these principles so 
elaborated and adopted have so well stood the test of usage. While 
experience has improved practice in the Board’s operations, it has con¬ 
tributed practically nothing in the way of principles. 
PRINCIPLES FOR SPECIAL APPLICATION IN THE UNITED STATES. 
It must be understood that these are not designed as rules , but as 
guiding principles , from which the Board reserves liberty to depart 
whenever, in its judgment, it deems it advisable to do so. 
Euphonious and suitable names of Indian, Spanish, or French origin 
should be retained. 
Names suggested by peculiarities of the topographic features desig¬ 
nated—such as their form, vegetation, or animal life—are generally 
acceptable, but duplication of names, especially within one state, 
should be avoided. The names “Elk,” “Beaver,” “Cottonwood,” 
and “Bald” are altogether too numerous. 
Names of living persons should be applied very rarely, and only 
those of great eminence should be thus honored. No personal names 
should be attached because of relationship, friendship, or personal 
interest, nor should names of obscure persons be given. Names of 
eminent men now dead may be thus perpetuated, particularly those of 
early explorers, naturalists, geologists, topographers, etc. 
Long and clumsily constructed names and names composed of two 
or more words should be avoided. It is a foregone conclusion that 
such names will not be adopted by the public. If the name selected 
