KEPORT OF THE UNITED STATES GEOGBAPHIC BOAED. 
21 
committee is satisfied, it tabulates the results on cards, which are 
printed blanks whereon spaces are left for entering various items 
of information. When all the data are tabulated the members of 
the committee record their preferences, signing their initials. Thus 
there is a record vote of the executive committee. The cards 
so prepared are submitted to the Board at its regular monthly 
meetings, and considered one by one. Usually the executive 
committee agrees on its recommendations. Not infrequently, 
however, there is a divided report. The case being submitted to the 
Board, a vote is taken, and a majority, not of those present, but of 
the whole Board, is necessary to decide. The decision so reached 
is written at the top of the card, which is thereupon stamped 
Affrovedj with the date of the approval. Usually from one to 
several cases at each meeting are sent back by the Board to the 
committee for additional investigation. A facsimile of one of these 
cards is printed herewith : 
UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHIC BOARD. 
Adopted 1g, Ledge. 
name. />^"'"J' «"s 
Thing 1Sp«r of Greylock Mountain, Berkshire 
nam»i. / Co., Mass. 
Approved 
Aug. 10, 1897. 
Names. 
The Bluffs 
Stony Ledge 
Local usage, Stony Ledge. 
Authorities. 
U. S. Geol. Survey, Orcylock sheet. 
Berkshire Insurance Co.'s map. 
Walker's atlas. 
Berkshire County atlas. 
P. M. at South Williamstou-n. 
Submitted by Geol. Survey. 
Date July IS, 1897. 
This card prepared by Marcus Baker. 
Recommendation of executive committee. 
Stony Ledge 
M.B. 
....A. H.A. 
u.a.o. 
Such is the present practice of the Board, gradually developed 
as the outcome of experience. The principles which govern deci- 
sions were at the outset considered and formulated with great pains- 
taking and care. They were the subjects of many and earnest dis- 
cussions, and it is a matter 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 contributed practically nothing in the 
way of principles. 
WHAT THE BOARD HAS ACCOMPLISHED. 
It has made upwards of 14,000 decisions, including the acceptance 
of new names and the settlement of disputed cases. 
Among these decisions are a number which involve the definition 
of limits and apphoation of names, especially those of the greater 
