EDITORIAL WORK ON TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS. 105 
He notes, first, whether the manuscript atlas sheet conforms to 
the standard in form, dimensions, scale, contents, and symbols. 
On the margins of the atlas sheet are printed certain explanatory 
names, notes, figures, legends, and diagrams, each of which must have 
its prescribed form and position. The matching of the sheet in hand 
with the adjoining sheets is next scrutinized in detail. When two or 
more atlas sheets of adjoining quadrangles are placed on a flat surface 
with their corresponding projection lines in contact they should form 
a continuous map without overlapping. Each line of the map extend- 
ing from one sheet across the other should be continuous, and on each 
the same natural feature, public work, or political division should pre- 
sumably bear the same name. 
The editor rarely has available the data necessary to enable him to 
form a judgment as to the accuracy of the map in respect to topogra- 
phy, drainage, and culture. That would require field inspection. 
Often, however, by comparison with existing maps of the locality and 
other publications, he is able to criticise its correctness in some partic- 
ulars and to detect the omission of certain public works which should 
be shown. By careful inspection of the drawing he may sometimes 
detect details of topography or drainage apparently improbable or 
impossible. The examination of these features of the map, however, 
is mainly for the purposes of seeing that the map is consistent within 
itself, of improving the placing and distribution of contour figures if 
advisable, and of interpreting in advance for the engravers details 
that might be obscure or doubtful. 
For the verification of post-offices, railroads, and railway stations 
comparison is made with the United States post- route maps and Postal 
Guide, with railway guides and railway time-tables, and with other 
available sources of information. The United States land-survey sys- 
tem of township, range, and section lines and numbers, and to some 
extent the boundaries and names of land grants and reservations, are 
verified by comparison with the maps and plats in the General Land 
Office. The names and boundaries of Indian reservations, military 
reservations, forest reserves, and national-park reservations must be 
shown, and are verified by comparison with the Presidential procla- 
mations establishing them and with such later ones as modif}^ their 
boundaries. 
The sources of information concerning the names and boundaries of 
the civil divisions include such official publications as reports and maps 
issued by boundary surveys and Census reports, as well as county 
atlases and maps and gazetteers. 
The geographic nomenclature receives special attention. The editor 
sees that none of the prescribed nomenclature has been omitted and 
that all names are properly applied and correctly spelled. Then the 
placing of the names is examined, and such changes as will improve 
the appearance of the map and add to its clearness are indicated. When 
