100 THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. [bull. 227. 
one compares a number of maps of the same region, made at different 
dates covering; a considerable period of time, he will find that the same 
geographic name appears in variant forms and that different names 
are applied to the same feature. Concerning many of these, it will he 
found that, while the earlier maps display divergent usage, it is mani- 
fest from the more modern that usage has concentrated on some par- 
ticular form or name. In other cases no evidence of an established 
usage will be found. The editor seeks to verify every geographic 
name. The various authorities available for this purpose are the 
maps, charts, and publications of the different Government surveys 
and bureaus, past and present, reports of exploring expeditions, rail- 
road surveys, geologic reports, maps and reports of State geologic 
surveys and mining bureaus, local histories, reports of local his- 
torical societies, etc. When uncertainty arises as to the name of a 
feature or as to the form which the name should take, the different 
names and variant forms are compiled and the authorities cited. The 
origin or meaning of the name is sought and recorded, information 
concerning local usage is obtained through correspondence with local 
officials and residents, and the whole is referred to the United States 
Board on Geographic Names for a decision. The names of many minor 
geographic features are published for the first time on these atlas sheets. 
No effort is made to verify such a name unless by reason of its unusual 
form or other circumstance it excites distrust; then correspondence is 
opened to determine its correctness. Again, a natural feature of such 
size and importance as to justify the assumption that it has a name may 
be unnamed on the atlas sheet. Correspondence is the means by which 
this is determined. 
An exhibit of the information gathered concerning a geographic 
name recently investigated in editing an atlas sheet will serve to illus- 
trate the method pursued and the research necessary before a decision 
can be made intelligently. It also illustrates one phase of cooperation 
between the Survey and the Board on Geographic Names. 
A cape on the eastern shore of Penobscot Bay, in Hancock County, 
Me., was named on the manuscript " Rosier;" and a post-office near by, 
" Cape Rosier/ 1 It took but little investigation to discover that the 
various maps of the region were not in accord as to the spelling of the 
name. Some spelled it Rosier, while others gave the form Rozier. A 
more searching examination and compilation of authorities resulted as 
follows : 
Rosier. — U. S. Geological Survey manuscript Castine sheet, 1900. 
U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey charts 104 and 310. 
U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Atlantic Coast Pilot, Parti, pp. 84, 85, 81 
etc. 
U. S. Light-House Board, List of Beacons, Buoys, and Day Marks, 1900. 
Rozier. — U. S. post-route map and Postal Guide (current). 
Varney's Gazetteer of Maine, 188(5, pp. 137, 138. 
Colby's Atlas of Maine, 1885. 
