Land Surveying

This originated in Egypt, where measurements were annually nece ary to recover boundaries obliterated by the inundation of the Nile. The science of Geometry furnishes the principles of the art of surveying. Both linear and angular measures are required to determine the data for the computation of areas and the construction of maps. The former are made by chains and tapes; the latter either by the compa or by the transit. The rectangular method of computing areas was introduced by Rit ten house ab. 1763. In many States county surveyors are appointed or elected, and all public roads and boundaries must be laid out by them. The precise methods of surveying nece ary in the location of railroads have greatly influenced land surveyors to use better instruments and make more accurate measurements.