70 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. fire proof building South of the office, contains the Archives, or Records of Observations, the Library, the Standard Weights, Balances and Measures, the Instruments not in use, and the engraved copper plates. The Office proper includes all the Departments necessary for working up the materials, both as tronomical, topographical, and hydrographic, sent in by the various observers. All these are under the general direction of the Assistant in charge, and under the special direction of their particular heads. The Departments are those for Compu ting, Drawing, Engraving, Electro typing, Print ing, Publishing, Instrument making, and Ar- ehives. When the computations are completed, the materials of the plane table and hydrographic sheets are worked up in the Drawing Department, for the Engravers. The engraved copper-plates are electrotyped, and the printing is done mainly from these, the originals being preserved. The printed sheets are distributed for sale to agents in the principal cities. The Coast Survey Office, being essentially an office for work, presents but scanty attractions for visitors. Persons wishing to examine any of the methods "r processes employed, or desiring in-