TOPOGRAPHY, MILITARY. Among the first necessities of a military commander is a thorough knowledge of the physical conformation, the obstacles, and the resources of • the country in which he has to operate. Ito frequently happens that the field of warfare is one of which no careful survey is procurable. It devolves, then, on the officers of the staff to make their chief acquainted with all the particulars he requires; hence, topographical drawing is made a principal ingredient in the course of study at the staff college. These surveys devolve, in the field, on the quartermaster-general's depart ment. An officer of this service is expected to traverse a country with rapidity, to measure distances by eye or intuition, to note them roughly down as he rides, to obtain a rough knowledge of hills and valleys, of roads and ravines, rivers and the means of crossing them. He must at the same time make himself acquainted with the means of sustenance produced by the country, with the feelings of the people—whether friendly or hostile—with the transport which can be drawn from the villages, with the position and strength of fortified places, and, in short, with every particular which can be of service to his commandant. His reconnoissance finished, not without fatigue and
danger, he is expected to sit down and produce an eye-map, or a full report of all he has seen and heard.
The topographical department is a department of the war office under the " dir ctor of surveys," who is an officer of engineers. It comprises the "ordnance survey," which is charged with the various national surveys; and the topographical depot, a collection of maps, plans, descriptive-books, and journals of staff-ollicers.from all parts of the globe. The officers of this depot always try to keep their information posted up to the latest date, that, on an army taking the field, the general may at once be put in pos session of a competent knowledge of the country he is to pass through or occupy.
TOE (Celtic), "a projecting rock, is found in the names of mount Taurus and the Tors of Devonshire (Yes Tor, Brent Tor, etc.), and Derbyshire (Islam Tor, °lice Tor, etc.). The highest summits of the 7yr-ol are called Die Words and Places.