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ON THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE. 17 



whole range had been sunk at this point for the express purpose of allow- 

 ing the passage of a Railroad. The great difficulty in exploring these 

 passes and the territory west arises from the dense forests and luxuriant 

 vegetation. 



The second expedition, under Lieut. Whipple, of the Topographical 

 corps, is under instructions to survey the route from Memphis by way 

 of Vicksburg, Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 

 thence to the frontier line of California. Lieut. Williamson is directed to 

 leave San Diego with a surveying party, and meet Whipple at Wilkins' 

 Pass, in Sierra Nevada. 



The fourth party was under the charge of Lieut. Gunnison, who was 

 ordered to rendezvous at Council Bluffs, and explore the central route 

 taken by Col. Fremont, in his last expedition, the termination of which 

 was so disastrous. This last is the favorite route of Col. Benton, and the 

 expedition will be accompanied by Mr. Kerr, one of Col. Fremont's men. 



These various expeditions were fully equipped and provided with men 

 of science and artists, as well as the usual accompaniments of bushmen 

 and outliers, and are furnished with scientific instruments, &c. A mounted 

 escort of thirty-five U. S. troops accompany each party. 



Since the preparation of the above notice, intelligence has been received 

 of the massacre, by the Indians near the great Salt Lake, of Lieut. 

 Gunnison and the Engineer, Mr. Kerr, with several others of the party. 

 The notes of the survey, as well as the instruments and journals have been 

 recovered. 



The brig Dolphin, Lieut. 0. H. Berryman, has recently returned to the 

 United States, having been profitably engaged in special service, under 

 Act of March 3, 1849, in taking new routes, and perfecting the discoveries 

 made by Lieut. Maury, in the course of his investigations of the winds 

 and currents of the ocean. Much credit is due to the officers employed 

 in executing this law. 



Lieut. Gilliss is actively engaged in the publication of the result of his 

 astronomical observations, at Santiago, Chili. The report of Lieut. Hern- 

 don, presenting the result of his exploration of the river Amazon and its 

 tributaries, is nearly ready. The report of Lieut. Gibbon, who was of the 

 same party, but explored a different section of the country and returned 

 later, is nearly completed. 



Lieut. Mackai, who accompanied Lieut. Gilliss, returned to the United 

 States last summer, having made a series of magneticul observations very 

 successfully at all the elevations and at distances of 100 miles entirely 

 across the Pampas. Soon after leaving Mendoza he had the misfortune to 

 break his barometer and injure his chronometer by falling from his horse 

 so that he was unable to obtain the longitudes of his magnetical stations 



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