'244 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



two points of 6466 feet ; secondly by fore and back angles 

 of elevation and depression, which gave a difference of 6468 

 feet. The elevation at the Fort was determined by a series 

 of readings compared with the Signal Service barometer at 

 Colorado Springs, giving an elevation of 7997 feet, making 

 Blanca Peak 14,464 feet above sea -level. This peak may 

 be reiraided therefore as one of the his^hest in the United 

 States. A comparison with some of the first-class peaks in 

 Colorado will show the relative height: 



Feet. 



Blanca Peak above sea-level 14,464 



Mount Harvard " " " 14,384 



Gray's Peak " '' " 14,341 



Mount Lincoln *' " " 14,296 



Mount Wilson " " " 14,280 



Long's Peak " " '' 14,271 



Uncompahgre Peak " " " 14,235 



Pike'sPeak " " " 14,146 



The foregoing table will aiford some conception of the dif- 

 ficulty encountered in determining the highest peak, when so 

 many occur that are nearly of the same elevation. About 

 fifty peaks are found within the limits of Colorado that ex- 

 ceed 14,000 feet above sea-level. 



From this point the party proceeded westward across the 

 San Luis Valley and up the Rio Grande to its source. From 

 the head of the Rio Grande the party crossed the continental 

 divide, striking the Animas Park, thence by trail to Parrott 

 City. 



After making a station on La Plata Peak, the party 

 marched northwest across the broken Mesa country west of 

 the Dolores, making three stations on the route. After 

 making a primary station on the highest point of the Abajo 

 Mountains, the party turned westward to Lone Cone; thence 

 crossing the Gunnison and Grand Rivers, they proceeded to 

 the great volcanic plateau at the head of the White River. 

 The final station was made between the White and Yampah 

 Rivers in the northwestern corner of Colorado. During this 

 brief season Mr. Wilson finished about 1000 miles of topog- 

 raphy and made eleven geodetic stations, thus connecting 

 the whole of Southern and Western Colorado. 



In company with the Triangulation party, Mr. Holmes made 

 a hurried trip through Colorado, touching also portions of 



