42 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



at sea ; as also with the methods and appliances of deep-sea dredging, 

 temperature observations, «S:c., all, of course, directly in the line of their 

 future vocation. 



The other four accompanied one or the other of Professor Powell's 

 parties into the Far West, and have had every opportunity for field work. 



The results of this experiment were so satisfactory that six more mid- 

 shipmen have been detailed to the Institution, the first six to continue 

 another year, making the entire course one of two years. 



The selections for this detail are made by the Navy Department after 

 conference Avith the Superintendent of tbe Naval Academy, from among 

 those who, while pursuing their educational course, have shown most 

 interest in scientific matters. 



The measure is extremely iwpular among the younger oflQcers, although 

 of course it is decried by others, who consider it an innovation in the 

 established routine. 



One special object of the exjieriment is to have, as a part of the regu- 

 lar force of the Navy, officers competent to do the scientific work for 

 which it has generally been necessary to employ civilians, as also on 

 any cruise to be able to utilize, to some extent at least, the opportunities 

 of research which constantly present themselves to the inquirer. 



The following is an account of the work accomplished by these young 

 oflQcers, now recognized by law as "Ensigns": 



Of the class of '79, six were ordered to the Institution early in Janu- 

 ary, 1882. 



Ensign B. H. Miner chose ichthyology, made a summer cruise on 

 the "Eish Hawk," resumed his studies in the fall, and was detached in 

 December and ordered to the Fish Commission steamer " Albatross." 



JEj. E. Hay den chose mineralogy, went on the U. S. Geological Sur- 

 vey to Nevada, and in the winter took up the study of fossil botany. 



R. S. Chase chose mineralogy, went on a geological expedition to 

 Montana iu the summer, and is now studying the same branch. 



L. M. Garret chose geology, was in Montana in the summer, and 

 has resumed the same branch. 



G. G. Marsh chose ethnology, went on an ethnological expedition to 

 Moquis, Ariz., in the summer, and has since taken up fossil botany. 



J. B. Blish chose marine invertebrates, went on the "Fish Hawk" 

 in the summer, resumed the same branch in the fall, and was lately 

 detached at his own request and ordered to the " Jamestown." 



Of the class of '80, six were detailed last fall. 



H. O. Dresel is studying ichthyology. 



J. B. Bernadou is engaged in the chemical laboratory in quantitative 

 and qualitative analysis and assaying. 



A. A. Aclcerman is studying mineralogy. 



A. P. Niblack is studying ethnology. 



U. Wilkinson has chosen mineralogy. 



