50 EEPOET OF ASSISTANT SECEETAKY. 



statement at the end of this report is all that can be given for most of 

 them. A portion, however, of the collections received belong to pub- 

 lic or private explorations of such interest as to require a further 

 notice. 



EXPLORATIONS UNDER THE WAR DEPARTMENT. 



1. Exploration of the valley of the Platte river, especially of tlie L<mp 

 Forh, under Lieutenant Warren, U. 8. A. — This exploration was con- 

 ducted in 1857, but the collections (filling 21 boxes) did not reach 

 Washington until 1858. The chief features of the collections con- 

 sisted of the fossil remains of animals and plants, gathered by J)r. 

 Hay den, geologist of the expedition; but a large and valuable series 

 of recent species was also procured, embracing several new to science. 



2. Exploration of the Colorado river of California, under Lieuttnant 

 J, C. Ives, JJ. S. A. — Dr. J. S. Newberry, geologist and botanist, Mr. 

 B. Mollhausen, artist and zoologist. Large collections were made in 

 all departments on the Colorado and across to Albuquerque. 



o. Wagon road over the ^hth parallel, under Lieutenant Beale. — A 

 valuable geological collection was made by this party. 



UNDER THE STATE DEPARTMENT. 



4. Survey of the northivest boundary, under Archibald Camphell, 

 esq. — Dr. 0. B. Kennerly, surgeon and naturalist, George Gibbs, 

 geologist. The collections of animals and plants, minerals and fossils, 

 made on Puget Sound and on the boundary line, were very full. 



UNDER THE NAVY DEPARTMENT. 



5. Survey of the Atrato ship canal rotde of the Isthmus of Darien, by 

 Lieutenant Craven, U. S. N., and Lieutenant Michler, U. S. A. — The 

 natural history operations were conducted by Mr. Schott, assisted by 

 Wm. S. and Charles Wood, under the supervision of Lieutenant 

 Michler. A valuable collection of animals and plants of the Isthmus 

 was brought back by this party. 



UNDER THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. 



6. Wagon road construction through the South Pass, under Wm. M. 

 Magraw. — This expedition was fitted out in the spring of 1857, with 

 Dr. J. G. Cooper as surgeon, and Mr. C. Drexler as hospital steward 

 and taxidermist. Dr. Cooper returned to Washington before the be- 

 ginning of the year, bringing large collections with him. Mr. Drex- 

 ler continued with Mr. Magraw's party, and wintered on Wind river. 

 In March he crossed to Camp Scott, near Fort Bridger, where, re- 

 maining until June, he made a very extensive collection of birds, 

 illustrating very fully the ornithology of the Rocky mountain region, 

 and throwing much light on the geographical distribution of the 

 species. His success in this was mainly due to the protection and aid 

 .afforded by General A. E. Johnston, in command of the forces, by 

 whose direction every facility was afforded him. 



