THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 79 



APPENDIX 



TO THE 



REPORT OF THE REGENTS 



OF THE 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



Report on American ETploratio7is in the years 1853 and 1854. Bi/ S. F. 

 Baird, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



The report on this subject for 1853, though ready for pubhcation at 

 the time of printing the last Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion, was kept back until the present year, as most of the expeditions 

 mentioned in it were still in the field at the close of 1853, and of many 

 no definite intelhgence had been received. Nearly all of these have, 

 however, returned; and their officers are now busily engaged in pre- 

 paring their reports. I therefore shall present the principal events for 

 1853 and 1854 in one narrative, without always distinguishing those of 

 each year. 



The number of important scientific explorations embraced in this 

 period, mark it conspicuously in the history of American discovery. 

 Most of these are due to the appropriation for the survey of the China 

 seas and Behring's Straits, and that for a survey of the several routes 

 for a railroad to the Pacific, (although many more private expeditions 

 were set on foot,) in addition to the regular operations of the United 

 States and Mexican Boundary Survey, whose labors during the past 

 years were in continuation of those commenced before. Many reports 

 of explorations, commenced or completed prior to 1853, have been pub- 

 lished during this period, and will be noticed in their proper places. 



With scarcely an exception, every expedition of any magnitude has 

 received more or less aid from the Smithsonian Institution. This has 

 consisted in the supplying of instructions for making observations and col- 

 lections in meteorology and natural history, and of information as to partic- 

 ular desiderata ; in the preparation, in part, of the meteorological, magnet- 

 ical, and natural history outfit, including the selection and purchase of 

 the necessary apparatus and instruments ; in the nomination and train- 

 ing of persons to fill important positions in the scientific corps ; in the 

 reception of the collections made, and their reference to individuals com- 

 petent to report upon them ; and in employing skillful and trained artists 

 to make accurate delineations of the new or unfigured species. Much 

 of the apparatus supplied to the different parties was invented or 

 adapted by the Institution for this special purpose, and used for the 

 first time, with results surpassing the most sanguine expectations 



