58 S. Mis. 53. 



(d.) REGISTRY OF PERIODICAL PHENOMENA. 



The blanks for the registry of the periodical phenomena of animal and 

 vegetable life in 1852, were distributed early in the last spring. Most 

 of these have been returned filled, and imbody information of ihe high- 

 est interest. Many were accompanied by carefully-prepared lists of the 

 animals and plants of their respective stations ; constituting material 

 towards an accurate determination of the geographical distribution of 

 species. The results thus obtained will be carefully tabulated and 

 published at the earliest practicable moment. 

 Respectfully submitted : 



SPENCER F. BATRD, 



Assistant Secretary, 



APPENDIX A. 



Account of scientific explorations, andrejwrts on explorations, made in Ame- 

 rica, durifig the year 1852 : By Spencer F. Baird. 



In the present article I propose to give a brief account of the pro- 

 gress of scientific explorations in America during the year 1852. It 

 will be seen that the record is much more extensive than that of the 

 last year, affording gratifying proof of the increasing interest felt by 

 government and individuals in the development of the geography, 

 geology, ethnology, and physical and natural science of this country. 



I propose to take up the history of discovery in the following order : 



1. Smithsonian Institution. 



2. War Department. 



3. Topographical Bureau. 



4. Department of the Interior. 



5. Land Office. 



6. Navy Department. 



7. Coast Survey. 



8. Domestic States, Societies, and Individuals. 



9. European States, Societies, and Individuals. 



As the account of the operations of the Smithsonian Institution, in 

 the way of exploration, has already been given in j^our report, I shall 

 proceed directly to the second head. 



2. War Department. 



Exj)loration of Red River. — In June of last year an expedition was 

 sent out by the War Department for the purpose of exploring the 

 country along the Red river of Arkansas and its tributaries, under 

 command of Captain R. B. Marcy, so well known as an energetic 

 explorer, and accompanied by Captain Geo. B. McClellan. The 

 party started from Cache creek, a stream risingin the Wichita mount- 

 ains and emptying into Red river. Fom this point they passed along 

 the ridge separating Cache creek from Red river, to Otter creek. 

 The mouth of this stream, in lat. 34° 30' and long. 100° 10', was 

 found to constitute the southwestern terminus of the Wichita mount- 

 ains, a range about seventy miles long an(4 twenty-five wide. In 



