S. Mis. 53. 59 



these mountains, and beyond, many interesting discoveries of granite, 

 basalt, great beds of g3'psum, &c., were made. Passing along the 

 north fork of Red river to its head, they crossed over to tlie Canadian. 

 From this stream they struck and explored the middle and south forks 

 of Red river ; along the latter of which they returned. Astronomical 

 and other observations were diligently made throughout the journey, 

 and many important facts ascertained in regard to the? geology, agri- 

 cultural capabilities, and geography of tliis region, hitherto nearly a 

 blank in our maps. A very extensive collection of plants, reptiles, 

 fishes, insects, fossil remains, &c., was made, which, besides embracing 

 much that is new, will tend to throw great light upon the geographical 

 distribution of species. 



3. Topographical Bureau. 



Exploration of the Zuni and Colorado rivers. — The expedition for the 

 exploration of the Zuni river, organized under Captain L. Sitgreaves, 

 returned last winter, after having accomplished all its objects in a 

 remarkabh'- short space oi"time. Accompanied by Lieut. J. G. Parke, 

 Dr. S. W. Woodhouse as surgeon and naturalist, Mr. R. H. Kern as 

 artist, and Mr. A. Leroux as guide, the parly left the pueblo ol Zuni 

 on the 24th of September with an escort of thirty men, commanded 

 by Major H. L. Kendrick, of the 3d artillery. Passing down the 

 ^uni (which proved to be an inconsiderable stream) to its junction 

 with the Little Colorado, sixty miles below, they continued down to 

 the Cascades, some eighty-six miles further, where the stream fails 

 into a deep caiion. From this point they were compelled to strike 

 across to the Colorado, and descended this stream about two hundred 

 and fifty miles to its mouth. Crossing over to San Diego, they arrived 

 at the termination of that part of their journey in the end of December. 

 A great part of the route never having been before explored, much 

 was done by the expedition in rectifying and improving the geography 

 of the region, while Dr. Woodhouse made use of the scanty opportu- 

 nsities afforded by the barren soil, to cohect specimens of natural history, 

 many of which have proved new to science. These will be published 

 in the report of the expedition, shortly to be submitted to Congress. 



Survey of the Lakes. — The survey of the Northern lakes has been 

 carried on with great energy during the past year. Besides extending 

 and verifying the triangulations in the vicinity of Green Bay and 

 INIackinac, a base line was measured at the latter place under the 

 immediate direction of Captain T. J. Lee. The apparatus with which 

 this important work was conducted was made by Mr. Wm. Wurdemann 

 of this city, and is considered to be fully equal, if not to surpass any 

 ever used before for similar purposes. 



Exploration of Utah. — The report of Captain Stansl)ury of his explo- 

 ration of the valley of the Great Salt J^ake appear(!d in June, 1S52. As 

 in most of the recent explorations undertaken by the Topographical 

 Bureau, man}^ important discoveries in natural science were made 

 during this exploration, the results of which are here given. INIany 

 new species of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, plants, and fossU. 

 remains, are first published in this report. The additions to our geo- 

 graphical information have also been very extensive, tending greatly 



