62 S. Mis. 53. 



and passing through an ahnost unknown geographical region, descended 

 the Amazon to its mouth. Lieut. Gibbon took a somewhat different 

 route, and has not yet returned. Both gentlemen have, in addition to 

 their physical investigations, made copious notes on the natural history 

 of the countries traversed, which will, in time, be presented to Con- 

 gress. 



Although not properly coming within the history of the past year, it 

 may not be inappropriate to mention some of the enterprises in con- 

 templation for 1S53, which are in an active state of forwardness, and 

 which bid fair to render this year conspicuous above all others in the 

 annals of American discovery. The most important of these is the 

 proposed survey of the seas of the North Pacific and Behiing's straits, 

 under Captain Cadwallader Ringgold. This officer will leave early in 

 the spring with four vessels, all constructed and fitted for the purpose. 

 He will take with him a complete outfit of instruments and apparatus 

 for the successful prosecution of all branches of physical science, in 

 addition to the hydrographical details, upon which he will, of course, 

 bestow especial attention. By the liberal construction of the law of 

 Congress ordering this survey, on the part of Mr. Kennedy, he will be 

 accompanied by a corps of naturalists well skilled in their respective 

 duties, and provided with all the material necessary to a successful 

 prosecution of their investigations and explorations. 



The next exploration in contemplation is that of the river Parana 

 and its trihitarics. Captam Page has been assigned to this duty, and, 

 in command of a small steamer, will start in a few weeks. The limited 

 accommodations on board prevented the addition of a naturalist to the 

 corps, but this want will be made up by the zeal of the officers them- 

 selves, who go fully provided with the means for making collections. 

 Much of interest will doubtless be furnished by the plants of this un- 

 explored region. The expedition will be accompanied by an experi- 

 enced horticulturalist, who will collect roots, seeds, and Hving plants, as 

 well as dried specimens. 



Dr. Kane, U. S. N., so well known as an enterprising traveller, will 

 proceed next April on a second voyage in search of Sir John Franklin, 

 Supplied with the requisite funds by the munificence of Mr. Henry 

 Grinnell and Mr. George Peabody, in connexion with the Geographical 

 Society of New York, and of the Smithsonian Institution, and accom- 

 panied by a picked crew. Dr. Kane will undoubtedly add much to our 

 previous knowledge of the meteorology, magnetism, geograj:)!]}^, and 

 natural history of the remote regions of the north. The expedition 

 will be accompanied by a skilful collector, who will bestow especial 

 attention upon the minute invertebrata of the Arctic ocean. 



Captain Lynch, to whom we are indebted for so much information 

 respecting the Dead Sea, has again started upon a similar enterprise. 

 Under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, he will proceed to 

 the coast of western Africa, touching at various points as fiir as the 

 river Gaboon, for the purpose of ascertaining the most suitable point 

 for penetrating this little known continent. As soon as his reconnois- 

 sance has been completed, he will be supplied from home with an 

 organization of vessels, men, apparatus, &c., necessary to continue his 

 researches. Much is anticipated for science in this expedition, in 



