14 LKTTEU OF TKANSMITTAL. 



Ill an organization formed for exact geographical purjioses, the aiixihary 

 branches must of need be secondary to the main object; still, it is believed 

 that this report will meet all just expectations, especially when the depend- 

 ency under wliich the material was obtained and the limited additional 

 expense incurred are considered. 



The collections made have generally been large, and include a fair pro- 

 portion of new and rare specimens. Many of them have been forwarded 

 to the Smithsonian Institution, and a number of crania and osteological 

 specimens have been collected for the Anny Medical Museum. 



The services of the gentlemen Avhose analytical reports are herewith, 

 and of the officers of the Army who have rendered A-aluable assistance to 

 the field parties, are gratefully acknowledged. 



To Brig. Gen. M. C. Meigs, QuarteiTnaster-General United States Army, 

 \v\w has so fully sympathized with the objects of the siu-vey, thanks are 

 due. 



The active and hearty co-operation of the Medical Department, for 

 which much is due to Surgeon-General J. K. Barnes and Assistant Surgeon- 

 General C. H. Crane, in supplying medical officers with tastes for natural 

 history work, has conduced largely to the gratifying results obtained. 



For want of space, the final Botanical Report has been excluded, and 

 will appear separately as Volume VI, embracing results to tlie date of its 

 issue. 



The accumulating material in the subjects of Ethnology, Philology, 

 and Ruins \v\\\, as time and means permit, be consolidated into a separate 

 report, with appropriate illustrations. 



In conclusion, I beg to express my hearty appreciation of the ser\'ices 

 of the professional gentlemen who have been engaged in this field of 

 research. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Geo. M. WiiKELKR, 

 Lieutenant of Engineers, in Charge. 



Brig. Gen. A. A. Humphreys, 



Chief of Engineers, United States Army. 



