Exploration IVork of the Iiistitiition 465 



road surveys, and of nineteen reports of explorations which 

 were pubHshed during the same period. 



Of the participation of the Institution in these great activi- 

 ties, he writes : 



" With scarcely an exception, every expedition of any mag- 

 nitude has received more or less aid from the Smithsonian 

 Institution. This has consisted in the supplying of instruc- 

 tions for making observations and collections in meteorology 

 and natural history, and of information as to particular desid- 

 erata ; in the preparation, in part, of the meteorological, mag- 

 netical, and natural history outfit, including the selection and 

 purchase of the necessary apparatus and instruments ; in the 

 nomination and training of persons to fill important positions 

 in the scientific corps ; in the reception of the collections 

 made, and their reference to individuals competent to report 

 upon them ; and in employing skilful 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 pur- 

 pose, and used for the first time, with results surpassing the 

 most sanguine expectations."^ 



A list of these government explorations, from the Report 

 of 1856, may be of interest in this connection. It is as 

 follows : 



A. GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS. 



1. The survey of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and a por- 

 tion of Nebraska, by Dr. David Dale Owen. 



2. The survey of the Lake Superior district, by Dr. 

 Charles T. Jackson. 



3. The survey of the same region, by Messrs. Foster and 

 Whitney. 



4. The survey of Oregon, by Dr. John Evans. 



1 " Smithsonian Report," 1854, page 79. 



