[ 26 J 4 
As unsatisfactory, however, as the fruits of my researches have gen- 
erally been to myself, I must content myself for the present with the 
reflection of having been one of the first scientific pioneers through a great 
part of that country; and as the log cabin of the pione er of the west dis- 
~ in coming years before the more imposing residences of advancing 
ation, so will my little work have fulfilled its purpose, when, in later 
igmtific men, under more favorable circumstances, shall explore 
hg ont ntry, and open its treasures as well as its deserts to the 
' m 
an ake their dente as : freely and distinctly in one 
The cat language of our youth generally leaves 
m ind, and unconsciously infiuences the 
ve knowledge of whee ears. If the reader should, therefore— 
s I have nod 
I hope he ‘Will not judge me e severe criticism of an English gram- 
m. at “ with the philanthropic Libapalit of a citizen of the world. 
Finally, itaffords me great pleasure to acknowledge the co- “operation of 
any ae men in the furtherance of this pub blication.. Among them 
m mostly indebted to mie “ante and former partner in medical practice, 
. G. Engelmann, of S s, for the arrangement of my prerdt. a 
lection; to Professor Goebel, for or. the most exact calculation of my a 
nomical and barometrical sadleatigiadl to W. Pa Im, esq., for the slallfa 
drawing of the maps; es Gregg, for an exchange of his astronomi- 
ones; to Lieutenant C. ribbon, = the artillery, for his aid in sketchin 
the road from Chihuahua to Monterey; to Dr. H. King, of St. Louis, a 
~ Dr. 8. - Morton, of Philadelphia, for their assistance in the geological 
eparime 
Last, a ough not least, I am — to the distinguished and learned 
Senator from Missouri, Th homas H. Benton, for the favor of laying my 
little work before the Senate of the United Aes and of having hes 
enerous prote n does not relieve me, of course, of the re- 
spomubier for the individual ans and conclusions formed and ex- 
pressed by me in the work. As they emanate rom my own obser- 
t however erroneous they may be considered by some, the impartial 
reader will concede, at least, that they are based upon Neots i and apparently 
intended to promote the bout interests of my adopted country. 
A. WISLIZENUS. 
Wasuineton Crry, January, 1848. 
