40 Herbert C}. Or/den — Geograpliij of iJie Land. 



returned Avith notes, specimens, and data of the greatest interest. 

 The topography was sketched over an area of ahout one thou- 

 sand square miles, and includes the determination of the geo- 

 graphical position and elevation of Mount St. Elias and many 

 neighboring peaks. Mount St. Elias is indicated to be not so 

 high by some 4,000 feet as the heretofore accepted elevation, 

 19,'500 feet. The clifhculties attending the determination of the 

 height of this mountain are so great that the range between the 

 extreme elevations that have been given by different explorers 

 is nearly 6,000 feet. This is believed to be the first height for it 

 that has been derived from a carefully measured base, and it 

 therefore should receive great weight. But I regret to say that 

 in the chain of triangles connecting with the top of the mount- 

 ain, the difficulty of placing well-conditioned triangles seems to 

 have been so great that the observers were forced to accept very 

 small included angles, which necessarily casts a doubt upon the 

 resulting distances. We must therefore accept the new eleva- 

 tion with caution until it is verified by further observations. 



The party was unfortunately j)revented from reaching the top 

 of Mount St. Elias by severe storms, but the ascent was so nearly 

 accomplished that Mr. Russell is confident he found a practica- 

 ble route ; and it seems probable that had he been started ten 

 days or tAVO Aveeks earlier the first ascent of Mount St. Elias 

 Avoulcl have been recorded as a part of the Avork of the expedi- 

 tion. 



The full report of this expedition is now nearing completion, 

 and will be published by the Society at an early date. To this 

 I must refer you for the interesting details, and experiences en- 

 countered by the explorers. 



The expedition Avas organized by the Society, but in congratu- 

 lating ourseh^es Ave should not forget that our thanks are due to 

 the United States Geological Survey for the assignment of officers 

 to conduct the AVork in the field and for assistance rendered in the 

 organization ; and we may hope the substantial results that haA^e 

 been secured Avill prove as pleasing to that great national work 

 as they are to your board of managers. 



Washington, January 23, 1891, 



