Telegraphic Determinations of Longitude. 25 
as the route was devious, the actual distance was nearer three 
hundred. Some of the instruments were heavy, and after being 
taken in canoes a hundred miles up the Coatzacoalcos river, against 
‘a vapid current, they were loaded on a train of pack mules, and 
carried the rest of the way by land. While the first party was 
crossing the Isthmus, the other was on its way from Vera Cruz, 
and being ready at. about the same time, a successful measurement 
was made between Coatzacoalcos and Salina Cruz, exchanging 
signals automatically. The Coatzacoalcos party then crossed to 
Salina Cruz, while the other proceeded to La Libertad in Salvador, 
where the station established in the Spring of ’84, was again 
occupied. .The measurement between these places bemg com- 
pleted, the Libertad party went on to San Juan del Sur, in Nica- 
ragua, near the terminus of the proposed interoceanic canal. In 
the measurement between this point and Salina Cruz, as well as 
in the one preceding, the exchange was effected by mirror signals. 
This completed the season’s work, and the two parties made the 
best of their way home via. Panama, arriving in Washington in 
April and May respectively. The computation of the observations 
is not yet complete though well advanced ; it was the intention to 
publish preliminary results this Fall, but owing to lack of time 
that can not be done. 
Another piece of work is laid out for the same party for the 
coming winter, which is the measurement from Santiago de Cuba, 
through Hayti and San Domingo to La Guayra in Venezuela, 
over the cables of a French company, which have just been com- 
pleted. This work will consume about six months, and the expe- 
dition which is to start almost immediately will probably return 
in April or May next. The determination of the longitude of La 
Guayra will give a point from which many other measurements 
may be made along the north coast of South America, furnishing 
material for extensive corrections of the charts of that region. 
Having presented an outline of the work done so far, as well 
as that proposed for the near future, I will now mention some of 
the trials and tribulations, as well as the pleasures experienced in 
carrying out the object desired in an expedition of this kind. 
The greatest politeness and kindness have always been expe- 
rienced from the officials and employees of the various telegraph 
companies over whose lines work has been carried on. The 
government officials of the foreign countries visited, have also 
