Organization and Plans. 21 



awakened by its reported motion of 70 feet a day decided us to 

 camp at its mouth and study the glacier and its neighborhood 

 as thoroughlj^ as time would permit. The first requisite was a 

 reliable map of the region. None such existed, and we deter- 

 mined to devote much time to a survey and to make a map which 

 would show with some accuracy the extent and form of the 

 glacier and the positions of the mountains which surmount it, 

 and also serve to determine what changes ma}'' take place in the 

 future. We also planned a careful measure of the motion of the 

 ice,, a determination of the magnetic elements, a regular meteoro- 

 logic record, a study of the geology of the region, a collection of 

 plants, and observations of all indications of change in the extent 

 of the glacier, the amount of glacial erosion, etc. 



The party consisted of Mr H. P. Gushing, who took charge of 

 the meteorologic records, the geologic observations, and the col- 

 lection of plants ; Messrs H. McBride, R. L. Casement, J. F. 

 Morse, C. A. Adams, and the writer. It gives me pleasure to 

 acknowledge that it would have been impossible to accomplish 

 the work if it had not l)een for the cheerful and efficient aid 

 which all my companions rendered. 



Muir glacier seems to have been known only to the Indians 

 until 1879, when it was visited by Professor John Muir and 

 Reverend Mr Young ; but they were prevented by bad weather 

 from much exploration. In 1886 Professor G. F. Wright devoted 

 a month to its study. We are indebted to him for a very inter- 

 esting description. Until our visit, in 1890, these were the only 

 attempts to obtain any accurate knowledge of the glacier. Glacier 

 bay offers the luxury of exploration. Visited weekly during the 

 summer by the steamers of the Pacific Coast Steamship com- 

 pany, the explorer can take with him everything necessary to 

 his comfort, can renew supplies when necessary, can receive and 

 despatch his mail, and still l)e in a region of which little is 

 known — -a region of great interest to the geologist and student of 

 physical geography. It seems strange that it is not more thor- 

 oughly studied. 



On July 1st the George W. Elder cast anchor in Muir inlet, not 

 far from the glacier, and landed our instruments, tents, personal 

 baggage, and provisions on the eastern shore. We found Pro- 

 fessor Muir and Mr Loomis encamped there. They had come 

 also to study the glacier, and added much to the pleasure of our 

 stay. We immediately set to work to put up our tents, and 



