550 _ RESULTS OF THE LABORS 
Northern Mexico, is now engaged in the Ringgold 
Exploring Expedition, and, by his devotion to the 
botany of the regions visited, will doubtless contribute 
largely to the value of the scientific results of that en- 
terprise. 
Mr. Thurber, though for the greater part of the 
time acting as quarter-master, made a large collection, 
the examination of which has not yet been completed. 
Some six or seven unpublished genera have been de-_ 
termined, and a corresponding number of new species. 
As he collected in localities afterwards passed over by 
Mr. Wright, and a portion of the time in company 
with that gentleman, many of the novelties in his col- 
lection have been anticipated in the memoir alluded 
to. As Dr. Parry was engaged with a portion of the 
Commission under Major Emory, I had no opportunity 
of acquiring a personal knowledge of his labors; but 
from his reputation as a botanical observer, I have no 
doubt that he improved successfully the opportunities 
his field presented. 
The geological collection was made by Dr. Thomas 
H. Webb, Secretary of the Joint Commission. This 
officer was indefatigable in his labors to collect a series 
of specimens that should illustrate the structure and 
mineral resources of the vast region traversed by the 
Commission; but the collection made on the journey 
from the Copper Mines of New Mexico to California 
was mostly lost, in consequence of the abandonment 
of the wagons and the perishing of the animals. 
few boxes of minerals, were, however, collected in 
California and sent home in safety by water. On the 
journey from the Pacific coast, by the Gila and El 
