92 Geographical Notices. 
Babbage’s expedition almost upon his steps, and a Mr. Mac- 
donald was about to make Wirrawirralu his permanent station. 
Swinden and Stuart reserved for their own use considerable 
tracts of land in those regions which they discovered. 
session of fertile and useful lands is considered advantageous 
even if hard of access, as on the west side of the Torrens Basin, 
where a communication with the coast requires considerable ex- 
ertion and expense. An attempt is made to overcome the want 
of springs by artesian wells, for which, according to pepbaus 
the conditions are favorable. Enterprising colonists had c 
menced boring already last year at different pisces, as ne a 
stance on the northern foot of the Baxter Mou 
A particular account of Stuart’s bold feather ‘of discovery, 
illustrating and confirming the results which have been stated 
bove, is contained in the Berlin Zeitschrift fiir allgemeine Erd- 
* kunde for J anuary, 1859. 
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE (UNITED ae: 
fei SURVEY, SHOWING THE PROGRESS OF THE SURV 
E YEAR 1857. Wash., 1858, pp. 18 and 448, re with 
72} hae and charts.—This valuable volume, although bearing 
date of last year, has been distributed only within a few months. 
In the brief space at our command it is impossible to state in 
any detail the great amount and variety of important matter 
which Prof. Bache has in this report so clearly and ably exhib- 
ited. The report shows most fully that the Survey is conducted 
with eminent efficiency, and that the highest theoretical science 
and the best a skill are brought to bear on this great na- 
tional work. The astronomical, magnetic, and tidal observations 
so extensively ones on by t the officers of the survey, are, 12 
adilition to their direct importance, of great value to the general 
interests of science. 
The appendix, which comprises pages 121—445 of the vol- 
ume, is rich in valuable notices and papers. Among these may 
be specified those by the neers a Superintendent, on bes 
Atlantic Coast Tides, and on the Winds of the West ern Coast 
North America, the memoir by Teun E. B. Hunt on “a 0 Inder of 
Scientific References, and the Report by Mr. J. G. Kohl on the 
Numerous charts, diagrams, and other illustrations accompany 
such a wor 
eis 9 cg ha appy to know that these Reports are distributed: with 
, 8o that probably every person in the country ae 
rl <p Soe any use of it, can easily obtain acopy. It gives 
pleasure to see also that our government supports the kad 
with such enlightened liberality, for we are confident that the 
outlay yields a full zebatn to the true interests of the nation. 
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