EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 15 



The expenses of original outfit for making collections in natural his- 

 tory during the telegraphic expedition were defrayed by the joint 

 contributions of this Institution and the Chicago Academy of Science. 

 Subsequently the telegraphic company itself made liberal provisions for 

 facilitating the same object, and for furthering, as far as compatible 

 with the primary intention of the enterprise, the advance of science. 

 The costs of the expedition of Mr. Dall, after he left the service of the tel- 

 egraph company, were borne by himself, aud the results generously pre- 

 sented as a contribution to the cause to which he has shown himself so 

 ardently attached. The transportation of all the collections from the west- 

 ern coast devolved upon the Institution, and but for the generous assist- 

 ance of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, it would have called for a 

 larger outlay than we could well have afforded. Since Mr. Dalfs return he 

 has occupied a room in the Smithsonian building, and has been engaged 

 in arranging and labeling his specimens preparatory to the forma- 

 tion of a descriptive catalogue. While he has been occupied in this 

 work the Boston Society of Natural History, as well as the Institution, 

 has contributed to his support, with the understanding that the former 

 is to have a portion of the duplicates set apart for distribution. 



Other collections of interest have also been received from Alaska, viz : 

 those made by Mr. Bischoff, at Kodiak ; and by Dr. Minor, in various 

 localities visited during the cruise of the Wayanda ; others still, from 

 Captain White, of the same steamer ; also from Captain Howard and 

 Mr. George Davidson, of the United States Coast Survey. 



Western United States. — The Institution still continues to receive speci- 

 mens from the Pacific coast, and frequent communications relative to the 

 physical geography, meteorology, and ethnology of the country. Dur- 

 ing the past year among the more important collections from California 

 was a series of nests and eggs from Dr. Canfield, of Monterey, and of 

 birds and shells from Mr. E. E. C. Stearns. But the most important 

 exploration undertaken since the date of the last report has been that 

 under the direction of Mr. Clarence King, authorized by Congress for a 

 geological survey of the 40th parallel of latitude, principally in Nevada 

 aud the western portion of Utah. The results of this exploration are 

 especially important from the facts obtained relative to the physical 

 geography and meteorology of the country. A base line in a north and 

 south direction was measured by astronomical observations at the two 

 extremities, and from this a net-work of triangles was extended over the 

 region surveyed, by which the topography was determined and the 

 materials furnished of an accurate map of a part of the country previ- 

 ously imperfectly known. The party consisted of four geologists, 

 including Mr. King, four topographers, two botanists, one zoologist, aud 

 one meteorologist. All the specimens collected, filling 60 boxes, with the 

 exception of those of botany, have been received at the Institution, and 

 are now in process of being arranged for study and subsequent distribu- 

 tion. The botanical collections have been given in charge to Professor 



