EXPEDITION TO THE SOUTHERN" HEMISPHERE. 195 



Account of the V. S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern 



Hemisphere, during the years 18-19,-50,-51,-52 ; compiled by Lieut. 



Gilliss, U.S.N., Superintendent 01 the Expedition. Washington, 



1855 : 2 vols , quarto. 



The Expedition of which the work above named gives a descrip- 

 tion, was determined on by an act of Congress, in 1818, ior the pur- 

 pose chiefly of enlarging and correcting the catalogue of stars for the 

 southern hemisphere. The station selected for the requisite observa- 

 tions, was Santiago, the capital of Chile, which from its geographical 

 position, and the purity of its atmosphere, was admirably adapted for 

 effecting the proposed objects. Lieut. Gribiss was oireeted, in 

 addition to his astronomical labors, to collect materials for the ad- 

 vancement of the sciences of magnetism and meteorology, together with 

 information relative to the natural history, the topography, and 

 the political, social and commercial condition of Chili, and the con- 

 tiguous countries. 



It is with such miscellaneous matter that these volumes are prin- 

 cipally filled ; a brief description only of the astronomical work is 

 given at the end of the first volume ; but the astronomical results 

 will appear in additional volumes not yet published. The first volume 

 prepared by the Superintendent, relates chjefiy to the countries on the 

 western side of South America. The second volume contains a 

 narrative of two journeys across the Andes and Pampas, made by 

 Lieut. MacEae, U.S.N., the chief assistant, together with some 

 beautifully executed engravings of the specimens of natural history, 

 mineralogy, and Indian antiquities, collected by the officers of the 

 expedition, and accompanied by notices drawn up by scientific men 

 in the United States, eminent in their respective departments. 



The writers appear to have spared no pains in collecting materials 

 for their work ; and while due regard has been paid to arrangement, 

 they have succeeded in putting them together in a very pleasing and 

 spirited style. As a book of travels, apart from its scientific charac- 

 ter, it deserves certainly to occupy a very high rank. 



The nature and extent of the labors in which the officers of the 

 expedition were engaged, may be learned from the brief account 

 given by Lieut. Grilliss, at the close of the first volume : — 



During the summer and autumn months succeeding our arrival, there was 

 almost uninterrupted fine weather. From the 10th of December, when the 

 equatoreal was ready for use, night followed night unrivalled in serenity ; and to 

 the close of the first series of observations on the planet Mars, Jany., 31, there 

 were but four unsuited to work. Labour so continuous in a climate as dry almost 

 as an oveu, told severely on unacclimated constitutions ; and it was soon perceived 



