APPENDIX B.—EXPLANATIONS OF MAP AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 
127 
of mountain masses, the nearest of which is designated by its Indian name, Don-don, followed to 
the west by the Wa-cho-i, the northern end of which only is plainly seen; to the west of this 
range, but more distant, are considerable mountains, surmounted in May by a few snow-peaks, 
the most conspicuous of which bears the Indian name of Mo-ko-ga-ri; westward from this peak, 
passing the considerable valley of Goshoot lake, the considerable north and south range, called 
Wa-ro-ja, rises, the eastern slope and northern end of which are alone visible; to the west of this 
range Franklin valley opens, and is followed by the Humboldt River mountains, terminating the 
view in that direction. Intermediate to the ranges named are more or less considerable valleys 
extending parallel with them, the views of which are obstructed by the mountains themselves; 
but by a course somewhat winding from the pass on the east, a succession of plains and valleys, 
broken by the ordinary inequalities of such surfaces, is seen, by which the most practicable rail¬ 
road route in the vicinity extends as far west as the eastern slope of the Humboldt mountains. 
Other views succeed this, showing more of Franklin valley and the pass by which it is proposed 
to cross the Humboldt mountains to the valley of the river of the same name; and similar views 
are given of the country where the proposed line of railroad leaves the Humboldt river, and 
where it ascends and crosses the Sierra Nevada. 
To show to what extent our topographical work may be depended upon as correct, I deem it 
proper to explain the manner of its execution, when it was immediately under my charge, after the 
experience of the first year’s field-work under Captain Gunnison, assisted by Mr. Egloffstein, both 
in the field and in the office. Proper astronomical observations for the determination of geo¬ 
graphical positions, and of the variation of the needle, were, of course, frequently made; the dis¬ 
tances traversed were measured by odometers, two being used upon the same trail wherever it was 
practicable, for comparison, and barometric observations made at regular hours daily, as well as at 
all considerable changes of level, for altitudes. The party daily proceeded on its duties in such 
order as circumstances required, it being frequently necessary to locate our trail with accuracy, 
for a portion of it to keep a greater or less distance in advance of the topographer to enable him 
to take accurate bearings upon their success ye positions on extensive plains, where no trees or 
prominent objects afford natural marks for this purpose ; and to facilitate the taking of back-sights, 
if possible to discover any local attraction, or other source of error, smokes and camp-fires left 
behind were often found useful. In connection with the trail the topography adjacent to it was 
constantly laid down with great care, and the first favorable locality near it assumed for making 
observations of the country to a greater or less extent, and as accurate profile or outline sketches 
of it made as our skill enabled us to execute, on which every prominent feature and landmark 
was noted with especial care, together with their magnetic bearings; and if distant snowy peaks 
were visible, angles of elevation were taken to the lower lines of snow, the general altitude of this 
line for the section of country and season of the year being once determined, affording great as¬ 
sistance in estimating the height of all other mountains in the vicinity, and were subsequently used 
for determining their distances from the point of observation, and the adjacent and middle ground 
portions were laid down with fidelity. Proceeding, then, for two, three, or four miles upon the 
trail, the distance, of course, varying with the formation of the country, the topographer again 
assumed the most favorable position in the vicinity for his purposes, and repeated the labors of 
the previous hour. In addition to this constant labor along the trail, it frequently, almost daily, 
became necessary to leave it and make distant side trips, ascending elevated mountain peaks and 
ridges to obtain correct and distant views of the country, and I cannot speak too highly of the 
fidelity, zeal, and ability with which Mr. Egloffstein always performed these onerous labors. In 
starting for such points, forward bearings were, of course, taken, and verified on his arrival by back¬ 
sights, and barometers read for altitude, both on his arrival and departure. It is not necessary 
here to describe the beauty, extent, and grandeur of the scenes which from these positions, in the 
pure atmosphere of this portion of our country, greeted him, frequently embracing an area equal 
to that of some of our Atlantic States, and presenting a multitude of plain and mountain outlines, 
