baker.] REPORT BY PARKE. 1859. 69 
crossing the divide to the east of Lake Osogoos [sic], the trail strikes 
the Nehoialpitkwu, and follows down the valley of this stream cross- 
ing- the parallel three times. 
From the astronomical station on the Similkameen, two points of the 
parallel, at an interval of about fifteen miles, were determined and 
marked by triangulation: one at the crossing of the Similkameen and 
the other at Lake Osoyoos, in the valley of the Okinakane. The inter- 
vening country is generally destitute of timber, and made up of a col- 
lection of knobs and high hills with intervening plains and valleys, 
affording good ground for the location of well conditioned triangles. 
The first station on the Nehoialpitkwu was occupied by Mr. Harris, 
and the parallel was determined by a measurement from the observa- 
tory, on the meridian, and marked by a cut, nearly a mile in length, 
across the valley, and by three monuments — two of earth and one of 
stone. At this station the stream passes from north to the south of 
the parallel. 
The second station on the Nehoialpitkwu, about thirty miles distant 
by the trail, is now occupied by Mr. Gardner's party, and Mr. Harris's 
party is in position on the right bank of the Columbia river, near the 
mouth of Clarke's Fork. It is believed that these points of the par- 
allel will soon be determined and marked, when these parties, together 
with the surveying and reconnoitering parties, are instructed to repair 
to this point and go into winter quarters. The weather, however, is 
at present very severe, the ground being covered with three or four 
inches of snow, and the thermometer giving readings for the last three 
mornings as low as four, two, and ten degrees below zero. 
To recapitulate, the following is the amount of work accomplished 
by parties of the United States commission during the present season: 
A completion of the determination and marking the parallel from 
three points astronomically fixed at the close of the last season. 
A complete set of observations for latitude at four stations, from 
which the parallel has been determined and marked at the crossings of 
the foil owing streams: the Skagit, Pasayten, Similkameen, Okinakane, 
(Lake Osoyoos,) and Nehoialpitkwu. And before the astronomical 
parties leave the field, the necessaiy observations will be completed for 
determining two other points of the parallel, the third crossing of the 
Nehoialpitkwu, and the Columbia river. 
A chronometer trip for difference of longitude between Camp 
Simiahmoo and Chilowayuck depot. 
Observations of the transit of the moon and moon-culminating stars 
at two of the latitude stations for absolute longitude. 
A triangulation covering an area of about fifty square miles. 
A survey of the nearest practicable lines to the parallel, connecting 
the astronomical stations, making a total distance chained of about 
three hundred and seventy miles. 
