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Show Vol. 2 will comprise the systematic report upon the longitude and latitude campaigns of 1871 and 1872 in their due order of sequence, and, if sufficiently delayed before going to press, can receive in addition the results from the field- season of 1873, includiDg the establishment of the observatory, and the more matured plan for a comprehensive system of astronomical determinations in the area west of the one hundredth meridian. This volume will not exceed 250 pages, with but few additional plates. Vol. 3. This volume will embrace the collected data from a very large number of hourly stations, and from meteorological record connected with altitude work, illustrated by various tables and plates. The text-matter will not exceed 50 pages. The tables and plates will complete a volume of moderate thickness. Vol. 4 will contain the finished report of the geological work for the years 1871 and 1872. The sections will appear in immediate connection with the text. The size of this volume will not differ greatly from 225 pages, increased by a few geological plates. Vol. 5. This volume, known to be the one upon " Paleontology," will contain a report and numerous plates of the new vertebrate and invertebrate fossils, for the years 1871,1872, and 1873. The pages of text- matter will not exceed one hundred, and the plates for illustrating new subjects probably not more than fifty or sixty. Vol. 6. This last volume of the series will render the matured results, for the years 1871, 1872, and 1873, in the different branches of natural history, the mauuscript- matter for which will call for at least two hundred pages of quarto text, and several plates. Many photographic negatives of subjects that are of interest, geologically, for special publication or for illustration of the appropriate volumes, have become the property of the survey. [ a « * ^ i_ ..',-./'• It is proposed hereafter to include in the annual report for each fiscal year the results up to that date in the astronomical, topographical, and meteorological departments, while the reports relating to the geology and natural history will appear, from time to time, in a separate or special form. " The long field- seasons, the continued detail incident upon the organization, and the uncertain tenure of the survey as an annual work, have all acted heretofore as a hinderance to an earlier accomplishment of the above result. It is believed that a part or all of the volumes proposed will prove of valuable interest to the Department, the profession, and the people resident or interested in the areas traversed by the survey, and it seems proper to recommend that an edition, bound in quarto form, of not less than two thousand copies of each of the six volumes proposed, should be published. While with propriety the priuting and binding may be ordered at the Public Printing Office, it seems necessary that a special appropriation should defray the cost of the many illustrations. I have the honor to request that authority for the publication of the volumes enumerated be granted; the printing and binding of the text to be done by the Congressional Printer, and the sum of $ 25,000 for the fiscal year ending < Jpk 30, 1875, be asked for to cover the expense of the plate, photographic, and other illustrations. Eespectfully submitted. GEO. M. WHEELER, Lieut Engineers in charge. Brig. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chief of Engineers, U. 8. A., Washington, D. O. C |