OCR Text |
Show 15 features of the methods employed in the geographical portions of the work, with practical illustrations drawn from the material already at disposal. . While details under these methods will necessarily undergo many modifications, the system at present adopted will answer for the survey of all mountainous areas where natural objects, such as peaks, mesa-edges, buttes, volcanic cones, & c, appear within successive horizons at distances convenient for measurement, say not exceeding fifty miles for the sides of the main triangles. The expedition of 1874 was divided into nine moving field- parties in addition to the observatory- party, and the office- force of draughtsmen and computers in Washington. These parties were respectively in charge of ( 1) myself ,• ( 2) Lieut. Wm. L. Marshall; ( 3) Lieut P. M. Price f ( 4) Lieut. O. W. Whipple; ( 5) Lieut. Rogers Birnie, jr.; ( 6) Lieut. Stanhope E. Blunt; ( 7) Acting Assistant Surgeon H. 0. Yarrow;* ( 8) Acting Assistant Surgeon J. T. Rothrock; ( 9) Dr. F. Kampf. The parties, including my own, those of Lieutenants Whipple, Price, Birnie, and Blunt, were so disposed as to work- up a block of territory lying south of the latitude of the most northern of the Spanish Peaks, bounded on the east by 104° 07' 30" west longitude; on the south by a latitude- line passing through Santa F6; and on the west approximately by the western boundary of Colorado and New Mexico. These parties were assigned parallel strips from north to south, so far as compatible with the physical conformation of the areas of drainage into which they were to enter, with the exception of the one under Lieutenant Blunt, which had for its duties the survey of that part of the area above mentioned lying to the east of the summit- line of the ranges facing the plains, a well- marked profile running nearly due north and Booth throughout the entire area to be occupied during the season. The party under Lieutenant Marshall was intrusted with the completion of triangulation extending over parts of Southern and Southwestern Colorado, and its connection with the base at Pueblo, that had been left the preceding season incomplete. Dr. Yarrow was placed in charge of a paleontological party operating within the area projected for the season, and a topographer was assigned to it. Br. Rothrock, with a party organized to conduct certain barometrical observations and make collections in zoology and botany, operated westward and southwestward from Santa F6, via Fort Wingate, N. Mex., Camps Apache and Grant, to Fort Bowie, Ariz., as a base of supplies. His mission proved successful. Dr. Kampf assumed charge of the party, of which he was chief observer, engaged in establishing the astronomical coordinates of the main stations referred to along the east base of the Rocky Mountain ranges axnd upon the Union Pacific Railroad. The parties, without exception, prosecuted their labors to the close of the working- season with vigor and success. The continued improvement of instruments and methods in this branch, together with the valuable experience gained by assistants who have been connected with the work for several years, tend toward greater facility, and enhance the value of the work with each succeeding year. A reference to the executive reports of the several chiefs of parties will show, to some extent, the features of the couutry traversed and the amount of work accomplished. * The party of Lieutenant Price was fur a portion of the season in charge of Assistant Francis Klett, who assumed its duties in addition to his other lahors; aud that of Dr. H. C. Yarrow was assumed charge of by Prof. E. D. Cope, in September, the former having been ordered to the office in Washington. |