"The Department of the Interior," for "Statistical maps." "The Bureau of Education," for "Collective exhibit embracing objects representative of the various classes included in Group XXVIII.” "The United States Geographical and Geological Survey of the Ter ritories," "First Division," for "Geographical and geological maps, models, and photographs." "The United States Geographical and Geological Survey of the Territories, First Division," for "Models of caves, and cliff-dwellings, and pottery." "The United States Geographical and Geological Survey of the Terri tories, Second Division," for "Geographical and geological maps, models, and photographs. " Also, an award "to the United States Geographical and Geological Survey of the Territories" (without further specifications) for "Geological maps, models, and photographs." The lack of funds has not permitted the preparation and publication of catalogues and reports of the department exhibition, as contemplated by the executive board. GEOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. FIRST DIVISION. On the completion of the survey of Colorado last year, it was determined by the department that the work of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, under the direction of Prof. F. V. Hayden, should be transferred to Wyoming and Idaho. The belt of country including the Pacific Railroad having been explored and mapped in detail by the survey of the fortieth parallel, it was deemed best to commence at the northern line of that work and continue westward from the longitude of Fort Steele, Wyoming Territory, to that of Ogden, Utah, or, more precisely, from longitude 107° to 1120 and northward to the Yellowstone National Park. The survey proper the past season was divided into six parties, one of which was devoted to the primary triangulation, three to topographical and geological work, one for critical paleontological study, and one for making level-connections. There were also three smaller parties, evoted to special investigations in different portions of the West. The primary triangulation party took the field from Rawlins Springs, Wyo. From that point a base-line was measured with great accuracy, from which a network of triangles was expanded over the country to the North and West, locating, at intervals of from twenty to thirty miles, prominent peaks, upon which stone monuments were erected. Upon these points was based the system of secondary triangulation. The primary system was extended with great care over an area of twentyfive thousand square miles, establishing twenty-six main stations. The three well-equipped topographical and geological parties surveyed an area of twenty-eight thousand square miles. In accordance with in structions from this department, stone monuments were built at all the important geodetic stations for the use of the surveyors of the public lands under the Commissioner of the General Land Office. The entire number thus erected was two hundred and twenty-five. As soon as the topographical work is sufficiently advanced, a chart will be prepared showing the location of all the monuments in relation to such of the public lands as are suitable for arable purposes. Very careful attention was given to the study and classification of all areas suitable for arable, pastoral, or mining purposes, and materials were se cured for a detailed economic map of the area surveyed, showing the different classes of land by a series of colors. Much attention was given to the measurement of the volume of water in the more impor tant streams for the purposes of irrigation, also to the accumulation of water in reservoirs and the sinking of artesian wells. The possible methods for the redemption of what are called the "barren lands” were examined with great care. A party was organized during the past season for the purpose of making a critical study of doubtful points in the geological structure of the Rocky Mountain region, and the results have been of the most gratifying character. Numerous facts were obtained which confirmed, in a remarkably clear manner, the statements that had already been made by the chief geologist, that while certain of the grand divisions or groups of strata possessed each certain peculiar characteristics and are recognizable with satisfactory distinctness as general divisions, they really constitute a continuous series of strata with no well-defined planes of demarkation, stratigraphical or paleontological. A very large collection of fossils, as shells, fishes, insects, plants, &c., were obtained, many of which are new to science. These collections constitute valuable standards for reference in the discussion of the various questions that must arise in the preparation of the geological reports. One interesting feature of the work of the survey during the past season was the careful examination of the probable ancient outlet of the great lake that filled the Salt Lake Basin. It is probable that the waters flowed northward by way of Marsh Creek into the Portneuf, thence into the great Shoshone or Snake River, and thence into the Columbia River. The source of Marsh Creek is in the lowest pass between the drainage of the Great Basin and that of Snake River. The publications of the survey during the past year have been quite voluminous, consisting of over 6,000 pages octavo and 2,000 pages quarto, with a great number of illustrations. Those volumes which are in an advanced state of preparation are two quarto volumes on the vertebrate fossils of the West, one on the fossil insects, and one upon the Rhizopods, certain forms of microscopic life that have had greater influence in building up the crust of the earth than all other forms, whether animal or vegetable. These volumes will prove not only of scientific but also of great practical importance. The atlas of Colorado, which was described in the last annual report, will be completed about February, 1878. The tenth and eleventh annual reports of the survey are in an advanced state of preparation and will be printed and ready for distribution before the close of the present session of Congress. In 1872, the organization of the survey was matured on a basis of an appropriation of $75,000, with $20,000 for engraving of charts and illustrations for reports. This estimate was granted until within the past two years, when the appropriations for engraving have been omitted. The consequence is, that the preparation and publication of the more important works of the survey have been greatly impeded. The estimate for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1879, is the same, and it has been made to meet only the absolute needs of the organization and preserve it from disintegration. SECOND DIVISION. Major Powell reports that on the arrival of the parties from the field in January, 1877, office work was organized and pushed with all possible vigor through the winter and early spring. During this time the computations and adjustments for the triangulation were completed, with the determination of the necessary azimuths, latitudes, and longitudes; the bypsometric computations were also made. With the progress of the mathematical work, the topographers were engaged in the preparation of the maps, and by the close of the office season the whole was put in readiness for the engraver. During the same time a report on the geology of the Henry Mountains was prepared with stereograms, diagrams, and other illustrations, and the manuscript was sent to the Public Printer; it is now ready for the binder. A second report was prepared on the geology of the volcanic plateaus of Utah, but it was not deemed wise to publish it until the region had been more fully investigated. During this office-season the ethnologic work was more thoroughly organized, and the aid of a large number of volunteer assistants living throughout the country was secured. On this subject, one volume entitled "Contributions to North American Ethnology, vol. I," was published. It relates to the tribes of Alaska, and to the tribes of a part of Washington Territory and a part of Oregon, and is accompanied by maps of those districts, showing the locality of the tribes. A second volume relating to the tribes of California has been printed and is ready for the binder. This is also accompanied by a map. A third volume on this subject is in course of preparation. A small volume, entitled "Introduction to the Study of Indian Lan guages," has also been prepared and published. This book is intended for distribution among collectors. A tentative classification of the lin guistic families of the Indians of the United States has been made; this has been a work of great labor. About the middle of May the surveying corps took the field. Five parties were organized: one to extend the triangulation, two for topographic purposes, one geological, and one for the classification of lands. Several minor parties were also organized. Some of these parties are still in the field. The region surveyed this year has been entirely within the Territory of Utah. The geographic parties have completed the survey of districts 86 and 75. The geological party has completed the survey of the volcanic plateaus above mentioned, and the party engaged in the classification of lands has extended its survey over the whole of the Territory of Utah except a small portion in the southwestern corner, and over about one-fourth of the Territory of Arizona. The computa tions for Utah are not yet completed; but it may be stated as a close approximation, that the area which can be redeemed by irrigation through the utilization of all the streams, but without the construction of reservoirs, is about 1,250,000 acres. The surveys this year have been extended over large areas of good pine timber, the geographical distribution of which has been carefully determined. Extensive and valuable coal-fields are embraced in the survey, and they have received much study. ROCKY MOUNTAIN LOCUSTS. Under act of Congress approved March 3, 1877, a commission was authorized to report upon the depredations of the Rocky Mountain locusts in the Western States and Territories, and the best practicable method of preventing their recurrence or guarding against their inva sions. The following gentlemen, well known for their scientific attainments, were appointed on the commission: Prof. C. V. Riley, of Missouri. Prof. A. S. Packard, of Massachusetts. The commissioners began their work in April, very soon after their appointment. Several thousand circulars were sent to persons in the locust area, and two bulletins in pamphlet form were issued, one containing full information regarding the preventive measures and direct remedies against the young locusts, for immediate use by farmers; the second bulletin contained an account of the habits of the locust, with many illustrations. The locust area between longitude 94° and 120° was subdivided into three districts, one of which was assigned to each member, who at least once, and in some cases several times, visited important points where the locusts were most numerous. A number of paid assistants were employed, reports from whom are in the hands of the commissioners. Professor Riley, besides visiting Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado several times, also visited the Manitoba region, in British America. Professor Thomas visited Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Dr. Packard late in May and during June passed through Montana and Dakota, and was enabled to obtain such information as to enable the commission to predict that there would be no invasion of the Mississippi Valley this summer-a prediction which subsequent events fully confirmed. He was also in Utah and Nevada at the time when the people were suffering from the locusts, and afterward made a journey through Northern California, Eastern Oregon, and Washington Territory, so as to ascertain the western limits of the Rocky Mountain locust, which was found to be the 120th meridian. He also determined the species which has for two centuries past locally ravaged Oregon and California. It is believed that the diffusion of useful knowledge, the personal aid rendered by the commissioners and their assistants, has already saved to the West many times the amount of the funds appropriated by Con gress, while the survey that has been made of the locust-area, the study of the migrations, habits, parasites, and means of prevention, has laid the way for future investigations which will eventuate in the abatement of the evil. HOT SPRINGS COMMISSION. Under the provisions of the act creating the Hot Springs commission, the following gentlemen were appointed commissioners to survey, lay out, and appraise the value of the lands on the Hot Springs reservation, and to adjudicate the claims of the occupants, &c.: Hon. A. H. Cragin, of New Hampshire; Hon. John Coburn, of Indiana; and Ex-Governor M. L. Stearns, of Florida. The commissioners have prosecuted the work with energy; and although it was found more difficult than at first anticipated, its progress toward early completion has been very satisfactory. The prosecution of the surveys has required much care and skill; the nature of the land, its heavy growth of timber, its rough and rocky ridges, and the obliteration of old lines and corners making the estab lishment of new lines a work of extreme difficulty. The following results have been secured up to the present time: 1. The exterior lines of the reservation have been definitely determined, measured, and monuments set at each section and quarter-section corner. 2. General subdivision lines, dividing the whole area into squares of approximate 2,600 feet to the side, have been run and accurately measured for future base-lines. 3. A portion, including 265 acres, has had its exterior lines run and |