Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1877.djvu/45

Rh “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 Territories,” “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 Territories, 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.

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 Port Steele, Wyoming Territory, to that of Ogden, Utah, or, more precisely, from longitude 107° to 112° 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, devoted 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 twenty-five thousand square miles, establishing twenty-six main stations.

The three well equipped topographical and geological parties surveyed