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 hypsometric 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-
