For accurate knowledge and clearly defined statements relating thereto, it was found that the geographic work must be improved, and this has been done by using instruments of greater precision and methods of greater refinement.

The geology of the country has proved to be of much interest. The great faults north of the Colorado have been traced southward, and extensive volcanic formations in that region have been studied.

A relief map and a stereogram of the high plateaus of Utah have been constructed for the purpose of a more thorough discussion and illustration of the geologic structure of the district. By these, three important purposes are served. The great accumulation of facts derived from the elaborate system of mensuration used in the geographic work are made available for the determination of geologic structure, the exaggeration and distortion which too often characterize the results of research in this department of investigation are avoided; and the stereogram affords a method of graphically presenting a multiplicity of facts and details that in the texts but serve to obscure the more salient features. Both of these methods have been previously employed in the work with satisfactory results.

Ethnologic researches have been continued among the Utes, Shoshonis, Gosiats, Poncas, Omahas, Iowas, Dakotas, and many other tribes, and much material has been collected relating to their languages, social and governmental institutions, mythology, customs, habits, &c.

During the year the office has been engaged in the construction of a map of the United States, intended to represent the distribution of the various tribes of Indians when they were first discovered by Europeans. This map is near completion and will accompany a report on the classification of the North American Indians, by linguistic affinities, now in course of preparation. Much progress has been made in the preparation of a bibliography of North American linguistics, which will constitute an appendix to the same report.

During the past year the office work has been vigorously prosecuted, and charts, on a scale of four miles to the inch, delineating the geography of the entire region previously embraced in the survey have been completed. The engraving of these charts is rapidly progressing. The drainage and contour lines are finished and the rock and hill work is now in progress. This engraving has been done on copper plates in order that the maps might be put in permanent form for the use of the government in time to come, as well as for the purpose of illustrating the reports of the survey itself. Thus the results of the work will have en during value.

During the year the following reports have been prepared: Report on the arid lands of the United States, 4°, printed; report on the high plateaus of Utah, 4o; report on the geology of the Black Hills, 4o; report on the Indians of Oregon and Washington Territory, 4o.

Much has been done toward the preparation of subsequent reports on

geology and ethnology. Thus it will appear that valuable contributions have been made to geography, geology, and ethnology. In botany and zoology no work has been done.

ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION.

The United States Entomological Commission, attached to the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, has issued its first report on the Rocky Mountain locust, or destructive grasshopper of the West, a volume of some 700 pages, fully illustrated with maps, plates, and wood-cuts.

The favorable predictions made by the commission last winter had an encouraging effect, and stimulated the immigration to the country of late years ravaged by locusts. The statement which a full survey of the field enabled the commission to make in advance, viz, that there would be no serious injury in 1878, has been fully verified. The commissioners have continued their labors during the past summer, confining their attention to that northwestern portion of the country which they have designated as the Permanent Region, the object being to gather further knowledge of that region, with a view of preventing the ravages of the Rocky Mountain locust therein and its migration therefrom.

The problem of destroying the young insects as they hatch out in the more fertile country in the Southeast is virtually solved in the report which the commission has already issued, and the task which they now undertake is to endeavor to prevent the migration of the winged insects from the Permanent Region into the more thickly settled country.

An appropriation of $25,000 was asked of the last Congress for the completion of the work mapped out, and $10,000 were appropriated, and this only toward the end of the fiscal year. The commissioners ask for the additional sum of $15,000, in order that they may be able to continue their investigation until the practical work is accomplished. It was too late in the season when the last appropriation was obtained to permit the completion of the work this year, but with such means as they have husbanded added to the additional appropriation asked for, and with promised assistance by the Dominion authorities, they will be enabled, by getting into the field early the coming spring, to complete fully the work assigned to them.

HOT SPRINGS COMMISSION.

It is greatly regretted that the act for the continuation of the Hot Springs Commission which passed both Houses at the last session of Congress failed to receive the President's signature because of an omission in engrossing the bill. The portion of the bill incorporated in the engrossed copy is practically inoperative, being strangely mixed with a provision directing the National Academy of Sciences to report to Congress the most practicable plan for surveying and mapping the Territories of the United States, and also the most suitable plan for the publication

and distribution of the reports, maps, and documents, and other results of said surveys. As a complete suspension of the work already done by the commission would have been followed by serious embarrassment of the interests of a large population as well as those of the government, I requested-by direction of the President under date of June 25, 1878the late commissioners to take charge of the records of the proceedings had before them while acting as a commission, and to perform such work as would facilitate the early adjudication of the claims, expressing the hope that Congress at its next session would adopt such legislation as might be needed to confirm the acts done, and provide for a due compensation for their services. The late commissioners complied with the request, had the records of the commission and all the testimony and other papers brought to Washington, and, as will be seen by reference to their report, have rendered valuable service which will greatly facilitate the final adjudication of the cases, when empowered by the law to act. Stenographic notes not before written out, amounting to about 3,000 pages of foolscap, have been transcribed and properly briefed and filed. Careful consideration and much study have been given to the subjects of laying out, widening, and straightening streets, and such other duties have been performed as could be, properly, under the letter of instruc. tions. They have devoted their time and money to the service of the government, and although no legal obligation has been incurred to repay them, yet, under the circumstances, I feel warranted in earnestly recommending that the expenses incurred by them while acting, and pay, at the rate formerly given, be allowed them for the time they have served. The Hot Springs Reservation contains about 2,565 acres. The Hot Springs Mountain, containing about 265 acres, from whence the supply of water is received, has been set apart as a permanent reservation, to be owned and held by the United States; this will leave about 2,300 acres to be disposed of under the provisions of the act of March 3, 1877.

Before the expiration of their term of office, the commissioners had closed the work of taking testimony from the claimants in interest. More than six months were occupied in this; 2,750 witnesses were examined in 897 cases. The oral testimony and documentary evidence are reported to be equal to 25,000 pages of legal cap. Accurate surveys have been made of the entire tract; boundaries have been re-established, and permanent monuments erected on the exterior and section lines and Monuments have also been set at each angle of the permanent reservation. Claims of individuals have been surveyed and platted on sixteen large maps, representing the quarter-sections. A topographical survey has been made of the entire reservation, and three maps prepared and photolithographed-one topographical map, one claim map, and the third combining the two.

From this it will be seen that the work left unfinished by reason of the clerical omission in the enrollment of the sundry civil bill is of vital importance, not only to the citizens of Hot Springs, but to the govern

ment itself. It is earnestly urged that the act be renewed as soon as possible upon the reassembling of Congress, to the end that all pending claims may be adjudicated, and improvements completed, as contemplated by the act of March 3, 1877.

The commissioners report the following work remaining unfinished: First. Straightening and widening old streets; laying out new streets, avenues, and alleys in the town of Hot Springs.

Second. Hearing of arguments in contested claims, and the final adju dication in 897 cases.

Third. The appraisal of each lot awarded.

Fourth. Resurvey of each lot after adjudication of the claims, in order to define the lines and ascertain the exact amount of ground to be certified to each claimant as required by the law.

Fifth. The appraisal of improvements upon each lot awarded.

Sixth. The division of the land not claimed or awarded into lots, squares, or blocks, and appraisal of the same.

Seventh. Preparing and issuing certificates to each claimant who is adjudged the right to purchase, being evidence of claimants on which to base patent.

Eighth. Condemnation and appraisal of all buildings on permanent reservation and issuing certificates therefor.

Ninth. Preparation of a map embodying the results of the whole work to be filed with the Secretary of the Interior, accompanied by the schedule provided for by law.

The superintendent of the Hot Springs Reservation reports that during the year he has had removed from the permanent reservation some three or four hundred people encamped thereon. The erection of comfortable barracks and suitable pools for their use, and the expenses of the removal, were provided for by private contributions. The reservation is now practically free from all nuisances. Reference is made in the report to the destructive fire which destroyed a large portion of the town of Hot Springs, and to the means employed to prevent the introduction of yellow fever. For the year ending June 30, 1878, the total amount collected for water-rent was $5,260.

Recommendation is made that the present rental of $5 a month for each tub in use be maintained in the future.

YELLOWSTONE PARK.

The superintendent of the Yellowstone Park reports the construction of about sixty miles of wagon-road within the park during the present season. Although the work was somewhat retarded by the presence of hostile Indians, it was accomplished without loss of life or property. He refers to complications likely to arise with parties who claim to have made improvements within the park, and suggests the early consideration of the questions involved.

For the protection of the park and for the continuation of improvements during the next fiscal year, he recommends the appropriation of $25,000.

CAPITOL BUILDING AND GROUNDS.

The Architect of the Capitol reports the completion of the improvements in the heating and ventilating apparatus of the House. The commission, appointed by the House of Representatives having been continued, will give further consideration to this important subject with a view of remedying existing defects. Attention is called to the insecure condition of the wall, ceiling, and roof of the old Hall of Representatives, and the combustible material of which they are composed. The Architect says, "The construction of this portion of the building is such that, should a fire take place in any of the rooms adjoining the wall, it would in all probability ascend to the roof." He recommends that all the wooden construction be taken out and fire-proof material substituted. The mere mention of a liability of destruction by fire should be sufficient to secure a thorough investigation of this and other portions of the building, with a view to guarding against even the possibility of such an

occurrence.

The attention of Congress is called to the necessity of providing suitable quarters for the store-yards and workshops connected with the Capitol. As the ones now in use are rented, and notice to vacate may at any time be received, it would appear to be both a precautionary and economical measure for the government to provide quarters of its own. Suitable lots can be secured adjoining the government property, on Delaware avenue, near C street north, on which are situated the Senate stables and fire-engine house.

The improvement of the Capitol grounds has steadily progressed during the year, in accordance with the plans proposed. The roadways, footwalks, and walls appear to be constructed in a substantial manner and of durable material. The stone work around the Naval monument has been completed, the only work remaining to be done being the introduction of water and the erection of the bronze figures and lamps.

The purchase by the government of the property on Pennsylvania and Maryland avenues at their junction with First street west, enables the architect to complete the proposed circle according to the original design. It is recommended that a more suitable dwelling-house be erected for the superintendent of the Botanical Garden, the house now occupied being on damp ground and unfit for a healthy residence. The architect reports considerable damage to the bases of the columns of the east portico by reason of the meetings held there from time to time. The material of which the columns are made is a soft sandstone, easily defaced by the feet. He recommends that the practice of holding meetings at this place be forbidden.

The expenditures on account of the Capitol extension for the year ending June 30, 1878, were $64,000. Improvement of grounds,