REPORTS OF EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS, Volume XII, BOOK II

1860. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 36th Congress, 1st Session, Ex. Doc. No 56. REPORTS OF EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS, to Ascertain the Most Practicable and Economical Route for a Railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Made Under the Direction of the Secretary of War, in 1853-5, According to Acts of Congress of March 3, 1853, May 31, 1854, and August 5, 1854. Volume XII, Book II. Washington: Thomas H. Ford, Printer, 1860. Illustrated with 53 plates, one more than called for, but with omissions and additions from the plates list. Botany: 6 plates, complete. Insects: 2 plates, complete. Mammals: 5 of 6 plates, lacks #8. Birds: 8 plates, all with touches of color, complete. Reptiles: 11 of 10 plates; lacks #23 but includes #29 (not called for) and #31 (listed as 'not yet published'). Fishes: 21 of 20 plates; lacks #76 but includes #43 and #75 (both of which are not called for). Quarto. 76,[2],viii,[2],399 pp. Quarter leather, marbled paper-covered boards, speckled edges. Pencil ownership at ffep. Binding is generally scuffed and quite worn at edges. Leather backstrip is parched and starting at the lower joint. Occasional light to moderate foxing throughout, including plates. A couple of the plates are age-browned. A solid copy copy, though in a worn binding, with complete text and a generous selection of plates.