Galactic bulge M giants. II. Content and structure of the bulge between b = -3 deg and -12 deg

JHKL colors and CO and H2O indices for a sample of 250 M giants derived from surveys along the minor axis of the Galaxy at latitudes between -3 deg and -12 deg are presented and studied. The bolometric magnitudes for the stars are calculated. The effects of latitude on the colors, magnitudes, and indices are examined. The bolometric luminosity function for each bulge field is provided and the influence of latitude on luminosity is analyzed. Long-period variables in the bulge, the search for IRAS sources in the surveyed fields, and the IR surface brightness of the bulge are discussed. 74 refs.