GEOGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICA. 227 



for several years at St. Michael's, Norton Sound, transmitted 

 large numbers of birds and their e<?2:s, skins and skeletons 

 of mammals and other vertebrates. More important, per- 

 haps, was an extensive series of specimens illustrative of 

 the ethnological peculiarities of the Esquimaux and other 

 tribes. The last of these collections (received in the sum- 

 mer of 1877) was particularly rich in Esquimaux carvings 

 in bone, reproducing the characteristics of the carvings of 

 the reindeer period as found in the caverns of France and 



Germany. 



In the summer of 1877, Mr. Turner was superseded by Mr. 

 E. AY. Nelson, who, by the last advices, had made large collec- 

 tions and some interesting: zoological discoveries. On this, 

 as on other occasions, the chief signal officer of the army 

 has joined heartily with the Institution in a thorough ex- 

 ploration of the physical and natural features of various un- 

 explored regions. In the same connection, due credit should 

 be given to the Alaska Commercial Company, which, con- 

 trary to the usual policy of corporations, has gone hand in 

 hand with the Institution in its efforts to secure a thorough 

 knowledge of the territory, by making large and valuable 

 collections, by instituting meteorological observations, and 

 by supplying mineralogical, zoological, and ethnological sta- 

 tistics. 



Since December, 1876, Mr. Frederic A. Ober has been en- 

 gaged, under the auspices of the Institution, in a systematic 

 exploration of the natural history and ethnology of the West 

 India Islands. In the course of this work he has thoroughly 

 explored the islands of Dominica, Antigua, St. Vincent, Bar- 

 badoes, and other points; and his collections have already 

 furnished several new species of birds and other animals. 

 He has also forwarded many important observations and 

 ethnological objects illustrative of the manner of life of the 

 scattered survivors of the Carib race, which formerly occu- 

 pied the group. 



One of the most important archaBological explorations of 

 1877 was conducted by the Rev. Stephen Bowers, among the 

 ancient ruins of the islands and mainland of Santa Barbara 

 County, Cal., in continuation of previous researches made by 

 him in connection with Lieutenant Wheeler's expeditions. 

 He has secured and forwarded to Washington many thou- 



