io2 Field i ibian Museum — Reports, Vol. i 



They expected then to go on to San Moretta, Long. 42.25 ami 

 Lat. 6.50 — the giraffe country. A cable dated Septeml th, 



reported the party safely at Aden on their return with a splendid 

 collection. There can be no doubt that if the material reaches the 

 Museum in good condition, the results will exceed all expectations. 

 No detailed information as to the number or variety of skins obtained 

 has been received. But that the quantity is ample may be gathered 

 from Mr. Elliot's statement in June that it seemed '-simply a <]ues- 

 tion of transportation." The expedition has attracted a great deal of 

 attention, and both the official and scientific reports and the popular 

 narrative of its chief will be awaited with much interest. He 

 will reach Chicago about December 1st. remaining probably in Lon- 

 don several weeks to work over the material and identify species. 

 C. F. Millspaugh, Curator of the Department of Botany, began 

 his work this year on the Forestry of the Mississippi Valley. His 

 work so far has been confined to the State of Mississippi and South- 

 ern Illinois, procuring photographs from species in leaf, timber speci- 

 mens from the living trees, and leafing and flowering branches from 

 the same individual. The trip will be repeated over the same terri- 

 tory this winter for trunk specimens, planks, boards and fruits. When 

 this work is completed, as provided by the appropriation, the Museum 

 will possess a very valuable collection of the timber-producing trees 

 of the country, that, added to its foreign material, will constitute a 

 notable forestry collection. The officials of the Illinois Central Rail- 

 way are lending every possible aid. The work of the Department on 

 the Flora of Yucatan commenced by the Curator in the winter of 

 1 894-95 is being continued, in the field under instructions, by G. F. 

 Gaumer, a resident of that State, and two consignments of 

 very interesting and valuable plants have already been received. 

 The Curator of Geology went on expedition to the Republic of 

 Mexico in the winter of 1895-96. It was fruitful in results. The 

 object of the trip was to obtain specimens illustrating volcanic and 

 glacial phenomena, and the economic deposits. The expedition was 

 largely made possible through the courtesy of the officials of the 

 Mexican Central and A. T. & S. F. Railways. The Curator made a 

 complete ascent of Popocatepetl and explored the crater and ascended 

 Ixtaccihuatl far enough to permit a study of its glacier. A great 

 many mineral specimens and ores were obtained and exchanges of 

 material arranged for with institutions and individuals, resulting 

 finally in the possession of an excellent representation of the minerals 

 and ores of the Republic. Professor Farrington has prepared 

 several lectures for the Museum course based on this expe- 



