176 Field Columbian Museum — Reports, Vol. II. 



domestic and foreign institutions, twenty-eight new falls being thus 

 obtained. A number of fossils from the Mississippi Valley was also 

 received from H. V. Baker by exchange. By purchase, a specimen 

 of a pterodactyl, Nyctosaurus, was obtained, which is the most com- 

 plete one of this genus in existence, and one of the finest known of 

 the order. Other additions by purchase include a very choice 

 specimen of fossil sting ray from Wyoming, and well-preserved 

 specimens of fishes and plants from the same beds ; a series of cut and 

 massive turquoises from Arizona; two specimens of precious opal 

 from Honduras; some cut thomsonites from Grand Marais; and three 

 specimens of meteorites. The most important accession in the 

 Department of Zoology was Mrs. Gray's Water Buck (Cobus Marias), 

 a very beautiful and rare Antelope, specimens of which are in very 

 few museums of the world. The Mexican expedition, conducted by 

 Assistant Curator Meek, contributed over three thousand specimens 

 of fishes and two hundred and forty-two (242) shells. There were 

 four thousand one hundred and fifty-one (4,151) specimens added to 

 the Entomological series, of which nine hundred and thirty-three (933) 

 were gifts. Cases for these collections are urgently needed, the deli- 

 cate nature of the specimens demanding more care than any other 

 objects. The majority of the accessions in the department of 

 Anthropology were again this year chiefly ethnological, and con- 

 siderably more than half of these were secured through expeditions 

 in the field by members of the staff. Among the more important 

 accessions may be mentioned those collected by J. W. Hudson in 

 California; by C. F. Newcombe, on the Northwest Coast; by S. C. 

 Simms, among the Cree tribes of Canada, and the Chippeway, of 

 Minnesota; by C. L. Owen, among the Apache of Arizona; and 

 by the Curator of the department, among the Pawnee, Arap- 

 aho, Arikara, and other tribes of the Plains. Two important 

 collections have been secured during the year by means of 

 purchases. First, a collection of two hundred and fifty (250) 

 ancient Tlingit baskets, purchased from Mr. G. T. Emmons, of the 

 United States Navy. This is one of the most complete and important 

 collections of basketry ever brought together in any museum in this 

 country. The second purchase was made through Mr. E. E. Ayer, 

 who secured from Bosco Reale three large plaster panels and other 

 interesting specimens, forming notable additions to the already 

 important collection from this region. Mr. Ayer also purchased, in 

 Egypt, sixteen fine stone vases. The most important loan during 

 the year was secured through Mr. Ayer, and was made by Mr. T. M. 

 Davis, of Newport, R. I. Reference is made to a cut -leather corselet 



