570 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. 



Although we did not succeed in getting together as large a collection in this 

 department as we desired, yet it is gratifying to be able to report 130 entries, many 

 of them being quite numerous collections, and altogether forming, when arranged 

 for view, a very attractive feature of the fair, as evidenced by the large numbers 

 of interested visitors that constantlj'^ thronged that part of the hall occupied by this 

 department. 



The entries of specimens of Natural History were, some of them, veiy fine indeed, 

 and we take pleasure in making mention of the same. 



Of collections of stuffed birds, there were three entries; one of which, however, 

 should have been entered as embalmed birds. The only money premiums offered by 

 the society in this department, was for the largest and best collection of stuffed birds. 

 The entry made by F, L, Reece, of Jackson, was very large and verj^ nicely put up, 

 and was bj' the committee, awarded the 1st premium: the 2d was given to Mrs. L. 

 Eggleston, of Jackson, whose collection, tliough not as large as tiie other, was made 

 up of very fine si^ecimens, and nicely arranged. 



The case of embamed birds, entered by Prof. E. H. Crane of Colon, were finely pre- 

 served, and very beautiful, and the committee recommend the award of a Silver JMedal 

 to the same. Mrs. Eggleston also exhibited a very fine single specimen of stuffed 

 birds. Two very large elk heads, and two antelope's heads stufled, were exhibited by 

 F. N. Wood, of Jackson. 



Of display of insects, arranged and classified, there were two entries — one bj^ the 

 Detroit Scientific Association, consisting of quite a large number of cases, very finely 

 put up, named and classified, and with the gentlemanly attention and explanations 

 given by Dr. Swarts, by whom they were brought and entered, they were a very in- 

 teresting and instructive pai-t of the exhibition to many visitors, and to this entry 

 the committee recommend the award of a Diploma. 



Mrs. L. Eggleston also exhibited a fine case of insects; Miss Jesse Robinson of 

 Jackson, and Mrs Eggleston, each exhibited a very fine case of natural curiosities, 

 some of them very rare ones, and to each of these entries tlie committee recommend 

 the award of a Silver Medal. 



A large and interesting mlneraloglcal collection was placed on exhibition by Prof. 

 E. H. Crane, to which the committee recommend the award of a diploma. 



A collection of fossils was exhibited bj' G. A. Gavet, of Sandstone, and single 

 specimens by Mrs. Dwlght Merriman, Mrs, L. Eggleston, B. M. Davis, and Dr. J. L. 

 Mitchell, of Jackson. The last mentioned one, a Venus flower basket, was very 

 curious and beautiful. 



An interesting collection of natural curiosities was exhibited by Miss Pamelia 

 Smith, of ]Monroe, among which was lava from Mt, Vesuvius, and rock from Gibraltar, 

 Spain. There were numerous specimens of Indian relics on exhibition, among which, 

 as worth}" of notice, we would mention a beautiful feather cape of a Pottawattomle 

 Chief, exhibited by jNIrs, Dwlght Merriman, — the feather head-dress of a Sioux 

 warrior, b.y Joseph Wicksawba, of Grand Haven, — several Indian curiosities by G. L. 

 Gavltt: also, an Indian basket curiously made, and an idol, and several interesting 

 relics of the last war, bj- B. M, Davis, Miss Pamelia Smith exhibited a very large 

 and interesting collection of Indian relics, also three ponderous pieces of Mexican 

 armor, a set ot Mexican spurs, a fine sword taken by Gen, Joseph R. Smith from a 

 Mexican General, and numerous other trophys captured by Gen. Smith din-ing the 

 Mexican war. Also a very beautiful silk battle flag, captured from the rebels during 

 the late war, and also the beautiful sword and belt worn by that gallant ofticer, her 

 father, through his long career of military service. Miss Smith also exhibited a very 

 remarkably fine specimen of a stutted deer. 



On the whole of tlie above noticed collection the committee recommend that the 

 Society award Miss Parmella Smith $25 premlunn The numerous crowd of visitors 

 were much interested in viewing a large collection of Indian wearing apparel and 

 implements of war exhibited by the Audubon Club of Detroit, which formed a very 

 prominent feature of the exhibition in this department, and the committee take 

 pleasure In recommending the award of a diploma to the said club. 



There were numerous articles on exhibition both ancient and curious and illustra- 

 tive of the early days in our country's history, some of them being more than 100 

 years old, of which your committee take pleasure in noticing some specimens of 

 crockery exhibited bj" Mrs. M, Johnson of Jackson; also one of the earliest styles of 

 Howe sewing machines, exhibited by Willis J. Johnson of Reading, and presenting la 

 its rude structure a striking contrast to the beautiful machinery o"f to-day that light- 

 en so very much the domestic labors of nearly every family. 



The full style of dress of an Esquimaux girl was exhibited bv Martin Johnson of 

 Grand Haven, 



