54 REPORT OF NATIONAL, MUSEUM, 1909. 



the conditions under "which the Indians lived in 1850. In this manner 

 were illustrated the great prevalence of tuberculosis to-day among 

 the tribes referred to, and the changes in their mode of living from 

 the middle of the last century when this dread disease is said not to 

 have prevailed. This exhibit was awarded a gold medal, and later 

 was displayed in greater part at the American Museum of Natural 

 History in Xcav York, and in Philadelphia. 



The International Association of Medical Museums, which has 

 recently started uj^on an important work, also held its second meeting 

 in connection with the Tuberculosis Congress. The advisability of 

 affiliation with the American Association of Museums was one of the 

 subjects discussed, and by invitation Mr. Rathbun, assistant secretary 

 of the Institution, spoke upon the scope and purposes of the latter 

 organization, of which he is a member. 



International Fishery Congress. — This congress held its fourth 

 meeting in Washington from September 22 to 26, 1908, using the 

 large assembly halls in the New Willard Hotel for most of its regular 

 sessions and social functions. The invitation had been extended by 

 the Bureau of Fisheries on behalf of the United States Government, 

 and was joined in by the American Fisheries Society, which also 

 assembled in Washington at the same time for its annual meeting. A 

 small appropriation was made by the United States Congress to aid 

 in covering the necessary expenses, and many of the scientific bureaus 

 of the Government having interests pertaining to fishery matters 

 participated. 



The membership was larger than at the two previous congresses, 

 numbering more than 400. Fifteen countries were represented offi- 

 cially and 11 others by delegates of societies or by individuals. 

 Besides the delegates on the part of this Government, 43 States and 

 Territories and 20 American societies, clubs, and other institutions 

 sent representatives. The i^resident of the congress was Dr. Her- 

 man C. Bumpus, director of the American Museum of Natural His- 

 tory, and the secretary-general. Dr. Hugh M. Smith, United States 

 Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries. In view of its scientific rela- 

 tions with the fisheries, the Smithsonian Institution took an active 

 part, being represented by Dr. Theodore N. Gill and Dr. Frederick 

 W. True, on behalf of the Institution proper, and by Mr. W. de C. 

 Ravenel and Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, on behalf of the National 

 Museum. Mr. Richard Rathbun, assistant secretary of the Institu- 

 tion, served as a delegate at large of the Government. 



At the business sessions an excellent programme was carried out, 

 many of the communications presented being especially important. 

 On the first day the foreign delegates were received at the Depart- 

 ment of State, and the opening meeting was held in the hall of 

 the National Geographic Society. Among the general functions were 



