60 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



Manitoba Library. — The Institution has been informed of the organiza- 

 tion of the u Historical and Scieutitic Society of Manitoba," at Winnipeg, 

 Manitoba, Canada, for the purpose of collecting a library of books, a 

 cabinet and museum, &c, generally illustrative of the civil, religious, 

 literary, and natural history of the lauds and territories lying to the west 

 and north of Lake Superior. Aid has been solicited in carrying out these 

 objects by the donation of books and specimens, and the attention of the 

 correspondents of the Institution is especially called to this request. 



Zoological Society of London. — The services of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution were invoked by this Society to assist it in procuring some speci- 

 mens of American mule deer (Gcrvus macrotis) two males and three fe- 

 males being desired. The commission was intrusted to the Hon. J. D. 

 Caton, of Ottawa, 111., a gentleman who is better acquainted with the 

 American ruminants, deer, antelope, &c., than any other jierson, and 

 who has written an admirable treatise upon them. Judge Caton was 

 able to secure a fine specimen in his neighborhood, which was trans- 

 mitted to the Central Park Menagerie, New York, for safe keeping, Mr. 

 W. A. Conklin, the superintendent, very kindly agreeing to receive and 

 ship anything of the kind which might be sent to him for the purpose. 

 Messrs. Henderson & Co., the agents of the Anchor Line of steamers to 

 Great Britain, with their usual liberality, offered to forward this animal 

 free of charge; and it was consequently shipped per steamer Victoria on 

 the 26th of February. 



GALLERY OF ART. 



It was not deemed desirable by my predecessor that there should be 

 any antagonism of interests by the duplication of collections in the dif- 

 ferent departments in Washington, and an arrangement was made, many 

 years ago, by which all specimens of plants and matters derived from 

 the vegetable kingdom, as well as all insects, were to be placed in charge 

 of the Department of Agriculture, and everything relating to the human 

 subject, such as crania, pathological preparations, &c., in that of the 

 Army Medical Museum. These establishments, in return, were to de- 

 liver to the Institution all animals, minerals, and articles of ethnology or 

 archaeology received by them. This arrangement has been maintained, 

 to mutual advantage. In a similar manner it was proposed to deposit) 

 acceptable works of art in the Corcoran Art Gallery, and quite a number 

 of articles have already been placed there. During the past year the 

 following deposits have been made. It is, of course, understood that 

 these are not gifts but simply loans, to be returned whenever occasion 

 requires. 



