40 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



devoted himself untiringly and unselfisbly to the advance of science 

 and the elevation of public sentiment in regard to abstract research. 



In the death of Don Francisco Sumichrast, of Tonali, Mexico, on 

 the 26th December, the Institution lost one of its oldest and most valued 

 correspondents outside of the United States. 



This gentleman (a Swiss by birth) was occupied for many years in a 

 close and critical study of the natural history of Mexico; the stations 

 occupied by him being Orizaba, Tuchitan, Tonala, &g.; the Isthmus of 

 Tehuan tepee having received special attention from him. 



The numerous contributions of specimens of natural history of the 

 country, with notes upon their habits and characteristics, especially 

 birds, mammals, and reptiles, have given to the National Museum a 

 large material, and enabled the Institution to publish a number of ex- 

 tremely valuable memoirs. One of these was edited by Dr. Thomas M. 

 Brewer, and another by Mr. George 1:^. Lawrence, of New York. 



It is proper to state that all the assistance rendered by Professor 

 Sumichrast to the Institution was done without any compensation 

 whatever, and solely for the sake of securing a prompt and complete 

 knowledge of the natural history of his adopted country. 



miscellaneous. 



The Mercer Bequest. — Among various noteworthy items in connection 

 with the history of the Smithsonian Institution during the year 1883, 

 may be mentioned the circumstance of its being made a copartner in 

 the administration of a beneficiary trust, by Eev. Dr. Mercer, of New- 

 port, R. I. That gentleman, dying on the 3d day of November, 1882, 

 left quite a large property, a portion of which was to be paid directly to 

 certain specified heirs, and the interest on the remainder to be given 

 to persons mentioned during their lifetime. After the decease of these 

 beneficiaries, the property was to be divided into three parts; of which 

 one-third was to be administered by a Board, consisting of Harvard 

 College, Tale College, and the Smithsonian Institution; together with 

 three individuals mentioned, or their survivors, to establish scholar- 

 ships in some institution for the education of deserving and needy young 

 men. Although the money cannot be used directly by the Smithsonian 

 Institution, yet there seems to be no impropriety in accepting the trust 

 under the conditions named. It is not likely, however, that any occa- 

 sion for administering it will arise for probably a quarter of a century 

 to come. 



In the history of the Institution thus far three bequests have been 

 made to it. The first was that of the residuary legateeship of the prop- 

 erty belonging to Mr. Wynne, who died in Brooklyn, N. Y., the estate 

 being valued at the time at from $50,000 to $G0,000. As, however, the 

 daughter married, and is, as far as known, still living, with a large 



