10 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



tributed quite a number of species of birds, many of tliem new to the 

 Institution. 



Scattering- collections have come to band from various points in Cen- 

 tral Americar and the West Indies, the most important of tlie latter 

 being the collection of fishes made by the Natural Ilistory Museum of 

 Kingston, Jamaica, and sent for the purpose of identification, which 

 work was promptly done. 



Mr. L. Guesde, of Guadaloupe, has furnished some specimens of birds 

 for identification, and has also contributed a number of stone imple- 

 ments of Carib origin. 



Prof. F. Poey has continued his contributions of Cuban fishes in alco- 

 hol ; thus adding to the very extensive donations already made by him, 

 principally of types of his published species. 



A large ethnological collection made by Dr. Edward Palmer, in the 

 vicinity of Guadalajara, is especially valuable as containing illustra- 

 tions of the entire series of the processes of making the celebra'ied 

 earthenware of that district. 



A series of contributions relating to the natural history, ethnology, 

 and archaeology of Costa Pica, begun many years ago by Mr. Jos6 C. 

 Zeledon, and continued year by year, has been sent us in 1886, and in 

 eludes many rare and new species of birds. The Institution has seldom 

 had a correspondent and collaborator of longer continuance in his re- 

 lationships, nor any one furnishing objects of greater value; and it is to 

 him — a pupil of the late Dr. von Frantzius — that we owe the greater 

 part of our knowledge of the natural history of that most interesting of 

 countries. 



During the winter the U. F. Fish Commission steamer Albatross was 

 engaged in i^rosecutiug hydrographic researches at the request of the 

 Xavy Department, and incidentally devoted such time as could be 

 spared to the investigation of the natural history of the Baharaan 

 region. Many islands were visited, and their land fauna investigated; 

 while the marine objects were also secured by means of the dredge and 

 trawl. As a result, there have been several new species of birds added 

 to our knowledge, and many rare fishes collected. Of marine inverte- 

 brates, «&c., large gatherings have been secured. 



Asia. — The Institution has been very fortunate in having, in Japan 

 and Corea, gentlemen interested in the U. S. irrational Museum, and, 

 oflicially, or otherwise, able to make explorations and collections in 

 natural history and ethnology ; and to no one is it more indebted in this 

 connection than to Mr. P. L. Jouy, formerly an employ6 of the Ifatioual 

 Museum. This gentleman has been for some time in the civil service of 

 the Corean Government, and has made-large gatherings, none of which 

 have, as yet, come to hand. The collections actually received are nine 

 boxes, obtained by Ensign J. B. Bernadou, U. S. Navy, mainly in 



