41 [ 1 ] 



in the country. Several are ready to begin upon their catalogues at once. 

 For the reasons already stated, however, it is desiralde to begin here. At 

 first the work 'cannot proceed rapidly. After the accuinulalion of a con- 

 fciderahle number of titles, progress will be much accelerated. 



(ireat as this enterpiise is, it will not iTfjuire the outlay of much money 

 o!) the part of the Smithsonian Institution to jnit it in operation, whicii 

 beins: once done, it will take care of itself. It will iiot be a constant 

 drain upon our funds; but on the contrary, it vsill eie ]ci:g far more 

 than repay in the facilities ibr making our own catalogues, all that may at 

 first be expended upon it. 



Respectfully submitted, 



CHARLES C. JEWETT. 



December 31, 1850. 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY 



IN CHARGE OF THE NATURAE HISTORY DEPARTMENT, I'OR THE YEAR 1850. 



'I'o Joseph Henry, LL. D., 



Sccretcrrj/ of the Smithsonian Instifntion. 



Sir: — I beg leave to j^irescnt to you a report of operalions up tf> 

 .lanuai-y I, iSOi, in the Department of Natural History assigned to my 

 cliarge. 



I commence with a list of the most important specimens of Na.tural 

 History received at the Smithsonian Institution, j^rior to January 1, 1851. 

 The dates vof reception have not been given, owing to tfe f;;c(, tluit most 

 hatl arrived bei'ore July 1, 1850, the peiiod v^litu my olKcial conr.ection 

 with the Institution commenced. More detailed accounts of these objects 

 v,ill hereafter be furnished, as well as of those which nuiy in future be 

 received. 



List of the Principnl Accpssions to the J\hfscv7n of the Sviilhsonian Insti- 

 tution, made })rior to January 1, 1S51. 



I.ient. F.vvcii, U. S. N. ; Sealt;il buttles coiit.iiiiiii:,' Wartjr fVoiii tlie Dead Sun — Cones of the 

 C'cd.ii- ()(' l.eij.iiioii. 



.Mi-;< I). I,. I)i\; B)xor Minernl-! fioni Nortli C.iio'id.i. 



Dr. V. (J. lIoiUMi; Box of Minerals and F)ssi!s Croin St. I^awienne conn^y, New York. 



Mr. (;ui;st; Box of.Minerals fioni .same localiiy. 



iMr. roi.KiNMon.v ; Box ofTerliary fossils \'u)ut Xortli Carolina. 



Dr. .Iamks F'iohts, Alhaiiy, New York; B iv of Sands, Clays and Cuncretions from the vicinit/ 

 (if the city of .Mhany, .New Vorlc. 



Dr. William B. Smitm, Indiana ; Silurian (o~s Is fioni Indiana. 



William Phili.ii's, V.y^(\., Angnsta, (jlenr^ia ; Box of iMiiierals Iron) (jeorgia, 



Osc.^ii Fkeeman and (jilbert Tavluh, Civil Kngineer.s; Very large ppecininii.s of Crystallized 



