RKPORT OF ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 21 



Indians of Kew Mexico. A collection of ardneological specimens made 

 by Prof. G. K. Gilbert in Colorado, ceremonial objects used in connec- 

 tion Avitli the '-Ghost Dance'' of the Kiowa Indians, and numerous 

 other collections of importance and value have also been received. 



EXPLORATIONS. 



Di'. Williain Tj. Abbott has extended his travels into Lower Siani, 

 and lias forwarded to the Museum two very large and exceedingly 

 interesting collections, consisting of natnral-histor}- specimens and 

 ethnological objects. In a comnuinication concerning the ethnological 

 objects obtaine<l he gives a grai)liic descri])tion of the foot-gear found 

 in that country, a number of examples of which have been added to 

 the Museum collection. The material transmitted by Dr. Abbott 

 includes many objects new to the collections, and among the natural- 

 history material several new species have been di^^covered. 



Dr. J. W. Fewkes, assisted by Dr. Walter Hough made additional 



ethnological collections in Arizona and New Mexico. The material 



already collected is of especial value, for the reason that it forms a 



•connecting link between the modern and ancient culture of the tribes 



of Middle America. 



Dr. David Starr Jordan, president of the Leland Stanford Junior 

 , University, transmitted, in behalf of the Fur-Seal Investigation Com- 

 mission, a collection of natural-history specimens obtained by the 

 Commission in Japan and Bering Seas. Dr. Leonhard Stejneger and 

 Mr. ¥. A. Lucas, of the National Museum, were absent dunng the 

 greater portion of the first half of the tiscal year on duty connected 

 with this Commission, and during that time they collected a consider- 

 able quantity of material for the Museum. Dr. Stejneger extended 

 bis trip to Japan, Kamchatka, and the Sandwich Islands, making col- 

 lections at all these places. Dr. Stejneger and Mr. Lucas again left 

 for Alaska on June 5, 1807. having been detailed, by direction of the 

 President, for further duty in connection with the Fur-Seal Investiga- 

 tion Commissiou. 



Mr. Charles Scliuchert, assistant curator of the Department of 

 Paleontology, was, in October, 18!M), authorized to visit Alabama and 

 ]\Iississippi in search of the remains of Zeuglodon and other fossil ani- 

 n)als. Later in the year Mr. Scliuchert ])roceeded to .Marksboro, New 

 Jersey, under instructions to in(|uire into the reported linding of masto- 

 don reniains at that place. After completing duties assigned to him in 

 connection with the installation of the exhibit of the National Museum, 

 and, incidentally, of the Geological Survey, at the Tennessee Centen- 

 nial Fxi)osition in the spring of 1897, Mr. Scliuchert remained in the 

 vicinity of Nashville lor the purpose of making collections for the 

 Museum.. 



Dr. D. W. Snyder, Naslnille. Tennessee, who has been engaged in mis- 

 sionary work ill Africa, obtained for the Museum a collection of ethuo- 



