22 KErOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1897. 



logical objects, inoliulinji- a model of a Mukete house. Dr. Snyder also 

 obtained a very iutoresting colloetion of beetles from the interior of 

 Africa. He proposes to return to that country, and has kindly ottered 

 to procure additional material for the Museum. 



In May ^Ir. J. X. Kose, assistant curator of botany, was directed to 

 proceed to Mazatlan, on the west coast of ^Mexico, for the purpose of 

 gathering material for incorporation in reports on the botany and 

 ethno-botany of the region extending from that point east\yard across 

 the low tropical country and over the Sierra Madrc to the arid interior 

 plateau. His investigations will be conducted in accordance with a 

 plan outlined by the honorary curator of botany and approved by the 

 Acting Assistant Secretary. It is hoped that the appropriations for 

 the coming year will enable the continuance of his detail upon this 

 work. The Mexican minister has graciously bespoken for Mr. Kose 

 the kind ofhces of the IMexican otticials in facilitating the transporta- 

 tion into the Tnited States of any collections which he may obtain, and 

 in aiding in other ways in the furtherance of his plans. 



Additional collections of mammals, plants, invertebrates, and other 

 material obtained by Dr. E. A. IMearns, U. S. A., in Xew York, Min-. 

 nesota, xMaryland, and Virginia have been added to the Museum 

 collections. 



Prof. O. F. Cook, of the Xational ]Museum, obtained, during his 

 travels in Africa, valuable collections of tiowers, ferns, and other 

 botanical specimens, which have been added to the Herbarium. 



Mr. Holla V. Currie w^as detailed to accompany Professor Cook to 

 Africa for the purpose of obtaining natural history collections and, 

 more particularly, mammals, birds, insects, tishes, mollusks, and marine 

 invertebrates. He was instructed to give especial attention, in addi- 

 tion, to protective mimicry among insects and to devote his efforts to 

 securing objects and photographs illustrating the arts and industries 

 of the Liberian natives. Mr. Currie left Washington in October. 1890, 

 and was absent about seven months. 



Valuable collections obtained by field parties and agents of the 

 U. S. Fish Commission, the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and the 

 U. S. Geological Survey have also been received. 



collectors' outfits. 



Collecting outfits have been furnished during the year to the follow- 

 ing persons: Prof. B. W. Evermann, of the U. S. Fish Commission, 

 for collecting in Idaho; :Mr. C. G. Korebeck, Washington, D. C; Mr. 

 H. C. Oberholser, of the Department of Agriculture; Eev. P. H. 

 Siirensen, Jakobshavn, Greenland; Dr. E. A. Mearns, U. S. A., for col- 

 lecting in Xew York State; Dr. W. L. Abbott, Bombay, India; Mr. F. 

 X. Holzner, San Diego, Cal. ; Lieut. C. A. Clarke, U. S. S. Thetis, San 

 Diego, Cal.: Dr. HeWitt Webb, St. Augustine, Florida, and Mr. 

 George D. Wilder, Pekin, China. 



