EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. ' 19 



invertebrates, minerals, mammals, ethnology, and fishes. Instruction 

 in taxidermy and photography has been given to several applicants. 



The regular Saturday lectures, 12 in number, were given in the lec- 

 ture hall between March 12 and May 7. The national convention ot 

 Superintendents of Schools (March 15-17) and the Dental Association 

 (July 27-29) held their meetings in the same hall. The Biological 

 Society of Washington also used this room for their regular fort- 

 nightly meetings during the winter. 



The Museum preparators have been kept constantly employed during 

 the year. The chief taxidermist was sent by this Institution to Montana 

 for the purpose of obtaining skins and skeletons of American bison, 

 and the results of this expedition were successful. The details of the 

 work accomplished in the various preparators' shops will be found in 

 the report of the assistant secretary, on the condition of the Museum. 



The work accomplished in the scientific departments is described at 

 length in the reports of the curators, given in the Museum Eeport, 

 which forms Part II of the Smithsonian Eeport. As this work is briefly 

 reviewed by the Assistant Secretary in the said Museum report it is 

 unnecessary to enlarge upon it here. 



It seems proper that I should here pay a tribute of respect to a de- 

 parted collaborator — Capt. Hubbard C. Chester — who, as connected 

 with the U. S. Fish Commission service, has contributed to the accessions 

 of the Museum. Captain Chester was born at Groton, Conn., July 6, 

 1835. Devoted to a sea-faring life from his earliest manhood, he joined 

 the ship Leander in 1857, under the command of his uncle, Capt. Brad- 

 dock Chester, on a whaling voyage. In 18C0 he sailed in the schooner 

 Cornelia to the southern Indian Ocean in pursuit of elephant seals. In 

 18G4, as mate of the -vVhaliug vessel, iliowftce//o, he made a voyage to 

 Hudson Bay. In 1871, as mate of the ill fated PoZarjs, under command 

 of Capt. Charles F. Hall, he joined in the Arctic expedition ; and it 

 was to his skill and courage that the survivors of this expedition owed 

 their preservation. In 1874, Captain Chester attached himself to the 

 Fish Commission, in which service he remained during his life. In 

 1883 he superintended the packing of tlie collections sent by the U. S. 

 Commission to the International Fisheries Exhibition at Loudon, as- 

 sisted in the installation of the exhibition at London, and also in re- 

 packing the exhibit for return to this country. In 1885 he Mas made 

 superintendent of the new station at Wood's Holl. 



After an illness primarily induced by his exposures he died at his 

 home in Noank, Conn., July 19, 1886. His varied services — laitli fully 

 rendered — inspired all wlio knew him wiih a high appreciation of his 

 abilities and a strong regard tor his manly worth. 



