REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 15 



not consume a great part of the chemist's time. The work of making 

 precise ([uantitativo assays is much more tedious and laborious, and is 

 undertaken only in the service of the public interests. 



Tlie chemist's report, which is given in the appendix, presents some 

 account of tlie arrangements made in fitting up the new laboratory in 

 the Museum building, as already referred to. 



RESEARCHES AND EXPLORATIONS. 



In the promotion of original research it has always been the policy of 

 the Institution to so employ its limited means as to effect what appeared 

 to be the most promising return in the increase of knowledge, with but 

 little consideration whether such efforts should be made independently 

 or in concert with other agencies. Eeserving for a separate notice some 

 of the jiriucipal operations undertaken during the year, in co-operation 

 with other institutions, reference will here be made to the researches 

 and explorations of which the Institution has borne alone the burden 

 and responsibility. Of these one of the most important was that of 

 Mr. L. Belding, of Stockton, CaL, who, at our suggestion, visited Guad- 

 alupe and Cerros Islands on ^le coast of Lower California, as well 

 as certain portions of the main land. His collections of birds, fishes, 

 plants, &c., have been submitted to examination, and include many in- 

 teresting objects. This gentleman returned home in the summer, and 

 started again to his chosen field of labor in December, proceeding di- 

 rect to La Paz, on the Gulf of Lower California, w^here he expected to 

 remain till spring, and then to visit Cape Saint Lucas, aregion made 

 memorable by the labors of Mr. John Xantus. 



Mr. Xantus, in his exi)lorations twenty years ago, collected numbers 

 of new species, the types of which have been lost by deterioration, and 

 it is considered especially advisable to secure fresh specimens of these 

 and of any additional species that may be procurable. 



During the summer, Mr. James Bell, of the Land Office, stationed in 

 Florida, has utilized his spare moments in continuing the explorations 

 referred to in the report for 1880. His contributions have consisted es- 

 pecially in living reptiles for the modeling department of the National 

 Museum. Xumbers of birds, Indian relics, &c., have also been furnished 

 by him. 



Mr. S. T. Walker, also working in West Florida, but farther north 

 than Mr. Bell, has made numerous contributions of interest from the 

 Indian mounds and graves, thereby greatly extending our knowledge 

 of the archceology of Western Florida. 



Among the most interesting and important explorations of the year 

 in Florida is tliatof ]\[r. J. F. LaBaron, who discovered a ricli deposit of 

 fossil bones, which are now in the ha.nds of Professor Leidy for exami- 

 nation and determination. Among these it is believed there are several 

 new species of nuunmals and reptiles. 



Prof. O. P. Hay, of Irvingtou, Ind., with the co-operation of the 



