16 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



Smithsonian Institution, has continued his series of investigations into 

 the ichthyology of the Mississippi Valley, collecting many rare and new 

 species of fish, a series of whicli has been transmitted to the Institu- 

 tion. 



Dr. R. Ellsworth Call, of Des Moines, has also made similar explora- 

 tions relating more specially to fresh water shells. 



Hon. John G. Henderson, of Winchester, 111., has continued and com- 

 pleted certain explorations in the mounds of that State it the expense 

 of the Smithsonian Institution. Some very valuable and interesting 

 objects have rewarded his search. 



Mr. B. F. Norris, Superintendent of the National Yellowstone Park, 

 has brought to the Institution a large collection of the natural objects 

 of the park, among them a fumarole of a small geyser, which it is pro- 

 ])Osed to utilize for the purpose of a fountain in the rotunda of the 

 museum. 



Prof. 0. H. Gilbert, who was associated with Professor Jordan in the 

 exploration of the ichthyology of the Pacific coast of America (as men- 

 tioned in the Report for 1880), remained for some time at Panama, con- 

 tinuing his gatherings, and then returned to his residence at. Blooming- 

 ton, Ind. The results of his work and that of Professor Jordan have 

 been published from time to time in the proceedings of the National 

 Museum. Mr. Gilbert will probably return to Central America before 

 long, under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, to continue and 

 complete his work. 



Mr. H. H. Rusby, of Franklin, N. J., has completed during the year 

 his researches into the botany of New Mexico, in which, he has been en- 

 gaged for several years past. The Institutio:i was able to obtain for 

 him important facilities in the way of transportation of his collections, 

 and has secured thereby a series of his specimens. 



During a recent visit to Mexico of Mr. S. B. Evans, of Ottumwa, 111., 

 iu the interest of archaeology, the Institution was able to render him 

 assistance by a letter of introduction to its correspondents in that coun- 

 try. Mr. Evans has brought back quite an amount of interesting in- 

 formation, especially relating to his discovery of a new so-called sacri- 

 ficial stone. 



Mr. F. A. Ober, in the course of a visit to Mexico during the past 

 winter, obtained some copper axes and some interesting birds. 



A large amount of exploration has been prosecuted by correspondents 

 of the Smithsonian in the West Indies and South America ; among these 

 may be mentioned the work of Dr. H. A. Alford Nicholls, of Dominica, 

 an English physician of much eminence in his profession, and distin- 

 guished as a naturalist, who furnished several new species of birds and 

 a first installment of a large collection of fishes. Dr. Nicholls proposes 

 to prepare a work on the ichthyology of Dominica, to be published by 

 the Smithsonian, and to send specimens to Washington for identifica- 

 tion. 



