62 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



Laszlo and Dr. Sartorius, to whom we have been indebted for me- 

 teorological observations, have continued their contributions to the 

 natural history of Mexico. 



A scientific survey of the Isthmus of Yucatan has been undertaken 

 by Governor Salazar y Ilarregui, and, on the recommendation of the 

 Institution, Dr. Arthur Schott was engaged to superintend the nat- 

 ural history branch of operations; and the collections, of which many 

 package have already reached us, are all to be sent to this Institution 

 for examination previous to the publication of an account of the re- 

 sults obtained. 



Dr. H. Berendt has commenced, under the auspices of the Insti- 

 tution, an exploration of British Honduras and the interior of Gua- 

 temala. The outfit of physical instruments and apparatus, and 

 supplies, for collections of natural history, were principally furnished 

 from the Smithsonian fund, while the personal expenses were borne 

 by a subscription of a number of gentlemen interested in the advance 

 of science, and by the Academies of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 

 and Chicago. 



The explorations in Costa Rica by Dr. Von Frantzius and Mr. 

 Carmiol have continued to add large numbers of specimens to our 

 collections, no region of America, according to Professor Baird, hav- 

 ing yielded of late years so many new species of birds. 



Valuable collections have been made by Mr. Holland, Captain Dow, 

 Mr. Hicks, and Mr. Chapman, in Central America. 



From South America collections have been received from Mr. 

 Walter S. Church and Professor W. E Nation, in Peru; Dr. Her- 

 ing, from Paramaribo; Mr. De Lacerda, Mr. Goodwin, and the Natural 

 History Museum of Rio, in Brazil. For the latter donation, made b}'- 

 order of the Emperor of Brazil, we are specially indebted to the 

 kindness of Mr. Lisboa, former Brazilian minister to the United 

 States, 



Large collections have also been received from the West Indies, 

 principally made by Mr. Charles Wright, Mr. N. H. Bishop, Dr. 

 Gundlach, Mr. March, Professor G. N. Allen, Mr. Robert Swift, and 

 Mr. George Latimer, the deficiencies in our series from this region 

 having been largely supplied during the year. 



In accordance with the policy of the Institution, collections are not 

 generally requested from the Old World, except in certain cases where 

 they are desired for comparison by those who are engaged in special 

 investigations. We have, however, during the last year, received a 

 series of the eggs and skins of the birds of Palestine, presented by 

 Mr. Tristram. 



