L86 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1901. 



fauna of America would have proved interesting- to the public, espe- 

 cially such classes of animals as the insects, corals, mollusks, etc., but 

 in proportion to the outlay of time involved in the preparation of a 

 thoroughly attractive exhibit the vertebrates appeared to offer the 

 best topic. A display of the flora of America was necessarily omitted 

 because the Museum is without resources in this direction, its botanical 

 collection consisting entirely of dried plants and specimens in alcohol, 

 which are unsuitable for a popular exhibit. To obtain a creditable 

 botanical exhibit by field work was impossible in the time allotted. 



In order to make the exhibit of the vertebrate animals of America 

 as significant and attractive as possible the best specimens in every 

 class were withdrawn from the exhibition series of the Museum, and 

 these were supplemented by specimens purchased wherever obtainable. 

 In addition four field parties were sent out to gather material not 

 otherwise available. Dr. L. Stejneger, curator of the Divison of 

 Reptiles, and Dr. C. W. Richmond, assistant curator of the Division 

 of Birds, were sent to Porto Rico and the other West Indian Islands; 

 Mr. William Palmer, chief taxidermist, and Mr. J. H. Riley, aid in 

 the Section of Birds 1 Eggs, were sent to Cuba; Mr. B. A. Bean, 

 assistant curator, Division of Fishes, and Mr. King, to Key West, 

 Florida, while Prof. J. B. Steere undertook to obtain fishes and other 

 vertebrates from the Amazon River. 



Drs. Stejneger and Richmond did excellent w 7 ork in Porto Rico, 

 obtaining a large collection of birds and reptiles, but were prevented 

 by sickness and the uncertainties of transportation from visiting other 

 West Indian Islands, as was originally intended. The operations of 

 Messrs. Palmer and Riley were confined to western Cuba, where large 

 collections of birds, reptiles, and mammals were made, but the col- 

 lectors were prevented by lack of time from visiting the eastern end 

 of the island. 



In order to accomplish anything of importance it was necessary to 

 send these parties out early, while the general plans of the Govern- 

 ment board as regards buildings, allotment of space, and exhibits 

 from the outlying possessions of the United States were still incom- 

 plete. The original plans were considerably modified before being- 

 adopted, the total amount of space in the Government building was 

 reduced, and endeavors to form general exhibits from Cuba and Porto 

 Rico under the Government board were abandoned on account of the 

 action of the governors of these islands in providing separate displays. 

 It resulted that only a portion of the material collected could be exhib- 

 ited, and this was incorporated with the general Museum exhibits. 



The work of Professor Steere on the Amazon resulted in our obtain- 

 ing an excellent series of characteristic fresh-water fishes of this region, 

 together with characteristic tortoises and other reptiles. 



h\ addition to the material obtained by these collecting parties the 



