REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 185 



cal elements and compounds of the body, so far as possible to science 

 to obtain or represent them. This exhibit, which is explained by the 

 accompanying list of objects shown, and by copies of the large descrip- 

 tive labels, attracted perhaps more attention than any other sent by 

 the Museum, curious and interested crowds being seen at all times ex- 

 amining it. 



In addition to the collections from Washington, Mr. J. E. Watkins, 

 Curator of the Department of Transportation in the National Museum, 

 who was in attendance at the Cincinnati Exposition, was telegraphed 

 to bring from his department at that Exposition such models, engrav- 

 ings, and paintings as could be spared, illustrative of the methods of 

 transportation adopted by the early settlers in America, and of the 

 early navigation of the Ohio River, together with the means of reach- 

 ing the Ohio Valley from the sea-board, from aboriginal times to the 

 introduction of the locomotive. 



This exhibit, which was placed in the center of the hall aud directly 

 in front of the entrance, proved very attractive, so much so, in fact, 

 that it was found necessary to protect it with a railing from eager but 

 not unfriendly hands, that frequently took the birch-bark canoe on im- 

 promptu journeys around the room, and sometimes tried to set the ma- 

 chinery to work in the models of the antiquated steam-boats on exhibi- 

 tion. 



The transportation exhibit may be briefly described as follows : 



(1) Type of birch-bark canoe used on the Ohio River by the Indians. 



(2) Engraving of ship Sally Constant, which brought the first settlers 

 in Virginia to Jamestown, among whom were many of the ancestors 

 of the pioneers of the "Northwest Territory." 



(3) Boat similar in construction to that built by Captain Devoll in 

 1787, and known as the Mayflower of the Ohio. Captain Devoll having 

 been a constructor of whaling ships in Massachusetts, the lines of the 

 hull are similar to boats of that time constructed in the east. 



(4) The Orleans, 1S12, the first steam-boat on the Ohio River; con- 

 structed in 1 SI 1 at Pittsburgh. Pulton and Livingstone, having met 

 with success in introducing the steam-boat on the Hudson, four years 

 later transferred their sphere of labor to the western waters. This boal 

 was on her way to New Orleans during the earthquake of L812, and, 

 reaching there safely, continued to run between that point and Natchez 

 until July 14, 1814, when she was sunk off Baton Rouge. Her ma- 

 chinery, however, was saved, and with a new boiler was transferred to 

 another boat, whieli was called the \(ir Orleans. 



The Baltimore and Ohio Railway in 18l'.S began to lay its tracks from 

 Baltimore toward the Ohio River. The steam locomotive at that time 

 was not in successful operation, and many experiments were made in 

 the construction of cars and in the application of power. Models illus- 

 trating these experiments were also shown. 



(5) Closed passenger-car with weather-boarded sides, and windows 

 Similar to those in dwelling houses; built to be drawn l»s horses. 



