86 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



nist of tlie I>e))iirtinent of Agriculture and curator of the National Herbarium for 

 twenty-one years, Dr. Vasey's name has become known to all botanists throughout 

 the world, and his contributions to science form an iudisjjensable part of the work- 

 ing library of every botanist. His familiarity with the liora of all parts of the 

 United States, especially with the plants of the great West, was unrivaled, and 

 caused his o])inion to be sought and resjtected upon all critical (luestions relating 

 thereto. He was the recognized autlu)rity ou this side of the Atlantic in the imjior- 

 tant department of grasses, and his publications relating to these have great economic 

 as well as scientific value. 



Dr. Yasey Avas uniformly gentle aud kind, manifesting a warm interest in the 

 progress of younger botanists and beginners, always ready to give his valual)le time 

 and counsels to those who Avent to him for assistance, and many who are now well 

 known in the science owe their success in large part to the encouragement and stimu 

 lation received from him. In this way the circle of his influence was much wider 

 than would be naturally inferred from his quiet life and long confinement to a single 

 post of duty. 



To the world at large Dr. Yasey was distinguished for his modest and unobtrusive 

 character, his kindly disposition, and his genial manners. A model husband aud 

 father, an estimable neighbor, and a good citizen, his loss will l)e deeply felt by all 

 who knew him: Therefore, 



Rcnolved, That the sympathies of the officers of the National Museum and Smith- 

 sonian Institution be extended to the widow and family of the deceased, aud that a 

 copy of this minute and resolution be transmitted to them. 



Capt. John Melmoth Dow, who for many years, as agent of the Pacific 

 Mail Steamship Company at Panama, was a warm and valued friend 

 of the National Museum, died in jS'ew York City ou I^ovember 4, 1892' 

 Capt. Dow was an Honorary Fellow of the Zoological Society of Lou- 

 don, a member of the "N^ew York Geographical Society, of the Acad- 

 emy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, of the Society of California 

 Pioneers, and of the Soci^te Humanitaire et Scieutifiquedu Sud-Ouest 

 de la France, 



Lieut. T. Dix Bolles, T^. S. Navy, who for many years has cooperated 

 with the National Museum, particularly in matters relating to ethnology, 

 and from whom valuable contributions to the collections liave been 

 received, died during the j^ear. 



COLUMBIAN HISTORICAL EXPOSITION IN MADRID, 



In accordance with an act of Congress approved Maj' 13, 1892,* the 

 President appointed a commission to represent the United States at 

 the Commemoration of the Fourth Centenary of the Discovery of 

 America, which took jdacein Spain in the latter part of 1803. 



This commission consisted of licar- Admiral S. 1>. Luce, U, S. Navy; 

 James C. Welling, ll.d., chairman of the executive committee of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, and the Assistant Secretary of the Institu- 

 tion. 



The Spanish Government had, in pursuance of the royal decree of 

 January J>, 18!>1, provided for a series of international celebrations, most 

 prominent auiong which were two historical expositions to be held in 



*Seo Appendix x. 



