112 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 
Unquestionably the most interesting region visited was the edge of 
the Everglades. ‘The ‘‘’Tekia” anchored several miles up Shark River, 
among the mangroves, and shallower waters stiil farther up stream 
were explored with a launch and row boats. In the weed-choked 
shallows various interesting small fishes characteristic of the region 
and new to the Museum’s collections were very abundant. ‘These 
forms are preyed upon by larger fishes, of which the leathery spotted 
gar (Lepisosteus) was most in evidence. It was here that some un- 
usually small specimens of the great tarpon were obtained with rod and 
reel. 
Common, though seldom seen, a rather large gray shark (Carcharhinus 
lamnia) with broad, blunt head and a formidable array of saw-edged 
teeth, prowls about the wharves and shipping in the harbor of Key West. 
Several of these sharks were caught. From the number a fine specimen 
eight or nine feet long was selected, and pilaster moulds for a cast were 
made from it. When placed on exhibition in the Museum, the cast will 
doubtless attract no little attention, as will also the cast of a jew-fish, 
a huge bass of the sea, weighing some hundreds of pounds. ‘The moulds 
taken from this latter fish have already been safely received at the 
Museum. 
JoHN T. NICHOLS. 
MUSEUM NEWS NOTES 
HE bequest of Miss Phebe Anna ‘Thorne to which reference was 
made in the January number of the JouRNAL has been paid over 
to the Museum and has been applied as an endowment to the 
Museum’s room for the blind. Messrs. Samuel and Jonathan ‘Thorne, 
the executors of the will, feeling that this use of the legacy was so thor- 
oughly in accord with their sister’s interest and desires have increased 
the amount from ten thousand to twenty-five thousand doilars, out of the 
residue estate, thus insuring a permanent income for the development of 
this new and extremeiy useful and promising branch of the Museum’s 
work. The ‘Trustees have established a committee on the Museum for 
the Blind consisting of Hon. Seth Low, Mr. A. D. Jouiiiard, Dr. H. C. 
Bumpus and Professor Henry F. Osborn. 
