114 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 
official report is stated to be on its way to New York, but it has not 
arrived yet. When the letters were despatched, late in November, 1909, 
the Museum expedition was making its headquarters at Avakubi, 
twenty-six days’ march up the Congo River from Stanleyville. Most 
of this march was through the dense tropical forest and was extremely 
trying, not only to the white men but also to their native porters; never- 
theless, all are in excellent health. Avakubi is an important rubber 
station, about twenty tons per month being received in payment of taxes 
from the natives, who also bring in many fine elephant tusks. The ex- 
pedition has been successful in collecting hundreds of perfect skins and 
skeletons of mammals and birds, besides photographs and other data for 
use in preparing habitat groups. 
On the evening of Friday, March 11, Commander Robert E. Peary, 
U.S. N., presented to the members of the Museum a thrilling account 
of his discovery of the North Pole, illustrating his address with many 
excellent photographs made by him while on the expedition. On account 
of the great popular interest in Commander Peary’s work it was necessary 
to restrict admission to those holding Members’ tickets. Even under 
these conditions six hundred persons were turned away from the audi- 
torium. 
From Wednesday to Friday, March 16 to 18, inclusive, the Horti- 
cultural Society of New York held its spring exhibition in the Columbus 
Avenue wing of the Museum. ‘The event was made more noteworthy 
even than usual through the codperation of the American Rose Society, 
which held its annual convention and exhibition here at the same time. 
THe National Association of Audubon Societies held its annual 
meeting at the Museum on March 17. ‘The convention was signalized 
by the principal address, which was by Mr. Donald B. McMillan upon 
“The Bird Life of the Arctic.” Mr. MeMillan will be remembered as 
one of the scientific staff that accompanied Commander Robert E. 
Peary on his successful North Polar expedition last summer. 
THe Honoras_e Girrorp Pincnor unfortunately was unable to 
fill his engagement to address the Members of the Museum on March 24, 
but his place was filled by Dr. W J McGee, Secretary of the Inland 
Waterways Commission and member of the National Conservation 
Commission, who spoke upon “The Conservation Movement,” which 
was the subject originally assigned for the evening. 
