XVI PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 
and containing many types and rare species; whereupon the follow- 
ing resolution was adopted: 
Resolved, That the thanks of the Board of Regents be tendered to Mr. 
William Schaus for his generous gift to the National Museum of his extensive 
and valuable collection of Lepidoptera, which is gratefully accepted. 
PORTRAIT OF DR. ELLIOTT COUES. 
The following letter from Ellen S. Mussey, addressed to the 
Chancellor, was read: 
JANUARY 8, 1907. 
Mr. CHANCELLOR: I have the honor to inform you that Mrs. Mary Emily 
Bates Coues, widow of Dr. Elliott Coues, died in February last, and by will 
left to the Smithsonian Institution a portrait of the late Dr. Hlliott Coues, 
and “also a paper received by him, inviting him to visit London as the guest 
of scientific men, signed by Darwin, Huxley, etc., the letter to be framed and 
hung under Doctor Coues’s portrait.” 
This will has been duly admitted to probate, and the American Security 
and Trust Company and myself, named as executors therein, have qualified in 
such capacity. 
We understand that the portrait is now in the possession of the Smithsonian 
Institution; the other paper referred to is in our possession, and we should 
be pleased to have it properly framed so that each side of the paper can be 
seen, to be hung as stipulated in the will, provided the Regents will accept the 
gift as named. 
Awaiting the favor of your reply, I am, 
Very respectfully, 
(Signed ) ELLEN S. MUSSEY, 
Co. Hx. Will M. H. B. Coues. 
After an examination of the portrait, which had been deposited at 
the Institution for some years, the following resolution was adopted: 
Resolved, That the portrait of Elliott Coues, bequeathed by Mary Emily 
Bates Coues, be accepted in accordance with the terms of the will as 
expressed in the letter of Ellen S. Mussey to the Chancellor, under date of 
January 8, 1907. 
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING SECRETARY. 
The Acting Secretary reported that the actual erection of the new 
building for the National Museum, except interior finish, had reached 
practically one-half the full height, although the south pavilion, 
which included the entrance rotunda, was still at the basement stage 
of construction. In addition, there was on the ground around the 
building all of the dressed granite for the third or attic story and all 
the materials, including special white face bricks and cut granite for 
the entire completion of the walls of the two courts. There were 
also on hand large quantities of the plainer materials, All of the 
