214 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 



systematic and permanent arrangement than has heretofore been practi- 

 cable, may be inaugurated. The large circular glass show case, donated 

 by Mr. Charles Viele, the set of eight upright cases by Prof. Parvin, the 

 small table case for the tablets, and the case for the boa constrictor, are 

 all that have been added. 



Although our archaeological explorations have not been as extensive as 

 could be desired, yet the results have been of an importance and value 

 beyond our highest expectations. Owing chiefly to the perseverance, 

 skill and energy of Kev. Mr. Gass, our Museum now contains one of the 

 most valuable known collections of fine copper implements, including 

 the only cloth covered ones known, and in the inscribed tablets from a 

 Davenport mound, we undoubtedly exhibit the most important relics of 

 the mound-builders' age ever yet exhumed. Our archaeological collection 

 is, therefore, in these particulars somewhat in advance of the rest of the 

 world. 



We have obtained during the past year 8 copper implements, 3 carved 

 stone pipes, 11 vessels of pottery and many fragments, 300 or more pearl 

 beads, several hundred shell beads of various forms, -5 ornaments or 

 charms made from shells, 6 ornaments or charms made from bears' 

 teeth, and various other relics of bone, horn, etc., from the mounds ; 

 and also 1350 flint implements and weapons, 275 stone implements and 

 weapons, 20 hematite implements. The stone and flint implements, 

 beads and pottery have been mostly secured by the untiring energy of 

 Capt W. P. Hall. There are now probably but few more extensive col- 

 lections of stone and flint implements in the country, and none equalling 

 it in the West. In the departments of Geology, Paleontology and Miner- 

 alogy, very considerable additions have been made, the most important 

 of which are the extensive geological and mineralogical collections of 

 Prof. Parvin, the valuable and choice collection of minerals of Dr. M. 

 W. lies, a case of fine quartz crystals from Mrs. Mandeville, and a large 

 collection of geodes from Mrs. C. H. Perry, of Keokuk. 



In Botany the increase has been considerable, and the collection of the 

 ferns of Scotland, 135 species, received from Prof. John Wilson, of Gait, 

 Canada ;,and that of Cryptogams from Mrs. M. P. Haines, of Richmond, 

 Ind., 80 species ; also a collection of 300 species of Southern plants from 

 W. W. Calkins, of Chicago, are of especial interest. 



In Zoology, much less work has been done and progress made than 

 was hoped for, and much less than ought to have been done. A few 

 specimens of stuffed birds and mammals, and some fishes and reptiles 

 preserved in alcohol, and a living boa constrictor, comprising all the 

 acquisitions in this line, except some quite valuable collections of marine 

 species, donated by the Chicago Academy of Sciences and Mr. W. W. 

 Calkins, of Chicago. Let us hope for better work in this direction in the 

 near future. 



Some time since I commenced a catalogue of specimens in the Mu- 

 seum, but concluded such a work to be impracticable for the present, and 

 perhaps not very desirable until after our removal and some re-arrange- 



