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Falkland Islands, Kerguelen’s Land, and other localities suggested as 
points of observation, are so unusual and so valuable, that it would 
seem a great loss to science if no provision were made for employing 
them. We would, therefore, earnestly suggest the propriety and im- 
portance, if it can be done without actually interfering with the work 
of the Transit Expedition, of associating with each of the station 
parties one or more gentlemen, competent to make observations and 
collections in these departments of science. 
In default of appropriations available for this end, a valuable pur- 
pose might be served by authorizing collections and reports on these 
subjects to be made by those members of the corps, whose tastes and 
attainments may enable them to make use of any favorable opportuni- 
ties of scientific observation which their more specific duties may allow. 
(Signed.) J. S. NEWBERRY, 
D. 8. Martin, President. 
Special Committee. 
LETTER. 
LycreuM oF NATURAL HIsTory, IN THE CiTy oF NEw YORK, 
No. 64 Madison Avenue, 
New York, January 19th, 1874. 
To THE PRESIDENT OF THE 
Dear Sir ;—The approaching departure of the astronomical parties 
sent out under the authority of the Navy Department, for the observa- 
tion of the transit of Venus, is an event of so much interest in many 
respects to all scientific bodies in our country, that we beg leave to 
address you in regard to it. It has seemed’ to us that there are great 
opportunities presented in the course of these expeditions, for collec- 
tions and observations in the departments of natural history and geolo- 
gy, and that the occasion thus presented should not be suffered to pass 
without some provision for its use. The questions of geographical dis- 
tribution are assuming so much importance in modern biology, that 
the visit of parties like these, to such remote and interesting points in 
the Southern Hemisphere as Kerguelen’s Land, the Falklands, etc., 
becomes in our judgment an opportunity not to be lost. 
Acting upon these views, this Society has addressed to the Secretary 
of the Navy, a formal memorial, of which we enclose you a copy. We 
have been encouraged to take this course by Prof. Baird, of the Smith- 
sonian Institute, of whom our first enquiries in regard to the matter 
were made, and who is fully in sympathy with the object proposed. 
It has seemed to us both desirable in the interests of science, and 
fitting as a matter of courtesy, to inform your society, and some few 
