REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 21 



While Ibo Department was enabled by means of the Centennial Exhi- 

 bition to add largely to its collections of native products of agriculture, 

 far greater benefit was derived from it by the opportunity it presented 

 for the acquisition of rare and not easily-obtained collections of the 

 varied products of the agriculture of foreign countries. Through the 

 earnest endeavors of Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 and by co-operatioii with him, the Museum Division has taken advan- 

 tage of the opportunity i^resentcd, which has resaltetl in the securing of 

 full collections of the products of the soil — direct and indirect — from 

 various portions of the world ; many from remote countries, curious and 

 interesting, as illustrating the habits of the people, while exhibiting 

 their agriculture, and all of such value and in such generous quantities, 

 "with few exceptions, that, when they are finally classilied and arranged 

 in the museum-hall, the display will be most complete. 



For the most part the material is given as a donation to the United 

 States for exhibition in its museums, although it is understood that the 

 Department shall reciprocate by sending collections of grains and fibers 

 of our own country, if sucli collections are desired. Some of the ex- 

 hibits were presented in their entirety, without condition ; from others 

 the Department was allowed to select such specimens as were desirable 

 in quantities sufiicient for museum purposes, while with a few the 

 specimens were secured by promise of exchange when the Department 

 is enabled to secure the American collections for the purpose. 



From the interesting exhibits of the Australian colonies a full series 

 of grains and fibers were obtained. From Victoria, in addition to grain 

 and wool samples, including thirty-two samples of the fine-wool collec- 

 tion of Hastings, Cunningham & Co., the Department was fortunate in 

 securing a collection of miscellaneous fibers from over forty different 

 species of fiber-producing plants, prepared by William R. Guilefoyle, 

 director of the botanic gardens, Melbourne. This collection also in- 

 cludes fifty specimens of paper prepared from as many species of plants, 

 nearly all of which are represented in the fiber-collection. Among the 

 Victoria wheats secured, one variety weighed C8 pounds to the bushel, 

 and not a few were up to 64 and 07 pounds. In all, several hundred 

 specimens were obtained. 



Samples of the remarkable wool exhibits from Queensland were 

 secured, with about forty specimens of miscellaneous fibers, all of differ- 

 ent species, with the exception of half a dozen samples of cotton and 

 silk in the raw state. A fine series of sugars was also obtained, with a 

 few samples of grain and tobacco. 



The New South Wales donation consisted of a large series of wools, 

 and some few miscellaneous fibers, including silk-cocoons ; about twenty 

 specimens of sugar, fifty specimens of grain, arrowroot, starch, flour, 

 &c., and a series of preserved tropical fruits ; tobacco, and other miscel- 

 laneous products. The South Australian and Tasmaniau collections 

 v.'ere very similar, numbering about one hundred specimens each. 



From New Zealand, the valuable collection of one hundred and nine 

 specimens of New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax, was received complete. 

 It illustrates the textile in all stages of manufacture — even as rudely 

 prepared by the natives, who strip the fiber with a shell — and includes 

 articles showing the various uses to which it may be emi)loyed, as the 

 manufacture of twine for making nets, coarse twine, small and large 

 ropes, cables, halters, mats, matting, and even a fair quality of coarse 

 flax cloth. A series of fine grains was also received, with about a dozen 

 wool samples, native gum, starch, and miscellaneous products. 



The Japanese donation includes one hundred and fifteen specimens of 

 tea in bottles j specimens of tobacco, gums, varnishes, dye-stuffs, flour, 



