324 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1891. 



Birds. — 1st, 13GS separate specimens; LM. nine large boxes, one of 

 wliich contains 27 dozen skins of rare birds from Brazil. 



Quadrupeds. — Between 4 and 500 specimens. Insects 74100 speci- 

 mens, and more than a dozen boxes besides not opened. Most of tbese 

 in a deplorable condition for want of funds to preserve & arrange 

 them. 



^SIleUs. — 1638 si^ecimens, & more than 20 boxes and one bairel. 



An immense number of fishes, reptiles mollusca, et cetera. One 

 doiun% Lt. Gedney, U. S.N. gaA^e upwards of 000 specimens «& a large 

 & rare collection of reptiles, fishes «S:c. which composed a part of the 

 munificent gift of Prin<'e Momfanio, of Spain. 



Coins, medals »S: medallions, anti(}ue «S: modern, embracing very 

 many extremely rare & valuable series gold, silver «S: copper «S:c. 1st. 

 57.'> specimens; 2d, seven boxes. 



Maps and atlasses in great numbers; books & pam])hlets, between 4 

 & 5000, many very rare, sent by the Eussian, French, Belgian, Brazil- 

 ian & other governments, & from Societies in various countries. About 

 1000 engravings, many extremely choice, by the first Artists in the 

 world, and several large boxes & engravings not opened. 



Specimens of woods, marbles, domestic manufactures, fossil teeth, 

 megatherium bones. Ancient vases vS: vessels, electrotype pictures, 

 mosaics, Egyptian & South Sea idols, large collections of human quad- 

 ruj)ed & bird crania, antique masks, rare collection of Indian dresses 

 &c., daguerreotype pictures, corals & cfmilincs, largecollection of dried 

 plants from all parts of the world. Specimens of art implements & an 

 infinite diversity of contributions of every description too complicated 

 & various to eiuimerate. 



The Columbia Institute's collection consisting of a large nundjer of 

 books, works of art, specimens of Nat. Hist., all Avhich are now the 

 property of the Nat. Institute, Models of monuments, «Jt of works of 

 art etc. etc. Several hundred Indian Portraits, and other ])aintinga, 

 many very rare & valuable & some the production of the l)est masters. 



Skeletons, Antlers, Horns, Teeth, Bones & casts of various quad- 

 rupeds & other animals. 



Indian Musical «& othei' Instruments «S: implements & Ijithographic 

 portraits & drawings in great numbers. 



Large collection of objects of Natural History, idols, fabrics, anti«|ue 

 work of art &c. from Egypt and Africa, many of great curiosity & 

 rarity, from vaiious persons, «S:c. 



Collection of Statuary, busts & casts. 



Large collection of tribolites «S: rare fossils 



Dr. Franklin's printing press. 



A collection of Bedowue war instruments, & a variety of oriental 

 curiosities. 



A series of fine Electrotype medals, einbracing the British »S: French 

 Sovereigns, from William the (yonqueror to Victoria, and from Phara- 

 mond to Louis Philippe. 



It is scarcely possible, in reply to your note Avh. calls for an imme- 

 diate answer to enumerate further, but we don't depend on so scant a 

 list, given in terms lUMCSsarily somewhat vague. We call special 

 attention to the minute & exact detail given in the abstract of the 

 proceedings of the Inst, ])repared by IVIr. Markoe, & wh, accompanies 

 the memorial to Congress, whei'c every thing will be IVuind exhibited 

 & described. We believe that if the collections of the Inst, are not 

 already as great in value as those brought 'home by the Exploring 

 Ex[)edition, they will become far more so in a very short time, lii 



Aineiiutiw iJitt^fest tjie Jjjg<)!tute'« «'ojle('fioiis tar ti-fipgceHd the o|ij§r, 



