56 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1921. 
sides 660 specimens collected in Guatemala and Honduras by Dr. S. 
F. Blake, and 700 from the western United States collected by W. 
W. Eggleston. Another transfer from the Biological Survey of the 
same department, contained 1,198 specimens from Alaska, Canada, 
and various parts of the United States. The University of Minnesota 
presented the Museum with 749 specimens from several parts of 
South America, while the National Geographic Society similarly do- 
nated 1,180 Alaskan plants collected by the several Katmai expedi- 
tions under the leadership of Prof. Robert F. Griggs. Other gifts 
were 730 specimens from Venezuela, collected and donated by Mr. 
H. Pittier; 726 specimens of Louisiana plants presented by Brother 
G. Arséne, Covington, La.; and 1,614 miscellaneous specimens, the 
herbarium of the late Dr. F. L. J. Boettcher, a gift from Mrs. 
Boettcher. A large number of specimens were received in exchange, 
thus 2,308, mostly from the West Indies, with the New York Bo- 
tanical Garden; 2,938 plants from Borneo and the Philippines, with 
the Bureau of Science at Manila; 400 specimens from China and New 
Caledonia, with G. Bonati, Lure, France; 483 specimens from Mexico, 
with the Direccion de Estudios Biologicos, Mexico; 1,160 specimens, 
chiefly European, with Riksmuseets Botaniska Avdelning, Stock- 
holm; 2,019 United States plants, with the Arnold Arboretum; and 
713 specimens, mainly from Quebec, with College de Longueuil. 
EXPLORATIONS AND EXPEDITIONS. 
From the standpoint of exploration and expedition the year just 
completed must be characterized as unusually poor. In fact, were 
it not for the expeditions still in the field at the beginning of the 
year, and for Dr. W. L. Abbott’s unflagging interest and generosity, 
the showing would be very poor indeed. It must be set down as an 
indisputable proposition that a large museum, and most assuredly one 
aspiring to be among the leading museums, and, moreover, one repre- 
senting the richest nation in the world, can not maintain its standing 
without being able to send out properly planned and properly fitted- 
out expeditions for the purpose of expanding, supplementing, and 
completing its collections. Take these away and the institution must 
infallibly sink down to an humble place among those striving for the 
purpose of science and the benefit of mankind, and, incidentally, the 
benefit and glory of the country they represent. The value of a 
national museum of natural history is not so much in the display 
it is able to make as in the opportunity for research and exploration. 
It is not too much to say that for such a museum exploration is the 
very breath of life. Even in countries impoverished by war, directly 
or indirectly, an honorable and, let it be said, not altogether vain 
struggle is being kept up to continue the work of adding to the 
world’s knowledge as circumstances will best permit. If we look 
