1846.] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 533 



LETTER FROM THE HON. J. Y. MASO^f, SECRETARY OF THE 



NAVY, 



Communicating the report of Mr. Reinhardt, the naturalist who 



sailed in the United Stales ship Constitution, and "presenting 



eleven boxes of objects of natural history, <^-c., ^c, collected during 

 the cruise, for the National Institute. 



Navy Department, October 14, 1846. 

 Sir : During tiie recent cruise of the United States frigate Constitution, Captain 

 Pcrcival, along the east coast of Africa, and in the Indian and China seas, she was 

 accompanied hy Dr. J. C. Reinhardt, who gave much time and attention in making 

 ohservations and collecting specimens in natural history for the benefit of the 

 National Institute. I havenovv the pleasure to enclose to you his report. 



In communicating this report to the department, Captain fercival testifies in the 

 strongest language to the devoted interest which was manifested by its author 

 throughout the voyage in his favorite pursuit, and earnestly reconiiiiends him as a 

 most suitable person to procure any seeds and specimens of natural history which 

 may be desired from Brazil. 



Dr. Reinhardt joined the Constitution at Rio Janeiro, wliere he was compelled 

 by circumstances of a private nature to leave her on her return, and he will there- 

 fore have no opportunity at present, to confer personally with any officer of the 

 Institute in reference to the collections which he was enabled to make during his 

 cruise. 



These collections are contained in eleven boxes, which are now in Boston. 

 They will be transported at an early day to this city, and placed in charge of the 

 National Institute. 



I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 



J. Y. MASON. 

 Francis Markoe, Jr., Esq., 



Corresponding Secretary of the National Institute for the. Promotion of Scienct 

 and the Useful Arts, Washington. 



REPORT OF J. C. REINHARDT, NATURALIST. 



U. S. Frigatb CoTusTnttioti, August 5, 1846. 



Sir : I have hereby the honor to forward the accompanying report of the obser- 

 vations and collections in Natural History, made up to the present date, as also to 

 present some ideas which have suggested themselves to mc, relative to the capa- 

 bilities of different ports to supply the wants of vessels of our country trading in 

 the eastern seas. You will also meet with some suggestions which I would re- 

 Hpiiclfully submit lo your consideration, relative to the introduction of some plants 

 with which we have met, into the United States, where the climate would be 

 favorable to their growth and propagation, and from the cultivation of which, ad- 

 vantage might accrue to our country. Also in relation to some ports, more par- 

 ticularly St. Augustin Biy, where many of our vessels, particularly whalers, aro 

 wont to touch far fresh water and refreshments, I have advised tlio introduction 

 of some fruit trees which they have not at present, and the advantages whicli 

 would accrue could not fail to bo groat, and would be felt principally by our coun- 

 trymen who after long cruises otT the cape and in the chaini<'l, resort there, where 

 the supplies which can be procured arc very cheap, and wlioro they aro free from 

 port ciiarges while refitting and invigorating their crews. 



Many of the countries, the porlK of which we visited, (being tho first lime for an 

 American man-of-war,) aro inhabited by savage tribes who aro frequently at war 

 with each other, and you therefore thought proper not to permit me to go far from 

 the shore, as it would endanger life, or might detain the vessel. Indeed the little 

 time which can be spent in port by a vessel of war, when many distant places are 



