62 THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



Cinnabar or Vermilion, the ore from which mercury or quicksilver is obtained. 



This specimen, from California, weighs 400 pounds, is very rich in mercury, and was exhibited in the World's 

 Fair as a rample of the mineral wealth of the Pacific State. The mines of Almaden, in Spain, are the most cele- 

 brated. Mercury boils at 670 and becomes solid at 40 below zero. 



CASE 14. 



We have here a great collection of Rattlesnakes. Every species may be seen, and from 

 all parts of the country. 



It was proposed, in the early days of our history, to adopt the rattlesnake as our national emblem, but the 

 eagle was selected in preference. 



Window between Cases 14 and 15. Specimens of American Woods. 



Table Case. Specimens of Palaeontology, or fossil remains of plants and animals dug 

 out of the earth. 



These singular and interesting fossils are from Nebraska, a district called " Mauvaises Torres" or Bad Lands. 

 The valley is 90 miles in length and 30 in breadth. Its most depressed portion is 300 feet below the general 

 level of the surrounding country. All over the surface thousands of abrupt, irregular, prismatic, and columnar 

 masses are standing, extending to a height of one or two hundred feet. It resembles a large city. It is an im- 

 mense cemetery of extinct animals, the bottom of what was once an extensive lake. The specimens are Mam- 

 malia, and Chelonia or Turtles. There are two remarkable species of Rhinoceros differing from any remains of 

 this animal found in other parts of the globe. These are the first discovered in America. A full description of 

 these fossils has been written by Dr. Jos. Leidy, of Philadelphia, and published in the Smithsonian Contributions 

 to Knowledge. 



CASE 15. 



Serpents. 



CASE 16. 



EAST SIDE Upper Shelf. The most prominent object is (No. 43) the Bald Eagle or 

 White-headed Eagle. It has its wings extended. 



Benjamin Franklin thus speaks : " For my part, I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the represent- 

 ative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character ; be does not get his living honestly. You may have 

 seen him perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labors of the Fishing 

 Hawk ; and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to his nest for the support of its 

 mate and young ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him. With all this injustice, he is never 

 in good case, but like those among men who live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor. Besides he is 

 a rank coward ; the little King-Bird, not bigger than a Sparrow, attacks him boldly, and drives him out of the 

 district. He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America, who 

 have driven all the King-Birds from our country." 



Next in order are Duck Hawks... Black-capped Hawks... Prairie Falcons. ..Pigeon Hawks... 

 Sparrow Hawks. 



The Sparrow Hawk was in high estimation among the Egyptians; and their god Osiris was worshipped under 

 this name. 



Middle Shelf. No. 39, The Golden Eagle, or the Ring-tailed Eagle. 



The Golden Eagle is held by the American Indians, as it is by almost every other people, to be an emblem of 

 might and courage ; and the young Indian warrior glories in his eagle plume as the most honorable ornament 

 with which he can adorn himself. A warrior will exchange a valuable horse for the tail-feathers of a single 

 eagle. 



Swainson's Hawk. ..Brown, Baird's, Red-shouldered, Red-bellied, Broad-winged Hawks. 



Lower Shelf. OWLS, rapacious nocturnal birds, inhabiting all parts of the world except 



Australia. There are specimens of the Barn, Prairie, Burrowing, Pigmy, Short-eared, 



Long-eared, Saw-whet, Snowy, Great Horned, Mottled, Great Gray, Barred, Sparrow, and 



other Owls. 



The Burrowing Owl is the constant companion of the Prairie Dog, (see case 30,) and lives in perfect harmony 

 with him in his underground quarters. 



" Looking at some of these wise-looking birds, with their big round heads, docked bodies, and goggle eyes, one 

 could almost believe the story of the cockney sportsman, who, having shot something that he saw flying over- 

 head, as he and a companion were passing through a churchyard in the evening, cried out in horror as he picked 

 it up fluttering beside a tombstone, " Oh, Jack, I have shot a cherub!" 



CASE 16. 



WEST SIDE Upper Shelf. Blue-backed, Sharp-shinned, and other Hawks.... The Bald 

 Eagle. 



Middle Shelf. American Bald Eagle. ..Western Red-tailed Hawk, the most abundant 

 species west of the Rocky mountains. ..Rough-legged Hawk. ..Black, Marsh, and Sparrow 

 Hawks. ..The Golden Eagle, very rare. This bird preys on lambs, fawns, &c, 



Lower Shelf. Turkey Buzzard... Mexican, White-tailed, Swallow-tailed, Marsh, Fish, 



