FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS, 1885-1887. 1001 



The cherry blossom and pheasant are often combined in poetry and art decora- 

 tions. The beautiful feathered bird and the bloom of the Sakura tree, which is 

 cultivated solely for its blossoms, the national flower of that beautiful land. The 

 flowers are often as large as a rose, and the falling bloom whitens the ground. 



FLOWERS, ETC. 



The plum (Mume) tree, joined with the nightingale, is the poet's combination. 

 It is always admired. This beautiful flowering tree is not infrequently seen in full 

 bloom and not a leaf visible. It bursts into clouds of fragrance and beauty in 

 February; sometimes it may be seen in full bloom with the ground, in early morning, 

 covered with snow. 



The combination of bamboo and the sparrow or the willow with the sparrow are 

 emblems of happiness. 



The plum tree in Japan blooms in February, the cherry tree in April, the lotus in 

 July, the chrysanthemums in August and long into winter. 



THE JISHIN UWO, OR EARTHQUAKE. 



The great fish, upon whose back is supposed to rest the main portion of the 

 Japanese Empire, is the largest of all their mythical creation. The head of the 

 fish, it is believed, is under the most northern portion of the main island, and its 

 tail somewhat near Tokio and Kioto, the two parts where the greatest effects of 

 the earthquake is felt. A [gentle quaver of the earth is produced when he simply 

 bristles his spine. A severe shock indicates that the brute is on a rampage, like a 

 wounded whale. When the great sea dragon thrashes the ocean bottom in his 

 wrath, the ground trembles and rocks and houses tumble and destruction follows. 

 When he arches his back in his wrath, the ocean rolls, and the awful tidal wave 

 engulfs the land and cities and towns are swept away in interminable ruin. 



Japan feels the gentle quaver when he breathes; frequently, Mr. Griffis says, about 

 twice a month on an average. I have felt them twice in a day, and one hundred 

 have occurred in one moon. The last great upheaval occurred in 1856, when it is 

 claimed 50,000 people perished in Tokio alone. Serious shocks, however, have 

 occurred since and are frequent. 



The bill (S. 1772) was reported to the Senate without amendment and 



June 22, 1886 House. 



Referred to Committee on the Library. 

 February 8, 1887 House. 



Mr. O. R. SINGLETON, from the Committee on the Library, sub- 

 mitted report (H. 4000) on bill (S. 1772), with a recommendation that 

 it pass. 



The committee reported also a letter.from Prof. Spencer F. Baird, 

 .who then had charge of said collection in the National Museum: 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 

 Washington, D. C., January U, 1887. 



DEAR SIR: Mrs. Capron informs me that you wish for some expression of my 

 opinion respecting the importance and value of the Capron collection of Japanese 

 articles now on deposit in the Smithsonian Institution. 



In response thereto I beg to say that the collection embraces a very valuable series 

 of objects, illustrating the arts and industries of Japan, and of thte finest quality of 

 workmanship, many of them such as were held only by the Emperor. 



