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FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 535 



the same purpose, and with a complete collecting outfit. While wintering in the 

 Arctic Ocean, to the westward of Bering Straits, she accidentally took fire and was 

 totally destroyed, together with a fine collection of marine animals, which had been 

 made by the surgeon on board. 



Captain L. A. Beardslee, whose previous connection with the United States Fish 

 Commission had given him an interest in zoological matters, while in command of 

 the sloop of war "Jamestown," in Alaskan waters, from 1879 to 1881, made many in- 

 teresting observations regarding the marine fauna of that region, and sent valuable 

 collections to Washington. 



On the Palos Expedition to , Japan and China, under Commander Green, United 

 States Navy, during 1881 and 1882, for astronomical purposes, complete arrangements 

 were made for marine collecting, a very full equipment for that purpose being fur- 

 nished by the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. F. C. Dale, United States Navy, acted as 

 surgeon and naturalist, and was assisted by Mr. P. L. Jouy, of the United States 

 National Museum. Numerous, very large, and finely-preserved collections of hshes and 

 invertebrates were received from this party from time to time, and they include many 

 interesting species. Neither of the naturalists have yet returned to Washington, and 

 Mr. Jouy is still in Japan, continuing his work independent of the ship. 



State Department. — The Japan Expedition of 1853-'55, under Commodore M. C. Perry, 

 United States Navy, to form a treaty with Japan, was sent out in the combined in- 

 terests of the State and Navy Departments. Natural history collecting was inci- 

 dental, but much was accomplished in that line. 



Many valuable collections of marine invertebrates and fishes have been obtained 

 through consuls and special agents of the State Department, who have been favorably 

 located for such work. Among these may be mentioned Captain Nicholas Pike, con- 

 sul at the Mauritius Islands, and Colonel A. B. Steinberger, special agent at the 

 Samoan Islands, both of whom have sent to Washington very large and interest iug 

 collections. 



War Department, Signal Service Bureau. — An observing party, under Lieutenant 

 Greely, United States Army, went to Lady Franklin Bay, Greenland, in 1881, where 

 it is now stationed. No information has been received from this party since the return 

 of the steamer which took it out. Dr. Pavy is the naturalist, and is fully equipped 

 for natural history work. In preparation for this station, a preliminary expedition, 

 called the Howgate Expedition, with Mr. Ludwig Kumlien as naturalist, was sent 

 into the same region in 1877-'78. It visited the shores of Cumberland Gulf and the 

 western coast of Greenland, and obtained many interesting zoological results. Mr. 

 Lucien M. Turner, who was formerly stationed in Alaska, is now at Fort Chi mo, Un- 

 gava Bay, Northern Labrador, where he expects to devote much time to marine 

 zoology. 



Smithsonian Institution. — In 1853, Dr. E. K. Kane, who had been the surgeon of the 

 Grinnell expedition of 1850, went again into the Arctic regions in command of the 

 same brig, Advance, to renew the search for Sir William Franklin. Mr. Henry 

 Goodfellow was naturalist of the expedition, and obtained very large collections, 

 which, however, had to be abandoned. The expenses of this voyage were paid by 

 Mr. Henry Grinnell and Mr. George Peabody, and it was sent out under the joint 

 auspices of the Geographical Society of New York and the Smithsonian Institution. 

 Since 1858, Captain J. M. Dow, of the Pacific Mail Steamship Line, has made fre- 

 quent contributions of fishes and marine invertebrates to the National Museum from 

 the west coast of Central America and the Isthmus of Panama. From 1834 to 1803, 

 Dr. A. Schott, as naturalist of the scientific survey of Yucatan, in the interest of 

 the government of Yucatan, sent considerable material of value to Washington. 



From 1868 to 1870, Professor F. E. Sumichrast made a thorough natural history ex- 

 ploration of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, with his expenses partly paid by the Ken- 

 tucky University, the Boston Society of Natural History, aud the Philadelphia Acad- 

 emy of Natural Sciences. According to an official report of the Smithsonian Instit\- 



