APPENDIX B. 
PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE NATURAL HISTORY. 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 
Washington, October 1, 1854. 
Sig: I have duly received the zoological collections made during your exploration of the 
country between El Paso and Fort Smith; and, in obedience to your request, herewith present 
a brief memorandum of their character and extent. The materials thus gathered prove to be 
of very high interest; as, besides a number of very rare or hitherto undescribed species, there 
are many the geographical distribution of which can be determined with a degree of precision 
hitherto unattainable. The most important of your contributions to natural science is to be 
found in the department of ornithology, which, as will be seen, numbers one hundred and 
twenty (120) species, including the collections made by Dr. Henry, United States army. The 
mammals are in considerable variety, as are the reptiles and fishes likewise. The precise num- 
ber of the last-mentioned objects cannot now be given with exactness, as they are still in the 
fourteen large jars in which they were received; from which they will, however, be transferred 
and assorted as soon as suitable bottles can be procured. They are, of— 
Specimens. | Species. 
Mammals > 26 13 
Birds PE 283 120 
Reptiles (about) 33 20 
Fishes (abo Lp APA VM 30 17 
nsects and other invertebrata, say 200 60 
Total 572 230 
Of these, probably thirty species are entirely new. I hope at the earliest possible moment to 
present you with a full report on these various specimens, with the necessary descriptions and 
illustrations. Until then, believe me, 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
SPENCER F. BAIRD. 
Captain Joun Porn, 
United States Army. 
