EEPOET OF THE SECEETAEY, IT 



Explorations and Collections in Natural History. — In this re- 

 port, as in other of the Smithsonian reports, a distinction is made between 

 the collections of the Institution and those of the National Museum under 

 its ch arge. The former consists of the large number of specimens (in some 

 instances including hundreds of duplicates of rare as well as of more com- 

 mon species) which have been collected under the auspices of the Institu- 

 tion or through its special agency. These are studied and classified by- 

 experts for the formation of monographs and the determination of species 

 and their geographical distribution ; or, as is the case in ethnological speci- 

 mens, are compared for the purpose of tracing anthropological peculiari- 

 ties; and, finally, made up into properly labeled sets for distribution to 

 museums in this country and abroad. The organization of explorations 

 and the collection of specimens would be important parts of the oper- 

 ations of the Institution were it entirely disconnected from the National 

 Museum. Natural history and ethnology are interesting branches of 

 knowledge, and justly merit a portion of the Smithson patronage; but 

 the National Museum has no just claim on the Institution other than for 

 a perfect series of all the duplicates collected; and it is too much to ask,, 

 in addition to this, that the Smithson fund should continue to provide 

 it with house-room, and, in a large degree, with attendance. The dis- 

 tinction we have made is an obvious one, though it may be difficult, in 

 some instances, to draw a line between the specimens in the museum and. 

 those of the Smithsonian collections. 



Explorations and collections in Natural History have been con- 

 tinued, as in previous years, by the Institution alone, or in connection: 

 with other establishments. In giving an account of what has been done 

 under this head, the geographical order adopted in other of the Smith* 

 sonian reports will be followed. 



Northwest Coast of America. — Mr. McFarlane and Mr. McDougal still 

 continue to collect specimens of the natural products of the Mackenzie 

 Eiver district. Mr. Ferdinand Bischoff has kept up his researches in 

 Alaska, first at Kodiak, then at Kenai. Major General George H.- 

 Thomas, of the United States Army, has rendered especial service in 

 collecting in the same region specimens of coal and of zoology. The> 

 remainder of the natural history collections of Mr. Ball, referred to 

 in the last report, has been received and found of much interest as an 

 illustration of the natural productions of our new possessions in the 

 Northwest. His collections in ethnology will be mentioned further on. 

 Captain C. M. Scammon has continued his explorations, and has pre- 

 sented interesting collections from Alaska and Puget Sound, in addition 

 to several communications relative to the natural history and habits of 

 the seals of the adjacent coast. Dr. Minor has also continued his valu- 

 able contributions from the same region. 



Western United States. — The geological survey of the fortieth parallel,, 

 under Mr. Clarence King, referred to in the last report, has been con- 

 tinued during this year, and the collections made in zoology, botany, 

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