42 EEPOET OF THE SECRETARY. 



Havana. This gentleman lias contributed more than two hundred spe- 

 cies, and others have been promised. 



The fish of Bermuda, collected by Mr. Goode, also tend to complete 

 the list of the Atlantic species. Dr. John Edward Gray has presented 

 a large number of species of fish, particularly from the Indian Ocean. 



Of the fishes from the interior of of the United States, collections 

 have been made of most of the prominent kinds by Mr. James W. Mil- 

 ner, of the United States Fish Commission, while Mr. George Spangler, 

 of Madison, Indiana, has furnished specimens of the paddle-fish, shovel- 

 headed sturgeon, and other conspicuous varieties. 



Of marine invertebrates, such as star-fishes, shells, Crustacea, worms, 

 &e., immense numbers were gathered by the fish commission on the 

 eastern coast, and extensive series have also been supplied by Mr. Dall 

 from the Aleutian Islands. 



Many plants have been received, including a small but very interesting 

 collection made by the Polaris party in high northern latitudes. In ac- 

 cordance with an arrangement entered into between the Smithsonian 

 Institution and the Agricultural Department some years ago, the plants 

 and iusects received- at the National Museum are turned over to the 

 last-mentioned establishment for proper care, as rapidly as is consistent 

 with the duty of securing reports upon those collections made by the 

 Government expeditions. 



In a similar manner human crania received are turned over to the 

 Army Medical Museum, the object in both cases being to avoid dividing 

 series, by combining all the specimens of the same general class in some 

 one of the various Government establishments in the city. 



The collections in paleontology, mineralogy, and geology, as already 

 mentioned, are of great magnitude, and alone have filled many hundred 

 boxes. These represent the most important results of the Government 

 exploring expeditions. 



It will be seen, from what has been already mentioned, that the col- 

 lections made during the year represent an enormous aggregate of 

 material, and one requiring the utmost exertions of the limited force 

 connected with the National Museum, for its proper treatment. Of course 

 a strict record must be kept of everything received ; and when the 

 packages are opened and the contents assorted, the work of registering 

 and recording begins. Sometimes this requires the identification of 

 the species; and even the mere manual labor of numbering and label- 

 ing every specimen, and marking the corresponding record in the registry- 

 book, is one of very great magnitude. 



After the respective collections have been properly investigated, and 

 in many cases elaborate reports written concerning them, the selection 

 of a reserve series for the Museum begins, which are then either placed 

 upon the shelves or packed away for future treatment. The duplicates, 

 which constitute a large percentage of the whole, are set aside for ex- 



