46 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



Several very rare and valuable specimens of meteoric iron and other 

 minerals are contained in the collection. In "the appendix is given an 

 alphabetical list of species at present represented in the museum. The 

 enumeration of the species is based upon the catalogue of minerals pub- 

 lished by the Smithsonian Institution in 1863. 



The lithological collection occupies thirteen cases, and comprises 

 about 2,300 specimens. Of the various species and variety of rocks 

 thus far known and described the greater part is represented. An ar- 

 rangement has been temporarily adopted by which the specimens are 

 arranged according to their collector, at the same time, however, retain- 

 ing a certain lithological classification. A large quantity of these speci- 

 mens has been brought in by the expeditions exploriug the Western Ter- 

 ritories, and thus a very valuable and unique collection has resulted. 



A full suite of Saemau's (Paris) rocks is contained in the collection, 

 besides a suite from Freiberg, Saxony, and other European specimens. 

 Eventually the collection is to be arranged according to locality, follow- 

 ing, within these bounds, some definite lithological system. A system 

 of labeling analogous to that adapted for the minerals will be intro- 

 duced. The size of the lithological specimens is that of similar ones in 

 a large number of European collections — 3 inches by 4 inches — giving 

 the collection a pleasing, uniform appearance, and facilitating the ar- ' 

 rangement. 



Three cases are occupied by the collection of ores, which comprises 

 about five hundred specimens. The object of this collection is to present 

 a characteristic specimen of ore from every worked lode in the West- 

 ern States and Territories. Every year comparatively large additions 

 are made. These ores are labeled, giving the name, the value as 

 ore, (if known,) the name of the mine, its locality, and the name of 

 the donor. If this collection be completed successfully it will prove to 

 be a very valuable addition to the mining statistics, and will justly 

 illustrate the mineral wealth of the United States. 



A collection of metallurgical products has been organized, proposing 

 to show the ores, fluxes, slags, raw and commercial products, illustrating 

 the various processes in operation in the United States and other coun- 

 tries. As yet this collection is small, but it may be hoped that as soon 

 as its existence and object becomes more generally known, the neces- 

 sary contributions of specimens will not be wanting. 



Besides these collections, representing typical specimens, the museum 

 contains a very complete and handsome series of the geyserites and 

 other similar deposits from the United States National Park. Series il- 

 lustrating various localities famous for their yield of minerals, such as 

 Wieliczka, in Polish Austria, G-irgenti, in Sicily, and others, have been 

 obtained. The mineral ogical and geological material collected and res- 

 cued by the North Polar Expedition, under the late Captain Hall, forms 

 one of these interesting suites. 



