REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 45 



the West Indies, showing better than any found elsewhere the geo- 

 graphical distribution peculiar to each island, and the precise distribu- 

 tion of those common to two or more islands. 



To this end especially have contributed the labors of Dr. Henry 

 Bryant, in the Bahamas, and of Mr. William T. March, in Jamaica; of 

 Dr. John Gundlach, Mr. Charles Wright, and N. H. Bishop, in Cuba ; of 

 Mr. Alfred Newton, in Santa Cruz ; of Mr. George Latimer, and Mr. 

 Thomas Swift, in St. Thomas and Porto Bico; of Dr. Bryant, in Porto 

 Bico, and of Mr. Galody, in Antigua. 



Not only were many species previously described contained in Mr. 

 Obex's collection, but he furnished types of nearly twenty new species. 



A series of memoirs, by Mr. George N. Lawrence, pubbshed in the 

 "Proceedings of the National Museum," includes lists of the collections 

 and embraces descriptions of the new species. 



From foreign regions an interesting collection, for the most part of 

 water-birds, was sent irom the Bosphorus by the Bobert College of Con- 

 stantinople, and one from the coast of Syria by Mr. William T. Van Dyck. 



Reptiles. — Beference has been made in previous reports to a very 

 extensive collection of casts of American fishes which were prepared 

 originally for exhibition at the Centennial, and continued since then by 

 the addition of new species, coming to the Institution in proper condition 

 for reproduction. 



It was determined to include the North American reptiles in the series 

 of life reproductions of such objects as are not easily exhibited as stuffed 

 specimens. In order, therefore, to secure living objects from all parts 

 of the country, a circular was distributed, inviting contributions of ser- 

 pents, frogs, lizards, and salamanders, in all their variety; and, as in 

 previous appeals from the Institution for assistance, the response was 

 generous and extensive. A large number of specimens, both of rare and 

 common species, was received, and kept the entire force of Smithsonian 

 artists occupied during the year. 



Resulting therefrom, the National Museum now has an extremely 

 interesting and attractive collection of these animals in their natural 

 attitudes, either as plaster or papier mache models, and very carefully 

 colored from sketches made while the animals were alive. In some cases 

 it was found possible to make the casts from the living specimens, and 

 in several different attitudes, from the same individual. As heretofore, 

 the casting and molding have been under the direction of Mr. Joseph 

 Palmer, assisted by Mr. A. J. Forney and Mr. William Palmer. The 

 coloring of the reptiles has been performed by Mr. A . Z. Shindler ; that 

 of the fishes by Mr. J. H. Richard. 



Besides the living reptiles referred to, quite a variety of species has 

 been obtained from other sources, among others from Mr. Obex in his 

 West Indian explorations. Dr. Ruth, U. S. N., the surgeon of the steamer 

 Enterprise, in which Captain Selfridge made his exploration of the Am- 



