REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 51 



bition to Philadelphia. Opinions of experts are at present divided as to 

 whether this is actually of meteoric origin, or a representative of almost 

 the single instance of metallic iron in considerable masses, as a native 

 metal. Whatever be the actual fact, it makes no difference in the in- 

 terest of the specimen ; and its acquisition, even for a short time, by the 

 National Museum, is a subject of congratulation. 



/Scientific investigation of collections. — As in previous years the collec- 

 tions of the National Museum, in charge of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 have been freely open to the examination of competent investigators. 

 It is preferred, of course, that this work be prosecuted in Washington; 

 but where it is impossible to do this there is no hesitation in sending arti- 

 cles or collections, under suitable conditions, to any part of the world. 



Most of this work of investigation is done by the resident naturalists 

 connected with the Smithsonian Institution, directly or indirectly — the 

 mammals by Professor Gill and Dr. Coues ; the birds by Mr. Eobert 

 Eidgway ; the reptiles by Dr. H. C. Yarrow and Dr. Bean ; the fishes by 

 Professor Gill, Mr. Goode, and Dr. Bean ; the mollusks and marine inver- 

 tebrates by Mr. William H. Dall ; the insects by Professor Eiley ; the 

 fossils by Prof. Charles A. White; the minerals by Dr. F. M. Endlich ; the 

 plants by Dr. Geo. Vasey. 



Outside of Washington the principal collaborators have been, for the 

 mammals, Mr. E. D. Alston, London, and Mr. J. A. Allen, of the Museum 

 of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.; for the birds, Mr. George N. 

 Lawrence, of New York, Dr. P. L. Sclater, of London, and Mr. Osbert Sal- 

 vin, of Cambridge, England ; for reptiles and vertebrate fossils, Prof. 

 E. D. Cope, of Philadelphia. These gentlemen have all rendered more 

 or less service in this connection by investigating the specimens, identify- 

 ing those that were previously known, and describing the new species. 



Distribution of collections. — The extent of the distribution of specimens 

 during 1878 will be seen by reference to the table at the end of this re- 

 port. It has been quite large, and has furnished much educational 

 and scientific material. It is expected, however, that a very much larger 

 amount will be supplied during the year 1879. There is a great number 

 of duplicates of minerals, rocks, fossils, &c, which cannot be reached 

 until the liberality of Congress shall appropriate the necessary means to 

 erect the new building for the National Museum. Such building is 

 required even for the unpacking of the specimens and the separation of 

 the series to be reserved for permanent display. This will leave a large 

 quantity of surplus material, of considerable variety, which will enable 

 the Institution to supply to a good degree the wants and applications 

 of many colleges, academies, and scientific societies throughout the 

 country. 



GALLERY OF ART. 



The principle of co-operation and not of competition which has for so 

 many years been the basis of action of the Smithsonian Institution, finds 



