REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 65 



Several large collections of pottery, exhibited at New Orleans, were 

 afterwards sent to the Museum. 



Mr. Edward Hargitt contributed bird skins. 



By exchange with E. Bowdler Sharpe, esq., of London, the Museum 

 has obtained three hundred and twelve specimens (one hundred and 

 forty-nine species) of birds, chiefly new to the collection, and for the 

 most part from Turkey, France, South Africa, Asia Minor, India, Eng- 

 land, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Pegu, British Burmah, Timor Laut, 

 Papua, Australia, Brazil, and Peru. 



Minerals, fishes, and materia medica specimens also added to the 

 Museum collections. 



FRANCE. 



Mr. Thomas Wilson, United States consul at Nice, France, forwarded 

 a collection of prehistoric stone implements. 



Collections of bird skins, fibers, and two mammals were received. 



Two manikins of Africans and one of an Arab Sheikh were prepared 

 for the Museum by M. Jules Hubert, under the supervision of the direc- 

 tor of the Trocadero Museum, Paris. 



GERMANY. 



From E. Rey a collection of bird skins was purchased. 



The following material, forming part of the German exhibit at New 

 Orleans, was received: a collection of baskets and other industrial 

 products, and two figures illustrating dress and occupation of peasants. 



HOLLAND. 



Four large pieces of Flemish tapestry * (Ace. 16707) have been de- 

 posited by Lieut. Gen. P. H. Sheridan, U. S. Army. These are four of 

 a series of six pieces illustrating scenes in the life of Alexander the 

 Great, made by Jan Leyniers (1627-1686) from designs by artists of the 

 school of Rubens, and presented by John W. Mackay to General P. 

 H. Sheridan. 



The legends are translated as follows : 



1. Alexander kills a lion with a severe wound. 



2. Alexander draws up the line of battle and exhorts his men to fight. 



3. To Alexander, on account of his victories in divers places, arms are surrendered 

 and he is adored as a god by his men. 



4. Alexander covered with dust and sweat, bathing himself in the river Cydnus, 

 is taken out thence like one breathing his last. 



Through the New Orleans Exposition was received a collection of 

 industrial products. 



IRELAND. 



Four specimens of basalt, box of magnesia, and a specimen of lace 

 were received. 



* Size 14 feet by 13 feet 3£ inches. 



H. Mis. 170, pt. 2 5 



