APPENDIX TO SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



Appendix I. 

 THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Sik: The following statement constitutes a rc%um6 of the most important opera- 

 tions of the National Museum during the fiscal year which ended on June 30, 1896: 



Accessions. — The records show the receipt of 1,299 sejiarate accessions during the 

 year. These represent a total of more than 70,000 specimens of all kinds. 



The following accessions are of special interest: From Dr. William L. Abbott, to 

 whom moro than any other individual the Museum is indebted for contributions from 

 Africa and Asia, collections of natural-history specimens, ethnological objects, and 

 musical instruments, gathered in Kashmir, India, and Madagascar; from Mr. A. 

 Boucard, Isle of Wight, England, large and exceedingly valuable collections of 

 birds' shins from different parts of the world, containing many species and several 

 genera new to the Museum collection; from Dr. L. T. Chamberlain, New York City, 

 a valuable collection of southern gems and gem minerals, native silver from Arizona, 

 an especially fine specimen of green tourmaline from Mount Mica, Paris, Me., and 

 shells from NeAV Zealand and various localities in Texas; from John Brenton Copp, 

 New Haven, Conn., a very interesting addition to the collection of household goods, 

 wearing apparel, pottery, glass, pewter jewelry, and other specimens transmitted by 

 him in a previous year; from Dr. A. Fenye"s, Helouan, Egypt, a fine collection of 

 natural-history specimens, fossils, Greek and Eoman coins, and antiquities from 

 Egypt and the Transvaal; from Mr. R. D. Lacoe, Pittston, Pa., collections of Dakota 

 group fossils and Paleozoic animal fossils, also specimens from a Sigillarian stump. 

 These collections will form part of the famous "Lacoe Collection." Col. Charles 

 Coote Grant, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, has transmitted a large collection of 

 Clinton and Niagara group fossils from the vicinity of Hamilton. Dr. William L. 

 Ralph, Utica, N. Y., to whom the Museum is so deeply indebted, has presented some 

 very valuable and interesting collections of birds' skins. Among them is a skin of a 

 Philip Island parrot, now an extinct species. Lieut. Wirt Robinson, U. S. A., Hub- 

 l'.inl Park, Cambridge, Mass., transmitted collections of birds' eggs from Virginia, 

 birds' skins, including several new species, from Margarita Island and Venezuela, as 

 well as some natural-history specimens from the West Indies. Some very beautiful 

 Bpecimeus of the Tiffany Favrile glass, made under the personal supervision of Mr. 

 Charles L. Tiffany, have been deposited in the Museum by Messrs. Tiffany & Co. 

 Special mention may also be made of a number of pieces of beautifully decorated 

 china ware, pottery, etc., presented by Messrs. William and Edward Lycett, Atlanta, 

 Ca., including vases, cups, and saucers of Japanese eggshell porcelain. 



The scientific staff. — The vacancy created by the death of Prof. C. V. Riley, hon- 

 orary curator, on September 14, 1895, has been filled by the appointment of Mr. L. 

 < ». Howard, who also succeeded Professor Riley as Entomologist of the Department 

 of Agriculture. Custodians of special groups in the Department of Insects have 

 been appointed, as follows: Mr. D. W. Coquillett, custodian of the Dlptera; Mr. W. 

 i 1. Aslimead, custodian of the llynienoptera ; Mr. E. A. Schwarz, custodian of Coleop- 

 terous larva 1 , and Mr. O. P. Cook, of Huntington, Long Island, custodian of the 

 M\ riapoda. 



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