26 NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OP 



&c, besides many single specimens, have been received during the 

 last 3'ear. All these had to be assorted, labelled, and recorded in 

 books, and in most instances duplicate lists sent to the donors. In the 

 case of smaller animals, large numbers of extra specimens are gener- 

 ally collected, to serve for anatomical investigation, or for distribution 

 and exchange. 



(2.) Achromatic Microscope. — In the first report of the Secretary 

 it was mentioned that an individual, in the interior of the State 

 of New York, had successfully devoted himself to the study and 

 construction of the microscope, and was able to produce specimens of 

 this instrument which would compete with the best of those constructed 

 in Europe; and that, to do justice to the talents and labor of this person, 

 Mr. Spencer had been requested to construct a microscope of the first 

 quality, to be paid for by the Institution, if a commission appointed to 

 examine it should find it capable of producing certain effects. The artist 

 made a number of instruments which fully satisfied the conditions re- 

 quired by the agreement, but which still fell short of the ideal standard 

 of perfection which existed in his own mind. 



He has, however, at length completed a microscope, the perform- 

 ance of which far exceeds that which was anticipated when the propo- 

 sition was made; and the Institution has thus not only secured a valua- 

 ble instrument of research, but has assisted in developing the talents 

 and making more generally known the skill of a native artist of sur- 

 passing merit. I may mention that Mr. Spencer has associated with 

 himself Professor Eaton, of Troy, New York; and they are now able 

 to supply the increasing demand in this country for this invaluable 

 means of research which, within the last few years, has opened a new 

 world to the physiologist and botanist, as well as to the investigator of 

 inorganic matter. 



(3.) Gallery of Art. — The Stanley collection of Indian portraits still 

 remains deposited in the west wing of the building. They were re- 

 moved, however, for a short time for exhibition at the Maryland Insti- 

 tute, Baltimore, and the State" Agricultural Fair at Richmond, Vir- 

 ginia. They have constantly excited much interest, and it will be a 

 subject of great regret if means cannot be procured to preserve entire 

 a series of portraits which has been produced at so much labor and 

 cost, and which is so faithful a representation of the peculiar physiog- 

 nomy and costume of the different tribes of Indians now found within 

 the boundaries of the territories of the United States. Mr. Stanley was 

 engaged as the artist of the Pacific railroad survey under Governor 

 Stevens, and has thus had an opportunity of adding much to his mate- 

 rial for enlarging the collection. Since it was first deposited in the 

 Institution he has also added to it portraits of several individuals be- 

 longing to the Indian delegations which, within the last two years, 

 have visited Washington. 



(4.) Professor Wilson, of the British Commission, appointed to attend 

 the Exhibition at the New York Crystal Palace, presented to the Institu- 

 tion, in behalf of the London Society of Arts, a collection of models, 

 drawings and instruments, to facilitate instruction in the art of design. 

 In order to render these immediately useful, they were lent to the School 

 of Design, which has been established in this city by the Metropolitan 



