THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 49 



Invertebrates. — The principal addition to the series of invertebrata, 

 not yet mentioned, consists of two large cabinets, containing the valu- 

 able and extensive collection of shells belonging to General Totten, 

 and deposited by him. Such a collection lias been much needed in 

 the Institution for purposes of comparison. 



Plants. — A series of the plants of the Berlandier collection, selected 

 by Dr. Gray, was presented by Dr. Short, of Louisville. By special 

 request of Lieutenant Couch, Mr. Ervendberg forwarded a collection 

 from Comal county, Texas, and Dr. Glisan one from Fort Arbuckle. 

 Seeds of a valuable Texan grass were received from Major Carleton. 



Fossils and Minerals. — The very valuable collection of minerals and 

 fossils collected in the Lake Superior mining region by Messrs. Foster 

 and Whitney, and illustrating their government report, has been re- 

 ceived during the year, and with the other government geological 

 collections, previously secured, furnish ricli material for representing 

 the geological features of the country. The Oregon collections of Dr. 

 Evans have been already mentioned. 



A collection of Niagara fossils and minerals was received from 

 Thomas Barnett, esq. 



Miscellaneous. — A fine specimen of the Australian Boomerang, and 

 other articles, were received from Mr. Carrington Raymond, of New 

 York. From Mr. N. Triibner were obtained two sets of microscopic 

 slides: one containing illustrations of organic tissues and organs; the 

 other constituting a complete system of entomology, in numerous 

 mounted preparations, showing the family characteristics of the prin- 

 cipal orders of insects. 



Living Animals. — Among the additions to the museum during the 

 past year have been quite a number of living animals, some of them 

 species of great rarity, or else but seldom seen out of their native lo- 

 calities. 



These have answered an excellent purpose in serving as models for 

 drawings by the various artists engaged in figuring the collections of 

 the different surveying and exploring expeditions. 



Although the institution is, of itself, unable to provide suitable ac- 

 commodations for the larger mammals and birds, it is fortunate in 

 the zealous co-operation of Dr. Nichols, the superintendent of the 

 United States Insane Asylum, who cheerfully receives any specimens 

 sent him, and gives them every attention which they may require. 

 As a source of harmless amusement and mental diversion to the pa- 

 tients of an insane asylum, a collection of living animals has no equal, 

 and it is much to be desired that the number at the Washington asylum 

 may be materially increased. 



The most conspicuous addition to the menagerie of the institution is 

 a huge grizzly bear, (Ursus ferox,) received in July. It was caught; 

 in 1853, while quite young, by Dr. John Evans, United States geol- 

 ogist, during his overland journey to Oregon, and sent to Mr. Hen- 

 dricks, in Indiana, by whom, after two years' time, it was forwarded 

 4 



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