56 REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 



west coast of Africa, presented by Sir William Jardine. This almost 

 completes the rich series of ichthyoid reptiles in the Smithsonian 

 collection, the only deficiency being that of the gigantic salamander - 

 of Japan, (Siiboldia.) 



Fishes. — The number of fishes received has not been very great, 

 compared with previous years, as but few portions of the United States 

 lack representatives in the Smithsonian museum at the present time. 



Insects. — But few insects have been added during the year, with 

 the exception of those already referred to under the head of govern- - 

 ment expeditions. 



Other Invertebrates . — A large collection of 100 species of Achati- 

 nella, from the Sandwich Islands, was presented by Dr. Newcomb, 

 and of shells and Crustacea of Florida and Michigan, by 0. M. Dor- 

 man, Esq. 



Plants. — The principal plants received have been from Texas, col- 

 lected by Drs. Swift and Vollum, of the United States army. 



Fossils and Minerals. — The principal private collections under this 

 head, besides those contributed by Dr. Hayden, were received from I. 

 Lippman, of Saxony, the K. L. C. Akademie of Breslau, and the 

 Naturforschende Gesellschaft, of Emden. 



Living animals. — These consisted chiefly of a Prairie Dog (Cyno- 

 mys ludovicianus,) Sage Eabbit (Lepus artemisia,) and Prairie Fox 

 (Vulpes macrourus,) collected by Lieutenant Warren and party. 

 Some living animals were brought home by Captain Page, as a Ja- 

 guar, and Nutria (Myopotamus coypus.) The latter has since died. 

 Mr. David Miller presented a Pennsylvania Fox Squirrel (Sciurus 

 cinereus.) Many specimens of Arvicola and Hesperomys (mice) were 

 transmitted by Kobert Kennicott. 



Several hundred living turtles were received and transmitted to 

 Professsor Agassiz for examination. 



The living animals received from time to time have been found of 

 great use, as studies for the artists engaged in making drawings for 

 the various government reports. Several of the specimens, as the 

 SpermophileSj Prairie Dog, Prairie Fox, Antelope, &c, had never 

 been figured previously, except from distorted, dried skins. 



In the following tables will be found references to the regions from 

 which collections have been received, and to the nature of the speci- 

 mens ; and at the end a full list of all the donations, arranged 

 alphabetically by donors. In some cases it has been impossible to* 

 ascertain the source of collections, owing to the omission by the donor 

 of his name and address. 



