REPOKT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 67 



port on the subject made to Governor Stevens by Dr. Cooper and Dr. 

 Suck ley. 



Artesian Well Expedition, under Captain J. Pope, U. 8. A. — The 

 remainder of the collections of this party, consisting principally of 

 specimens in alcohol, have been received from Captain Pope. 



FROM EXPLORATIONS UNDER THE STATE DEPARTMENT. 



Survey of the Northwestern Boundary, Archibald Campbell, Commis- 

 sioner .—This commission nearly completed its work during the year, 

 and is now on its return home. Large collections in geology and 

 natural history have been made by Dr. Kennerly and Mr. George 

 Gibbs, in continuation and completion of those previously reported on. 



FROM EXPLORATIONS UNDER THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. 



Survey of the Northern Boundary of Texas, J. H. Clark, Commis- 

 sioner. — In addition to other specimens, a very complete collection of 

 nests and eggs of birds was made during the past spring along the 

 line of this survey by Mr. Charles S. McCarthy, including several 

 species previously unknown to science. 



FROM EXPLORATIONS UNDER THE NAVY DEPARTMENT. 



Exploration of the Parana and its tributaries t under Capt. T. J. Page, 

 United States Navy. — This expedition completed its important work 

 during the year 1860, and has returned to the United States. In 

 addition to its geographical and hydrographical labors, much attention 

 was paid to natural history ; and among the large collections brought 

 home are many new and rare species. The birds of the country visited 

 are especially interesting ; the series, prepared chiefly by Mr. Chris- 

 topher Wood, being perhaps the largest ever made in that region. 



FROM EXPLORATIONS MORE SPECIALLY CONNECTED WITH THE SMITHSONIAN 



INSTITUTION. 



Exploration of Cape St. Lucas, by Mr. John Xantus. — In the last 

 report reference was made to an exploration of Cape St. Lucas, the 

 southern extremity of the Peninsula of Lower California, by Mr. John 

 Xantus, tidal observer of the United States Coast Survey. This explor- 

 ation, so far as the natural history results are concerned, may be con- 

 sidered as completed; as, although many isolated species may yet 

 remain uncollected, the general peculiarities of its fauna and flora are 

 now well ascertained. Besides the addition of a larger number of new 

 animals to our fauna than has been made by one person in any single 

 region of North America before, Mr. Xantus has shown that the most 

 interesting relationship exists between the land species of the Cape and 

 those of the region of the Gila, Upper Rio Grande, and the southern 

 Rocky Mountains. On the other hand, very few of the characteristic 

 species of the coast of Upper California occur at the Cape ; while, as 

 far as observed, the same may be said of the strictly Mexican types. 



