1846 .] 
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 
533 
LETTER FROM THE HON. J. Y. MASON, SECRETARY OF THE 
NAVY, 
Communicating the report of Mr. Reinhardt, the naturalist who 
sailed in the United States ship Constitution , and presenting 
eleven boxes of objects of natural history, fyc., fyc., collected during 
the cruise, for the National Institute. 
Navy Department, October 14, 1846. 
Sir: During the recent cruise of the United States frigate Constitution, Captain 
Percival, along the east coast of Africa, and in the Indian and China seas, she was 
accompanied by Dr. J. C. Reinhardt, who gave much time and attention in making 
observations and collecting specimens in natural history for the benefit of the 
National Institute. I have now the pleasure to enclose to you his report. 
In communicating this report to the department, Captain Percival testifies in the 
strongest language to the devoted interest which was manifested by its author 
throughout the voyage in his favorite pursuit, and earnestly recommends him as a 
most suitable person to procure any seeds and specimens of natural history which 
may be desired from Brazil. 
Dr. Reinhardt joined the Constitution at Rio Janeiro, where he was compelled 
by circumstances of a private nature to leave her on her return, and he will there¬ 
fore have no opportunity at present, to confer personally with any officer of the 
Institute in reference to the collections which lie was enabled to make during his 
cruise. 
These collections are contained in eleven boxes, which are now in Boston. 
They will be transported at an early day to this city, and placed in charge of the 
National Institute. 
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
J. Y. MASON. 
Francis Markoe, Jr., Esq,, 
Corresponding Secretary of the National Institute for the Promotion of Science 
and the Useful Arts, Washington. 
REPORT OF J. C. REINHARDT, NATURALIST. 
U. S. Frigate Constitution, August 5, 1846. 
Sir : I have hereby the honor to forward the accompanying report of the obser¬ 
vations and collections in Natural History, made up to the present date, as also to 
present some ideas which have suggested themselves to me, relative to the capa¬ 
bilities of different ports to supply the wants of vessels of our country trading in 
the eastern seas. You will also meet with some suggestions which I would re¬ 
spectfully submit to your consideration, relative to the introduction of some plants 
with which we have met, into the United States, where the climate would be 
favorable to their growth and propagation, and from the cultivation of which, ad¬ 
vantage might accrue to our country. Also in relation to some ports, more par¬ 
ticularly St. Augustin Bay, where many of our vessels, particularly whalers, are 
wont to touch for fresh water and refreshments, I have advised the introduction 
of some fruit trees which they have not at present, and the advantages which 
would accrue could not fail to be great, and would be felt principally by our coun¬ 
trymen who after long cruises off the cape and in the channel, resort there, where 
the supplies which can be procured are very cheap, and where they are free from 
port charges while refitting and invigorating their crews. 
Many of the countries, the ports of which we visited, (being the first time for an 
American man-of-war,) are inhabited by savage tribes who are frequently at war 
with each other, and you therefore thought proper not to permit me to go far from 
the shore, as it would endanger life, or might detain the vessel. Indeed the little 
time which can be spent in port by a vessel of war, when many distant places are 
