i it ir ] i { i fi i Wait Aan a

He a an Haier

ey Sis aes ae cy

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

BOARD OF REGENTS

OF THE

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION,

SHOWING

THE OPERATIONS, EXPENDITURES, AND CONDITION OF THE INSTITUTION

Ee oY WA BR t8Sss. WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1885.

~ revues ica:

FORTY-FIGHTH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION.

The following resolution was agreed to by the Senate June 10, 1884, and concurred in by the House of Representatives June 24, 1884:

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring therein), That the annual report of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1883 be printed; and that there be printed sixteen thousand and sixty extra copies, of which three thousand shall be for the use of the Senate, six thousand and sixty for the use of the House of Representa- tives, and seven thousand copies for the use of the Smithsonian Institution,

i

LETTER

FROM THE

SECRETARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

ACCOMPANYING

The annual report of the Board of Regents of that Institution for the year 1883.

JUNE 24, 1884.—Ordered to be printed.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, Washington, D. C., January 21, 1884. Sim: In accordance with section 5593 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, I have the honor in behalf of the Board of Regents to submit to Congress the annual report of the operations, expenditures, and condition of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1883. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SPENCER F. BAIRD, Secretary Smithsonian Institution.

Hon. GEORGE F’. EDMUNDS, President of the United States Senate. Hon. JOHN G. CARLISLE, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FOR THE YEAR 1883.

SUBJECTS.

1. Proceedings of the Board of Regents for the session of January, 1884.

2. Report of the Executive Committee, exhibiting the financial affairs of the Institution, including a statement of the Smithson fund, the re- ceipts and expenditures for the year 1883, and the estimates for 1884.

Report of the same committee on the inauguration of the Henry Statue.

3. Annual report of the Secretary, giving an account of the operations and condition of the Institution for the year 1883, with the statistics of collections, exchanges, &c.

4, General appendix, comprising a record of recent progress in the principal departments of science, and special memoirs, original and selected, of interest to collaborators and correspondents of the Institu- tion, teachers, and others engaged in the promotion of knowledge.

RV

ee ee

CONTENTS.

Page. Resolution of Congress to print extra copies of the Report....-..----..----- ik Letter from the Secretary, submitting the Aunual Report of the Regents to RE REERM Dan Se oat ota Acta a Puts ae nos sie Jane = nein atins suse mereneneuees tik General subjects of the AnnualReport - 5... ..-225- 0-6 <ssse0 -semenleaceeetees iv PC OHLOMUS OU beOpOL Ute sera sccm cise aise cinicisre Seicicieic's sata w'aio winnie ear eeneteomete ¥ HAIN OMPINBGERbLOU secre ones tenancies cco ia se aaisin J So%, cn ae eereee See Vilz Hesents/of the Smithsonian Institution .-..-..----. .--------22<.----ssencce 2.5 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS .-.--...-----.--.-- xt REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE for the year 1883...............-- xiiz Condition of the funds January 1, 1884 ...... .... 02-22. 22-2. cones cee xiii BECP EIMUSOL THOT YVG REI ota 2 locteys onininwimaciacie smn eiai~ Se mwa ciensalcls afepaicicd a aiec xiik LP MPPUOTNTES OM DNONY Gale oa. see olen sinne a anioaiesos he ee lasers ose se xiv HRM ALON HOD NOSV OREN COL ces eas socio e Salemaajstie c asia mmcinecianise aac coe xiv National Museum appropriations by Congress .............------------- xi¥F PMP TeMTEMGHNTOn DLN OO MY soo. nanan nono se seciwee she enee a mtniiveeon oe sin xv Pe rOpraiiGns) On Ex CUATN GOR 252%. oa 2n in wniacinsidamcin Semos sein ntelieeses ua xv REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON THE HENRY STATUE......--- XViz Ceremonies at the unveiling of the statue ...... .... 2... 2.22 eee en eee- bah 3 MIP St OMOXOLCISOA eer ete te see So cniats So cee ane ics sae cmacocneiscmciceese= xx IETAV CUD yynevs Diy iH Od@eratses tices |<scsas secs nincem maisicceesoaiceee xxii CLOTessiOL CMibi: JUSULCONW AIUO soo = ccicinncis co moodiaaisaweenoseeencinjases «= xxiii SIaAnOD DYE TesIGenb NOAM EOCiOl=s «alanis se) saj = js daeee aiehh/ aces seem = xxv Members ex officio of the Establishment....-. 2.2... .--0-. sc 22. sen nns soccee XXXViiz Regents and officers of the Institution -.-.....-. 0.222. wees cece nce cccee-- XXXViii REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. oe SMITHSONIAN INGTITUTION -..- 220202 2050 coca cocees acs socs een monn noes i ROR UBT Yee ree an be noni 3) owicje wailnw c/s weowich’aecwwainroces saeeectsccess 3 PEPE OMC SNS RGIRO ren. - crcinn wats ah niece ne'sonvicess cued Seen gue e asam& I Scientific writings of Professor Henry .......... 2.2222 eee eee nee oes z Meetings of the Board of Regents...... ....+...---------------- Sadeadice 3 PiNANCORY seer seer ee ee eceeaie celta a biciieneclele SS aledccesccac aclu ewes evee & Condition of the fand January, 1883 .... ...-- 2.2. cece ce enee cone cone 4 J 1 Ec SA Se na ee Heer gt) SMe ba pee Pewee vets eueces 4 Smithsonian building ~.....-2-.02- 022 .2cces ceocense ces cose ccossce 4 Progress in re-modelling and fire-proofing the east wing ..-.-..-..------ 4 National Museum building. .... .... 2-220 .20 nce cece coe ceccee coe ° 5 PURIGET DUORN Res. costed wncan oUt os aa oncbcnccseaabewedacects ao 6 Natural History workshop. ...... ...--+ s-2-0+ eeenes coc eee cenees ene ° 7 Necessity for an additional Museum building..-.-..-.--..----------- 7 Meetings of Scientific Bodies. .... .....--. 220-0. secces enn eee cece cece > Ronineworkiol the vat tMblON see anos sceces ce ecine ec ens oemalcsee cemman 1k

VI CONTENTS.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.—THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION—Continued. a AGMINISHALION sacisaie cos oe «cia cieeiate sie eclel ne aan nin\sioe meine setae ates eine all Correspondence! ea -ces cn sseeniosesrelsetees (santas cusicwe ene camcnce 11

Explorations. .---- BeGoWG Bund EOaE BIOS OA OOS CaOeSos SoA begesIcb Hnod SOeSD¢ 11 abradorand Newioundland 2202 coscmosmecneccesres cece cco ese 12 Sy a ASR eae neice a obacintos 232005 bos Ie oBoOuSOoOnmaCans 14 ATOULC COBBU es: (ose seta eeale eet Ge Ee a ee econo teaiceasae coca 14 PATS SAN oa ieee eke cies Sie alelneeioec awele ielaloretele esas alee tatermietetere ete a arete ee 15 British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon Ba oP ae eee 19 COED ios0) oR Sec paosa oe SSab er QSeG5o Se cHotoa cade Scenb aeise 20 Lower California, Arizona, and New Mexico.........-......-...---- 20 The Atlantic sea-board..............- (eG pasos. sememnipe cans =ncmewes 22 NSCS STi oe ES Be Bee Bein Gee a Go SSco Apcoon mAboneCoScEoS Easiooc 24 Wien Gann. See ie tetas ela pie cole ae ee ee eee 24 Central Ameritaperens te sricce cee siecle ss sintcneele as claw ancien eerie 25 SouthvAmenicareeterrcwecc sees tec ncloscicsectseimer closer ete eeeeee 26 Japan, China ands oresen.creeacccsimaec <eescict: o cee aatesieenie ase 26 Othericouwtriesee asc. ke tees cine cle eeloace ee cbaese cee acetates 26

Publicationsteeseesess sae ee cs ae sole ee ieere aeleiclewiscel ee wis sai eiiete sake tester 27

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge...............-....-0-- 27 Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections....-....-.-.....-.---.--e- 27 Twenty-fourth volume 7 -320.-./.\- se Ses eee eee ciele enee eee 28 wenty-fith: volume%> 3.2) 22S es cen See eee oases 28 Twenty-sixth volumes... aoe oe eee eee ee 28 Twenty-seventh volume. ue. 32. cl ocice eee snciee « eeeaet see 28 Separate: publications)... 5). sae wise ee wr oastemaereneereeens 20 General catalogue of scientific periodicals.............-.----- 30 Physical and meteorological tables ........-.-.-.------.----- 31 Bulletins of the National Museum.......--...---.------.---.. 31 Proceedings of the National Museum.-..-......---.------..... 32 Smivbsonian Annual Report).-- co. ses cs ees «se acm eealenmaieeee 33 Contents of Reportifor 1882-2202: vsslse. so ee eee eens 33

Astronomical announcements by telegraph..-.......-. .-----.---.------- 33 Transfer of the same to Harvard College Observatory.....--..--.-- 34

Dite P Re SI he ead Neca Bue beese peedind Ses bdroost detides koeceote dese 35 International exchanvess.- S22 fcc. heiste = ce aches seme eee eaieeee emacs 35 Government exchanves i sac--cis= secu ccce scenes aeaeiaeweeelcciese cies 38

UAE Epo emeadecsre Cod SSon sa Sa adas ods Sse mecsace feeccinae scone 38 Additions forthetyedtasaqea as sateen apse (al aie inten a etcetera eters 39

Relations of the Institution to other bodies ...--.-...........-.--.----- 39 TheywNav ye Weparimenitvesn metre cme set ene tee er tee eet eae eee eat 39 The War Deparhmentias sess settee se seus peel ic eae sate caret ee 41

The United States Signal Service-.-..... Pperison Coo SHedboschaone 41 The Treasury Depaxrtnient--.--.-ssssseese essen ee ceeicee eds Se. eee: 42

Phe Wicht-House (Board eye tesa rset cerns esses aah ee wanna 42 The Interior Department. 2. 225. Saees Seseee eo eace aks soe kecaacee 42 Relations to foreien Governments). sceecsseses acer encase: ee emenes 42 Transportation! facilities) 22225 ccass > cece Scone sees seis setae clct= 43 International and State Exhibitions: 2. .sc fecees aes see. -- he noms 43 Electric-lizht accommodation ...!:2 see sewer daewe eens sceeeen 44 HOLeStryuIugUWITIeS 2 -.os 2 aoe ce ce ace cite eaeiemenee Sesh Jatiesy 44

INGOMMNO Rye Seika eee poe cece sce paces e CREE eae aaene ioe enaiseds 45 Baward 1H. Knight: oo 02654 did .2 pace aieense ete tne iets erates 45

Paul Schumacher ..-...... ess ORS ocrinoe 45

CONTENTS.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.—THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION—Continued.

Necrology—Continued. Hemmanie Die htusO Me me- jase cate seis nanaieciauecick viccets wleaeas steeoeute Bonn aw KONGoS he Merl) en vaca cocalncecosicnee snwacsewcutoase SEER GRIN OE ea on aa'ne someon dle ee een ar Weeae) vaclewensasacoeas appara AGalon MM. De psstil. cs scecdiceselenivtublocvoct soveudeucres Tenn wrence oe; CONnLes: Ms, LD) Ssuccs. ccunecsceeclsiescca lneesicmcces

Breas eer aie late eita) Galan icleielneta ee mele minieefas sini aeielae aienisiclonaaieeus PRB Mercen BeQuOst s<2 52 «<2 scicineoes secs cena eianeslaconueltccase Navan RAGHM Of EY OIONG. = 2~)scceicnmnineeicceie eclccweees secon a Ssin POLUGAE OL WAL WAN a cio sn) csin coclecin aig cues aeons rowelesee eer acotnaese PME Sten. Mrinal 5 vos sk lio inka i, Jako es Memorial objects in the new Pension building... .............--.---- Impiroemens) tor Cave ReseIChh ccs oe <) << se cncisisma een cauccsrses - Obsequiesiof John) Howard, Paynes. 2/22 2555 25 ce oceoc oeaclesem odes

PATTON AESMUSMURE Cocca cnec cece siesictacciecae secccses cccesceswciscetcaucpe

PTAA D DHNOEO GY. a= ceciccce ic cicic sot er ecenaenlccecanwesle ecnicosaceces RRR DRODARES: GHOLOGICAT: SURVEY cic cccc covccdcaucvesiscceeccacecccves URALE STATES MISH: COMMISSION 6. cous sbcecdlesececeeeuiseee Lose cbee sce =

EMRE OTOS MS see cee eae oan vets sce somniacie nite tot wciccmelGnacecsidese Sriine Oretne _VALDALTONS, 22 ose ociicasecteseei-oSelseac sacciceaeiseicces PCED Po ea os 5 oa males pesuimede oe owaeldcueead muekeomnse Bulletin of the Fish Commission....-..--.......-...---- «- Ficebaonos The London International Fisheries Exhibition, 1883............-..

Hisheries branch.of the census: of 1880). 5). s)sac sect oSaseciesciowenrcccens

APPENDIX TO THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY .«... --6- cess -ccoes cence ccce

Correspondence on Astronomical Announcements .........--- ---+. -2----

Reaper on.exchanges for 18855220. 2 02s. . s-5 estes ecicceces stot oo see Receipts of packages for distribution .--....----. -----2 escens cece

ONOUNNE ae ao eee te ae ee rennet. Soe ale a ailani ea eiae ane aewnieetatas MIOMESING) 2 ante joe seal eae is bine sae seaueniaseeemeeloess

ONO MBs eraes Soe see de ses apse see ee a ieeen nt Salon ctetaws Domestic ..-... SBC oc CAR BRO RCCL CCU REAC ERC COCO ECC Ene TEE ror Governments 2225 secs LOL se tcsae tins euwslendv cin cadets cgsecnse Correspondence relating to Government exchange........---..--.-- International Conference on Exchanges, at Brussels..-.-.......---- List of official publications from Public Printer, 1883 .......-...... aad apes on National Museum by Assistant Director and Curators .-.....-. SeSSL HG IPeCLON A TepOMii. see clas a4 cas ten"s ees one cncsmacce|-wee cone Materia MeHICn COUGG ION Ges cnet an acsle ns scic'sie sale/saseoclmcaeacivawe Foods and textile industries collection .......-.--.-----.----------- ATCHS OOPIGALCOMCCHION: ccaecs sas ccs cacesslse cco ssuslacecurissessa<e Mamnimnigiian CONeGuON es. a s\oen onc aeelant aacians aes au sasomsl cacmlonat- ARMM oe ote oe ec oc Lois dcnmceWasssakinamncesucnudaaes Re pisHMICOMGCHOME eet esate ao asricaa aaa sc sceecais nesicesonulacmele RABROUMECIOIe n= merle teas scan coscaclc lina acs=c/ocs\seacioaes sentee cana Insect collection ..... See Pee ca tn ante tae ibaa ide emlal ameio mania MESON, Sees nen wuelnce saad souewae'senenceecun causianae

een are eat yoo 8 occ ce ea Lenk sddwas pores vawoce\wodejnanc= Geological and lithological collection .......--...---- ----08 eeee were

VII

VIII CONTENTS.

APPENDIX TO THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY—Continued. aie Report on National Museum—Continued. | Mineral collestion :- < [2.5 fccse2s 5 2ccondscee nena etee eects J eewee me 266 Metallurgy and economic geology collection.......-.--..-.00- sseeee 268 Library of ‘the National Musenm, :- 22... 02-cascesneeees sewecenneect 271 _ Appendix A, officers of the Nationa] Museum ..............-.-.---- 275 B, bibliography of National Museum, 1883 ........... aosa 276

C, list of contributors to National Museum, 1883.......... 322

® GENERAL APPENDIX.

Page. I.—RECORD OF SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS, 1883 ...--.. 2.22. eee ee ee eee ee eee 363 Introduction, by spencer=. Baird) 222252 c-= ececeeeeeecieneeee eee 363 Astronomy, by Edward 8. Holden... 25.2 ..2.5 ..c20ceumeandesm ewan cee 365 Geolapy voy i> verry HOnt <2... cc ucn oe man peeinieeeeeieerieinae as 443 Geography, by P.M. Greens. 62 co5c2. 205 ccscce seeeaee en seeecenianeee 465 Meteorology, by Cleveland Abbe ..............-sceeee Sco canoes Hasced 483 iPhysics,. by George Es Barker! .sss.0:ssssesiccs aoe toceseecicneeeneeene 571 Chemistry, by H. Carrington Bolton . 52. 52 ccs desesecaciccee pamene oe 629 - Mineralogy, by Edward S. Dana......-.......-. ..--- csimmeoces scene 661 Botany; by WG. Parlowses-.sc. cise sess cease eee eee eee eee ee 681 Zoology, hy, Theodore Gul-u.. 02. 6125. ceee eee aeemaete eee es 699 Anthropology, by Otis‘T. Mason i. 1.2. \-sadscdebaceee enone ee eee ae ee 753 TT—MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS... 20/:515 J) cnse sceciecc cen teeandepaeeeenan seeeme 797 Papers relating to Anthropology /2..0/.2.2.- 2.23 Asus sees cose ane 797 Australian Group relations, by A. W. Howitt ...-....--....---....- 797 Mounds of Sangamon County, Illinois, by James Wickersham .. ... s 825 Mounds in Spoon River Valley, Illinois, by W. H. Adams... -........ 835 Ancient relics at Dayton, Ohio, by Aug. A. Foerste ..--..-..--.--.-- 838 Mounds in Butler County, Ohio, by J. P. MacLean...............-.. ~ 844 Earth-work in Highland County, Ohio, by J. P. MacLean ..........- 851 Mounds in Berrien County, Georgia, by William J. Taylor.......... 853

Mounds and shell-heaps on west coast of Florida, by S. T. Walker... 854 Stone mounds of Hampshire County, W. Virginia, by L. A. Kengla .. 868

Remains in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, by John A. Ruth......-.... 872 Relics in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., by Henry Booth ...............-.... 876 Notes on the Wampanoag Indians, by Henry E. Chase...........--. 878 Antiquities from Ometepec, Nicaragua, by Charles C. Nutting...... 908

On the Phonology of four Siouan Languages, by J. Owen Dorsey ... 919

InpExX to the volume ................... Lecce teteeces SE ee Coty ses 931

CONTENTS. IX

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page. Statue of Joseph Henry, on Smithsonian Grounds.................--...+--- xvii Brepi imap ol Avgiralis) <3 <to25 stescene .rewes Ladi ecdeecee sd Momeeaigees tess 805 Ross Mounds, Sangamon County, Illinois - ......-.-.-2.- 2.2. 222.2 eens eeenee 826 Olcott Mounds, Sangamon County, Illinois...-....--.. 2.222. .2-22. ese e eee 827 Dawson Mounds, Sangamon County, Illinois...... ......-... 22... eee ee eeee 829 McClernard Mounds, Sangamon County, Illinois .--... 2... ..2222.. 2... ..22-. 829 Watson Mounds, Sangamon County, Illinois ........ 2.222. 2220. eee eee ee ee- 830 Lyon Mounds, Sangamon County, Illinois .... 2... 220.2. 12. e eee eee wee ween 831 Farr Mounds, Sangamon County, Illinois -...... .....-.. ...--. 2220 e202 seen 832 Group of Mounds, Ross Township, Butler County, Ohio.... ................-. 847 Monnd in fort, Ross Township, Butler County, Ohio. ...................----- 848 Fortified hill, Ross Township, Butler County, Ohio..................--..---- 850 Mound on fortified hill, Ross Township, Butler County, Ohio................ 850 Sketch of earth-work in Highland County, Ohio ............ ..---.---- 206+. 852 Map, Pensacola Bay and vicinity, Florida .......... 2.2.20 2-00 eececs moce ence 855 MApy aCEI DAO: EOIHt. EH LOTR ios ts oc. sce cle sacs jamen.caecehaadsaesiseniaesis 856 Mode of interment at Escribano Point, Florida ...... 2.2.22. .2..-. cece ceceee 857 MaonOhoctiwhaichee. Bay, FlOniGs 20 .- cas inne cute sowed sacbuslordeceeine 861 Plate of four figures, of baked clay, from Florida .........----. ..---.ecece- 863 Plate of four figures; of baked clay, from Florida ........2. 22.2. sss00e 00 864 Plate of three figures, of baked clay, from Florida .....................--- 866 Remains in Durham Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania................ 873. Grange ane Teuc sitesan Poughkeepsie, Ni Yc .200's\cecieisinisienjelemampncimeces aes 877 Sketch map of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.........-2. 2.2200 seeeee Sosoge Cobo aC 905

Stone figure from Ometepec, Nicaragua (front and side view) .......---.---- 911

REGENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

By the organizing act approved August 10, 1846, Revised Statutes, title Lxxmm, section 5580, ‘ The business of the Institution shall be con- ducted at the city of Washington by a Board of Regents, named the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, to be composed of the Vice- President, the Chief Justice of the United States [and the Governor of the District of Columbia], three members of the Senate, and three mem- bers of the House of Representatives, together with six other persons, other than members of Oongress, two of whom shall be resident in the city of Washington, and the other four shall be inhabitants of some State, but no two of them of the same State.”

REGENTS FOR THE YEAR 1883.

Term expires. The Vice-President of the United States: DAVIO DAVIE PTO LOM e wena taseorceemss sees ea caae ROCOCHaSe noESHc Mar. 3, 1883

GEORGE F. EpMuNDS (elected March 3, 1883)........... wisceswasece Mar. 3, 1885

The Chief Justice of the United States: MORRISON R. WAITE.

United States Senators: GEORGE F. Hoar (from Feb. 21, 1881. Resigned Jan. 19, 1883) ....Mar. 3, 1883

NATRANIED EEL (from May 195 168i) see e cence) ese eenioener Mar. 3, 1885 SAMUEL Bo Maxey. (from: May 19) 1881) coo eco Se taememten cee cleeeee Mar. 3, 1887 GEORGE F. EDMUNDS (appointed Jan. 19, 1883. Resigned Feb. 21, Tete BABS Cr Hea SRE Sete Boe a CE SOS Cee SSI IE SEOe Oeccl meee nee mes Mar. 3, 1885 JUSTIN S. MORRILL (appointed Feb. 21, 1883) ................-.-..- Mar. 3, 1885 Members of the House of Representatives: OrHo R. SINGLETON (appointed Jan. 7, 1884) ................-...-- Dec. 23, 1885 WILLIAM L. WILSON (appointed Jan. 7, 1884)..........-----. 20s. Dec. 23, 1885 WILLIAM W. PHELPS (appointed Jan. 7, 1884) ....--....----.------ Dec. 23, 1885 Citizens of Washington: PETER PARKER (first appointed in 1868) ..-... 222-2. 222. .e eens ene Dec. 19, 1885 WILLIAM T: SHERMAN (first appointed in 1871) ..................-- Mar. 25, 1885 Citizens of a State: : JOHN MACLEAN, of New Jersey (first appointed in 1868) -.......... Dec. 19, 1885 Asa GRAY, of Massachusetts (first appointed in 1874) ...... ........ Dec. 19, 1885 HENRY Corpks, of Pennsylvania (first appointed in 1874).......... Dec. 19, 1885 NoaH Porter, of Connecticut (appointed in'1878) eee ae Jan. 26, 1884

MorRISON R. WaITE, Chancellor of the Institution and President of the Board of Regents. x

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. |

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 19, 1883. An adjourned meeting of the Board of Regents was held this day, at 4 o’clock p. m., to attend the ceremonies of unveiling the statue of Pro- fessor Henry. At the conclusion of the ceremonies the Board adjourned sine die.

WASHINGTON, January 16, 1884. In Be dance with a resolution of the Board of Regents of the Smith- sonian Institution fixing the time of the annual session on the third Wednesday in January of each year, the Board met to-day at 10 o’clock a. m.

Present: The Chancellor, Chief Justice MORRISON R. WAITE; the Acting Vice-President, ee GEORGE F. EpMUNDS; Hon. NATHANIEL P. HILL, Hon. SAMUEL B. MAxty, Hon. JUSTIN s. MORRILL, Hon. - OTHO R. SINGLETON, Hon. WinL1AM L. WriLson, Hon. WILLIAM W. PHELPS, Hon. PETER PARKER, General WILLIAM T. SHERMAN, Dr. ASA GRAY, Dr. HENRY CoPpPEE, Dr. NoAH PORTER, and the Secre- tary, Professor BAIRD.

The Secretary stated that since the last meeting the following changes had taken place in the Board: Hon. G. F. Hoar had resigned as Regent, and Hon. G. F. Edmunds had been appointed by the President of the Senate to fill the vacancy. Mr. Edmunds had declined the appoint- ment and Hon. J. 8S. Morrill had been appointed and accepted for the term ending March 3, 1885.

Hon. G. F. Edmunds having been elected President of the Senate became ex-officio Regent.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives (Mr. Carlisle) had ap- pointed Hon. O. R. Singleton, Hon. W. L. Wilson, and Hon. W. W. Phelps as Regents for the Forty-eighth Congress, in place of Hon. N. C. Deering, Hon. E. B. Taylor, and Hon. 8S. 8. Cox.

The journal of the Board was read and approved.

A letter from Rev. Dr. John Maclean was read, regretting that the condition of his health would not permit him to attend the meeting of the Board.

xI

. XII JOURNAL OF THE BOARD.

Dr. Parker presented the report of the Executive Committee, which was read by General Sherman. On motion of Dr. Gray the following resolution was adopted:

“ Resolved, That the report of the Executive Committee be accepted, and that the income for the year 1884 be appropriated for the service of the Institution upon the basis of the above report, to be expended by the Secretary, with full discretion as to the items, subject to the ap- proval of the Executive Committee.”

Dr. Parker, from the Executive Committee, presented a final report on the Henry statue.

On motion of Dr. Coppée it was resolved that the report of the Exec- utive Committee on the Henry statue be printed as a part of the annual report of the Institution.

The Secretary presented the annual report of the operations of the Institution for the year 1883, which was read in part.

On motion of General Sherman it was resolved that the annual report of the Secretary be referred to the Executive Committee, with authority to transmit it to Congress.

Dr. Coppée called the attention of the Board to the subject of the pub- lication of the scientific writings of Professor Henry, and suggested the propriety of providing that a part of the edition should be bound in library style, and much better than that of the “Henry Memorial” volume.

Dr. Gray suggested the importance of careful selection of the manu- scripts of Professor Henry and judicious arrangement of the material, which might require two volumes, one for his published scientific : papers, the other for miscellaneous writings, extracts from correspond- ence, &c.

The Secretary stated that nothing had yet been done in arranging the material for the work proposed, but copies had been made of a large number of Professor Henry’s letters, to be carefully examined before printing. It would be edited by Mr. W. B. Taylor, of the Institution, a gentleman perfectly acquainted with Professor Henry’s scientific work, and in every respect well qualified for the duty.

After some discussion as to the scope of the work, on motion of Mr. Edmunds it was—

‘“‘ Resolved, That the publication of the writings of Professor Henry be supervised by a committee consisting of Dr. Gray, Hon. Mr. Wilson, and Professor Baird, to act in conjunction with Mr. W. B. Taylor, the editor assigned to that duty by the Secretary.”

Senator Edmunds called attention to the phraseology of the act of Congress in regard to the appointment of an Acting Secretary in case of the death, disability, or absence of the Secretary, which he considered imperfectly adapted to provide for an emergency, and, on motion of Senator Maxey, it was—

‘Resolved, That Senator Edmunds be requested to prepare an amend- ment to the act to be submitted to Congress.”

On motion of Senator Maxey the Board then adjourned sine die.

Pa

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FOR THE YEAR 1883.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution respectfully submit the following report in relation to the funds of the Institution, the appropriations by Congress for the National Museum and other purposes, the receipts and expenditures for the Institution and the Museum for 1883, and the estimates for the year 1884.

Condition of the fund, January 1, 1884.

The bequest of James Smithson, deposited in the United

States Treasury, act of Congress, August 10, 1846.... $515,169 00 Residuary legacy of Smithson, added to the fund in the

United States Treasury, act of Congress, February 8,

MEME rar!) RPO rahe Sis etches ah Aa eae als bie y SJ lcjulsnae Sete 26, 210 63 ‘Addition to the fund from savings, be. act of Congress,

RMEIIPERE Sr ROM se Oeste) Sarg sh eed a Sehra betes Beh 108, 620 37 Addition to the fund by bequest of James Hamilton, of

Sea AE Pais Sete eels ee eaighe eelale Awe 2 oie ala diss 1,000 00 Addition to the fund by bequest of Simeon Habel, of New

Oy Ore aie iS ee ae eas ep eno Rese 500 00 Gian to the fund by proceeds of sale of Virginia bonds,

ce so SORES A it ea . 51,500 00

Total permanent Smithson fund in the United States Treasury (bearing 6 per cent. interest) January 1, Los Lg ee ee See AS ei a $703, 000 00

Statement of the receipts and expenditures of the Smithsonian Institution Jor the year 1883.

RECEIPTS. Interest from the fund ........-..2.-..-.. at) Eee wiaeeid He $42,180 00 Balance cash on hand January 1, 1883.................- 29, 637 45 Morel T6Ceiptse . b.. ee ee SIRE Re 2H $71,817 45 EXPENDITURES. Building: Be MNTy aaT10l MN DLOVOMONES 2.2 <5 4 <jo.5 hoses» » ate a nim span niere $935 15 REM TRUIPERN ANS “RIN GULOR Ss wo Oho eeeisccw es ae ew a'w edie bekiw p apblek 556 09 General expenses : SATEEN. PSOBAPC a opis os cme no aa't «a duces nue aedse s 985 05 Beene ane Heating. 2.22. oo oes lesa de eae bc ga 38 51 PeCeeera TOGOTADN ca. va ache saeco tess wcaceeeces - 319 06

XIV REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Hapenditures—Continued.

RSL OTLOEY isa cee Sse orat Pe eter wim acta eaalorm, ae ee leh wow ee $850 72 General printing, blanks, (Qo. 6. -(6\-ci5~ 2 vee hte eine ese wile 266 45 Incidentals, ice, hauling, &c......... eh aRer Sta ape aa eral el Mpa 520 21 Books and periodicals..... WORNAE ES fe atee Epo ehe Deets she cio 1,747 60 Salaries snd dahon: (2505'S isis & «Pak Pals tem eieine ete te ctor 15, 773 67 Publications and researches: Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge............... 3, 047 24 Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections................-. 9,565 78 Smithsonian Annual Report... 5. .-,se ee ses eae eae 2,255 81 BIR DLOTA GIONS (4 2)5 6 ia as isit Klos winds ersin! = eles ls erage eee leiaiee eee 2,799 47 PAPAL OEMS | a oo =! pialeiwiehalicie haf kts) oph were wipe a's w aelpue amie tso bel ieee ee 50 10 Literary and scientific exchanges... .....--.- sac. ee----- 6,192 34 Total vExpPengiGunes 12.2 oes 0. = vee eeeeeee eae $45, 903 25 | Balance, January 1, 1884........... «ha eQtaate RN erale $25, 914 20

ESTIMATES FOR 1884.

The following are the estimates of receipts by the Institution for the year 1884, and of the appropriations required for carrying on its opera- tions during the same period :

Receipts.

Interest on the permanent fund, receivable July 1, 1884,

Guu anuary 1 lSSDs Ser eee meni © ac meine ete ele eee = ae $42, 180 00 Hapenditures.

Hor Pullding and PEpails so. 2.6 core see eee eee eee $1, 500 00 For general expenses, including salaries.............--. 19, 000 00 For publications and researches.........---.seecseeccee 12,000 00 Wor: exchanges. >. - =. +. 2-- -senitos eee sine eee e twee eeeeee 7,000 00 Mor contin ENCES L305 (ie oiistei vin claw mle malaise wisi eit one 2,680 00 Total ...... Dia wiais Wie alneleyeisie Se a nc eae eae hci $42, 180 00

NATIONAL MUSEUM, AND OTHER OBJECTS COMMITTED BY CONGRESS TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

The following is a statement of the accounts of appropriations made by Congress for disbursement under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution :

PRESERVATION OF COLLECTIONS, NATIONAL MUSEUM.

Balance available January 1, 1883 .......2-...... seeees $44, 823 30 Appropriated for fiscal year ending June 30, 1884 ($96,000, AUD BS) (ee Ma erc aiviw ly Sie aa in e/a's Stbie eye tale ate eh ered 100, 112 82

144,936 12

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. XV

Expended in 1883, as per vouchers audited by the Treasury

PORIVEMINO IGS Samp cts: «ln fol Bae ese aiil ba ce yap wares $98, 277 61 Balance January 1, 1884, (available for six months ending with fiscal year June 30, 1884)... - 2. ee cee e wees 46,658 51 ARMORY BUILDING. Balance available January 1, 1883..... Cal seet eA aS one ib $1,495 79 Appropriated for fiscal year ending June 30, 1884........ 2,500 00 3,995 79 Expended in 1883, as per vouchers audited by the Treasury LIST ECOG UTTS] 1 SUE Pt Ea Oa ne ee eh Re ee 2,470 29 Balance January 1, 1884 (available for six months ending PUMA RCEE Nia rrch ais (aia ss canola mw cares Sale SOY cralsidee able 1,525 50 FURNITURE AND FIXTURES. Balance available January 1, 1883...........-...-...... $31,182 12 Appropriated for fiscal year chats June 30, 1884 megs Hise 60, 000 00

91,182 12 Expended in 1883, as per vouchers audited by the Treasury

WPS PALUMIOND..' 1022. seic- feet Behera On Sof ceo NDA A 55, 161 63 Balance January 1, 1884 (available for six months ending ame AO, Oot ree Sey oa SS ke. SR Rd Soe 36, 020 49 NORTH AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY. Balance available January 1, 1883.....-.....-.......... $20, 440 44 Appropriated for fiscal year ending June 30, 1884 ....... 40, 000 00 60,440 44 Expended in 1883, as per vouchers audited by the Treasury MPM rED ERE LENS OEM pera perens pe oy stn wma na Seika sad g iwi pected ales ee 40,495 04 Balance January 1, 1884 (available for six months ending SBE ALE PRUE oA ale ect alia CeNershld elmo ceibiales 19,945 40 INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES. Balance available January 1, 1883....................-.. $2, 500 00 Appropriated for fiscal year ending June 30, 1884.......- 7,500 00 10, 000 00

Expended in 1883, as per vouchers audited by the Treasury DAMON ete rain ie ain che nie neal terse we, gai na soa alas 6, 500 00

Balance January 1, 1884 (available for six months ending RIS MEOREE ro eveyone peels alee seve ba bie vis ass see < 3, 500 00

XVI REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,

RECONSTRUCTION EASTERN PORTION SMITHSONIAN BUILDING.

Appropriated by act of Congress March 3, 1883 ......... $50, 000 00 Expended as per vouchers audited by the Treasury De-

RIQEROIGIED BE LOGO ora acres ain’s aisle nine lelateereo eltee eects hele 37,322 86 Balance January 1, 1884..... Bears tyre 3 Sse Re Ae a 12, 677 14

POLARIS REPORT,

Balance available of $8,000 appropriated by act of Con-

PMA ABS. cca bs chaiaintsloe sienna cn nie ciney eee ett tae eae $1,918 90 Expended in 1883, as per vouchers audited by the Treasury OMA LEMOML 2) 2 oe cnctewee gine ne ts ssh eee ee eee 1,116 73 Balance January 1 ylestvc a. at qen.c\- be. ess acetepie se eee 802 17 CONCLUSION.

The Committee has examined 835 vouchers for payments made from the Smithson income during the year 1883, and 2,014 vouchers for pay- ments made from appropriations by Congress for the National Museum, making a total of 2,849 vouchers. All these bear the approval of the Secretary of the Institution, and a certificate that the materials and services charged were applied to the purposes of the Institution or of the Museum.

The balances above given correspond with the certificates of the dis- bursing clerks of the Interior and Treasury Departments.

The quarterly accounts, the bank and check books and journals have been examined. and found correct.

Respectfully submitted.

PETER PARKER, W. T. SHERMAN, Executive Committee. WASHINGTON, January 16, 1884.

ae ee

Pa”: Has Vadis } “ate i rs te 4 q

. ar

ae bebea el eee het Aad Oee th VeH Ie: * enc tak : ty, >» »

i aan & } , * Rea

| jo li

; : : nn a ait Haun ales i AN i) (ining bint OS ee ag ny BRONZE STATUE OF JOSEPH HENRY.

KRECTED ON THE SMITHSONIAN GROUNDS BY AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED JUNE 1, 1880; AND UNVEILED APRIL 19, 1883.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF ' REGENTS ON THE HENRY STATUE.

To the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution :

GENTLEMEN: An act of Congress (No. 71), approved by the Presi- dent June 1, 1880, authorized “the Regents of the Smithsonian Insti- tution to contract with W. W. Story, sculptor, for a statue in bronze of JOSEPH HENRY, late Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to be erected upon the grounds of said Institution; and for this purpose, and for the entire expense of the foundation and pedestal of the monument,

‘the sum of $15,000” was appropriated.

In accordance with the authority conferred in the above act, the Regents of the Institution executed a contract with Mr. Story on the 8th of December, 1880, for the statue. At Mr. Story’s request a num- ber of photographs of Professor Henry were sent to him to be used in preparing the model of the statue, and also a cast of the face and bust executed by Mr. Clark Mills, together with an academic gown similar to the one used by the professor when a member of the faculty of Princeton College. A contract was made with the Maine Red Granite Company and the Quincy Granite Polishing Works for a pedestal ac- cording to a design furnished by Mr. Story—the die of Red-Beach granite finely polished, octagonal in shape, 4 feet in diameter, 4 feet high, and the cap and bases of Quincy gray granite, fine-axed, the whole pedestal being 7 feet 3 inches in height. The statue itself is nine feet high.

Owing to certain imperfections found in the statue after it had been cast, it became necessary to reproduce it, and it was not until Novem- ber, 1882, that it was actually completed and shipped from Rome. The statue was received in Washington in December, but, owing to the late- ness of the season, it was decided to defer its erection until the follow- ing spring, and the date selected was the 19th of April, 1883, that being the time when the National Academy of Sciences (of which Professor Henry had been president at the time of his death) would hold its semi- annual meeting in Washington. For the site of the statue a triangular plot on the Smithsonian grounds, about 150 feet to the northwest of the building, was chosen by the Regents, and the selection met the full ap- proval of Mr. Story, who visited Washington in the winter.

The Chancellor of the Institution was requested by the Regents to

perform the ceremony of unveiling it. H. Mis. 69——11 xvul

XVIII REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE.

Hon. Hiester Clymer was selected to deliver an address appropriate to the occasion, but on account of ill health declined the appointment, and President Noah Porter, of Yale College, one of the Regents, was invited by the Executive Committee to perform the service.

Rev. Dr. John Maclean and Rey. A. A. Hodge, of Princeton, N. J., were invited to offer prayer on the occasion. By reason of ill health, however, Dr. Maclean was prevented from attending.

The direction of the executive details of the occasion were assigned by Professor Baird to Mr. William J. Rhees, the chief clerk.

By direction of the Board of Regents, the following letter was ad- dressed by Professor Baird, Secretary of the Institution, to the Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives, January 17, 1883:

‘Sir: I have the honor to inform the House of Representatives that in accordance with the act of Congress of June 1, 1880, providing that the Regents of the institution be ‘authorized to contract with W. W. Story, sculptor, for a bronze statue of Joseph Henry, late Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to be erected in the grounds of said insti- tution,’ the statue has been executed and received in Washington, and that Thursday the 19th of April has been selected as the day for the public unveiling of the same.

‘The Congress of the United States having ordered this statue and made the appropriation necessary therefor, the Board of Regents re- spectfully invite the Senate and House of Representatives to be present on the occasion of its formal presentation to the public. ‘

‘‘T am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.”

A joint resolution was passed by Congress, February 24, 1883, accept- ing the invitation to attend the inauguration of the statue.

“No. 16. Joint resolution accepting the invitation of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to attend the inauguration of the statue of Joseph Henry.

‘Whereas, in a communication from Spencer F. Baird, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Congress was informed that in accordance with an act of June first, eighteen hundred and eighty, the bronze statue of Joseph Henry, late Secretary of the Smithsonion Institution, had been completed; and whereas, in the same communication, Con- gress was respectfully invited to be present on the occasion of its formal presentation to the public, upon Thursday the nineteenth of April next; Therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the said invitation be, and the same is hereby, accepted by the Senate and House of Representatives ; and that the President of the Senate select seven members of that body, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives fifteen members of that body, to be present and represent the Congress of the United

ee

REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE. XIX

States upon the occasion of the presentation and inauguration of said statue.”

Approved February 24, 1883. (Statutes, volume XxIl, page 659.)

The following gentlemen were selected as the joint committee to rep- resent Congress:

Senators: Hon. George F. Hoar, of Massachusetts; Eli Saulsbury, of Delaware; Samuel J. R. McMillan, of Minnesota; Joseph R. Haw- ley, of Connecticut; William Mahone, of Virginia; Omar D. Conger, of Michigan; James B. Groome, of Maryland.

Members of the House of Representatives: Hon. John T. Wait, of Con- necticut; William Aldrich, of Hlinois; Thomas M. Browne, of Indiana; John A. Kasson, of lowa; George M. Robeson, of New Jersey; John W. Candler, of Massachusetts; R. J. Walker. of Pennsylvania; A. H. Pettibone, of Tennessee; J. Proctor Knott, of Kentucky; J. Randolph Tucker, of Virginia; Andrew G. Curtin, of Pennsylvania; Randall L. Gibson, of Louisiana.

In accordance with the previous arrangements, the statue was un- veiled on Thursday afternoon, April 19, 1883, at 4 o’clock. The day was clear, mild, and propitious, and about ten thousand people assem- bled to witness the ceremonies.

The invited guests met in the lecture hall of the National Museum, and proceeded to the platform which had been erected around the statue. General O. M. Poe acted as chief marshal, and Messrs. Daniel Leech, John D. McChesney, and George S. Hobbs as assistant marshals.

The following order of arrangement was adopted:

The President of the United States ;* the Chief Justice of the United States, Chancellor of the Institution; the orator of the day, President Noah Porter, LL.D., of Yale College; the chaplain of the day, Rev. A. A. Hodge, D. D.; the family of Professor Henry.

The establishment of the Smithsonian Institution, viz, the Vice- President, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of War, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Interior, Postmaster-Gen- eral, Attorney-General, Commissioner of Patents.

The Regents and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and Ex- Regents; the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representa- tives, appointed to represent Congress ; the Diplomatic Corps; the As- sociate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States; Judges of United States Courts; Claims Commissions; Judges of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia; Senators and Members of the House of Representatives; Commissioners of the District of Columbia; the General and Officers of the Army ; the Admiral and Officers of the Navy; Ex-Members of the Cabinet and Ex-Ministers of the United States; Na- tional Academy of Sciences; Founders of the Henry trust fund for Science; the Commissioner of Agriculture; the Assistant Secretaries of

*The President was absent from the city at the time.

xX * REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE.

Departments; Solicitor-General and Assistant Attorneys-General; the United States Marshal and Officers of courts; the Light-House Board ; the Heads of Bureaus; the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, the Superintendent of the Naval Observatory, the Superintendent of the Nautical Almanac, the Director of the Geological Survey, the Li- brarian of Congress; the Commissioner of Public Buildings, the Archi- tect of the Capitol, the Superintendent of the Government Printing Office, the Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, the Visitors of the Government Hospital for the Insane; officers of the Senate and House of Representatives; Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art; the Washington Monument Society ; officers and employés of the Smithso- nian Institution, Bureau of Ethnology, National Museum, and United States Fish Commission; Alumni of the College of New Jersey; mem- bers of scientific organizations, &c.

While this procession was moving from the hall in the Museum build- ing to the platform at the statue, the Marine Band, furnished through the courtesy of Hon. William E. Chandler, Secretary of the Navy, and of Colonel McCawley, Commandant of the Marine Corps, played a grand march, ‘Transit of Venus,” composed by J. P. Sousa, the leader of the band.

The following was the order of exercises :

I. Musitc—Marine Band (J. P. Sousa, conductor), ‘‘The Hallelujah Chorus” (Messiah), Handel. II. PRayER—Rev. A. A. HopGE, D. D., of Princeton, N. J. III. AppREss—Chief Justice WAITE, Chancellor of the Institution.

IV. UNVEILING THE STATUE.

VY. Music (Philharmonic Society and full Marine Band, R. C. Bernays, con- ductor)—Grand chorus, ‘‘The Heavens are Telling” (Creation), Haydn. VI. OraTioN—Rev. Dr. Noau PORTER, President of Yale College. VII. Music (J. P. Sousa, conductor)—Grand March Triumphale, ‘ Schiller,” Meyerbeer.

The Philharmonic Society was assisted by members of the Washing- ton Operatic Association, the Rossini and Church Choir Choral Socie- ties, the Washington Sangerbund and Germania Mannerchor. The arrangements for the music were made by a Committee of the Philhar- monic Society, of which Prof. F. Widdows was chairman. The Chief of Police furnished a detail for the grounds; Mr. Edward Clark, Archi- tect of the Capitol, supplied music stands and stools for the Marine Band; the Quartermaster’s Department lent flags, and the Department of Agriculture living plants for decorating the platform. Mr. W. R. Smith, Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, also furnished floral decorations.

Tbe platform was constructed under the superintendence of Mr. C. W. Schuerman and Mr. G. W. Field, and the mechanical arrangements for unveiling the statue were devised by Mr. Joseph Palmer. At the

REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE. XXI

moment of unveiling the statue the news was telegraphed from an in- strument on the platform, which had been placed there by Mr. L. Whit- ney, the Superintendent of the Western Union Telegraph Company. The ushers on the platform were Messrs. W. C. Lewis, Harry C. Shus- ter, Henry D. Finckel, William T. Wyman, Edward C. Bryan, Frank Bryan, William B. Stimpson, and Ellis Lammond; Mr. Henry Horan, Superintendent of the National Museum, having general charge of the accommodations of the public.

Res»vectfully submitted. PETER PARKER,

W. T. SHERMAN, Executive Committee. WASHINGTON, December 15, 1883.

XXII REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE.

PRAYER BY

REV. DR. HBopmaeam

Eternal and almighty God, Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the world, we have gathered here to adore Thy holy name, to implore Thy divine protection, and to invoke Thy blessing.

We bless Thee that, having brought the physical universe to its pres- ent perfection and made it the vehicle of reflecting and expressing Thy transcendent perfections, Thou hast made man in Thine own likeness and endowed him with intelligence, capable of discerning and of inter- preting the intellectual basis of all phenomena, the personal element in alllaw. We bless Thee that Thou hast never left Thyself without a witness even in the darkest period of human history; that wherever men have sought the Lord, however feebly, if haply they might feel after Him and find Him, He has been found always to be not far from any one of us, seeing that He is imminent in all existence and in all life, and that in Him we live and move and have our being.

We bless Thee that Thou hast sent through the ages a long line of inspired prophets and teachers, crowned by the incarnation in human flesh of Thy co-equal Son, to reveal in ever-increasing fullness the nature of Thy moral government, the method of Thy redemption, and the glory

of Thy kingdom; so Thou hast in these later days sent into the physical.

universe many intelligent and earnest students, who, in various depart- ments, are investigating the secrets of nature, and interpreting the methods of Thy sublime working throughout the vast areas of time and space. We bless Thee that Thou art gathering to Thyself so vast and rich and constant a revenue of glory through the loving ministry of science in all her various provinces. We thank Thee that so many of her princes have been loyal to Thy service and have rejoiced to make all men to realize the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God.

Especially we thank Thee for the spotless example of Thy servant, whose illustrious career is to be commemorated throughout all time by the monument we are now unveiling. We bless Thee that he was as humble and simple in his Christian faith as he was great in his intel- lectual achievements or pre-eminent in his world-wide fame. We pray Thee that his memory as a Christian philosopher may be preserved in imperishable freshness and force through succeeding generations, that his influence for good may be ever extended, and that his example may

REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE. XXIII

be followed as his serene fame excites the emulation of multitudes of the interpreters of nature and of the teachers and benefactors of man- kind.

And now, in anticipation of the general judgment, when in the res- urrection the perfected Church shall enter the new heavens and the new earth of the perfected physical universe, we ascribe unto Thee, at once the Lord of nature and of grace, blessing and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, unto our God that sit- teth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever andever. Amen.

ADDRESS OF

Cr bY SUS hie By NW ACE EH.

On the 1st of June, 1880, at the instance of Mr. Morrill, of Vermont, in the Senate, and of Mr. Clymer, of Pennsylvania, in the House of Repre- sentatives, Congress authorized the Regents of the Smithsonian Institu- tion to contract with Mr. W. W. Story “for a statue, in bronze, of Joseph Henry, late Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to be erected on the grounds of the Institution”; and the Regents, availing themselves of the presence in Washington of the members of the National Academy of Sciences, with which Professor Henry was so prominently and so hon- orably connected for many years, have asked you here to-day to witness the presentation to the public of the result of what has been done under this authority.

On the 10th of August, 1846, Congress established the Smithsonian Institution, to take the property which had been given to the United States by the will of James Smithson, of England, to found an estab- lishment of that name “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.”

The business of the Institution was to be managed by a Board of Re- gents, and they were required to elect some suitable person as Secretary of the Institution. On the 3d of December, 1846, the Board met to per- form that duty, and before entering on the election adopted the follow- ing resolution :

“ Resolved, That it is essential for the advancement of the proper in- terests of the trust that the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution be a man possessing weight of character and a high grade of talent; and that it is further desirable that he possess eminent scientific and general acquirements; that he be a man capable of advancing science and promoting letters by original research and effort, well qualified to

XXIV REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE.

act as a respected channel of communication between the Institution and scientific and literary individuals and societies in this and foreign countries; and, in a word, a man worthy to represent before the world of science and letters the Institution over which this Board presides.”

Immediately after the adoption of this resolution the Board proceeded to the election, and the first ballot resulted in the choice of Professor Henry, then occupying the chair of natural philosophy in Princeton College. Experience has shown that the world possessed no better man for such a place. He was all the resolution required, and more; and from the day of his election until now, the wish has never been ex- pressed that another had been chosen in his stead.

He accepted the appointment on the 7th of December, and on the next day, the 8th, finished and sent to the Regents an elaborate paper ~ giving his views of the will of Smithson, and presenting a plan for the organization of the Institution. He entered on the performance of his duties on the 21st of December, and from that day until his death. on the 13th of May, 1878, almost one-third of a century, he was engaged in making the Smithsonian Institution what its munificent founder de- sired it to be—an active and efficient instrument for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.

The statue which will now be unveiled has been erected by the United States as a token of gratitude for the labors of his useful life, and for his faithful administration of the important public trust so long in his keeping.

ORATION BY

PR SED NE IN _OLACEL, PP) @ Bt Wy x0-E..

Weare assembled to complete the long series of public honors to the late Joseph Henry by unveiling the statue which has been erected to his memory. These honors have been manifold, but each one of them has been well deserved and most cordially bestowed.

His funeral obsequies were attended by the President of the United States and other officials of the Government which he had so faithfully served, by representatives from the many learned and scientific socie- ties of which he had been a conspicuous member and ornament, and by a large following of those who honored and mourned him as a friend.

Subsequently a more formal commemoration of his scientific and pub- lic services was held at the Capitol, at which were present the Execu- tive of the nation, the Judiciary, the Senate, and the House of Repre- sentatives. On this occasion a discriminating and sympathizing sketch of his personal and public life was given by one who had known him long and was singularly qualified to do him justice in every particular. This was followed by other warm and eloquent tributes to his genius as a philosopher and his excellence as a man. Memorable among these were the ringing words of the noble Rogers, whose own sudden euthanasia was like the translation of a prophet; and the warm- hearted eulogy of the generous and glowing Garfield, whose noble life was slowly wasted that it might measure the intensity of the nation’s grief.

Many, if not all, of the institutions of the country with which Pro- fessor Henry had a more or less intimate connection have also honored him by records and estimates of his services to science, education, and philosophy. The tributes to his honor from other countries -have also been cordial and numerous. .

Last of all, the two Houses of Congress, with the approval of the President, have ordered that a statue in bronze should be erected within the grounds of the Institution, which was the creation of his genius and industry, as a permanent memorial of his services and his worth. This statue is now completed, and has this moment been unveiled to public view. Weare here to receive the first impressions of this endur-

ing monument. which we trust will stand for many generations, to declare XXV

XXVI REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE.

the fame and attest the manifold excellences of this eminent servant of science and benefactor of the American people.

The proprieties of the occasion forbid that I should recite the events of Professor Henry’s life or attempt a critical judgment of his services or his merits as a philosopher. To do either were superfluous, in view of the accuracy and fullness with which both have been done by others. All that I shall aim to do is to give a Summary expression to that esti- mate of the man and his work which I am confident other generations will accept, and which this statue is designed to suggest and perpetuate.

It is pleasant for us to notice that Professor Henry was born on the eve of this century,eso memorable for the development of the sciences of nature and their splendid applications to art; that just as this new era was opening, the wonders of the physical universe were begin- ning to be explored by the wondering eyes of our infant philosopher. They were wondering eyes indeed, wakeful, sensitive, and responsive from the first. It is a mistake to suppose, because Professor Henry’s external circumstances were unfavorable to the early discipline of books and the school, that his mind was ever crass and inactive. His own testimony and that of his friends is positive that from the first he was a sensitive and dreamy boy, who found enough in the common earth and air, and the play of common scenes to stimulate his creative powers and to furnish material for his long day dreams, :as he lay on the sunny hillside and looked up into. the glowing sky. Against the animalism and sensuality which are incident to an aimless youth he was defended by the stern moralities and the wholesome religion of his domestic training, enforced as these were by the economies of a straitened but not ignoble household. Indeed, the household was far removed from either. Were we curious in these matters we should find that he was born of gentle blood, being of Celtic stock on the mother’s side, running back through many generations to a noble house, and preserving its coat of arms and motto, ‘‘ I fear no one, I despise no one,” which this noble descendant never dishonored. His mother was beautiful and refined and full of spirit, who had a home in Albany, and but little else, when her husband died, the son being then seven years of age. Before this event he had been removed to the country, the mother’s original home, the family retaining their house in Albany as their principal reliance. In this village young Henry was the pet for several years, handsome, frolicsome, and venturesome on the one hand, and dreamy, wondering, and self-reliant on the other, rejoicing in adventure rather than in books, till a romance suddenly falling in his way kindled his imagination, and unveiled human life as pictured by the fancy with prismatic hues—awakening thus a brief passion for fiction and the drama. The transition to the acted drama was natural to his inventive and energetic nature, and for a time he delighted to attend dramatic representations when at Albany for longer or shorter periods, and to reproduce them at home, as his changing life led him

— ee oe eR

* REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE. XXVII

from one occupation to another. If we connect these well-known facts with what he himself has written of the elements and order of educa- tion, we conclude that his early musings and questionings, his boyish sports and adventures, were fondly remembered by him as the inspira- tion of his rational and scientific life. ‘The cultivation of the imagi- nation,” he writes, “‘ should be considered an essential part of a liberal education, and this may be spread over the whole course of instruction, for, like the reasoning faculties, the imagination may continue to im- prove until late in life.” ‘Memory, imitation, imagination, and the faculty of forming mental habits exist in early life, while the judgment and reasoning faculties are of slow growth.” ‘The order of nature is that of art before science, the entire concrete first and the entire ab- stract last.” These are wise and weighty words, but they are of special interest when we bethink ourselves that the writer, when he penned them, was doubtless al] the while thinking of a dreaming boy, half buried in the grass, looking up wistfully into the sky, thinking won- drous thoughts too deep for tears, perhaps peopling with phantoms and fairies that world of nature which he subsequently penetrated by those wise questionings and ingenious theories which his sagacious experi- ments turned into solid verities. He certainly could have been think- ing of no one else when in the same connection he so positively affirms, “The future character of a child, and that of a man also, is in most cases formed probably before the age of seven years.”

From these musings he was awakened in his later boyhood suddenly and abruptly, as by a call from nature herself. During a week of indis- position, perhaps of serious reflection over an aimless and possibly a tempted life, he was suddenly aroused by the consciousness that the common phenomena of nature are the products of forces acting under laws, and that it is possible for man to interpret these mysteries. It was a simple sentence or two from a common-place though useful book, but the thought in that sentence kindled a fire in the mind prepared for a flame which was never extinguished. This thought held his attention; it took possession of his memory; it quickened the imagination already glowing with romances of another sort; it decided his life. These words had been read and recited by thousands of boys before, but to this boy they were spirit and life. They became a fire in his bones, and proved the intellectual energy which had been slumbering within, by the force of the reaction which they aroused. So definite was the impression which they made, and so fervent and serious the resolve which they called into life, that he promptly summoned his companions, that he might solemnly announce to them his purpose henceforth to dedicate himself to a priesthood of love and service at the altar of science. To prepare for this service was no holiday work. His novitiate involved labor and self-denial. He must earn the means which would buy not only books and leisure and tuition, but also food and clothing. How these difficulties were surmounted it is needless to recite. The story is more or less familiar to you all.

XXVIII REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE.

It is important to notice that this work of preparation was neither ‘hasty nor superficial. He did not rush with reckless impetuosity within the temple, nor leap with a bound to the footsteps of the altar. He mastered the geometry, without which Plato admitted no man even to the vestibule of science. He became familiar with the Calculus, as the magic spell by which to interpret her inner mysteries. Experiments with that wondrous chemistry which was then at its most brilliant stage of promise and performance fascinated and quickened his imagination and his intellect. Each forward step was taken in orderly succession, though each single step was the stride of a giant.

At the age of twenty-eight we find him a professor in the Albany Academy, of which he had been a graduate, charged with the work of teaching several hours every day, and tasking himself with burning zeal over every possible inquiry in chemistry and physics. As we have said already, it was in the brilliant dawn of modern chemistry. As this new science steadily rose above the horizon, one new discovery after another flashed its light toward the zenith and indicated its up- ward path of triumph. In its train appeared those new and mysterious agencies which were then just beginning to fix the attention and to task the analysis of the oldest and the newest discoverer. To these novel phenomena the young Professor Henry devoted his special attention, and soon astonished the world by achievements which first awakened the excitement of bewildered wonder, to convert it into the homage of amazed conviction. There was nothing to be said when, as the plunger went down into its bath, the impotent bar of iron became possessed of a giant’s strength, and could pick up and hold a weight of more than a solid ton, and as the same plunger was lifted this gigantic energy van- ished as at the word of an enchanter. The speaker well remembers the excitement which this discovery occasioned when the first experiment was tried at Yale college, in presence of a few spectators who casually met at the call of Professor Silliman, who was glowing with animation and delight. The ponderous platform was loaded with pig-iron and other heavy weights, with a few slight additions of living freight. Among the last was the speaker, being the lightest .of all, and therefore con- venient to serve on the sliding scale. It is more than fifty years ago, but the scene is as vivid as the events of yesterday. The question went around, ‘Who is Professor Henry, and how did it happen that nature revealed to him one of her choicest secrets?” Thoughtful men asked, ‘What is this wondrous Protean force which he was the first to follow in its sinuous hiding places and evoke by a magician’s wand; and what are its relations to its kindred agents, and, above all, to the mat- ter about us, which we can measure and weigh and see and handle?” Others asked the still more important question, ‘‘How came the dis- coverer to surmise its mysterious capacities and to penetrate to the laws of its action?” To some it seemed but a successful guess by a daring adventurer, a happy hit by a rude fumbler among nature’s tools,

—$—__

REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE. XXIX

a lucky accident, like the drawing of a prize in a lottery. It was not so with those who retraced the successive steps of close observation, of sagacious interpretation, of boundless invention, of ingenious construc- tion, of patient trial, of loving sympathy, which preceded this single achievement, and all of which combined lifted at once this youth, hith- erto unknown, into the rank of the most eminent discoverers, brilliant as was their company then and since. This achievement was not soli- tary. It was quickly followed by others almost as fruitful as the parent discovery. Conspicuous among these were the possible and certain application of the electro-magnetic power to distant communication, by the alternate lifting and dropping of the armature, moving as a lever, when conjoined with the indefinite linear extension and multiplied intensification of the subtile and enormous agency. Herein was dis- covered the scientific secret and the assured prophecy of telegraph and) telephone, with their wonders of written language and audible speech.

From Albany, in the year 1832, Professor Henry was transferred to Princeton, through the wise sagacity of our honored associate, Rev. President John Maclean, and the generous and cordial recommendations of some of the most honored leaders of American science. The step was a bold one, and might seem almost rash, to transfer to a college a man who had himself lacked the breadth of early culture and the discipline and acquisitions of scientific thought which the college curriculum is sup- posed to give. His insight into nature’s secrets might seem to be mag- ical; but for this very reason could he share these secrets with his pupils? Would not the very swiftness of his own processes of thought disqual- ify him from imparting them to others? Would not the lightning rapidity with which, as a discoverer, he had leaped from indication to theory, and combined probabilities into evidence, hinder him from dis- cerning that there were any steps in the process or any articulation in the proofs? Whatever misgivings of this sort there might have been— and the failures of many eminent scientists have proved that they were not without reason—were all set aside by his acknowledged skill as an instructor at Albany and his pre-eminent success at Princeton. Not only did he give himself to instruction with exemplary zeal and pains- taking, but he studied the theory of teaching as he studied electro- magnetism, by reflecting upon its conditions and laws, and using wise experiments in concrete applications. He did more. He used his special studies as examples of general philosophical inquiry, whatever might be the subject-matter, and sought by means of these to introduce his pupils to the theory of inductive research and the nature of scien- tific evidence, however these should be applied. This was a subject which he had ever at heart—the discipline of the mind to a true philo- sophic method, as the best preparation and security for sound science, clear insight, strong convictions, and practical wisdom. But he was none the less but rather the more active and enterprising in his favor- ite studies, a living and inspiring example of scientific ardor, of wake-

Xxx REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE.

ful enterprise, and unceasing experimentation. It would seem as though every thunder storm brought him a new opportunity; every gale of wind swept into his mind some new freightage of thought; every apartment proposed or solved some problem in acoustics; every - morning dawn waked him for some fresh experiment, and every even- ing shut down the day with some new acquisition. His very house was made an enormous electric accumulator and conductor of electric energy. In all these varied avocations it was not in that he was busy or many-sided that his marked superiority was seen, but in that he was original, wide-minded, and persevering. His insight seemed to pene- trate at a glance into the secrets of nature, and his capacity for saga- cious hypothesis almost to call into being the forces which it uncovered and to impose the laws which it interpreted. Besides this there was a largeness and originality in his experiments which invested him with the authority of priest and magician in the presence of nature. In all combined there was the strength and simplicity of scientific genius.

This active and fruitful life continued for fourteen years, when, at the age of forty-eight, in the year 1846, he was called to Washington as the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

At first it might seem that a situation like this would be attractive to any man, but on second thought many reasons would suggest themselves why, to a man like Professor Henry, interested as he was in teaching, devoted to research, and with the scientific world watching eagerly his experiments, the attractions of the place should be scanty and feeble. It is only when we learn how he regarded the possibilities and demands of the place, and his own capacity and purpose to meet them, that we can explain the readiness with which he responded to this call. The Secretary was to initiate and control the policy of a novel institution, with a handsome but not extravagant endowment given to the United States, for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. Loosely interpreted, the terms of the gift might admit any application of pop- ular usefulness. But when read in the light of the known tastes of the giver and the previous bequest of his estate to a society which was se- _ verely scientific in its functions, and especially when interpreted by the eminent need and certain usefulness of a special application, it became clear to Professor Henry that this gift should be used exclusively in the interests of the increase and diffusion of scientific knowledge. He fore- saw and foretold that his theory would at first encounter active dissent and opposition. He was equally confident that it would finally become popular and attractive. Before he entered upon his duties the Jnstitu- tion had been partially committed to another policy. It was not till after eight years of discussion and reports in committees and in both houses of Congress, in which some of the ablest and most brilliant mem- bers were conspicuous, that the policy of Professor Henry at last pre- vailed, and has ever since justified itself to the approval of the nation. It was not because Professor Henry despised literature that he did not

REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE. XXXI

favor the attempt to found a splendid library, for few men were more sensitive to its charms or appreciative of its power. Much less that he did not understand the value of a museum to an ardent interest in which he was pledged by his fondness for natural history and his curious zeal in ethnology and archeology, but because he saw a need and opportu- nity for an institution that should be limited to the increase and diffu- sion of scientific knowledge. Finis coronat opus. The experiment has justified the theory. Not only have the workings of the Smithsonian Institution vindicated the wisdom of his anticipations, but it is itself a monument to his strong convictions and unyielding tenacity, tempered as these were by singular simplicity, patience, and unselfishness. Had it not been for these characteristics the Smithsonian Institution as we know it would never have existed at all. Were it not for the modesty of the man we could hear this statue speak as it surveys the scene of his life-work, Si monumentum queeris, cireumspice. More than this should be said. Every one of the great interests which were at first loaded upon the Institution, as the National Library, the Museum, and a collec- tion of Art, has in the end been better provided for and attained a more vigorous growth or a more hopeful promise than had Professor Henry’s policy failed. Had he relaxed from his tenacity, or had a man of less commanding influence represented his opinions, these separate interests might have foundered with the central bureau, or had the Smithsonian Institution survived, it might have been what it seems to many a casual visitor—merely a show place to stimulate and gratify an aimless curi- osity, or in which to pass an idle hour of gazing and wonder—instead of being what it is, a busy working place, where research is devised, di- rected, stimulated, and rewarded, at which its results are reported and thence diffused through the countless nerve centers which animate and build the complicated organism'which maintains the scientific life of the civilized world. In this organism this Institution holds a place and performs a function which has no exact counterpart. It is a function which is specially needed in a young and growing country like our own, so vast in its spaces, so comprehensive in its geology, so varied in its climate, so ample in its physical resources, so fascinating in its archer- ology, 80 mysterious in its ethnology, so instructive in its history—all the parts of which are connected by political bonds with its capital, and respond with a more or less ready sympathy to the pulses of life which throb at the Nation’s heart. It was no slight service which Pro- fessor Henry rendered to his country as well as to the world when he gave character and efficiency to this new agency in the life of both.

To mature and carry into effect the conceptionof such an institution, with no model after which to copy, wasthe work of a master mind and was worthy of a devoted and laborious life. That Professor Henry gave to this work the best activities of more than thirty years no man will doubt; that he was unwearied in his labors and cares, faithful to the minutest details and energetic in administration, isconfessed by all

XXXII REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE.

men. His official correspondence would have been burdensome had it been merely a correspondence of routine, but much of it involved pro- found reflection, productive invention, and the skillful enforcement of principles. Into all these services he entered with a spirit which was conscientious and patient in the extreme.

It would not have been surprising if his scientific ardor had thereby been cooled, his invention had been limited, and his many-sidedness had been curtailed. This does not seem to have been true. From the beginning to the end of these more than thirty years he was almost as inventive, ingenious, alert, and wide-minded as when he achieved the triumphs of his earliest manhood. Though many of his discoveries and inventions were in the line of his official responsibilities, they all bore the stamp of scientific genius. During all this period, it should be re- membered, the sciences of nature were making a progress such as the

world had never witnessed before—progress in every form, from the.

severest mathematical analysis, through the ever ascending steps of ad- venturous speculation, up to the most gorgeous cloud-lands of theory. Experiment, too, had never made such daring ventures, whether in the form of applications to art or the determination of problems purely scientific. With every one of these onward movements, whether of theory or experiment, Professor Henry was in active sympathy. In many of the most important he was the leader of thought and act, as witness his place in the very earliest anticipations of the doctrine of the correlation of force; his prophetic experiments and suggestions in re- spect to the use of the telegraph in meteorological observations and the

reports of astronomical discovery; his devices to render available the’

reports and essays scattered over the scientific world by a systematized bibliography; his long-continued researches in respect to light and sound which were incidental to his official experiments as a member of the Light-House Board; his comprehensive experiments inrespect to the sustaining capacity of building stone; and his never-ceasing study of acoustics in every possible production, prolongation, and disturbance of sound, whether in his own parlor, in solitary walks, in fog or sun- shine, or in travel by land or sea.

It was, as I have said, a great thing for science and for the country, that in this formative and fermenting period such a man resided at the capital and represented the interests of science by his official connec- tion with this one nationad institution which was sacredly devoted to scientific research and information. He had foreseen and foretold from the first that Washington would certainly become a great center of sci- entific activity; that it must inevitably be the residence and resort of an increasing number of men of scientific tastes and pursuits. He had tais in mind from the first, and uttered it as a prophecy, before his own policy in respect to the Smithsonian Institution had been accepted, and long before the signs had multiplied of its speedy fulfillment.

This fulfillment was indeed conditional on the continuance of the

Re aie i ein ee

REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE. XXXII

nation’s integrity and the perpetuation of its united life. There were times when this seemed doubtful, when from the Capitol itself, and even from this Institution below it, there might almost be descried the threat- ening lines and fortifications of those who would not scruple to sacrifice both to the impetuous necessity of what was called lawful war. During these years of agitating strife it was but the dictate of a well-poised self-command which kept Professor Henry quietly at his work, with no doubtful loyalty indeed, but in such singleness of aim, that when peace was conquered it found né personal bitterness towards himself in the ranks of scientific men. To his philosophic wisdom and his unques- tioned integrity it may, in part, be owing that, after the centennial anniversary of 1876, the nation was so ready to enlarge the appliances of science and at the same time to commemorate its own continued life by erecting upon these grounds, under the care of the Smithsonian Institution, the splendid National Museum, which all delight to visit and to praise.

The fact cannot be disguised that the devotees of science have aliena- tions and strifes of their own, sometimes arising from personal jeal- ousies and more frequently from opposing theories. Professor Henry was lifted above all personal partisanship by the severe singleness with which he devoted himself to his scientific and official activities. He never sought for place or honor, directly or indirectly. He was fasti- diously sensitive in respect to the appropriation of bis own inventions by the production of a patent or a claim for extra compensation. His salary was notoriously smaller than he might have earned in other posts, but he never either desertéd his post, or asked for increase of pay. In- deed the last was declined more than once when suggested by his friends. It was only when his truthfulness was questioned in respect to one of the most important of his discoveries, that he vindicated his claims te scientific confidence. Whoever might be jealous of his fellow scientists, no one could question Henry’s even-handed justice or his personal up- rightness.

In the wars of theory against theory he was recognized as an upright mediator, who thoroughly understood the criteria by which scientifie truth can be established and would impartially apply them. If political or ethical or theological traditions seemed to conflict with established scientific principles or facts, he calmly awaited the issue and insisted that science must have its rights whatever might be the consequences to any received ethical or theological interpretations. Though his own faith was fixed and fervent in respect to the leading Christian verities, he scorned with all the energy of scientific integrity to apply these con- victions as a test to any question that was properly scientific. It would have been strange if a man who was always learning something new had not modified his views of objective and practical Christian trath with the progress of his mind and his manhood, but he would never acknowledge any base compromise of sentimentalism or mysticism or

H. Mis, 69——111

XXXIV REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE.

one-eyed dogmatism with the processes or conclusions of his scientific thinking. Within the domain of Science proper he was a clear-eyed, impersonal, and uncompromising arbiter and judge. Theorists might complain, dogmatists might rage, zealots might bemoan, but not one of them would dare accuse the judge of an ignorant or partisan decision.

The multitude of fancied inventors, discoverers, and projectors who vame to him for help and encouragement, the crowd of scientific dreamers who craved a favorable decision or official help or patronage, the scores and hundreds whom he was forced to reject And disappoint often of the hopes and dreams of their lives, these all felt that however mistaken he might be, he was upright and kind so far as he knew. They were always patiently listened to and gently dismissed, though they did not always heed his benediction to go in peace.

For all these high and varied functions, in his high position, Professor Henry had one supreme advantage, in that he had not only studied and mastered so many of the sciences of nature, but that he made science itself in its principles and processes the subject of his profoundest reflec- tion. We have abundant evidence that from the time when he made his earliest discoveries his mind was not content to search after the secrets of nature without, but was equally curious to discover the secret of the processes by which man interprets the forces and laws which nature hides with such studious reserve. From the time when he began at Albany till the end of his life this was prominently and avowedly the theme of his constant meditation. In making this a study he was not singular among eminent scientists, but only in that from the beginning to the end this seemed to haunt him as the most wonderful problem of all. This habit forced him to contemplate all the sciences of nature as an organic whole, having intimate relations that are broader and deeper than those which are limited to any single class of phenomena, It forced him to study and question most closely the process of knowledge, the sublimest and most fundamental phenomenon in nature, that he might know how far to trust its products and by what criteria to test its conclusions. We find evidence of this habit of mind in the questions which he suggests in his earlier essays and in the partial solutions which he gives in his miscellaneous writings. Such a habit would insensibly train him to exalt the human intellect in its higher functions, with its principles and laws, its axioms and intuitions, its theories and anticipations, its forecasting questionings, its creative hypotheses, its tentative theories, and its decisive experiments, and to assure himself that an agent or agency such as this could have no affinity with matter and own no allegiance to physical laws. Even in the suggestion that the thinking agency which interprets the universe by authoritative question and answer, could once have slumbered in a fiery cloud or could have been evolved from any material mind-stuff, by any series of physical processes, however daintily phrased, seems never to have been enter- tained by him for an instant as having the semblanée of scientific prob-

Ss

lc lg, el

REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE. XXXV

ability. And yet there is abundant evidence from his writings, both early and late, that he was in no sense behind the times or ignorant of the fascinating plausibilities of the-newest and the most fantastic of theories. While he was almost the earliest in the field to formulate and defend the doctrine of the correlation of force and to concede that it may be applied to all the processes that are properly physiological, he was equally sharp and positive in the assertion that the mental agencies of every kind cannot be the correlate of any physical or biological agency. He insisted with equal positiveness that the so-called vital force cannot be the product of any mechanical or chemical activity, single or in com- bination, |'ut must be a directive and constructive agent of itself. Later in life he recognized the manifold indications of the presence of a law of progressive variation in the history of animal and vegetable life, and so far accepted evolution as a working hypothesis. But had he been asked at any time whether evolution as a force or evolution as a law,

one or both, apart or together, could explain the origin of life and of

living men, of intellect and will and the capacity for science and faith in science, I think he would have regarded the question somewhat as though he had been asked whether he believed in the vortices of Des- cartes or in Kepler’s directing angels. Had this doctrine been defended in a scientific association, either in the soaring gyrations of winged speech or the dry assertions of dogmatic positiveness, I am confident he would have remanded its champions at once to the blackboard, and have begged them first to explain whether evolution wvre an agent, a force, or a law, and then desired them to identify it if it were an agent, to define it if it were a force, or to formulate it if it were a law. Large as was the sphere which he assigned to the imagination, and important as the role which he allowed to hypotheses, he would bring every theory, however brilliant and plausible, to the triple test of co- herence, sufficiency, and experiment.

Forward and hopeful as he had been all his life long to follow the

‘fruitful suggestions of analogy, he never would allow this winged steed

to cross the chasms of scientific theory with any flying leaps, without insisting that it should first fold and pack its pinions, and then carefully retrace its steps along that hard pathway of fact and law which alone can carry us safely from a scientific hypothesis to a scientific truth. The science of America owes somewhat to his example and authority in this regard, that its brilliant promises aud solid achievements have

_ been so far kept free from the speculative audacities and the physio-

logical cosmogonies from which the science of England and Germany: has not been wholly exempt.

This, be it observed, was his position within the domains of pure science. For the region beyond, whether it is called the domain of philosophy or the domain of faith, let it suffice to say that he had too positive a respect éor his own mind to doubt for an instant that this intel- lect was the reflex df that supreme intellect which sustains and controls

XXXVI REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE.

the universe which the scientist interprets. The existence of a per- sonal God was accepted by him as a well nigh self-evident truth which is as necessary to our confidence in scientific study as to our hopes for man’s social and moral well being. The moral and spiritual capacities and destiny of man were regarded by him as dominant facts and chief ends in the universe made up of matter and spirit, facts and ends so important and so pressing as to create the need and establish the truth of the Christian’s faith and hope. He believed moreover in no inherent law of progress in human nature or human society as such. On the contrary he asserted often that our supreme hope of such progress, even in scientific culture and achievement, must rest on moral integrity and eulture.as the supreme conditions. In his closing address to the Na- tional Academy he urged ‘* that moral integrity is essential to conscien- tious fidelity in scientific research,” and added, ‘Indeed, I think that immorality and great mental power exercised in the discovery of scien- tifie truths are incompatible with each other; and that more error is introduced from defect in moral sense than from want of intellectual eapacity.” Tothe Philosophical Society of Washington he had designed to give, as probably his last forma] communication, an address upon the relations of science and religion, and also upon the true import of prayer. This he was not permitted to do, but those who knew him best knew most fully that in prayer he found constant delight and strength. Almost the last lines which he penned contain a positive and tender yet ra- tional confession of his Christian faith. Almost the last words which he uttered were with tearful eyes and from q uivering lips, “Upon Jesus Christ as the one who, for God, affiliates himself with man—upon Him T rest my faith and my hope.” Such a man was Joseph Henry. With eminent truth may we say of him, as Wordsworth wrote of Milton: Thy soul was like a star, and dwelt apart;

Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea,

Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free;

So didst thou travel on life’s common way,

In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart

The lowliest duties on itself did lay. For more than fifty years, the most memorable and critical which the sciences of nature have ever seen, he has been indeed a guiding star to their devotees in all this land, ever shining with a serene yet command- ing light. During the critical years of its young and buoyant life, American science has found much of the guidance and inspiration which it needed in his childlike yet kingly spirit. And now as it rejoices in the security of its position and its ever-increasing honors, it is most fit- ting that its assembled representatives should here gratefully acknowl- edge their obligations to their eminent benefactor and distinguished leader, and cordially welcome this statue, which by its gmmanding pro- portions gives new dignity to the ground so long honored by his pres- ence and associated with his name. Long may it stand to express to

tt er Oe te

REPORT ON THE HENRY STATUE. XXXVII

them and to other generations the sturdy self-confidence, the keen in-

sight, the benignant spirit, the soaring yet docile genius, the self-rely-

ing yet devout temper which made JOSEPH HENRY a leader and com

mander in their conquering hosts. And as here by day and by night, in sunshine and in storm, our honored friend shall ever as in his life- time keep watch and guard over the scene of his cares and iabors, of his conflicts and triumphs, so may his memory be kept in fresh and grateful recollection by the coming generations. And as this Institu

tion, so eminently the creation of his mind, shall become more and more busy in its activities and more and more conspicuous in its usefulness and its fame, may the spirit of its eminent originator continue to inspire its aims and direct its counsels—to the strength and glory of this nation and the well-being of man.

To the well-being of man. For let us never forget that science knows no nationality, least of all in this place and in this Institution, which was the gift from the mother to the daughter land, whose sacred trust and solemn duty has ever been, as it ever should be, to promote “ the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.”

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

MEMBERS EX OFFICIO OF THE ‘‘ ESTABLISHMENT.” (January 1, 1884.)

CHESTER A. ARTHUR, President of the United States.

GEORGE F. EDMUNDS, President pro tempore of the United States Senate.

MORRISON R. WAITE, Chief Justice of the United States. FREDERICK T. FRELINGHUYSEN, Secretary of State. CHARLES J. FOLGER, Secretary of the Treasury. ROBERT T. LINCOLN, Secretary of War.

WILLIAM E. CHANDLER, Secretary of the Navy.

W. Q. GRESHAM, Postmaster-General.

HENRY M. TELLER, Secretary of the Interior. BENJAMIN H. BREWSTER, Attorney-General:

B. BUTTERWORTH, Commissioner of Patents.

REGENTS OF THE INSTITUTION. (January, 1884.)

MORRISON R, WAITE, Chief Justice of the United States, President of the Board.

GEORGE F. EDMUNDS, President pro tempore of the United States Senate.

NATHANIEL P. HILL, member of the Senate of the United States. SAMUEL B. MAXEY, member of the Senate of the United States. J. 8. MORRILL, member of the Senate of the United States.

O. R. SINGLETON, member of the House of Representatives.

W. L. WILSON, member of the House of Representatives.

W. W. PHELPS, member of te House of Representatives.

JOHN MACLEAN, citizen of New Jersey.

PETER PARKER, citizen of Washington, D.C.

ASA GRAY, citizen of Massachusetts.

HENRY COPPEB, citizen of Pennsylvania.

WILLIAM T. SHERMAN, citizen of Washington, D.C.

NOAH PORTER, citizen of Connecticut.

Executive Committee of the Board of Regents.

PETER PARKER. JOHN MACLEAN. WILLIAM T. SHERMAN.

OFFICERS OF THE INSTITUTION. (January 1, 1884.)

“SPENCER F. BAIRD, Secretary, Director of the Institution. WILLIAM J. RHEES, Chief Clerk. DANIEL LEECH, Corresponding Clerk. | var

Fr as

i ; j 4

REPORT OF PROFESSOR BAIRD,

SECRETARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, FOR 1883.

To the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution:

GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to present herewith the annual report of the operations and condition of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1883.

This, in accordance with the usual custom, will include an account of the work performed by the Smithsonian Institution proper, and also that by the branches of the public service placed by Congress under its charge, namely, the National Museum and the Bureau of Ethnology. To this will be added a sketch of the work of the United States Fish Commission, which is also under my charge.

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

INTRODUCTORY.

The principal points of interest to be considered in more or less detail, apart from an account of the regular routine work, are the arrival and inauguration of the memorial statue of Professor Henry, the recon- struction in a fire-proof manner of the eastern end of the Smithsonian building, and the use, under the authority of the Regents, of the halls of the National Museum by the National Academy of Sciences and the American Pharmaceutical Association.

The general progress of the Institution and its dependencies has been very satisfactory. The funds are in good condition, those of the year being sufficient to meet all its liabilities. The publications of the In- stitution and of the National Museum have been much larger than usual, and constitute an important contribution to theoretical and prac- tical science. The labors of the Bureau of International Exchanges have been more extensive than ever; the additions to the library have been of unusual magnitude; while in no year of the history of the Institution, with perhaps the single exception of the Centennial year, have the collections received by the National Museum been more varied and important.

THE HENRY STATUE.

Iam gratified to announce the completion and erection of the statue of Prof. Joseph Henry, ordered by Congress in June, 1880. Mr. Story, the artist, visited Washington last winter, and fully ap. H. Mis. 69———1 1

2 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

proved the site for the statue which had been selected by the Executive Committee of the Board of Regents.

It was deemed appropriate to have the ceremonies of unveiling per- formed at the time when the National Academy of Sciences held its annual meeting in this city, and April 19 was accordingly chosen. The

day was propitious, the attendance of distinguished men of science —

and an audience of ten thousand persons very gratifying, and the ceremonies in every respect were successful and satisfactory.

The following was the order of exercises:

I. Mustc—Marine Band, J. P. Sousa, conductor, ‘*The Hallelujah Chorus.” (Mes-

siah.) Hdndel. Il. PrayEr—Rey. A. A. Hodge, D. D., of Princeton, N. J. Ill. Apprress—Chief Justice Waite, Chancellor of the Institution. IV. UNVEILING THE STATUE. V. Mustc—(Philharmonie Society and full Marine Band, R. C. Bernays, conductor.) Grand chorus, ‘‘The Heavens are Telling.” (Creation.) Haydn. VI. Oratron—Rev. Dr. Noah Porter, President of Yale College. VII. Music—J. P. Sousa, conductor. Grand march triumphale, “Schiller.” Meyer- beer.

A full report by the Executive Committee in relation to the statue, with the addresses delivered on the occasion of its unveiling, accompa- nies the proceedings of the Board of Regents.

It is proper to remark that the execution of the statue by Mr. Story has added to the high reputation of that eminent artist, and gives satisfaction to the family of Professor Henry to his former friends and associates, and to the public, and contributes a notable addition to the works of art which adorn the capital of the nation.

SCIENTIFIC WRITINGS OF PROFESSOR HENRY.

The Board of Regents having at its last meeting instructed the Sec- retary to collect and publish the scientific papers of Professor Henry, several assistants have been employed in collecting the material for this work, and a large amount of manuscript has been prepared to be carefully examined and edited for the press.

It is proposed to reprint verbatim all the contributions made by Professor Henry to the Transactions of the Albany Institute, the Re- ports of the Regents of the University of New York, the Edinburgh Journal of Science, Silliman’s American Journal of Science, the Journal of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, the Transactions of the Amer- ican Philosophical Society, the Journal of the Franklin Institute, the Princeton Review, the Smithsonian Reports, the Agricultural Reports, the Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Proceedings of the American Association for the Advance- ment of Education, the Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Appleton’s Cyclopedia, the Bulletins of the Philosophical Society of Washington, the Reports of the Light-House Board, Johnson’s Cyclopedia, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, ete.

Besides these published papers, others in manuscript and extracts

_—=

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 3

* from his extensive correspondence will be collected, the whole forming one or more volumes of the series of “Miscellaneous Collections.” The printing will probably be commenced during the present year, and it is hoped that the work will be ready for distribution at the next meeting of the Board.

THE BOARD OF REGENTS.

The annual meeting of the Board was held on the 17th of January last,-and a special meeting on the 19th of April, for the purpose of attending the ceremonies of dedication of the Henry statue.

The resignation of Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts, asa member of the Board of Regents, was followed by the appointment of Senator Ed- munds, of Vermont, in his place. That gentleman, however, declining to serve, Senator Justin S. Morrill was appointed to fill the vacancy.

The terms of office of the members of the Board from the House of Representatives, Messrs. Deering, Cox, and Taylor, having expired with the termination of the Forty-seventh Congress, new appointments have been made by Hon. J. G. Carlisle, Speaker of the House, for the term of the Forty-eighth Congress, viz: Hon. O. R. Singleton, of Missis- sippi; Hon. William L. Wilson, of West Virginia; Hon. William Walter Phelps, of New Jersey.

Provision for Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.—In the original law establishing the Smithsonian Institution the only officer recognized was the Secrétary, and no action was valid excepting as per- formed directly by him. In the event, therefore, of his death or disa- bility, the operations of the Institution would be greatly embarrassed, if they did not stop altogether; and it was for this reason that, on the death of Professor Henry, in May, 1878, his successor was appointed almost immediately. To provide for this contingency a bill was intro- duced by Senator Hamlin, shortly after Professor Henry’s death, and was, on’ January 24, 1879, enacted into a law, providing that “in the case of the death, resignation, sickness, or absence of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the Chancellor thereof shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to appoint some person as Acting Secretary, who for the time being shall be clothed with all the powers and duties which by law are devolved upon the Secretary, and he shall hold said position until an election of Secretary shall be duly made, or until the Secretary shall be restored to his health, or, if absent, shall return and enter upon the duties of his office.”

No appointment has been made under this provision until the present year. The Chancellor expecting to make a long trip in the West, re- quiring several wonths for its completion, and involving an interrup- tion of mail or telegraphic communication of possibly a week or more at a time, it was thought desirable that a provisional appointment of Acting Secretary shouid be made in readiness for any emergency that might arise. I therefore nominated for the position Mr. William J. Ithees, the chief clerk of the Institution, who, more than any one else,

4 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

is conversant with its working and policy, and he was accordingly so’® designated by the Chancellor.

FINANCES.

Nothing unusual has occurred in the financial affairs of the Institu- tion. The principal of the fund remains the same as at the last annual report, namely, $703,000, on which the interest at 6 per cent. is paid by the Treasurer of the United States on the Ist of each January and July.

The appropriation by Congress for the international exchange system was increased last year from $5,000 to $7,500, half of which was available in 1883.

The balance of the Smithsonian income on the Ist of January, 1884, is $25,914.20, which will be required for carrying on the operations of the establishment until the 1st of July next.

BUILDINGS.

Smithsonian Building.—In the last report an urgent plea was pre- sented for measures to secure the removal of the old combustible and decayed wood-work of the interior of the eastern portion of the Smith- sonian building and the substitution of fire-proof materials. The Re- gents having directed the Secretary to memorialize Congress on the subject, the facts in the case and the arguments in favor of the measure were presented by him. The result, I am happy to state, was the appropriation of $50,000 “for fire-proofing the eastern portion of the Smithsonian Institution.”

The preparation of plans, the details of construction, and architect- ural requirements were placed in charge of Messrs. Cluss and Schulze.

Advertisements of proposals for the work to be done were inserted in the newspapers, and the bids were opened on the 26th of April, 1883. The removal of the contents of the building was soon effected, the offices of clerks and others were transferred to the large hall on the first floor of the main building, and accommodation for storage provided by the erection of a temporary wooden shed on the south of the Institution.

The following contracts were awarded :

Description. Contractors’ names. Amount. Seg CTE ah ape Ai ae | Thomas Norm@eds):-2- 2.00225. caeeeeee | $4,699 00 IBLiGk@WOrk =.=) bi ose as eas (John Mi ilowalsersice so. oleae or eee | 10,500 00 Iron roof and floor beams .-...| C. A. Schneider’s Sons. .......--------- 8,219 00 CupistOnes ee 2s cele meee coe eee Rees Eiviansiesee eee esc dae eee | 5, 157 00 rem ceiling 32. sh..2 oe Phenix Iron Company ..-.--...--------- 892 00 Water and sewer pipes. ...---| EH. A. Ridgway -.52-- .2.--.-2ss6--=---- 828 00 Slegiinite: se enc sl ed AMR Rendlactome ease (Med | 134 20 Durretiskylioht 3 sss Gh2 Ye O. 3a. W olfateinerse 2.2260 See beee ee eee 150 00 Enis Moto, WAR RSSs5SeassoSsec Bi. As Ridig wiayiec asec sane 450 00 Cloekipipes)--.- 2 esse once Wenzel Pneumatic Clock Company -.--.- 156 00 Iron isiateseweese sjsccte tek oe George White dé Coxtec <5 h-2eemaeee 948 00 PlaStOriN Siatea as wielaeawiacieck 2 == James Hoghes hoi ce. ae ne ce eel 1,532 00 Slatemoonne, (ove ee ce C.J. Panag asec. cae pees 454 00

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 5

The work has progressed satisfactorily and without interruption, and the building will be ready for occupancy in a few weeks.

The appropriation was found sufficient to secure the fire-proofing of the building, but a number of other desirable objects remain to be secured, such as a heating apparatus, a passenger elevator, a freight lift; the introduction of speaking tubes, electric bells, telephones; a concrete floor in the basement, an underground communication between the Smithsonian and the new Museum buildings, &c., for which an additional appropriation of $15,000 has been asked.

As the whole interior of the eastern end of the Smithsonian building, including both range and wing, was to be torn out, it of course became necessary to provide accommodations elsewhere for the officers and employés, and as already stated the lower museum hall of the center building was made use of for this purpose. The table cases in the alcoves were removed elsewhere, and the spaces fitted up for the pur- poses in question. The Regents’ room was re-oceupied by the librarian, and my own offices were established in the northwest pavilion of the Museum building.

The greatest difficulty was experienced in properly providing for the archives and the books and packages in storage. This matter was, however, ultimately arranged, and with much less inconvenience to the current work of the Institution than might be reasonably expected. It is hoped that by the 1st of April, 1884, a portion, at least, of the recon- structed part of the building can be occupied.

The principal work of repair in the main building has been the renewal of the water-closets on the lower floors of the northeastern tower of the central edifice, the old ones having become unfit for use. Connections were prepared for closets on the upper stories of the recon- structed portion, should they be considered necessary.

The west basement was provided with wire screens, dividing the room into two apartments—one for the storage of bird skins, and the other for alcoholic specimens of fishes.

National Museum Building.—This building continues to preserve the reputation it has acquired as representing the maximum of convenience and adaptation to its purposes with the minimum of original cost and expense for repairs. The principal expenditure during the year for the latter object has been made in the tinting of the walls, mending of broken glass, occasional slight repairs to the plumbing, &e.

Some of the down-spouts carrying off the water from the roofs were frozen up and burst during the cold of the past winter, causing leaks in the walls, which have all been duly repaired.

Ever since the completion of the Museum building there has been more or less trouble in regard to the drainage, especially on the west- ern side, where the rain or melting snow banks up against the building and soaking down enters the basement rooms, and produces very serious inconvenience. Several temporary arrangements were made to obviate

6 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

this evil, but as these were not satisfactory, Colonel Rockwell, the Su- perintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds, very kindly undertook the work as a part of the general improvement of the Smithsonian reservation, which is in his charge. A trench was dug, and the water carried northward instead of discharging into an already overtaxed sewer on the south side of the building. No trouble has been ex- perienced since the work was completed, and itis hoped that there will be none at any time in the future.

Armory Building.—This edifice has been used during the past year mainly for the purposes of the United States Fish Commission. The lower story has been converted into a fish-propagating establishment, for the hatching of shad, salmon, and other food-fishes; and as a store- house from which to distribute carp, black bass, &c. The second floor is devoted to a series of offices, laboratories, and rooms for the mes- sengers connected with the fish distribution service. The third floor is used as a depot for supplies and materials, and the fourth story as a storage room. <A large shed has been built on the Armory grounds for the deposit of the collections from the International Exhibition at Phila- delphia.

The entire reservation belonging to the Armory has been inclosed by a high and substantial fence, and the interior space concreted, with the exception of two oval spaces, in which it is proposed to construct ponds for holding carp and other fish while awaiting distribution to distant points of the country.

In these grounds are also two tracks connecting with the Baltimore and Potomac Railway system, and capable of holding four passenger cars or six freight cars. This is a very great convenience both to the Fish Commission and to the Smithsonian Institution, as, apart from the facility for distributing fish, it makes it possible to load and unload cars containing collections relating to the National Museum or to the Smithsonian Institution. The entire shipment of articles for the Lon- don Exhibition, filing some fifteen cars, was,put on board directly from the Armory yard, the boxes and packages being carried over by the wagon of the Institution and loaded directly in place, thus greatly facilitating the work.

In a similar manner the cars containing the return exhibits were brought into the yard and the contents transferred either to the storage shed adjacent or brought over to the National Museum.

Natural History Workshop.—This building continues to be used as a workshop for the modeling of plaster and papier-maché casts of speci- mens and for the photographic service of the Geological Survey.

The work of taxidermy has been removed in part to a temporary wooden structure on the grounds east of the Museum. ‘The necessity for providing suitable work rooms for the taxidermists has become very great, and in connection with this, provision for the storage of alcoholic

Si

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. . 7

collections and for the packing and unpacking of boxes of specimens is urgently required. Ihave therefore submitted an estimate to Congress for an appropriation of $10,000 “for the erection of a fire-proof brick storage building east of the National Museum, for receiving, unpacking, assorting, and storing the natural history collections of the Government, to replace the wooden structures now used for the purpose.”

Necessity for an additional Museum Building.—No better illustration ean be had of the increase in the collections of the National Museum than the fact that an additional building is urgently required for their proper accommodation, as explained in the last report (1882).

In 1875 the collections then in charge of the Smithsonian Institution were comfortably accommodated within the limits of the Smithsonian building, in rooms having an aggregate area of 30,000 square feet. They consisted principally of specimens of natural history and eth- nology; confined almost entirely to North America, with the exception of objects of Polynesian manufacture, forming part of the Wilkes col- lection.

In 1875 an appropriation was made by Congress to enable the Smith- sonian Institution and the Fish Commission to prepare an exhibit of objects illustrating the resources of the United States, as derived from the animal and mineral kingdoms, and, with the assistance of a special appropriation to the Indian Bureau, of a collection of North American anthropology. <A large sum of money was expended in the preparation of this exhibit, which was forwarded to Philadelphia in 1876, and con- stituted a part of the Government display which attracted much atten- tion.

At the close of the Philadelphia Exhibition very large donations were made to the United States by foreign countries, including both the official commissioners and individual exhibitors. Many objects of much interest were contributed on the same occasion from American displays. These collections, filling some fifty freight cars, were brought to Wash- ington, and were stored for a time in the Armory building, assigned by Congress for their reception.

After several fruitless efforts an appropriation of $250,000 was ob- tained for the purpose of putting up an inexpensive edifice for the storage of these articles, and their transfer was begun in the autumn of 1881, but little more than two years ago.

Since then large numbers of collections of very great importance have come to hand, chief among them being the gatherings of the United States Geological Survey, and of the Ethnological Bureau, made on a scale of unexampled magnitude, and well befitting the operations of a nation like the United States. The many scientific explorations, made either separately by the Smithsonian Institution, or conjointly with the United States Signal Service or other Bureaus or bodies, the work of the Fish Commission, and the enormous aggregate of many smaller col- lections, have tended largely to increase the material to be provided for.

8 F REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

In addition to this, the exhibition by the United States, at London, of illustrations of its fisheries, (the freight bulk of which amounted to not less than 24,000 cubic feet, and consisting, in very large part, of new objects and articles, obtained at the expense of the appropriations of Congress for that purpose,) must also be provided for; as also the very valuable and extensive collections in mineralogy, geology, and metallurgy made by the American Institute of Mining Engineers, and presented to the United States, but stored in Philadelphia, awaiting an appropriation for its transfer.

It may be stated in brief, therefore, that, at the present time, the vast building, finished scarcely more than two years ago, is now filled to overflowing; while there is additional material enough on hand belong- ing to the Government to occupy fully half of a second building of the same size, and with a probability that the entire space will be required before the construction can be accomplished, even supposing that it is begun at the earliest possible time.

The Smithsonian Institution has always acted in hearty co-operation with the affiliated scientific branches of the Government even where no official relationship existed, this being notably the case in regard to the United States Geological Survey. This important Bureau, in the rapid increase of its work, has been greatly hampered by want of the necessary accommodations ; and it was with much gratification that the Institution proffered a share of the new building to the Director, Major Powell, for the accommodation of his collections, and for the office and laboratory work. It was, however, unable to do as much as was desir- able, owing to the inadequacy of quarters for the purpose.

Should an appropriation be made for the new building, for which the Board authorized application to Congress, it is intended to share it with the Geological Survey so that it may have all the facilities required for its important work.

It will be remembered that Congress in the act of 1846 set aside for the use of the Smithsonian Institution 20 acres in the southwest corner of the square bounded by Seventh and Twelfth streets, and north and south B streets, the center of the Smithsonian building being exactly in the middle of the square. It was in the southeast quarter of this reservation that the new Museum building was erected, forming a very unsymmetrical annex to the original Smithsonian building. It is now proposed to take the southwest corner of the reservation for the new edifice, which, when completed, will be essentially of the general char- acter of the present Museum building, and will restore the proper archi- tectural balance.

Congress has now been asked to make an appropriation for one wing of this new building to be specially fitted for the use of the offi- cers and laboratories of the National Museum and of the Geological Survey; and, if the amount can be obtained at the present session,

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 9

occupation of the building can be assured within eighteen months from the commencement of operations. The vacating of the rooms now oc- cupied by the Geological Survey will also furnish much-needed accom- modation to the Museum; possibly enough until the remainder of the building can be provided for. The proposed wing, however, will be complete in itself, architecturally, and will not involve any addition for its proper harmonious effect.

MEETINGS OF SCIENTIFIC BODIES.

On the 17th of April the annual meeting of the National Academy of Sciences was held in the hall of the National Museum, and, in accord- ance with the authority granted by the Executive Committee, the same room was also used by the American Pharmaceutical Association. The meeting of this body, which lasted several days, was attended by a large number of delegates, who found in the building all the accommo- dations necessary for their purpose. A large floor space was vacated temporarily and filled by the extensive collections brought for exhibition on the occasion, and in many instances the Institution was able to sup- ply empty cases, constituting a great convenience to the exhibitors.

The collections of materia medica belonging to the Museum were greatly appreciated, and it was resolved that the collections of the National Museum should be considered as under the special patronage - of the association, and that all new preparations devised by members of the association should be deposited therein.

Similar action was taken by the Association of Wholesale Druggists, which met in New York later in the year; so that the collections of the Museum are likely to receive great benefit.

The “Saturday lectures,” under the auspices of the Anthropological and Biological Societies of Washington, were continued during the win- ter of 1882-83. The following is a list of the lectures delivered :

On rivers. Capt. Clarence E. Dutton, U.S. A. January 13.

The races of men. Prof. Otis T. Mason. January 20.

Mountains and mountaineers of the Caucasus. Mr. George Kennan, January 27.

Mesmerism in animals (with experiments). Dr. D. Webster Prentiss. February 3.

Mythical animals. Prof. Theodore Gill. February 10.

Germs and epidemics. Dr. John 8S. Billings, U.S. A. February 17.

The plant life of the globe, past and present. Prof. Lester F. Ward. February 24.

Pearls and pearl fisheries. Mr. William H. Dall. March 3.

Indian mythology. Maj. J. W. Powell. March 10.

Adaptation and interdependence between plants and insects. Prof. C. V. Riley. March 17.

The teachings of paleontology. Prof. C. A. White. March 24.

EO Svs _ REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

Human proportion in art and anthropometry. Dr. Robert Fletcher, U.S.A. March 31.

Dr. D. W. Prentiss, of Washington, delivered, by invitation, a course of lectures in connection with the department of Materia Medica of the National Museum. The lectures were illustrated by specimens and other material from the collections selected for that purpose by Dr. Flint, curator of the department of Materia Medica. The following was the programme:

LECTURE I.—Jntroductory: Remarks upon the general plan of the National Museum. Description of the Materia Medica department ; its high value for the purpose of study. Classification and arrangement.

LECTURE II.—On the classification of medicinal forms : Illustrated by specimens. Exhibition of microscopical sections.

LECTURE II1.—Opium: Its value as a medicine. Cultivation and statistics of consumption. In legitimate medicine. In patent medi- cines. In opium habit. Exhibition of specimens.

LECTURE IV.—Cinchona: Natural history and sources. Native for- ests. Cultivation. Artificial quinine. Alkaloids. Exhibition of specimens.

LECTURE V.— Vegetable cathartics: Rhubarb, aloes, senna, manna, colocynth, elaterium. Exhibition of specimens.

LECTURE VI.— Vegetable cathartics : Jalap, sceammony, gamboge, cro- ton oil, podophyllum. Exhibition of specimens. \

LaorurE VIl.— Vegetable astringents: Tannie acid, gallic acid, nut- galls, catechu, kino, krameria, logwood. Exhibition of specimens.

LECTURE VIII.—Animal products used in medicine : Cantharis (Span- ish fly), coccus cacti (cochineal), castoreum (castor), moschus (musk), fel tauri (ox bile), ichthyocolla (isinglass). Exhibition of specimens.

On the completion of the lectures by Dr. Prentiss, a number of per- sons who profited by the occasion addressed a formal letter of thanks to the Institution.

The annual address of Major Powell, the retiring president of the Philosophie Society of Washington, to which the members of the An- thropological and Biological Societies were invited, was held in the lect- ure-room of the Museum on the 8th day of December. On this oc- casion the room was lighted by the Brush-Swan storage-battery system, supplied by the dynamo machine lent to the Institution indefinitely by the Brush Company, of Cleveland. Several exhibitions of this light had previously been made in the lecture-room under the direction of Mr. A. A. Hayes, and the plant was left in the room for any subsequent demand that might be made upon it.

The Biological Society has held regular fortnightly meetings in the Museum lecture-room.

On the 26th and 27th of February an exhibition was held of the col- lections about to be sent to the Fisheries Exhibition in London, which attracted large crowds of interested spectators.

¥

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. EE ROUTINE WORK OF THE INSTITUTION.

Administration.—No change of importance has taken place in the personnel of the Institution during the year, and all of the several di- visions have discharged their functions satisfactorily. The usual in- crease in the magnitude of the work has, however, been strongly marked, and this, in connection with the inconvenient accommoda- tions referred to above, has naturally taxed the abihities of all con- cerned to the utmost.

Correspondence.—The work in this department—steadily increasing— is not marked by any special departures from its accustomed range. The number of visionary projects and of novel or ancient scientific speculations presented and urged for publication has rendered neces- sary the following circular, to accompany the letter of reply:

“This Institution being in frequent receipt of communications an- nouncing discoveries or theories supposed by the writers to be both new and important, it should be stated that owing to the number of such papers the usual course is to refer them to one or more specialists in the particular subject discussed, and to communicate briefly by let- ter to the authors the results of such examination. This may some- times involve a delay of several weeks before the expected answer is returned.

‘‘ In order to correct a very common misapprehension, it is proper to state that the Institution has not offered any standing prizes for the solution of difficult problems or for the discovery of new scientific principles. The proper course for those who wish to obtain pecuniary advantage from their supposed contributions to knowledge is to make some practical application thereof, for which they may secure a patent from the United States Patent Office. It may also be remarked that a rule adopted by the Board of Regents forbids the Secretary or his as- sistants giving, for personal benefit, an official se as to the merits or demerits of ert ie or other projects.”

EXPLORATIONS.

A very important part of the work of the Smithsonian Institution, representing no inconsiderable portion of its expenditures, consists in the prosecution of explorations having for their principal object the gather-

ing of material illustrating the natural history and the physics of the regions involved.

The hearty co-operation of the Signal Office and of other branches of the Government, and the associated work of the Ethnological Bureau, during the year have greatly increased the amount of research in this direction, and it may safely be claimed that in no year in the history of the Institution has more been accomplished. The actual expenditures on the part of the Institution have amounted to $2,733.35, no incon- siderable portion of the entire income, the largest amount expended in

12 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

any one direction being about $600, and from that down to very small amounts. The results, however, are, in most cases, of a magnitude far out of proportion to the cost.

A special report will be made by Mr. Goode, Assistant Director of the Museum, upon the collections as such; my duty here being to present the historical part of the subject, and to give the history and places of operation of the more important expeditions. In doing this, as hereto- fore, I take up the subject by regions, commencing with the circumpolar area of North America.

Labrador and Newfoundland.—_In the report for 1882 reference was made to the establishment at Fort Chimo, in Ungava Bay, Northern Labrador, of an observing station by the United States Signal Office, and of the detail of Mr. Lucien M. Turner, for many years in the service of that Bureau. As on previous occasions, Mr. Turner was furnished by the Institution with all the materials necessary to make collections and observations in natural history; this, of course, in addition to what was done for him by the Signal Office in connection with the more im- portant object of his mission, namely, the observation of Buen yet ic and physical phenomena.

As in many eases heretofore, the Hudson’s Bay Company extended a hearty co-operation, in the first place, by authorizing the sending of Mr. Turner to one of its posts, and then by taking him to destination on its vessel and caring for him on hisarrival. Embarking at Montreal on a schooner, Mr. Turner was transferred at Rigolet to the steamer, and reached his place of destination. in due season. Some collections made by him on the way were received in Washington in the latter part of that year. Since then, advices from Mr. Turner to date of Sep- tember 8, 1883, show that he has been very successful in his work, has made continued and uninterrupted observations in climatology, and has also collected very largely of objects of natural history and ethnol- ogy. These were sent home by him by the Hudson’s Bay Company’s vessels to London, where they were transshipped in bond and for. warded to New York, coming from London by the Monarch Line of steamers without any charges, in accordance with the courtesy of that company mentioned in another part of this report.

Twenty-seven boxes and casks have been received from Mr. Turner, containing rich treasure of birds and eggs, mammals, and marine ani- mals, and many interesting specimens of ethnology.

Mr. Turner will probably return from his post of duty in the summer of 1884, which will give him an additional season of research.

This portion of Northern Labrador has for many years been a region of great interest to the naturalist and ethnologist; and Mr. Tarner’s experience as a collector and observer will undoubtedly enable us to solve, for the most part, the principal problems in regard to it.

Mr. Turner has also made arrangements to obtain specimens from Eastern Labrador, especially at Rigolet, Nain, Ovac, &c.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 13

In connection with the researches of Mr. Turner in Northern Labra- dor, it may be stated that the Institution, in return for the many favors rendered by the Hudson’s Bay Company in that connection, offered to present to it a series of his collections, to be sent to such point as it might designate. Professor Dawson, of McGill College, of Montreal, asked the company to indicate the Redpath Museum, of which he was the director, as the repository in question. This was assented to, and the Institution has promised that the collection shall be forwarded as soon as the expedition is completed and the materials can be suitably overhauled. ;

Dr. C. Hart Merriam, of Locust Grove, N. Y., one of the most ac- complished of the young school of American naturalists, has been very much interested in questions of the specific relationships and the natural history of the American seals, and, for the purpose of studying this group of animals, left his home February 21, 1883, and proceeded by rail to Halifax, whence, sailing per steamship Newfoundland, he reached Saint John’s, Newfoundland, on the night of March 2, after passing through nearly 500 miles of ‘‘ pan-ice.”. Through the courtesy of J. & W. Stewart, and the kindness of their manager, John Syme, esq., he was accorded the rare privilege of visiting the seal fishery as a guest upon their fine steamship Proteus, Capt. Richard Pike, master. At 6 o’clock on the morning of the 10th of March the Proteus left, and encountered a belt of heavy drift-ice near the island of Baccalieu, remaining beset in the proper field-ice at 11 p. m. the same day. From that time until the return no open water was seen excepting in narrow leads and ice-holes, her progress being exceedingly slow, and she was often nipped, and several times jammed in the heavy ice.

Seals were first met with in numbers on the 18th, in latitude 52° 42/ N. They were the large hooded or bladder-nose seal (Cystophora cris- tata), and no less than a thousand were killed and hauled aboard that day. When not beset, the steamer was among the “hoods” the greater part of the time till the 29th, when the cargo was completed, every available space having been filled with skins and fat. Returning in a storm, during which the vessel, thus heavily laden, narrowly escaped being swamped, the party re-entered the harbor of Saint John’s on the 1st of April. This trip was one of the quickest and most successful on record, the skins and fat of 42 harp seals and 14,623 hooded seals, weighing gross 6863 tons, being deposited in the company’s factory.

The results of this expedition, from a scientific point of view, were particularly gratifying, the specimens obtained being of extreme rarity both in the museums of this country and in those of Europe. They consisted of the skins and skulls of 7 harp seals (Phoca grenlandica), and 112 hooded seals (chiefly skulls) of both sexes and all ages. In addition to these, Dr. Merriam had the good fortune to procure a full grown foetus of the square flipper seal (Hrignathus barbatus), which is supposed to be unique.

14 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

Whatever of value may attach to these specimens is insignificant by comparison with the importance of the very extended notes Dr. Merriam was enabled to make concerning the breeding habits of the hooded seal, and upon the structure and nature of their peculiar inflatible pro- boscis or ‘ hood,” which is wrongly figured and described in all the published accounts.

Greenland.—Previous reports make mention of the expectation of in- teresting collections in natural history and ethnology on the part of Lieutenant Greely and his Signal Service expedition to Lady Frank- lin Bay, as they took with them a very complete outfit of apparatus and supplies for natural history work. In the failure of the relief par- ties of 1882 and 1883 to reach them, we are, of course, unable to form any idea of what they have accomplished. It is to be hoped, however, that the measures about to be taken for their assistance will be suc- cessful, and that they will be found in the enjoyment of good health and with ample results of their explorations.

It is generally known, of course, that the steamer Proteus was char- tered by the United States Signal Office to carry Lieutenant Garling- ton and his party to the north for the purpose of establishing con- nection with Lieutenant Greely and his companions, and of bringing them back to the United States. The Navy Department, at the re- quest of the Secretary of War, furnished the steamer Yantic, under Commander Wilde, as convoy and aid. Two naval ensigns, Messrs. H. G. Dresel and A. Ackerman, who had been assigned to duty at the National Museum, volunteered their services to accompany the Yantic, and were ordered to her by the Navy Department as natural history assistants. They were placed somewhat under a disadvantage by the necessities of the service, but succeeded in making some very interest- ing and acceptable collections ; Mr. Dresel devoting himself more par- ticularly to natural history, and Mr. Ackerman to mineralogy and geol- ogy. A number of well-filled boxes were brought back, and their con- tents have been duly sorted and distributed in the collections.

Both these gentlemen were ordered again to the National Museum, where Mr. Dresel is still engaged. Mr. Ackerman, however, volun- teered for duty with the Albatross in her proposed expedition to the Caribbean Sea, and is now on board that vessel.

Arctic Coast.~The most important exploration that has ever been prosecuted directly on the Arctic coast of the United States is that of the Point Barrow party, under Lieutenant Ray, sent up in 1881 by the Chief Signal Officer for the purpose of taking part in the international system of certain polar meteorological stations. Lieutenant Ray was accompanied by Messrs. J. E. Murdock and Middleton Smith, as civil- ian assistants in meteorology and magnetism, and also as collectors and observers in natural history.

The expedition was organized in San Francisco, the last member of

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 15

the original party of ten reporting for duty on July 5, 1881, and it ' sailed from that city on the 18th of the same month, in the schooner Golden Fleece.

On September 8 the vessel arrived at Cape Smyth, 10 miles from Point Barrow, to the southwest, and it was decided to establish the station here, as the ground at Point Barrow itself was unsuitable for this purpose. The supplies of the party were accordingly landed with all possible speed, on account of the lateness of the season, and on Sep- tember 16 the schooner returned.

The house was finished and occupied October 3, and the regular work of the station commenced October 17. The station received its official name, ‘‘ Ooglaamie,” from an Eskimo village of the same name, about half a mile distant. The expedition succeeded in obtaining a continuous series of hourly meteorological observations from October 17, 1881, to August 27, 1883, when the party was recalled and the sta- tion abandoned. Hourly magnetic observations began on December 1, 1881, and continued till the station was closed. The Ist and 15th of each month were observed as magnetic-term days, the observations being made every five minutes on these days. Numerous observations were also obtained of auroras, tides, temperature of the sea and earth, &e.

The zodlogical work was carried on assiduously when the season per- mitted, and resulted in the securing of 497 bird-skins, comprising about 50 species, and 177 sets of eggs, mostly of wading birds; a small col- lection of skins, skulls, and skeletons of mammals; 11 or 12 species of fishes, not yet identified; a very few insects; and some marine and fresh-water invertebrates. The plants of the region were careftilly col- lected.

A considerable number of Eskimo vocabularies were obtained, to- gether with a large collection of implements, clothing, &e.

The commanding officer made two expeditions into the interior, which resulted in the discovery and partial exploration of a large river flowing into the Arctic Ocean.

The Arctic whaling fleet visited the station, bringing mail, in the sum- mers of 1882 and 1883; and in 1882 a relief expedition in the schooner Leo brought supplies and reénforcements.

The steam-whaler North Star, of New Bedford, was crushed in the ice near the station, July 8, 1882, and her crew were. received at the station and cared for till they could be placed on board the other vessels.

The station was closed and abandoned August 27, 1888, and the ex- pedition proceeded on the schooner Leo to San Francisco, where it was disbanded October 15, 1883.

Due report will be made by Lieutenant Ray to the Chief Signal'Offi- cer of the meteorological and physical researches of the party. The collections in natural history and ethnology just referred to are of the

16 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

very greatest interest and value, including large numbers of birds, some plants, but principally rich in ethnological matter.

The National Museum has heretofore been much favored by ample ilustrations of the life of the Eskimo of Greenland, of the Mackenzie River region, and of Northwestern River from Kotzbue Sound around to Cook’s Inlet. The acquisition of very large collections from Northern Labrador, made by Mr. Turner, and from Point Barrow and its vicinity, by Lieutenant Ray and his party, nearly completes the series, and enables the Institution to claim for the National Museum the possession of by far the finest series in existence of illustrations of Eskimo life.

Among the choice ornithological treasures of the Point Barrow Ex- pedition are over 50 skins of Ross’s gull, a bird of which only a few specimens are elsewhere known.

Alaska.—Quite a number of interesting collections have been received from the different stations in Alaska, although not in such quantity as it has been sometimes our pleasing duty to record. From Saint Michael’s nothing has come in 1883; the exhaustive work, however, at that point, first of Messrs. Kennicott, Dall, and Pease, of the Western Union Over- land Telegraph Expedition of 1865, and then of Mr. Turner and Mr. Nelson, has left practically very little to be accomplished. It is ex- pected, however, that something will soon come to hand from the Signal Service observers at that station.

It is with deep regret that I here record the death, by drowning, April 19 last, of Charles L. McKay, in charge of the United States Signal Service station at Nushagak, Fort Alexander, Alaska, and whose important collection has been the subject of notice in several of the previous reports.

He started on a tour of exploration to Cape Constantine on the break- ing up of the ice in the river, and, returning, his boat was capsized and he was drowned. The body had not been recovered at the latest ad- vices.

Mr. McKay had been in the service of the Signal Office about two years, having been nominated by the Smithsonian Institution, through the courtesy of General Hazen. He was not only an efficient meteorol- ogist, but also an accomplished naturalist, trained under the direction of Professor Jordan. é

All the collections made by Mr. McKay at tbe time of his death have been received, through the courtesy of the Alaska Commerciai Com- pany, and properly disposed of. They include some very rare forms of animal life, as also numerous ethnological specimens of much interest, showing that the people in the vicinity of Nushagak are essentially Eskimo, but somewhat aberrant in their habits from those in the more northern localities.

Mr. W. J. Fisher, stationed at Kodiak, in the service of the United States Coast Survey, has also continued his very valuable co-operation by sending many interesting specimens of natural history and ethnology.

: ey ae

if

me

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. Li

Among his more recent transmissions are included a new species of petrel, which has been named in his honor. Mr. Fisher is contemplat- ing an extended exploration of the interior of Alaska at some future day, and will doubtless make his mark, owing to his thorough prepara- tion for the work. .

A few collections of a miscellaneous character have been received from Sitka, although none of any particular importance.

Lieut. Commander H. E. Nicholls, in command of the United States Coast Survey steamer Hassler, in the course of his labors in Alaskan waters, during the year 1883, has utilized his opportunities, as hereto- fore, in the interest of the National Museum, by collecting a large num- ber of objects of interest and transmitting them to Washington.

Among the localties in the North Pacific Ocean least known to nat- uralists are the Commander Islands (Bering and Copper), situated about 70 miles off the coast of Kamtschatka, and forming a connecting link between that mainland and the Aleutian Archipelago.

The chief interest of this group of islands lies in the fact that it was the home of the great northern sea-cow (Rhytina gigas), a marine mammal related to the manatee, and of enormous size, reaching a length of 30 feet and a weight of several thousand pounds.

This animal was only known by civilized man for a small number of years before its complete extermination, and more than one hundred years must have elapsed since the existence of the last survivor.

The Smithsonian Institution has for some time taken special interest in the Commander Islands in connection with the northern sea-cow ; and also in the desire to determine what are the faunal and floral re- Jationships between them and the Asiatic continent on the one side, and the American islands on the other.

In the Report for 1882 brief mention is made of the opportunity which presented itself for exploring the region in question through the court- esy of the Alaska Commercial Company in offering its most liberal aid in carrying out the undertaking.

The Signal Office also desired to have a station on the island and another on the adjacent mainland of Kamtschatka, so as the more read- ily to connect the observations of the Russian Government on the con- tinent of Asia with those on the Aleutian Archipelago and circumpolar regions, partly under its own direction and partly under that of the

Canadian Government.

Dr. L. Stejneger, an eminent Norwegian naturalist, at the time in Washington, accepted the invitation of the Smithsonian Institution to take charge of the proposed exploration ; and, as stated in the last Re- port, he left Washington towards the end of March, 1882, expecting to sail from San Francisco on the 1st of April. He was, however, delayed for several days by snow on the line of the Union Pacific Railroad ; the Alaska Commercial Company, with unexampled courtesy, holding their

~ vessel until the doctor’s arrival in San Francisco,

18 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

Leaving San Francisco April 5, the doctor landed on Bering Island on the 8th of May, and after starting work on the island proceeded to Petropaulowski, where he spent several weeks in establishing a second, class station, to work in connection with a first-class station on Bering Island.

Dr. Stejneger spent the summer on Bering Island; and on ‘Auwaae 21 made a boat expedition around the island, Bepeaails for the purpose of collecting the bones of the Rhytina. This work occupied twelve days.

The winter was spent on Bering Island, during which time several expeditions were made in dog sledges into the interior.

In May Dr. Stejneger proceeded again to Petropaulovski to inspect the station, and made numerous collections) and observations in the vicinity. In the summer he visited Copper Island, for the purpose of studying the habits of the fur-seals, of which there are large rookeries, worked by the Alaska Commercial Company.

Returning to Bering Island, Dr. Stejneger finished his work there, and left on the steamer St. Paul for San Francisco, where he arrived — October 29, 1883, and shortly after reached Washington.

The most noteworthy results of Dr. Stejneger’s expedition consisted— first, of 4 more or less complete series of vertebre and long bone and about 18 skulls of the Rhytina; second, 1 skull of a bearded whale, and several skulls of three different genera of toothed whales, embracing forms of great rarity, and previously unknown in the North Pacific; third, three specimens of the Kamtschatkan mountain sheep; fourth, about 700 bird-skins, including 7 adults of the great Kamtschatkan sea-eagle, together with a large collection of birds of Kamtschatka and the Commander Islands, some of them new to science; fifth, collections of the fishes, marine invertebrates, &e.; and, finally, sixth, collections of Tertiary fossils.

A considerable number of the water birds and fishes of the Com- mander Islands are supposed to be identical with, or else very closely © related to, those of Alaska on the one side and Kamtschatka on the other; the precise determination of this fact, however, depending upon a careful comparison of specimens.

No museum in the world has heretofore furnished the opportunity which is now presented in the National Museum for making final decis- ion ou these doubtful points.

Dr. Stejneger makes mention in his report of the most liberal and generous aid rendered by Messrs. Hutchinson, Kohl, Philippeus & Co., as well as by the Alaska Commercial Company and their employés, that was Shown him in every possible way, including free passage to and from the islands and quarters during his stay.

He also especially mentions in the same connection Mr. N. Gr ebnitsky, _ manager on the part of the Russian Government of the Commander Islands, for valuable assistance and liberality in adding many of the most interesting specimens to his collection.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 19

British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon.—Much the most important research prosecuted under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution was that by Mr. James G. Swan in the Queen Charlotte Islands. The aid rendered by Mr. Swan to the Institution in its various enterprises is mentioned in many of the preceding annual reports; for more than a quarter of a century his contributions having been most noteworthy. To him we owe very extensive collections illustrating the life and work of the Indians of Puget Sound, as also everything relating to the fish- eries of that region, whether prosecuted by the savage or the white man. The aboriginal fishery implements collected by Mr. Swan and exhibited by the United States at Berlin and London attracted very great atten- tion.

During the past year the Institution was enabled, by the appropria- tion for the prosecution of ethnological researches, to send Mr. Swan on an extended exploration of the Queen Charlotte Islands—a region of which but little has hitherto been known. Such is the ease of com- munication with Alaska and the adjacent regions at the present time, and such the extent of travel in that direction, that objects of native manufacture, whether prehistoric or modern, are becoming extremely scarce and very costly. As these characteristics increase day by day, there is, of course, no time to be lost in securing that complete repre- sentation required fur the service of the National Museum in Wash- ington.

Fortunately for this object, the Queen Charlotte Islands have been more out of the way of travel, and much less well known; and Mr. Swan, with the hearty co-operation of officers of the Hudson’s Bay Company, especially of Mr. George, was able, at reasonable rates, to secure a collection of extraordinary magnitude and interest. This, fill- ing some thirty boxes, has reached Washington, and is now being cata- logued and arranged. It includes a full series of everything relating to the life and customs of the Indians, and especially to the modes and results of their fishing, which of course constitute a very prominent feature in their life.

One of the most important results of Mr. Swan’s work was the dis- covery of the use of a fish of great food vaiue, known as the Beshowe, or black cod. This is the Anoplopoma jfimbria of ichthyologists, and is in no way related to the cod, although improperly so called. It is an extremely abundant fish, easily caught, and when salted keeps well, and is very palatable. Specimens sent by the United States Fish Commission to Boston were smoked and pronounced to be superior to the halibut similarly treated. It is not improbable that an extensive eastern demand can be established for this fish.

Capt. Charles Bendire, whose official co-operation in the work of the ‘Smithsonian Institution has been already referred to, has, during the year, made some interesting collections at Fort Klamath and forwarded them to the Institution,

20 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

California.—As usual, the collections from California have been of much importance, and furnish material not only for the reserve collec- tions of the National Museum, but also for distribution and exchange.

The most important collection was furnished by Mr. Charles H. Town- send, an employé of the United States Fish Commission at the salmon hatchery on the McCloud River. Large collections of birds and their eggs, skins of mammals, specimens of reptiles and fishes, fossil re- mains, &c., have all been sent in large quantity, furnishing the means for an elaborate monograph of the animal productions of Shasta County. Mount Shasta itself was visited, and the distribution of animal life earetully noted. Mr. Livingston Stone, who has charge of the salmon hatchery, also made some important contributions.

From Mr. J. J. McLean, Signal Service observer at Cape Mendocino, were received some very desirable collections ; and Mr. k. EK. C. Stearns also furnished large numbers of antiquities, as well as of recent shells.

Lower California, Arizona, and New Mexico.—The explorations of this region by the several correspondents of the Institution have furnished some valuable matter, especially the gatherings of Mr. L. Belding in the vicinity of the Gulf of California.

Nearly a quarter of a century ago Mr. John Xantus, an accomplished naturalist and collector, prosecuted an extended exploration to Cape Saint Lucas and the southern end of the Gulf of California, in the in- terest of the Smithsonian Institution. The additions made by that gentleman to our knowledge were of the utmost interest and impor- tance.

Since then almost nothing has been done in that region until in 1881, when, at the suggestion of the Institution, Mr. L. Belding, of Califor- nia, undertuok to revisit the same region, with a view of ascertaining what changes, if any, had occurred since the time of Mr. Xantus, and whether any additional facts or species could be obtained.

Starting on his mission in 1881, Mr. Belding was occupied at La Paz for about three months, from the middle of December to the middle of March, making side trips to Espiritu Santo and other points in the vicinity.

He then proceeded to Cape Saint Lucas by steamer, and from there to San José, where he remained until May 18, with occasional excursions to Miraflores, after which he returned to California.

During this time Mr. Belding gathered a great many extremely ac- ceptable specimens, which were duly transmitted to the Smithsonian Institution. He ascertained that most of the species which were found by Mr. Xantus, and supposed to be peculiar to Cape Saint Lucas, had quite an extended distribution northward, although he was unable to define exactly their limitations. :

His collections included all kinds of animals, even to the marine invertebrates, some plants, and some very interesting archwological objects,

se!

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 21

' During a good part of the time his hands were disabled by contact with the spines of the cactus, and he was consequently unable to use them in preparing skins of birds to the extent he desired.

Mr. Belding revisited Lower California in 1882—83, arriving at Guay- mas on December 7, during which time he collected extensively in the vicinity.

From La Paz he went to San José del Cabo, and then proceeded to Laguana for the purpose of making explorations in the Victoria Mountain.

On February 15, having been joined by Dr. Ten Cate, a naturalist acting in behalf of the museums of Leyden, Holland, and who had previously been in Washington, he proceeded to a point about 50 miles north of San José, in search of aboriginal ruins as well as of objects of natural history. They explored the region pretty thoroughly, and ascended the mountain, 4,500 feet in height.

In the beginning of March the two gentlemen again started from La Paz to various points on the coast, among them Ballena, Las Paritas, San Antonio, San Jacinto, &c. In the course of the expedition they

‘found some aboriginal remains of much interest, of which series were collected and sent to Washington.

Among the aboriginal remains were some curiously-marked rock paintings, which attracted much interest.

On March 23 Mr. Belding returned to Guaymas, from which point he was obliged by illness to return home to California.

Mr. Emerich, of Guaymas, has also laid the Institution under obli- gations by transmitting a collection of stone implements of very re- markable character, and from some regions previously unrepresented,

Mr. H. H. Rusby has completed his proposed explorations in Ari- zona, especially in connection with its botany. <A series of his collee- tions has been furnished the National Museum, as also a collection of photographs representing the geological and archeological features of the country.

From the remaining portions of the United States, collections have been received from many points, and representing more or less valua- ble material in archeology, natural history, mineralogy, and geology. These will all be duly noted in the report of the assistant director, Mr. Goode.

Parties of the Geological Survey, under Major Powell, have secured an immense number of specimens—those of fossils and rocks by the ton. The extensive collections in anthropology made by Mr. James Stevenson in New Mexico have not yet been received.

A large collection of fossils, reptiles, and fishes has been furnished by Mr. George Stolley, of Austin, Tex.

Dr. Shufeldt, of the Army, while stationed at Jackson Barracks, near New Orleans, devoted himself to the complete exploration of the nat- ural history of that region; his collections being especially rich in rep-

o9 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

tiles, fishes, and insects. He also secured some desirable objects from the mounds in the vicinity.

Mr. A. A. Robinson, chief engineer of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé Railway, presented eighteen boxes of samples of the building stones found along the line of the railway mentioned, constituting a very important addition to the building stone department of the Na- tional Museum.

An almost equally valuable collection of building stones from North Carolina was presented by Professor Kerr.

Additional collections of fossils, bones, &c., were furnished by Mr. Jrooks, of New Iberia, La.

The Atlantic seaboard.—From the Atlantic coast of the United States the most important collections have been those of the United States Fish Commission, ard especially from the work of the steamer Alba- tross. These embrace a vast variety of animal species for the most part taken in depths down to 3,000 fathoms. Over thirty new species of deep-sea fishes, of remarkable character, were obtained during the

season. It is, of course, understood that the main researches into the

temperatures, depths, salinity of water, and other indications were car- ried on, as well as the collection of specimens.

A most important research into the natural history of the Atlantic

coast of the United States has been carried on by the Institution with the co-operation of Mr. S. lL. Kimball, Superintendent of the Life-Sav- ing Service. In the early part of the year circulars from the Institu- tion were distributed by Mr. Kimball, which asked for telegraphic notification of the occurrence or capture of any remarkable marine ani- mal, and its careful preservation until word could be received from the Institution in regard to it.

The arrangement made by the Superintendent of the Life-Saving Service, early in the year, for the telegraphic announcement to the Smithsonian Institution, of the stranding of marine animals has already been productive of important results. The series of specimens thus far received is inevery way remarkable, and should the system continue to be so productive it is impossible to say what good may not result to zoology. ‘The first specimen received was that of a shark (Pseudotriacis microdon) from station No. 10, at Amagansett, N. Y., Mr. Joshua B. Edwards, keeper. This species had hitherto been captured only off the coast of Portugal, and its discovery in our waters was a matter of great interest to American ichthyologists. The only specimen known to be preserved besides this one is the type of the species.

Shortly after this shark was received a still more remarkable animal was announced from station No. 8, at Spring Lake, New Jersey, Mr. Henry 8S. Howland, keeper. This was a pigmy sperm whale, entirely new to the North Atlantic, and apparently new to science as well. It has been provisionally named Kogia Goodei. —

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 23

Few specimens of this genus have ever been collected, and these from the most remote parts of the globe, some from New Zealand, and one from Mazatlan at the entrance of the Gulf of California. These animals resemble the great sperm whale, to which they are closely related, but do not seem to attain a length of more than nine or ten feet, and are truly the pygmies of their race. The New Jersey specimen was pecu- liarly interesting in that it was a female with young. In dissecting the animal a foetus fully three feet long was found, which is probably the first ever seen by the naturalist.

The enthusiasm aroused by the arrival of this specimen had scarcely abated when the stranding of another cetacean was announced from station No. 17, at Barnegat City, N. J.. Mr. J. H. Ridgway, keeper. This remarkable animal floated in upon the tide and was secured by Mr. Ridgway and his crew after considerable exertion. The cura- tor of mammals and an assistant were dispatched from the National Museum, and a cast of the exterior was made and the skeleton prepared for shipment to Washington. As the huge animal lay upon the sand, the question of its identity proved quite a puzzling one to the zodlogist who viewed it, but when the skull was cut out, it was at once apparent that the animal belonged to the whales known as the Ziphioids, and probably to the species Ziphius cavirostris, an animal for which no com- mon name exists, but which may be termed a bottle-nosed whale. It is probably the second specimen ever taken on the coast of the United States. Ziphioid whales have a most interesting history. In ages past they were very abundant, perhaps as much so as the common por- poises of to-day, but at present only stragglers are found in remote quarters of the globe. It would seem as if they were but the surviv- ing relics of a great race which sprung into existence, reached the maximum of its abundance, and declined long ages before man ap- peared on earth.

From the station No. 25, at Fire Island, New York, Mr. Daniel S. Hubbard, keeper, and the station, No. 37, at Turtle Gut, New Jersey, Mr. Uriah Cresse, keeper, came two specimens of a porpoise, which, unlike the cetaceans which have been already referred to, is of common occurrence on our Atlantic coast and is probably also represented in European waters. The casts, however, which the National Museum was enabled to make are probably the first of the species in any museum in the country, and with the skeletons which were preserved form an excellent basis for comparison with other forms. The animal is com- monly known as the bottle-nose dolphin, and is identical with or closely allied to the species Tursiops truncatus.

In addition to the shark previously mentioned, several peculiar and interesting fishes have been received. Among these is a fish known as the “star gazer” (Astroscopus anoplus) from station No. 6, at Deal’s Island, North Carolina, Mr. Malachi Corbel, keeper. The “ star gazer”

24 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

is a southern species which occasionally strays northward as far as Cape Cod, but it is very rarein museums. A very closely allied species (Astroscopus y-grecum) is said to possess electrical powers in life.

From station No. 2, at Point Judith, Rhode Island, Mr. Herbert M. Knowles, keeper, was received a specimen of the ‘‘lumpfish.” The “lumpfish” as a rule is an inhabitant of colder waters than that in which it was found. The “flute mouth” (Fistularia serrata), from the same station, is a very rare species on our coast. The angel-fish (Pom- acanthus aureus) taken at Barnegat City, N. J., has not been known hitherto north of Florida.

In several cases, too, the keepers of the light-houses have rendered services similar to those of the officers of the life-saving stations, nota- bly Mr. Burnham, of the Cape Canaveral light-house, who, at therequest of General O. E. Babcock, light-house inspector, collected the skulls and bones of a large number of sperm whales, and transmitted them to the Institution. The keeper of the light-house at Monomoy Point, on Cape Cod, enabled the Institution to secure the first specimen recorded on the coast of the United States of the small fin-backed whale, Balenoptera rostrata.

Mexico.—Since the completion of the railway lines on the southern border of the United States, and extending into Mexico, access has been easy to an extremely interesting region hitherto more or less inaccessible, and several parties have asked and obtained assistance of the Smithsonian Institution in carrying on their researches. Among these Mr. H. H. Rusby, of New Jersey, with quite a large party, visited

yarious parts of Mexico and Arizona, more particularly in search of botanical novelties. He made a large coliection of photographs of the ancient ruins, of which a series has been presented to the National Mu- seum. The facilities extended by the Institution consisted principally in the way of free passes, obtained especially for the occasion, and of transportation of specimens from various points to Washington.

Another expedition of a similar character has been arranged for dur- ing the year, under the direction of Mr. C. G. Pringle, of Charlotte, Vt. This gentleman, who is well known as a botanist, will visit Northern Mexico, and in return for the facilities extended him by the Institution will supply a series of his duplicates.

Yucatan.—Mr. George F. Gaumer, formerly of Santa Fé, N. Mex., but more recently of Kansas City, Mo., resided for a number of years in Yucatan, engaged for the most part in making collections of specimens of natural history. He returned to New York with a large collection, especially of birds, many of which proved to be of new species. Mr. Gaumer has recently been appointed United States consular agent at Campeche, to which point he will proceed early in the coming year, and it is hoped to secure his services in completing the collections of the nat- ural history of Yucatan already in possession of the National Museum.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 25

Central America.—By far the most important collections received from this region is the series of casts from squeezes taken by Mr. Char- nay in the course of his explorations of Mexico and Central America, prosecuted largely at the expense of Mr. Pierre Lorillard, of New York. It is well known that Mexico and several States of Central America prohibit absolutely the removal from their borders of native antiquities, and it has, therefore, become almost impossible, even as a smuggling operation, to take away any but the smaller and more portable objects. Mr. Charnay, however, was permitted to copy what he pleased, and in the vicinity of the ruins of Palenque, Uxmal, and other localities he suc- ceeded in obtaining the material with which, on his return to Paris, he made two sets of casts. Of these, one became the property of the French Government, and the other of Mr. Lorillard, who kindly trans- ferred it to the National Museum, and paid the expenses of a suitable person to accompany the specimens from Paris to Washington, and to erect them in a room assigned for the purpose. This room has been made the depository of all other collections of a sinniar character from the same region. These include a large number of statues obtained along the line of the Costa Rica Railroad, and supplied by Mr. Minor C. Keith, engineer of the road. Statues obtained in the same region have also been supplied by Mr. Nutting and Mr. Harrington.

A very important exploration of Central America, carried on under the direction of the Institution, was conducted by Prof. Charles H. Gil- bert and Mr. C. C. Nutting, both aided in every possible way, first by the issue of free passes on the part of the Pacific Mail Steamship Com- pany, and then by the hearty co-operation of Capt. John M. Dow, the agent of that company at Panama. Mr. Gilbert devoted himself to the study of the ichthyology of the two shores of the isthmus, and collected a large number of species, including many new to science. These were by permission taken to the State University at Bloomington, Ind., where, unfortunately, they were nearly all destroyed by the disastrous fire in which the museum of the university was consumed.

Mr. Nutting’s work was prosecuted mainly in Costa Rica, and he brought back a valuable collection of birds and other objects, as well as some extremely interesting antiquities. Among these was a large stone image, nearly perfect in its character. His most important acquisitions were made on the San Juan River, at which point six new species of birds were secured.

Mr. J. C. Zeledon, of San José, Costa Rica, also furnished a continu- ation of the results of his extensive explorations into the natural history of his native country.

A large collection of pottery, stone implements, and some of metal, made in Chiriqui, by Mr. James McNeill, was received by the Institu- tion during the year.

The services of the United States Government were invoked by Guatemala in the selection of an astronomer to take charge of the run-

26 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

ning of a boundary line between that country and Mexico, and to rep- resent it officially on that occasion. Prof. Miles Rock, of the Washing- ton Observatory, was selected for the position in question, and kindly offered his services to the Institution in any practicable way that might be designated.

As itis believed that the region to be traversed by the commission contains many interesting archeological remains, Professor Rock was requested to secure photographs or drawings of as many of these as possible, as well as to obtain any portable specimens. ‘To this he kindly assented, and on his departure, in mid-summer, he carried with him a photographic outfit, furnished by the Institution. Much is ex- pected from Professor Rock’s labors, as he is an accomplished specialist, as well as being versed in photographic manipulation.

South America.—Not much material of importance has come to hand from South America, with the exception of a large collection of rare and remarkable Peruvian pottery, presented by Mr. W. W. Evans. Lieutenant Very, of the Navy, also furnished some specimens from Patagonia.

Japan, China, and Corea.—In previous reports reference has been made to the important work prosecuted by Mr. P. L. Jouy in China, a region first visited by him in connection with the service of the United States steamer Palos. After the completion of his engagement on the Palos, Mr. Jouy remained in Japan, where, with the kind aid of Messrs. Owston, Snow & Co., he was enabled to prosecute his explorations im certain litth-known portions of the empire. The collections sent by him relate to all branches of zodlogy as well as to archeology, and have proved to be of extreme interest. Through his exertions the National Museum now possesses very good collections of the birds of Japan, the fishes, in large part, having previously been received through the mu- seum at Tokio.

On the opening of intercourse with Corea, Mr. Jouy accompanied Minister Foster, and was enabled to obtain facilities for further re- search, the results of which have not been received. Ensign Bernadou, one of the naval officers detailed by the Department for service in the National Museum, volunteered for service in Corea, and was ordered thither by the Department, to prosecute his explorations under the

auspices of the Smithsonian Institution. Well trained in chemistry,

mineralogy, and geology, Mr. Bernadou expects to make some impor- tant researches in those branches, as well as in anthropology and gen- eral natural history.

Other Countries.—The collections from the other parts of the globe have not been of much importance, in view of the fact that the Institu- tion occupies itself but little in explorations in the Old World, believing that this is best done by agencies in Europe. Collections in materia

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 27

medica have been received from the Government authorities in Cal- cutta and Madras, as also from the directors of the museum at Kurra- chee, in India.

During the performance of his functions as Fishery Commissioner to the London Fishery Exhibition, Mr. Goode, Assistant Director of the National Museum, obtained a number of desirable collections in ex- change, and these have added materially to our knowledge, especially of the ichthyology of Europe. ©

PUBLICATIONS.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge.—During the past year a me- moir was published belonging to the quarto series of Smithsonian pub- lications, entitled ‘‘ On the contents of a bone-cave in the island of An- guilla (West Indies).”. By Edw. D. Cope. It gives a description of the fossil vertebrates, shells, and also of the indications of human occupa- tion discovered during the exeavation of a cave in the West Indian island of Anguilla.

The remains were first discovered in 1868, and brief notices of them made, but the publication of a full account was delayed in the hope that other objects might be added to the collection. The memoir was submitted to the Institution in 1878, but the other works in progress prevented its publication until last year.

The importance of the subject is shown by the fact that it is the first investigation of the life of the cave age in the West Indies; that it gives the first reliable indication of the period of submergence and hence of separation of the West Indian islands; that it furnishes the first evi- dence as to the antiquity of man in the West Indies, and that it de- scribes some very peculiar forms of animal life not previously known.

The paper consists of 34 pages, and contains 5 plates, with 105 fig- ures, the illustrations being made particularly full on account of the archeological interest attaching to those animals which were probably the contemporaries of the earliest men of tropical America,

Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections.—For several years past the In- stitution has expended a considerable portion of its publishing fund in reproducing, in the Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, the Bulle- tins and Proceedings of the National Museum ; as also the Proceedings of the Philosophical, Anthropological, and Biological Societies of Wash- ington, this being considered strictly germane to the plan of the Institu- tion and representing both divisions of its funections—the increase and the diffusion of knowledge. ‘The stereotype plates are furnished free of cost, leaving only the press-work and paper to be provided for.

By publishing these works in the series of Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections they are placed in all the principal libraries and establish- ments for research throughout the world; the cost to the Institution being simply that of press-work and paper. This is the only mode by which ample publication can be secured.

28 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

Four volumes of this series have been gathered and published during the year, some of the constituent papers of which (itis to be understood) had been previously issued separately.

Volume XXIV contains but one article, and comprises in all 1,081 pages. The article is entitled “Synopsis of the Fishes of North Amer- ica.” By David 8. Jordan and Charles H. Gilbert. 1882. 8vo. 1074 pp.

Volume XXYV contains five articles, comprising in all 786 pages. Article 1, ‘‘ Bulletin of the Philosophgal Society of Washington,” Vol. LV, October 9, 1880, to June 11, 1881. 8vo. 1883. 189 pp. Article 2, “ Bulletin of the Philosophical Society of Washington,” Vol. V, Octo- ber 8, 1881, to December 16, 1882. S8vo. 1883. 189 pp. Article 3, “Transactions of the Anthropological Society of Washington,” Vol. I, February 10, 1879, to January 17,1882. 8vo. 1882. 142pp. Article 4, “Abstract of Transactions of the Anthropological Society of Washing- ton,” from March 4, 1879, to January 18, 1881. 8vo. 1883. 150 pp. Article 5, ‘‘ Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington (with the addresses read on the occasion of the Darwin Memorial Meeting, May 12, 1882),” Vol. I, November 19, 1880, to May 26, 1882. 8vo. 1883. 110 pp.

Volume XX VI contains four articles, comprising in all 867 pages, with 70 illustrations. Article 1, ‘‘The Toner Lecture, No. VII, Sug- gestions for the Sanitary Drainage of Washington City.” By George B. Waring, jr. 8vo. June, 1880. 26 pp. Article 2, “List of Foreign Correspondents of the Smithsonian Institution, corrected to January, 1882.” 8vo. April, 1882. 174 pp. Article 3, “Additions and Correc- tions to the List of Foreign Correspondents, to January, 1883.” 8vo. 1883. 56 pp. Article 4, ‘Classification of the Coleoptera of North America.” By John L. Le Conte and George H. Horn. 8vo. 1883. 605 pp.

Volume XX VII contains four articles, comprising in all 815 pages. Article 1, ‘The Constants of Nature, Part IV, Atomic Weight Deter- minations; a Digest of the Investigations published since 1814.” By George F. Becker. 8vo. 1880. 152 pp. Article 2, “The Constants of Nature, Part V, a Recalculation of the Atomic Weights.”. By Frank Wigglesworth Clarke. 8vo. 1882. 293 pp. Article 3, “Catalogue of Publications of the Smithsonian Institution (1846-1882), with an Alpha- betical Index of Articles in the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowl- edge, Miscellaneous Collections, Annual Reports, Bulletins and Proceed- ings of the U.S. National Museum, and Report of the Bureau of Eth- nology.” By William J. Rhees. 8vo. 1882. 342 pp.

The separate papers under this class published during the year are the following:

No. 479. The Revort of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, for the year 1881, to the Board of Regents of the Institution. This was not actually published till 1883. It is an octavo pamphlet of 53 pp.

No. 480. “Classified List of Publications of the Smithsonian Institu- tion.” Svo, 24 pp.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 29

No. 481. “ Miscellaneous Papers relating to Anthropology,” from the Annual Report for 1851. 8vo. 160 pp.

No. 482, also from the Report for 1881, on “Tuckahoe, or Indian Bread,” by Prof. J. Howard Gore, was noticed in the Report for 1882 (pp. 23, 24), but was not actually issued till the spring of 1883 8vo. 15 pp.

Nos. 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, and 488. Accounts of Progress in Astron- omy, Meteoroiogy, Physics and Chemistry, Botany, Zodlogy, and An- thropology, for the year 1881, were not published till 1883.

No. 490. “Additions and Corrections to the List of Foreign Corre- spondents, to January, 1883.” 8vo. 56 pp.

No. 491. “Report of the National Museum Building Commission, and of the Architects, January, 1882.” 8 vo. 10 pp.

No. 498. “ Bulletin of the Philosophical Society of Washington, Vol. LY, October 9, 1880, to June 11, 1881.” 8vo. 189 pp. Illustrated with 1 map and 2 plates.

No. 499. “‘ Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington (with the addresses read on the occasion of the Darwin Memorial Meeting, May 12, 1882), Vol. I, November 19, 1880, to May 26, 1882.” 8vo. 110 pp. ;

No. 502. “Abstract of Transactions of the Anthropological Society of Washington, from March 4, 1879, to January 18,1881.” 8vo. 150 pp.

No. 503. “ Bulletin of the Philosophical Society of Washington, Vol. V, October 8, 1881, to December 16, 1882.” 8vo. 189 pp. Illustrated with 2 maps.

No. 507. The “ Classification of Coleoptera of North America,” by Drs. J. L. Le Conte and George H. Horn (referred to in the last report), has been published during 1883. The first edition of this work was published in 186162, and ended with the Cerambycide. Within the last twenty years not only have the collections of Coleoptera largely increased, but many new geuera have been discovered. The authors have carefully examined all the new material, studied all the works by foreign authors, and now present this volume as combining all the literature of the subject. Its value is much increased by the addition of a bibliography prepared by Mr. Samuel Henshaw, of Boston. The introduction describes the peculiar characteristics of coleopterous in- sects, defines their classes, and is illustrated by 67 figures of antenne, mouth parts, thoraxes, legs, claws, &c. It forms an octavo volume of 606 pages.

No. 520. The “Report of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institu- tion, for the year 1882, to the Board of Regents of the Institution,” is an octavo pamphlet of 56 pp.

No. 524. “Report of the Assistant Director of the United States Na- tional Museum, G. Brown Goode, for the year 1882.” Addressed to Prof. 8. F. Baird. 8vo. 145 pp.

No. 525. “An Account of the Progress in Astronomy in the year 1882,” By Prof, Edward 8. Holden, 8yo, 48 pp.

30 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

No. 526. “An Account of the Progress in Geology in the years 1881- 1882.” By Dr. T. Sterry Hunt. 8vo. 21 pp.

No. 527. “An Account of the Progress in Geography in the year 1882.” By Commander F. M. Green, U.S. N. 8vo. 18 pp.

No. 528. An Account of fie Progress in Meteorology in the year 1882.” By Prof. Cleveland Abbe. 8vo. 99 pp.

No. 529. “An Account of the Progress in Physics in the year 1882.” By Prof. George F. Barker. 8vo. 50 pp.

No. 530. “An Account of the Progress in Chemistry in the year 1882.” By Prof. H. Carrington Bolton. 8vo. 23 pp.

No. 531. ‘An Account of the Progress in Mineralogy in the year 1882.” By Prof. Edward 8. Dana. 8vo. 17 pp.

No. 532. “An Account of the Progress in Botany in the year 1882.” By Prof. William G. Farlow. 8vo. 13 pp.

No. 533. “An Account of the Progress in Zoology in the year 1882.” By Prof. Theodore Gill. 8vo. 68 pp.

No. 534. “An Account of the Progress in Anthropology in the year 1882.” By Prof. Otis T. Mason. 8vo. 41 pp.

No.535. ‘“ Miscellaneous Papers relating to Anthropology.” Published in the Annual Smithsonian Report for 1882. By Don Leon Fernandez, kh. T. Bron, George C. Van Allen, James M. Williamson, William Me- Adams, John G. Henderson, G. W. Homsher, J. P. MacLean, James M. Null, Benjamin W. Kent, J. Francis Le Baron, M. H. Simons, Johu P. Smith, H. E. Chase, and J. F. Bransford. Followed by brief abstracts from theanthropological correspondence of the Institution. Forming in all an octavo pamphlet of 155 pp., illustrated with 48 maps and figures.

No. 537. A sketch map of the District of Columbia (12 inches square), jndicating the localities of aboriginal remains; by L. P. Kengla.

No. 543. ‘ Bulletin of the Philosophical Society of Washington.” Vol. VI. January 3, 1883, to December 19, 1883. 8vo. 168 pp.

No. 544. ‘Transactions of the Anthropological Society of Washing-

ton.” Vol. Il. February 1, 1882, to May 15, 1883. 8vo. 211 pp. Illustrated with 45 figures.

No. 560. ‘‘Report on the Pharmacopezias of all Nations.” By Dr. James M. Flint, U.S. N. (Extracted from the report of the Surgeon- General of the U. 8S. Navy for 1882.) 8vo. 28 pp.

‘General Catalogue of Scientific Periodicals.”—The publication of this work by Dr. H. Carrington Bolton, of Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., has been continued during the year, 344 pages having been printed and stereotyped. Extra proofs of each signature are printed and distributed to about 50 public libraries, with the request that they be returned with the titles checked of those works possessed by each library. Complete sets are marked with a‘‘C,” nearly complete sets with “Ine.” written on the margin. In the appendix to the work it is proposed to give a list of all the libraries in which any of the periodicals cited may be

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. on

found. This will add much to the value of the catalogue, and the prompt response and ready co-operation of librarians in this enterprise is very gratifying.

Professor Bolton’s catalogue is intended to include independent jour- nals in every branch of science, both pure and applied. Transactions of societies are generally excluded, as well as medical and art journals.

Physical and Meteorological Tables.—This work, published by the In- stitution in 1852 (212 pages), and revised in 1859 (638 pages), has been

_taken up by the author, Prof. A. Guyot, of Princeton, N. J., with the purpose of adding new and important tables and carefully revising the old ones. This has been a labor requiring much time, and has oceupied several years. The manuscript was, however, completed and sent to press in 1885, and the printing has proceeded as rapidly as the nature of the work would permit.

The volume will be published during the year 1884, and will doubt- less be in great demand, as very few of the publications of the Insti- tution have met with such steady call as the former editions of these tables.

Bulletins of the National Museum.—An additional series of publications lately included in the Miscellaneous Collections consists of the Bulletins of the United States National Museum, primarily printed under the di- rection of the honorable Secretary of the Interior. This series was in- stituted for the purpose of furnishing a prompt publication of original descriptions of the specimens received by the Museum, many of which are new to science, as well as of presenting such other interesting in- formation on subjects of biology as may be given by its collaborators. From the stereotyped plates thus produced a supplementary edition is printed off by the Institution, and distributed among its numerous cor- respondents in the same manner as its other publications. Thefollowing bulletins were published during the year:

Bulletin No. 16 (Smithsonian No. 492) contains a ‘“‘ Synopsis of the Fishes of North America.” By David 8. Jordan and Charles H. Gilbert. The table of contents of this elaborate work occupies 47 pages, and the work itself forms an octavo volume of 1018 pages.

Bulletin No. 20 (Smithsonian No. 508), the first of a proposed series of extended catalogues of the writings of American naturalists, com- prises a bibliography of ‘* The Published Writings of Spencer Fullerton Baird from 1843 to 1882.” By George Brown Goode, Assistant Director of the National Museum. The work is prefaced by a biographical sketch of Professor Baird of 9 pages, and includes (1) a “ Chronological Cata- logue” of his published writings (forming the bulk of the volume); (2) a “Systematic Catalogue,” in which the various species described or treated of are arranged in the order of biologic classification ; (3) a “List of Species Discussed and Hlustrated,” similarly classified. The whole forms an octavo volume of 393 pages,

32 REPORT OF THE, SECRETARY.

Bulletin No. 24 (Smithsonian No. 493) contains a “ Check-List of North American Reptilia and Batrachia, with catalogue of specimens in the United States National Museum.” By Dr. H.C. Yarrow. 8vo., 255 pp.

A brief abstract of the preceding (Smithsonian No. 517) is a “ Check- List of North American Reptilia and Batrachia, based on specimens contained in the United States National Museum,” by Dr. H.C. Yarrow. 8vo. 28 pp. For the convenience of collectors, this list has been printed on the right-hand page only.

Bulletin No. 26 (Smithsonian No. 500) is an “Avifauna Columbiana: being a list of birds ascertained to inhabit the District of Columbia, with the times of arrival and departure of such as are non-residents, and brief notices of habits, ete.” By Drs. Elliott Coues and D. Webster Prentiss. This is the second edition, revised to date and much enlarged, of the Catalogue of the Birds of the District of Columbia, prepared by the same authors twenty years ago, and published in 1862 in the Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution for 1861. The present edition has been entirely rewritten to embrace all the additions which have been made to the list during the interval between the two editions, to- gether with a review of the changes the Avifauna has undergone, a sketch of the topography of the District with reference to the haunts and habits of its birds, and much other new matter ; and is handsomely illustrated with wood-cuts or lithographs. It appears as one of the series of natural history monographs of the District, following the Flora re- cently published, and to be succeeded by ar diel ecg other depart- ments of the Fauna.

It forms an octavo of 138 pages, with a full-page ‘imatration of rail shooting on the Anacostia marshes, District of Columbia, and folded colored maps of the Potomac River region, of the Rock Creek region, and of the Eastern Branch or Anacostia River region of the District of Columbia; also a large map of Washington and vicinity.

Proceedings of the National Museum.—This is an allied series of pub- lications, designed to furnish to naturalists early announcements and descriptions of specimens received, more particularly when of new species.

Volume V of the Proceedings of the United States National Museum was completed during the year. It contains memoirs by numerous con- tributors, and comprises 714 octavo pages.

Proceedings No. 19 (Smithsonian No. 539) contains a ‘“ Classification of the Materia Medica collection of the U.S. National Museum and cata- logue of specimens.” By James M. Flint. 8vo. 45 pp.

Educational series (Smithsonian No. 516), “ List of duplicate marine invertebrates distributed by the U.S. National Museum.” Prepared by R, 8, Tarr, under the direction of Richard Rathbun, 8vo, 5 fp.

REPORT OF QFE SECRETARY. oo

Proceedings No. 20 (Smithsonian No. 541), a circular ‘* Request for Specimens of Drugs and Information concerning them.” S8vo. 1 p.

Smithsonian Annual Report.—The Annual Report of the Regents to Congress for 1881 was transmitted on the Ist of March, 1882, but copies were not received from the Public Printer until October, 1883.

Its contents were referred to in the last report.

The report for the year 1882 was sent to Congress on the 19th Janu- ary, 1883, but copies have not yet been received for distribution.

It will inelude the Journal of Proceedings of the Board of Regents, with the reports of the Secretary and the Executive Committee. The «General Appendix” contains the continuation of the record of recent scientific progress commenced in the Annual Report for 1880, and con- sists of the following articles:

Account of recent progress in Astronomy, by Prof. EK. 8S. Holden.

Account of recent progress in Geology, by Prof. T. S. Hunt.

Account of recent progress in Geography, by Commander F. M. Green.

Account of recent progress in Meteorology, by Prof. C. Abbe.

Account of recent progress in Physics, by Prof. G. F. Barker,

Account of recent progress in Chemistry, bv Prof. H.C. Bolton.

Account of recent progress in Mineralogy, by Prof. E. 8. Dana.

Account of recent progress in Botany, by Prof. W. G. Farlow.

Account of recent progress in Zodlogy, by Prof. Th. Gill.

Account of recent progress in Anthropology, by Prof. O. T, Mason.

Miscellaneous papers and extracts from correspondence on Anthro- pology.

ASTRONOMICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS BY TELEGRAPH.

During the past year an important change has been made in the di- rectorship of the astronomical telegraphy so long undertaken by this Institution. Itwas stated in thelast report that the ‘Science Observer” of Boston, under the editorship of John Ritchie, jr., of the Harvard College Observatory, had for some time past supplemented this work by issuing ‘special circulars” furnishing successive elements and ephe- merides of observed comets, &c., and also by frequently telegraphing the same by cable dispatches in a peculiar phrase code adopted for this purpose.

On being informed that this enterprising agency was willing and pre- pared to take the entire charge of the system, the Smithsonian Insti- tution, agreeably to its settled policy not to expend its energies on in- terests otherwise provided for, expressed its readiness to transfer the control of this useful service to the Harvard College Observatory, on the formal acceptance of the same by its director, Prof. Edward C. Pickering. The principal portion of the correspondence relative to this matter is presented in the appendix to this report. On the receipt of

H, Mis. 69

° 0

34 REPURT. OF . TH SECRETARY.

Professor Pickering’s reply the following circular was published aid distributed to all our astronomical correspondents :

‘SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, ‘* Washington, D. C., January 10, 1883.

“Arrangements having been completed with the director of the Har- vard College Observatory for conducting the system of telegraphic an- nouncements of astronomical discoveries, which was established by this Institution in 1873, you are hereby informed that from and after this date the American center of reception and distribution of such an- nouncements will be ‘The Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, Mass.,’ to which address all astronomical telegrams should in future be sent. It is hoped and believed that this transfer of a highly impor- tant service will prove beneficial to the interests of astronomical science.”

Thus the work of receiving and distributing transatlantic announce- ments of astronomical discoveries, established and faithfully conducted by this Institution for the past ten years, has been committed to other, and we feel assured worthy, hands. It is believed that astronomical inter- ests will be benefited by the transfer ; and while retiring from its future charge, we shall always be ready to co-operate as far as practicable in this important field ‘‘ for the diffusion of knowledge.”

This notice will properly close with a copy of the circular prepared by Professor Pickering (dated February 14, 1883) on assuming the charge :

“Oireular relative to the collection and distribution of astronomical in telligence.—The arrangements described in this circular have been mad¢ in order to render the transmission of astronomical intelligence more speedy and accurate.

“An association of about fifty European observatories has recent been formed, with its headquarters at the Royal Observatory, Kiel, Germany, directed by Professor Krueger, who has taken charge of the business of the association. Connections by cable have been established withgSouth America, South Africa, and Australia, and the Harvara Collége Observatory has been requested to co-operate with it in the United States, by receiving and distributing in this country the tele. graphic information sent from Kiel, and by torwarding to Kiel by tele- graph any similar information of importance collected from American astronomers. By the courtesy of Professor Baird, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the function hitherto performed by the Insti- tution, of collecting and transmitting announcements of discovery, has been transferred to the Harvard College Observatory.

“In accepting this transfer it is right that a public acknowledgment should be made of the service rendered to science by the Smithsonian Institution in undertaking the labor from which it now retires. For Inany years its action has relieved a want generally recognized, although not otherwise provided for; while, as soon as astronomers were prepared to assume the task, the Smithsonian Institution courteously offered to facilitate the change which has just been made.

“The members of the European association above mentioned have agreed to contribute a fixed annual sum for the payment of its expenses, in return for which they are to receive from Kiel the dispatches which may be received at that place.

“In the absence of any similar action on the part of American astron-

4

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 35

omers, the dispatches sent from Kiel to this country will be imme- diately communicated to the Associated Press, and to the observatories and such other institutions and persons as may make special arrange- ments for obtaining them.

“The importance of the work thus begun requires that a special offi- cer of the observatory should be intrusted with it. Mr. John Ritchie, jr., of Boston, has accordingly been appointed assistant in charge of this service, and the details of the proposed system are explained by him in the circular distributed with this.

“ American astronomers are requested to send to the ‘ Harvard Col- lege Observatory, Cambridge, Mass.,’ telegraphic information of dis- coveries of comets, asteroids, or phenomena of any kind requiring im- mediate attention. Arrangements will be made to refund the cost of such telegrams to the senders when their contents are of importance. It is very desirable that the messages should conform to the principles stated in Mr. Ritchie’s circular.

“The success hitherto attained by Messrs. Chandler and Ritchie— both of whom are now connected with the observatory—in their pro- ject of improving the mode of transmitting astronomical telegrams encourages the belief that the system now adopted will prove expedi- tious and satisfactory. Mr. Chandler will continue his computations of cometary orbits, which will be distributed by telegraph, as heretofore, when that course seems to be desirable.

‘*KDWARD C. PICKERING, ‘* Director of Harvard College Observatory.

“ CAMBRIDGE, MAss., February 14, 1883.”

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES.

Among the subjects occupying more than any other the attention of the Smithsonian Institution is the system of international exchanges, as initiated about the year 1850, and carried on with constantly expand- ing scope to the present time. It was begun purely for the purpose of enabling the Institution to distribute its own publications and obtain exchanges in return, but gradually its sphere was extended first to scientific institutions and specialists of the United States, then to in- stitutions and individuals of the remainder of the New World, and finally to the various Bureaus of the Government and the Congressional Library. The number of packages from foreign countries for distribu- tion in the United States during 1883 was 8,262, and filled 232 boxes. Those received from institutions and individuals in America, including the United States Government, for transmissiou abroad consisted of 18,063 packages, and required 495 boxes for their accommodation, each box averaging contents of perhaps 8 cubic feet and weighing 78.647 pounds.

In the accompanying report of Mr. Boehmer, the officer in charge of this branch, will be found full details of this work—so important a factor in accomplishing the mission of the Smithsonian Institution. ~ From the Ist of July, 1883, by enactment of Congress, the disburse- ment of a specific appropriation for international exchanges (consti-

36 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

tuting the third) has been under the State Department, amounting to $7,500. This allowance has been a very important relief to the In- stitution, which originally was obliged to meet all the costs of this work, sometimes to the amount of $12,000 annually, out of its small in. come. The appropriation by Cougress, first of $3,500, next of $5,000, and, next of $7,500, has enabled the Institution to meet the burden more easily and to greatly crease the efficiency and extent of the system, although the additional cost in 1883 met from the Smithsonian fund has been $6,192.34.

If the Institution were obliged to pay the full freight charges on its packages carried by ocean steamers, the cost would necessarily be in- creased by several thousands of dollars. Thanks, however, to the liberality of the principal steamship companies, no charges whatever _ are made for such transportation.

The principal companies making this concession are the following:

American Colonization Society, Washington, D. C.

Anchor Steamship Company (Henderson & Bro., agents), New York.

Atlas Steamship Company (Pim, Forwood & Co., agents), New York.

Bailey, H. B., & Co., New York.

Beadle, E. R., Philadelphia.

Bixby, Thomas & Co., Boston, Mass.

Bland, Thomas, New York.

Borland, B. R., New York.

Cameron, R. W., & Co., New York.

Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (L.de Bébian, agent), New York.

Cunard Royal Mail Steamship -Line (Vernon Brown & Co., agents), New York.

Dallett, Boulton & Co., New York.

Dennison, Thomas, New York.

Hamburg American Packet Company (Kunhardt & Co., agents), — New York.

Inman Steamship Company, New York.

Merchants’ Line of Steamers, New York.

Monarch Line (Patton, Vickers & Co., agents), New York.

Muiioz y Espriella, New York.

Murray, Ferris & Co., New York.

Netherlands American Steam Navigation Company (H. Cazaux, agent), New York.

New York and Brazil Steamship Company, New York.

New York and Mexico Steamship Company, New York.

North German Lloyd (agents, Oelrichs & Co., New York; Schu- macher & Co., Baltimore).

Pacific Mail Steamship Company, New York.

Panama Railroad Company, New York.

Red Star Line (Peter Wright & tons, agents), New York.

Spinney, Joseph S., New York,

Uses

Pe A a Nn,

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 37

Steamship Lines for Brazil, Texas, Florida, and Nassau, N. P. (C. W. Mallory & Co., agents), New York.

White Cross Line of Antwerp (Funch, Edye & Co., agents), New York. ?

Wilson & Asmus, New York.

The Monarch Line, recently added to the list, running direct from New York to London, greatly facilitates the exchanges between the United States and Great Britain.

The Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the Baltimore and Ohio Company have continued their concessions of reduced fares, and the freight steamer lines between Washington and New York have also made liberal concessions, which have been of very great value.

Acknowledgments are also due to the foreign ministers and consuls of the various Governments for their assistance in taking charge of the packages intended for the countries which they respectively represent and transmitting them with care to their destination.

The following tables will give some particulars of the statistics of the distribution of packages thus made:

Receipts. Purpose of and source of receipt. In 1881. | In 1882. | In 1883.

1. For foreign distribution : From Government Departments (packages).-........-...----.--. 4, 326 6, 470 7,165 irom smi tisonian INStiOMbiON >. 25 ales laou oe csnciatenceoe se 5, 436 7, O56 6,218 Miran ACen eriG SOCICLIOS sree sem aie ce woe see in acc can sees telaceeins 3, 631 5,119 3, 900 From individuals ...--..-.--- st oo eeGo boone Soe aabUanoeEbErsodear 768 647 780 14, 161 19 292 18, 063 PM THI DIE IStLE DU UDI. 25 = Sain so cfocicis wcniieis oe wiunele> sisuls ule aisiem) (iceasisia= 7, 890 7, 187 8, 262 8. For Government exchanges .............-.-.. Socdecesacedtonobhcesees | 15, 550 31, 568 37, 569 Total receipts, packages ...-......-...2..22seeseeseeeceseeeeeeess | 37,551 | 58,047| 63, 894

Transmissions during the last eight years.

1. FOREIGN EXCHANGES.

Items. | 1876. 1877. 1878. 1879 1880. | 1881. | 1882. 1883. — Mramber Of boxes: -..-.---2-------=. 323 397 309 311 268 407 422 495 ipAllciinienbic feet -2-- 2... 2. 2.2 2,261 | 2,779 | 2,160] 2,177 | 1,976) 2,800] 2,950 8, 228 Weight, in pounds...............-. 80, 750 | 99, 250 | 69, 220 | 69, 975 | 60, 300 1200 750 |105, 500 | 122, 265 ———— _ - — — : = | ~ | = 2. DOMESTIC EXCHANGES.

Total addresses to institutions... -. lex S10)| ‘(392))>. | 392 444 385 600 | 548 423 Tutal addresses to individuals -..-. 328 | 374 370 341 560 454} 399 471 ——ee Ee =

Yotal number of parcels to institu- } DTS Sg ee a 3,705 | -3,868 | 4,059] 5,786] 4,021| 7,086) 7,192] 8,677

Total number of parcels to individ- | | I) Rol A Ae eRe Senor 1,148 | 1,094 | 1,233 |} 1,185 | 1,566) 1,347) 1,167 2, 323 Total number of parcels.....| 4,853 | 4,962 | 5,292 | 6,971| 5,587| 8,433 | 8 359 | 11,000

3. GOVERNMENT EXCHANGES. Lotal number of boxes.........---. 122 73 | 73 67 35| 98] 122 | 76 \ | | Was

38 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

Government Document Eachange.-—The exchange of official publica- tions of the United States Government for those of most other foreign nations has been continued, as in previous years, under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, in accordance with the law of Congress, and a large number of valuable publications have been sent to agencies designated by their respective countries.

Previous reports contain full details of the arrangement. The essen- tial points consist in the receipt by the Joint Library Committee of Con- gress of fifty extra copies of all Government publications to be used in the distribution.

I regret to say that comparatively few of the nations, even of those which had formerly agreed to enter upon an exchange, have carried out their promises; and it is a somewhat serious question as to whether our own self-respect will permit us to continue all these transmissions with- out corresponding returns. We cannot, of course, ask for the equiva- lent in bulk, as no nation prints so large an amount of official matter as the United States does. It is, however, not too much to ask that what- ever may be published, however small in quantity, shall be forwarded.

Some of the most important nations are conspicuous by their absence from this arrangement, notably Germany, with which we have found it impossible to make any arrangement. Great Britain, which, until 1883, has not been on our list, has, during the year, made the most satisfac- tory arrangements, and it is expected that a large number of works of important character will be received and transferred to the Library of Congress.

It is of course understood that this entire. transaction was intended by Congress to be for the benefit of the Library of Congress, and all the publications when received are immediately transferred to Mr. Spofford’s care. = eae

LIBRARY.

The usual steady increase in the number of books reported by the library as received is indicated for 1883—12,675 pieces, as against 11,779 of 1882. These are, for the most part, obtained by exchanges; to a less extent by absolute donations, and still less by purchases. As heretofore, these books have been transferred on arrival to the Library of Congress, excepting where purchased expressly for the use of the National Museum, or needed for the service of that branch of the Institution ; all serials, however, being regularly transferred.

In many cases we have been enabled to obtain a second series of many important journals and publications of societies, in exchange for the volumes of the Bulletins and Proceedings of the National Museum, which are eagerly sought after, and the acquisition of which is consid- ered to be a matter of great importance.

In this latter establishment the same system as heretofore has been continued—namely, that of allowing all books on special subjects to be taken charge of by the curators of those branches, while mixed or

oe Jiaetiil

>

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 39

éeneral works are retained in the central library room. The librarian keeps, of course, an accurate record of the disposition of each book, so that any applicant can be referred at once to the place of deposit of such book in possession of the Museum that he may wish.

Attention is again called to the importance of an arrangement by which a card catalogue of all books in the libraries of the various De- partments can be kept in charge of the Congressional Library, so that the actual depository, and the most convenient one, of any book may be indicated to an applicant.

The following is a statement of the books, maps, and charts received by the Smithsonian Institution during the year 1883, and transferred to the Library of Congress and the National Museum:

] noes | Octavo or | Quarto or : Description. eo Ae larger. Total. PTET DSS. oR Sr ee re fe || 1,312 442° 1, 754 EMV OUINOS 5 592 2c sae 5s ho eees see wee 4, U60 4,170 8, 134 oO ee ee ee Se ere 2, 200 | 363 2, 568 iv L DING) CLC eae nse ee AO er cee (ae a ner Oi see oes 219 TRV EDT Se igs Sie oe es ee ae octets Rel (eee eee Se 12, 675

RELATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION TO OTHER BODIES.

The hearty co-operation of the various Departments of the Govern- ment in the scientific work of the Smithsonian Institution, whether re- lating more particularly to the National Museum or to the solution of scientific problems in general, has never been more strongly marked than during the past year; and itis with great pleasure that I take this occasion to make proper mention of the same.

The Navy Department.—Previous reports have referred to the experi- ment initiated by the Navy Department of detailing six ensigns for the service of the National Museum. The object of this measure of the De- partment was to impart to a body of young naval officers such training as might enlarge their sphere of mental activity, and enable them to utilize in the interests of the Department and of science the many op- portunities of research and investigation presenting themselves in the course of their cruises and other duties.

The first detail of this kind was made in the autumn of 1881; the second in 1882, and the third in the autumn of 1883.

‘These gentlemen, as mentioned hereafter, have all been assigned to duty with the curators of the Museum and assistants of the United States Geological Survey, their own preferences being considered as far as pos- sible.

lam very happy to say that the experiment has proved to bea de- cided success, the officers applying themselves to their work with great diligence, and obtaining a fair knowledge of the subjects upon which

40 REPORY OF THE SECRETARY.

they are engaged in a reasonably short time. There is every reason to believe that from year to year, as this service is continued, the Navy will receive back a body of officers who will reflect luster on the De- partment and on the country.

The measure in question appears to be quite popular in the Navy, judging from the number of officers who have made application for par- ticipation in the benefits.

The details for the past three years have been as follows :

First year, 1881.

. H. Miner, attached to Albatross.

. EK. Honda in hospital at Portland, Me. . Blish, attached to Jamestown.

S. Chase, National Museum.

. M. Garrett, attached to Albatross.

. C. Marsh, National Museum.

Second year, 1882.

. Dresel, National Museum. . Bernadou, ordered to Corea. . Ackerman, attached to Albatross. . Niblack, National Museum. ilkinson, National Museum. . Safford, National Museum.

Bas Be

Third year, 1883.

H. M. Witzel, National Museum. O. G. Dodge, National Museum. J. H. Fillmore, National Museum. C. 8. McClain, National Museum. H.S. Knapp, National Museum. G. H. Harlow, National Museum.

Lieutenant Winslow, who was detailed for duty in securing statistics of the production, distribution, and varieties of the oyster industry of the United States for the census of 1880, has completed his report on that subject, and was subsequently occupied in collecting material of a similar character for the London Fisheries Exhibition, and also in ar- ranging and labeling the collections made for that object. He is now devoting himself to the special investigation of a number of the useful mollusea of the country.

Dr. J. M. Flint, of the medical department of the Navy, still continues the efficient relationship to the National Museum referred to in the pre- ceding report.

Among the special divisions of the National Museum a collection of the medicines of all nations has been receiving much consideration,

33 See

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 41

With the co-operation of the leading druggists, and by means of ex- tended exchanges, a collection has been brought together superior to any other in the United States and scarcely excelled by any in Europe.

Dr. Flint has had supervision of this collection, and has brought 1t into admirable condition, the specimens being all neatly put up and properly labeled with the scientific and common names, and made available for study. Further reference to this collection will be found in another part of the report.

At the suggestion of the Institution, the Secretary of the Navy de. tailed Messrs. Dresel and Ackerman, two ensigns on duty at the [nsti- tution, to the Yantic—the naval vessel which convoyed the Proteus in her trip for the relief of Lieutenant Greely and his party at Lady Franklin Bay. These gentlemen made very valuable collections in zo- ology and mineralogy, which have been turned over to the National Museum, and have been absorbed in the general collections.

The Secretary also assigned Ensign Bernadou, at the suggestion of the Institution, for duty with the steamer Alert, about to proceed to Corea, with the understanding that he was to be detached from that vessel on reaching Corea, and permitted to devote himself to scientific research, under the direction of the Institution. He is specially inter- ested in chemistry, mineralogy, and geology ; but he hopes to make com- prehensive coilections in many other branches.

The Secretary of State also furnished Mr. Bernadou with aspecial pass- port to Corea, and a letter commending him to Mr. Foote, the United States minister to that country.

The Pinta being under orders for Alaska, Dr. Crawford, of the Navy, offered his services as collector, and applied for the necessary appa- ratus for making alcoholic collections. Suitable tanks filled with alcohol and other supplies were forwarded to the vessel; but as Dr. Crawford was detached from service on her, his successor, Dr. Willson, very kindly renewed the offer, and will doubtless make due report of his labors.

The War Department.—The United States Signal Service.—The close re- lationship existing between the objects of the Smithsonian Institution and the United States Signal Office, as established by the transfer to that Bureau of the entire meteorological organization, has continued to the present time. The most important connection is in the prosecution of scientific research in various parts of the country, as shown more par- ticularly in the establishment of stations in northern or Arctic America. Many of the persons selected by the Signal Office for carrying on re- search in the interests of climatology, either for its own special purposes, or in co-operation with the international arrangements, have been nom- inated by the Smithsonian Institution, at the request, or by the permis sion of the Chief Signal Officer. Instructions as to the special desiderata have been issued, and the additional expenses needed in the way of out- fit and supplies have been furnished by the Institution. The result has

been to add a great amount of important information to what we pre- —

42 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

- viously knew of the natural history, geology, and anthropology of the regions north of the United States; while, of course, full provision has been made for the necessary physical research required by the Signal Office.

The Treasury Department.—A somewhat similar arrangement to that of the Signal Office has been made with the Life-Saving Service, under the direction of Superintendent Kimball, who instructed the keepers of stations to carry out the provisions of a circular issued by the Institu- tion, requesting telegraphic announcement in regard to the stranding of cetaceans, strange fishes, and any other unusual inhabitants of the sea.

In another part of this report will be found a full statement of the very important results already accomplished.

The Light-House Board of the Treasury Department has also con- tinued its co-operation by requiring observations of ocean temperatures at various light-ships and light-houses along the coast. The data ac- cumulated in this way have been of the utmost importance in connection with the general problems of ocean physics, and have been used to very great advantage in solving many questions concerning the migrations of fishes along the coast.

The Interior Department.—Another extremely important addition to the exhibits of the National Museum results from the transfer of the entire collection of Washington relics from the Interior Department, where they had been until now in the custody of the Commissioner of Patents. In this was included not only the old collection that had been on view for so many years, but also a large number of objects purchased some years ago by Congressional appropriation from Col- onel Lewis, and never unpacked after their arrival in the city. These articles have all been placed temporarily in large cases in the north hall, and will as soon as possible be transferred to more suitable de- positories, where they can be more readily observed and appreciated. The utmost care is taken of this collection, which is justly prized as one of the most valuable properties of the National Museum.

Some other articles of historical interest were also received on the same occasion.

Relations to Foreign Governments.— Under the head of ‘‘ Explorations in Labrador” will be found a reference to the researches of Mr. Lucien M. Turner. It became necessary in the earlier part of the year to renew the supplies of alcohol, ammunition, &c., to Mr. Turner; and as the vessel by which communication is effected starts for Montreal and Quebec, and not from any American port, the question of duties—on the alcohol especially—became one of some importance.

By the assistance of the Department of State, the intervention of Mr. Robbins, United States commercial agent at Ottawa, with the Canadian minister of finance was secured; and it was finally arranged

that on the request of the Secretary of the Treasury to that effect small pay

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 43

quantities of supplies for Mr. Turner or other agents of the Smith- sonian Institution in the Provinces might be sent in by it to several ports of entry free of duty, the collectors of customs at Montreal, Quebec, and Victoria being notified to that effect. Use was made of this privilege, not only in connection with Mr. Turner’s work, but also in the sending of alcohol to Mr. James G. Swan preliminary to his re- searches of the season in the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Transportation Facilities—The occasion of having a large quantity of freight to forward to London, for the service of the International Fish- ery Exhibition in that city, made it of great importance to secure as low rates as possible, the quantity to be shipped representing an aggregate of about 24,000 eubic feet, or 600 measurement tons.

The Pennsylvania Railroad Company promptly responded to an appeal for aid by furnishing cars at most favorable rates, to be loaded by the Institution, and made very satisfactory arrangements in regard to light- erage of the packages and their transfer to the steamers.

An arrangement was also made with Messrs. Patton, Vickers & Co., agents of the Monarch Line of steamers, plying between New York and London direct, by which the goods were carried at reduced rates for the round trip.

The gentlemen just referred to also kindly agreed to carry the regu- lar boxes of international exchanges system of the Institution free of charge, in this respect following out the liberal example of all the other lines between New York and the rest of the world.

Very favorable offers for freights between New York and Wash- ington have also been made by the Inland and Seaboard Coasting Com- . pany, and accepted by the Institution.

International and State Exhibitions.—Since the International Exhibi- tion in Philadelphia, in 1876, exhibitions of a somewhat similar char- acter, although more limited, have been held in many of the cities of the United States, these usually opening in August or September and lasting till towards the end of the year. Application is usually made to the In- stitution by the directors of these organizations for the loan of specimens from the National Museum. In most cases, however, it has not been considered expedient to take any action, excepting in cases where impor- tant contributions to the National Museum could be expected in return, or where Congress definitely authorized a loan in the particular case. It is not generally understood that, excepting where the Museum is to be benefited, there is no authority for allowing any specimens to leave the walls of the Museum buildings, and it was only by direct authority of Congress that displays were made at Philadelphia and in the Fishery Exhibitions at Berlin and London.

Quite a large collection, however, of duplicate specimens was fur- nished for exhibition at the International Exposition held at Louisville during the year 1883, this consisting, in large part, of showy objects, such as an ethnological display from Alaska, the skeleton of a whale,

44 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

some mounted mammals, &e. The stipulation in the Congressional enactment, that they were to be taken from and returned free of expense to the Institution, has been carried out, and the various objects have been returned with but a moderate amount of deterioration.

Earlier in the year similar action was taken in regard to the Chicago Railway Exposition, in the loan of one of the earliest locomotives used in Pennsylvania, and presented, at the Philadelphia Centennial, to the National Museum by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

Some collections were lent to the Foreign Exhibition which opened in Boston September 14 and continued to the end of the year. This

yas, however, on condition that a very valuable exhibit made by the Rajah of Lahore, and at the disposal of the authorities of the exhibition, be presented to the National Museum at the close.

Hlectrie Light Accommodation.—The loan by the Brush-Swan Electric Company of a powerful dynamo machine of six 3,000-candle-power, and of a series of arc-lights for the purpose of experiment upon the lighting of the Museum building, as also for use in electric photography, has already been mentioned. A suitable engine for working the dynamo was obtained at the expense of the Museum, and the apparatus put in efficient running order. This has since been under the direction of Mr. A. A. Duly, the engineer of the building, and Mr. William J. Green, the electrician.

On several occasions the halls of the building have been lighted with this apparatus; and very constant use was made of it in the prepara- tion of enlarged photographs of scenes connected with the fishery industries, to be used for exhibition at London. Several hundreds of these were enlarged from a size of 10 by 12 inches to that of 30 by 40; and, being finished up in crayon, constituted a very interesting and striking element of the international display at London.

In December, Mr. A. A. Hayes, representing the Brush Company, asked the privilege of making an exhibition, in the lecture room of the Museum, of the Brush storage battery system, which was readily granted. <A battery was placed in the lecture room, connected with forty of the Swan incandescent lights, and was charged by the Brush dynamo machine referred to. The exhibition was continued several successive evenings, and was witnessed by a number of Government officials and prominent citizens of Washington who were present by invitation. The exhibition was reported to be entirely satisfactory.

The light was also used on the occasion of the lecture of Professor Powell, before the Biological and Anthropological Societies of Wash- ington, as already mentioned.

The apparatus has been left in the lecture room for such additional use by the Institution as it may desire.

Forestry Inquiries.—At the request of the Biological Society of Wash- ington, which is very much interested in the question of forest trees (either native or planted) in the District, the Institution issued a circular asking

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 45

various persons informed on the subject, including superintendents of parks and grounds, for lists of the trees the existence of which in the District is known to them. The information thus obtained will be col- lated and presented in the form of a map, which will undoubtedly be of much interest.

Among the various courtesies extended, directly or indirectly, to the Institution, was an invitation to the Secretary to permit his name to be used as one of a committee on a bill providing for the protection of American forests. He was also asked to serve as a member of the jury in the International Horticultural Exposition, to be held at St. Peters- burg on the 17th of May, under the auspices of the Imperial Horticult- ural Society of Russia.

NECROLOGY.

The usual melancholy task of recording some deaths during the year, of employés and collaborators of the Institution, again falls upon me. 1 shall follow the order in time of the respective dates of decease.

EDWARD H. KNIGHT, born in London, June 1, 1824, came to this country and settled in Cincinnati in 1845, at the age of twenty-one. He died at Bellefontaine, Ohio,